My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

Of course political capital was what George W. Bush was talking about, and spend it he did pushing a social security plan that failed by all accounts. However, it's failure doesn't mean that there aren't advocates who think it would have been right to do, with a better messenger. We get into it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That's right we have five Episodes of our Chester Arthur Series for Patrons right now - join at www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp or www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They called them "Carter Quarters." but quarters they were not. To recognize a champion of woman's rights, the U.S. made a decision in 1979 to mint a new coin. The results - mixed at best. A few liked it, many didn't, and later it got more usage, right at the point the Feds had given up. We talk about this coin, and about a lost speech Lincoln made, and how he may have jumped out a window to avoid a vote. We are part of Airwave Media Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Thoughts about a few current topics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Tom McMillan, we take a look at some of the assumptions of 1776 in the history books. First of all, why July 4th and Not July 2nd? And what about May 15th, when Adams got delegates to move and issued his own Declaration-like preamble? And a second look at Jefferson's authorship of the Declaration: writer or draftsman? We are part of Airwave Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to our Patreon - patreon.com/mhcbuyp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 1985, a new Treasury Secretary had a shocking idea. Get the financial leaders of the world large economies in one gilded hotel room and don't tell the press, or the markets, until the deal is done. The Plaza Accords, as they were dubbed, has come up again in today's tariff discussions. At least one administration official would say it's what's needed today. We get into it, and why it didn't have a long term effect. But it's also true to say this - nothing worked like Plaza before or since. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you like My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, you'll enjoy the new season of Fiasco, a podcast from Slow Burn creator Leon Neyfakh. Leon transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of the United States' most pivotal historical events, bringing to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present. In his new season, Iran-Contra, Leon looks at a secret war, a secret deal, and a scandal that threatened to destroy Ronald Reagan's presidency—until it didn't. In this preview, hear how a crew of amateur spies from Long Island helped the Reagan administration set the stage for Iran-Contra. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe to the Patreon for as little as $5 dollars a month and get ad-free episodes, and bonus episodes: For instance - we talk about Lincoln's land he owned in Iowa while he was President, and What happened to it, plus a half-dozen other Lincoln stories. This and our 5 part Chester Arthur series, funny UK politics, the 1864 election, and other things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 22nd and 24th President staked his first re-election bid opposing tariffs. There were reasons. He felt they increased prices on all goods, including non-imports, he thought they were limited in benefit to working people, and he had a third warning that is not as prominent in debates today. We discuss his 1887 Tariff Message. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

That's right - sign up for Patreon for our most recent episode about the 21st President, Chester Alan Arthur. In this episode, the establishment takes on the establishment, but just a little. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal judges and Presidents have clashed in the past. It's rarely been cheery. As executive power exists only within the frame of law, this should be expected. There are freak events where Presidents have ignored judicial orders, but it is not the routine. We get into it, including a case of a man on a horse following U.S. soldiers, a tribe's removal, a prosecutor prosecuted, a case where the Supreme Court confirmed you must listen to the Supreme Court, and a man who kept showing up to work after he was fired. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samuel Tilden won the popular vote but lost the Presidency to Rutherford B. Hayes in the disputed electoral college. That is is his footnote in history. He's also known for taking down Boss Tweed. Though his actual role is disputed by people at the time. What's less known about him is the source of the family money. His family sold patent medicines. Frankly it was cannabis, and at a strength of about 10 times todays routine variety. We link politics, corruption, reform and strong medicine all together in our next episode. CANNABIS AND SAMUEL J. TILDEN coming up soon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bit from TR on making peace, why we should drop the Mary Todd and other stories. Ad Free for Airwave History subscribers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it mean to be a Stalwart? In history, it's just a name for political machine pros seeking jobs and being corrupt. But it was more. While telling how Chester Arthur became the nation's most famous fired civil servant, we explain politics in the 19th century. The real battles then were inside the party. On our Patreon now, [www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp] as part of a 4 part series, we discuss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It was clunky, and a little Office Space-like. And it cut federal jobs. But then-Vice President Al Gore's "REGO" program was different in many ways from "DOGE" -The 1993 program was bipartisan, considered [cuts were identified, then made, in that order. And it was slow, and generated little protest. It did generate tension in the Clinton White House, which we get into. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A bit about what we've got cooking at Patreon, including the first of three parts of our series on the 21st President. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce is on a tear being told that given the norm-breaking going on there is no place for history. Nothing can be farther from the truth. He outlines why, instead of history not being useful, it's actually quick history (comparing say Trump to Obama) that is still interesting, but maybe won't lock down the kind of results you want. But in the long swath of American political history, current events compare and contrast well to all sorts of things. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From the man who answered T.R.'s phone and maybe saved his life, to the secret "Sphinx" around Woodrow Wilson, to Coolidge's surprise enforcer. We look at all sorts of Presidential assistants and aides, both official ones and non-official ones. