My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

Bruce Carlson

About

Since 2006, this podcast has been using history to elevate today's political debates.  "The perfect antidote to bloviating talking heads, My History is thoughtful, nuanced, and highly engaging." -Columbia Journalism Review

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557 episodes

NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT: Part Two - The Case of Mario Cuomo

They called him the "Hamlet on the Hudson." What series on people not running for President in American history would be complete without the former governor of New York Mario Cuomo. He was famous for coming ever-so-close to running for President. And then, not running. In one case, he left a plane on a tarmac for reporters to watch for hours. Was it politics? Was it bad timing? Was it preference for state government? What about those mob ties [real or imagined] that were talked about? And was it, just maybe, a kind a weird psychological thing? We examine it all, in detail, on this episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

34m
Apr 01, 2024
NOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT: Part One - Horatio Seymour, Horace Greeley and Others

One thing Horatio Seymour made clear was that he was not running for President. He made it clear by saying not only he would not run but that he "must not be President." His party simply didn't care. And so, there he was on the ballot. In this three-part series we look at people not running for President, not knowing they were running, or in the case of Greeley unable to finish the run because, well, they were not alive. You'll find that not running for President (but announcing it) is almost as much a part of American political history as running for the office. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55m
Mar 25, 2024
Brown vs. The Board of Ed, Swain, PICS Decision, Busing and School Integration

The Supreme Court said in 1954 that segregated schools were inherently illegal. It took decades to fully address the problem. While events in the South are often discussed, events North also are important to focus on to understand the history. This cast blends modern events with a cast from 2007 talking about Brown, Brown III, Swain, PIC and the associated decisions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

54m
Mar 18, 2024
Sputnik Lands in Wisconsin and Other Stories

Extras from the Student Loans episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23m
Mar 07, 2024
The French Revolution and America with Will Clark of "Grey History: The French Revolution and Napoleon Podcast"

In this episode, I talk to fellow Airwave Media podcaster Will Clark of Grey History about the French Revolution and how it shaped American history, how American politicians reacted to it at the time, 100 years ago, and today. We also get into 'grey areas' of the French Revolution: things that we think about it that may be wrong, exaggerated, or even right on target. ABOUT GREY HISTORY Grey History is a podcast dedicated to exploring the ambiguities of the past. Too often history is presented as black and white, and Grey History seeks to examine the area in between those two extremes. Why? Because it’s in the grey that history has its beauty, its intrigue, and, most importantly, its lessons. In order to explore history’s ambiguities, the podcast makes a deliberate point of comparing differing experiences, perspectives, and conclusions. By incorporating testimonies from a wide variety of participants, contemporaries, and historians, we can better understand the lessons of the past. https://greyhistory.com/ Both of our shows are members of the Airwave Media Network www.airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 22m
Feb 26, 2024
Whistlestop Train Campaigns w/ Edward Segal

With Edward Segal, author of Whistle-Stop Politics, we talk about the unique method of campaigning for President - by train. And why it's not just a thing of the past. See more about Edward's book here: https://edwardsegal.com/whistle-stop-politics/ We are part of Airwave Media Network For more train politics stories, more 1988 election stories, and other things, join our Patreon - http://www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31m
Feb 19, 2024
One More Story About The 1988 Presidential Election, and a Show Update

Dukakis gets a less than helpful piece of advice from a friend. A surprising VP choice. Plus, an update on the show. JOIN The Patreon for My History Can Beat Up Your Politics and Become one of the elite listeners who get extra tidbits, special episodes and sometimes previews. http:www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp It can be as little as $3 per month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6m
Feb 15, 2024
You Break Everybody's Back: The 1988 Presidential Election - Part 6, Theoretical Dukakis

In our final episode of our six-part series on the 1988 Presidential Election, Vice President Bush has a lead over Mike Dukakis. It's close enough for a comeback though, and more than a few have suggestions for a different Dukakis message. A series of mistakes will doom the campaign. And that is the traditional way the story is told. But we suggest there they may been an invisible election going on under the surface. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 15m
Feb 12, 2024
You Break Everybody's Back: The 1988 Presidential Election - Part 5, Squishy Lead

Michael Dukakis secures the nomination, unifies his party and has a well-regarded convention. He's seventeen points ahead in the polls. Is it real? Even his own campaign staff thinks it may not be. A story in Reader's Digest is troubling. In New Orleans, Bush fires back, while dealing with questions about his choice for number two. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 17m
Feb 05, 2024
You Break Everybody's Back: The 1988 Presidential Election, Part 4 - Showdown In New York

With a split southern primary day, the Democrats have no clear leader. Team Dukakis would like to have been thought of as the leader, but Illinois and Michigan spoiled that. Only one state can settle things. And the Big Three Democratic campaigns settle on New York. Millions of dollars, frenetic debates, subways and hot dogs. It's all fun and games until New York City's mayor gets involved. Meanwhile, Bush is rapidly securing his nomination, but no one can tell Bob Dole that. He still has a few plans, if anyone will listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 23m
Jan 22, 2024
You Break Everybody's Back: The 1988 Presidential Election, Part 3 - Attack Videotape

In the wake of a front-runner's withdrawal, the campaigns struggle to get traction and block rival campaigns. The best weapon. An attack videotape. A story of three attack videotapes. One sent to a reporter which took out a major player in the campaign. Another in the snows of New Hampshire that saved a candidate, and a third that kept a campaign alive. Also a video that was never sent that should have been sent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 1m
Jan 15, 2024
You Break Everybody's Back: The 1988 Presidential Election - Part 2 [You Slayed My Dragon]

Gary Hart, the frontrunner in the Democratic side of the 1988 race, hits a major setback. Not only his he hurt, but so are all the people who wanted to have the chance to beat him. Now what? Jump Ball, says an aide of new candidate Joe Biden. Biden hopes to fill the gap, with his appeal to Baby Boomers will carry him forward. Al Gore enter the race, swinging at everyone. Dick Gephardt comes up with a zero-to-hero TV ad. Bush just can't get through to country people. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 20m
Jan 08, 2024
You Break Everybody's Back: The 1988 Presidential Election - Part 1 [Man Down]

In our first episode of our series on the 1988 Presidential Election: a cornfield prognosticator, men of the cloth, a young upstart, a senator with big glasses, a casino king, a prince of the polls and more than a few watching from the outside, thinking about maybe getting in. Who will succeed Reagan? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55m
Jan 02, 2024
Update on UK Politics with Stephen Byrne

We talk to Stephen Byrne, host of Whats Am Politics about events in the United Kingdom with some contrasts to politics in the United States. In the UK currently, the government is very unpopular but there's nothing they or anyone else can do about it for at least six months, and probably a year. Meanwhile, a man labelled 'Mr. Boring' might become the country's leader. And a major third party in Parliament, the Scottish National Party, may be decimated in the next election due to intra party changes. Complex, yet interesting - tune in. What Am Politics -https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hvnK8EhRyANSapXIh8PQI We are part of Airwave Media Network Wish to advertise on the show? advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

59m
Dec 24, 2023
1980 - A Hostage Mom Goes to Iran

Fed up with the US government's efforts to rescue her son being held hostage, Barbara Timm, mother of a Marine guard at the US Embassy at Iran, goes directly to Tehran. We tell her story. We are part of Airwave Media Network Advertise? advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

23m
Dec 21, 2023
The Jacksonians and Their Role in Today's Politics - John Ellis

We talk with John Ellis of News Corp, NBC, Boston Globe and currently at news-items.com, to discuss his theory on today's politics. Jacksonians, a group of people who behave in ways the media has misjudged are the force beyond today's polls numbers. We also took a bit about calling states for networks in elections, something Ellis had a role in in the 2000 election. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

57m
Dec 18, 2023
The Asterisk: Bush vs. Reagan in Iowa 1980

In 1980, George Bush did the impossible. He went from three percent in the polls, an asterisk in the polls, as he called himself, to defeating front-runner Ronald Reagan in the Iowa caucuses. The issue: electability, moderation, and age. The event upset a rage and nearly changed history. Indeed, it put the Bush name into politics. We discuss what happened and how it might provide insight into today's races. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 0m
Dec 11, 2023
Secrecy and Democracy with Dr. Katlyn Carter of Notre Dame

We hear the phrase democracy dies in darkness and how important transparency is - but is it really? After all the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention met in private. Bruce talks with Dr. Katlyn Carter of Notre Dame about the history of secrecy and democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

50m
Dec 04, 2023
Mississippi Bans Sesame Street (From the Useless Information Podcast)

From the excellent Useless Information podcast, the story of the development of educational television in Mississippi, and the exclusion of one particular program. For more information on Useless Information podcast, please go to www.uselessinformation.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

32m
Nov 23, 2023
Best Rabbit: Dan Quayle

Dan Quayle's name conjures up images of late-night comedian jokes and verbal gaffes, but he may have offered a little-known service to the President he served. In this episode, we discuss George H.W. Bush's vice president, including his ups and downs, and even his recent role in advising Mike Pence during the Jan 6, 2021 events.   Music by Lee Rosevere and Theme Song by Chris Novembrino We are part of Airwave Media Network - check out Ben Franklin's World, Tea Time History, Redacted History, the History of China, The Explorers Podcast, The Age of Napoleon www.airwavemedia.com Want to Advertise on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics? sales@advertisecast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43m
Nov 20, 2023
Special Episode: Three Ways You Can Help My History Can Beat Up Your Politics (Hint: All of them are Free)

We've launched the Fall of USSR as its own podcast to attract new listeners, and I'd like some help. That and a show update of what I am working on. Thanks for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13m
Nov 17, 2023
Sell Your Horse - America in The 1890's: Part 6 [Imperialism Just Kind of Happens]

The Spanish American War, from Spain's point of view. Journalism gets yellow. Roosevelt makes a charge. He gets help from a group that he doesn't acknowledge very well. A little bit about the deconstruction of Reconstruction. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 54m
Nov 13, 2023
Sell Your Horse - America in The 1890's: Part 4 [The Republic For Which It Stands]

America is growing, in unison. Time for a pledge. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

49m
Nov 09, 2023
Move My Bill! A History of Discharge Petitions

It is a rarely used tactic, but when it works, it can do big things, like moving a bill through Congress even if the Speaker doesn't support it. From civil rights to gun show loopholes, from budget balancing to debt ceilings, we look at the Discharge Petition. And why it's become important for GOP conservatives in the 90's and for Democrats today. We are part of Airwave Media Network (www.airwavemedia.com) Music by Lee Rosevere and his MUSIC FOR PODCASTS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

37m
Nov 06, 2023
Sell Your Horse - America in The 1890's: Part 4 - A Voyage to Other Worlds

Attempts to fly, science fiction, and new economic theories. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30m
Nov 02, 2023
Sell Your Horse - America in The 1890's Part 2 [Tin Man[

Populism rears its head. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

49m
Oct 30, 2023
Sell Your Horse - America in The 1890's: Part 1 [Mauve Decade]

A look back at the decade when America got modern. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

1h 5m
Oct 25, 2023
Warm Bucket: Vice President John Nance Garner

We look at the Vice President who - maybe - described the office as a "bucket of warm spit." He also may have been its most powerful occupant up to his time, and he's responsible in a little way for making two President's careers. He's also the first Vice President to campaign against the President, though since the President wasn't officially campaigning at the time, perhaps it doesn't count.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43m
Oct 22, 2023
Bunch of Topics: House Speakers, Kaiser Permanente, Post Office History, and Poets

The poet Joyce Kilmer and his story of romantic poetry and war. Removing speakers (while Kevin McCarthy is the first speaker vacated by motion, there have been others who have been pressured out) and with Kaiser Permanente in the news a bit about that unique organization, and a view from a visiting French philosopher in the 1940s. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

54m
Oct 17, 2023
Lebanon 1983 and Other Stories

A look at Reagan's intervention in Lebanon in 1983, from a podcast back in 2009. We also look at Wilson' intervention in Mexico in 1913 We are part of airwave media newtork want to advertise? advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

47m
Oct 16, 2023