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now on the Patreon: Franklin Roosevelt Takes on Jimmy Walker In the sweltering summer of 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt found himself ensnared in a political web spun by the most notorious machine in New York politics—Tammany Hall. As governor of New York, Roosevelt was well aware of the rampant corruption within the city's government, but his position as the Democratic nominee for president made any decisive action perilous. Removing New York City's charismatic, scandal-plagued mayor, Jimmy Walker, would mean war with the political bosses whose support he needed. Yet ignoring Walker's misdeeds would undermine Roosevelt's image as a reformer and threaten his appeal to progressives across the nation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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The idea of saving manufacturing jobs is front-and-center in American politics today. Examining the history of plant closings and job losses In the 70's and 80's provides an interesting contrast. "We ought to make stuff here, or we should try to keep this plant open." were radical stances, confined to political fringes, and usually left. In once case, a group of workers, residents and church leaders in a town try for what is called an Industrial Selma - a radical plan to reopen a plant led by an activist straight from the Freedom Summer civil rights fights and anti- Vietnam War protests. In the course of telling the story we look at the early American Rust Belt, we look at typical Rust Belt city (that happens to be Bruce's ancestors home). We look at alternatives to closing plants, and we hear a story about the Panic of 1873. This will be the final episode of our second-run of the Ark of Commerce series. This is one of the original episodes, and I'm pleased to provide to Patrons early. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the 1970's a President, seeking to reduce inflation, tried a new tactic. Simply not spending the money that congress appropriated. OK, it wasn't entirely new, but it had been used in defense spending after the war where demand was needed or in very small amounts. This was billions of collars. As we discuss impoundment could be considered unfair - because a President could technically pass nice sounding bills and then later, kill the funding, thus getting credit for the good image of legislation without having to execute. As President Trump is using a similar technique, we look at impoundment and what Congress did in reaction (myriad steps from creating a new Budget Office to legislation to monitoring like hawks, to going to the press). We also look at the Supreme Court. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When it comes to citizenship decided by birth, the story of Wong Kim Ark, a young man born in the US of Chinese descent who was denied entry to his country, should be on a few minds. We tell that story in this episode, along with the Sand Lot protests that led to his change in status, and the 1804 about a ship that helped reinforce their thinking. This and thoughts about early Trump Presidency. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Air commerce is covered in this episode. Not only vehicles that imitate naval travel in the skies, which seemed to be the future of travel. But also, putting waves into the air and changing the air's temperature. Plus, building large buildings that touch the sky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The history of American retail, from Mrs. Lincoln's shopping trips and the innovator who accommodated her, to the price salvationists and tea servers, and finally the Socialist concept that gets the shopping mall going, and the possible death of the shopping mall. Plus the movies, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Random, yet relevant stories about Jimmy Carter as a candidate, a governor and President Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What's the stock market crash of 1987 got to do with the price of eggs/ Plenty, in a historical context. We look at the infamous crash of 1987 and how the computers did not save us. Nor did insurance which has a lot do with eggs, and eggs have a lot do with feeding Americans and making Americans a little money, and they have a lot do with needing markets - and sophisticated markets - so we'll talk about that. Those who listened to this series in 2019 may notice that I am changing the order. With time, i've found placing the two stock market crashes together works. In the fourth episode of the revised order, we'll get to the next day of the crash - Terrible Tuesday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We will be running the Ark of Commerce series again between now and February. Also pardons, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Viewing newspapers from November, 1892 we get a sense of what was being said the last time a former president came back and the "ex" was switched from the former President to the current President. From parades to sour notes and recriminations, from stories of how the election was lost, to predictions that it would be a quick 4 years for the winner, to lots of post-election sniping over tariff policy, we find some notes of today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We get into a little on history compared to 2024 this on the episode. Join the Patreon GET THIS EPISODE AD-FREE to ask questions or listen to extra episodes, www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can a President shut down the Senate. Legal scholars agree on an answer "Yes but..." President-Elect / President Trump has invoked an obscure section of the Constitution that has never been used, in order to prod Senators on his appointments. Is it a true power? What is the clause, why is it there, what does it mean, and what might a Supreme Court do? The answer may have to do with a can of Pepsi. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We look at three stories from history. How did Bismarck North Dakota retain its name? Is there really a Stockholm Syndrome, and Lincoln's pardons and commutations, as seen by a supporter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Bruce will make 5 points about the 2024 election. On Patreon, he will make 14 points so be sure to join there at www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com. You can also join Airwave History to get the episode. Also on this episode, podcast recommendations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It wasn't supposed to be close. Then new strategies, a speech and a surprising foreign policy event completely changed the election between Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey. Two vice presidents battled it out. One major poll said Nixon had a lead, the other said Humphrey. Both by only a couple of points. The candidates do their Telethons, and the nation votes. Who will win? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we await tomorrow's episode on Nixon v. Humphrey, a note about what's on our Patreon right now: 5 things the media is not talking about (or not that much), so join up there for as little as 5 dollars a month if you want to hear that episode. From third parties to Cleveland Comparisons. On this episode we'll talk about the 5 things in general, and I'll give a sneak peek into one interesting thing about Grover Cleveland's election that makes him sound like a candidate of today. Patreon at - www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com We are part of Airwave Media Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As we discuss with David Priess of Chatter Podcast (and the author of books on national security and presidential history) - it's tough to run for President when you are the sitting VP. It hasn't worked that often. But twice since the 12th Amendment changed the election rules, it's worked. David goes into why this worked. And why on other occasions, it did not work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The "bone and sinew" in Pennsylvania, the voters there, would determine the election of Zachary Taylor or Cass. So said the candidate Zachary Taylor himself. In the final part of our two-party series on the 1848 Presidential Election, we look at stump speeches, the third party Free Soilers, Stephen Douglas speaking for Democratic candidate Lewis Cass and Abraham Lincoln touting Zachary Taylor. We hear stories from newspapers and a budding author starts to ply his trade with a diversion into political satire. We have a Patreon - www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com We are part of Airwave Media Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 1 of our two-parter on the 1848 election, American politics is experiencing its greatest tumult. To long-time politicos the world is upside down as Whigs are working with Democrats, Democrats with Whigs. Writers are declaring a new Young America and an out with the old. America's territory is about to expand greatly, and there's arguments about how. Into this mix, almost as a relief to Whigs, is a new national hero. But is he the right choice for the highest office? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bunch of topics. We note that at this point in 1988, President Reagan had made stump speeches for his Vice President Bush. We also get into Pennsylvania's East and West sides, and a nearly complete history of PA's Presidential vote. And we get into an argument between two election predictors. Want more - there's a 4-part series on the 1864 election on Patreon - check it out at www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpoltics.com We are part of Airwave Media Network Check out Triviality, Plodding Through the Presidents, American Revolutionary War cast, For the Love of History and others! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce gets into how many elections in American history have been conducted not with high debate but rather, a netherworld of disinformation and unimportant issues. Related, celebrity or religious endorsements were part of elections past. We also answer some questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the name says, a bunch of stories from books and clippings. Happy Labor Day. We are part of Airwave Media Network Patreon - http://www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp (Amos Ellmaker is the VP Candidate of the 1832 anti-masonic party) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Bruce was on the Useless Information Podcast Fascinating True Stories from the Flip Side of History go subscribe to Useless Information Podcast and visit its website for more stories at - https://uselessinformation.org/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We answer two questions about The 1864 Presidential Election as we have a detailed, 4-part series on Patreon now http://www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp Plus Inflation and Presidential Election results, and a historical note about taxes on tips. We are part of Airwave Media Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Jon Blackwell, Wall Street Journal Editor and creator of the Twitter handle 100 Years Ago News, we discuss significant news stories of 1924 that have meaning for today - especially Tea Pot Dome, Coolidge, The 103-Ballot Democratic Convention, and the Klan. Jon is also the author of Notorious New Jersey.  Follow Jon on Twitter at - @100YearsAgoNews Support the Podcast on Patreon: www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp Email advertise@airwavemedia.com to enquire about advertising on the podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The race as it stands with VP Harris now the likely Democratic nominee, the age issue [my opinion unchanged since 2008], the "3 on 2 Campaign" possibility for Democrats, VP Choices, Notes of 1988 and Other Stories. Among other things, we discuss how if Democrats choose a governor for VP, it will be the first time since 1916. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the second part of our episode, we take a look at LBJ's actions around the 1968 convention. While we can't answer the hypothetical of whether LBJ was willing to accept a draft at the convention, we can see that his actions clearly hurt Hubert Humphrey's chances of winning that fall, and suggest a stronger level of involvement. Trusted aides differ sharply on what LBJ was doing, and so do reporters and authors. Information came out in 2011 in the form of new tapes, but even that is subject to interpretation. One wild suggestion is to follow Robert Caro and something he said about Lyndon Johnson's family home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lyndon Johnson's decision to withdraw from the 1968 Presidential race was the definition of a shocking TV moment. With a President not accepting the nomination of his party for the first time since, we think it's time to release our previously Patreon-Only episode on LBJ and the 1968 convention. Remember to support our Patreon - link at myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com. This was originally content from the Patreon, and there's plenty more there when you sign up. Lyndon Johnson said he would leave the Presidential race in 1968. But would he have accepted a draft? and did he even conspire to engineer one? We won't answer the question in this two-part series, but we will get into the details. Why was a guy out of politics still controlling his party? Who was that memo writer "Bert" who did not match with any name in the White House or on the Campaign. And what about that Birthday Cake? In two parts we will get into everything. We should note. This episode was recorded years ago, and there's no implication that Biden-LBJ situations are the same. In fact, they make a better contrast than comparison. Still there is much to learn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To match the faithful of the Bush campaign, the Kerry campaign builds the largest army of door knockers ever. Just like Team Bush, he thinks he has the election. But did he ever have a chance? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part I of our look at the 2004 election, we look at things from the Bush Campaign side, where a revolutionary idea may or may not have helped the campaign win a troublesome state for them. In the last few days, they weren't sure. We are part of Airwave Media Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices