Pardon My Parsing Political Podcast

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Pardon My Parsing Political Podcast is an upbeat, funny, and nerdy show with the goal of providing political and public policy information, education, entertainment. What we do that others podcasts don’t is take the words of the politicians – speeches, pa

US Policy


    • Nov 9, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 47m AVG DURATION
    • 53 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Pardon My Parsing Political Podcast

    In Memoriam: Kelly Marsh Bio Episode

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 9, 2023 39:57


    It is with sadness that I post this episode, but at the same time I am glad that we had the opportunity to record it. The world was recently robbed of Kelly, but he left his mark not only on this show and his family, but the world. He was a personality, a friend, and everyone's cheerleader. I am going to miss Kelly a lot. 

    McCarthy Wins Biggest Fight of His Career - Delivers Horrible Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2023 51:58


    Speaker McCarthy is an amazing story as Speaker of the House, but his recent debt ceiling win cements his spot in the history books. However, that doesn't mean that he is speaker.....oh no it doesn't. Truthfully, this speech isn't that bad - at least after we edited out 1/2 or more of it. And, some of the information and points that are made in the speech will drive political discourse for at least the next couple of years. 

    The Panderer and Chief - Biden at Howard

    Play Episode Listen Later May 25, 2023 53:45


    We get to hear a new story from the President that is actually interesting, but the rest of the speech contains so much pandering that it is demeaning.  It seems like this would hurt him, so why does it seem to endear him? 

    Ted Cruz - Pro-Free Speech Before He was Against It

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2023 33:09


    Politics is about compromise, it isn't about hypocrisy. However, modern politics, on both sides of the aisle, is seemingly more about hypocrisy than ideology. In this speech one track down one of those moments. 

    The "Khan" Artist is at it again - proposes a bifurcated internet without understanding.

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2023 61:25


    Lina Khan the "Khan" Artist is at it again. In this speech she talk about the "problems" that data creates, but her only solution seems to be an internet that only serves the rich. In other words - she doesn't understand the value that data can supply. 

    Trumps Indictment Speech - Because Why Not Give a Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2023 41:40


    Trump announces his campaign - no - that isn't it. Trump announces that he isn't guilty - no - that isn't it either. Trump attacks everyone else and makes a campaign speech with a side of indictment. Honestly, kind of an impressive ego. 

    Lankford vs Yellen the WWE Smackdown We Wanted

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2023 31:29


    Congressional Hearings are usually boring. They are like scripted shows with members looking to deliver messages, and representatives of the Administration just trying to make it out without making a large gaffe. However, sometimes there are intelligent exchanges that deserve not only our attention, but also a more in depth exploration. This is one of those exchanges. 

    Secretary Pete on the Wrong Side of Imposter Syndrome

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2023 50:15


    Secretary Pete Buttigieg always seems to be a little behind the action - and this time he is called out by a reporter. It is amazing to witness - and sad at the same time. 

    Congressman Decides How Fast We Should Get Toilet Paper

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2023 45:31


    There are too many Congressman to keep up with all of the crazy things that they say or do, but sometimes it is worth highlighting some of the absurdities that can come out of this group. 

    Biden Delivers Chaotic Speech - But the Media Fawns - SOTU Edition

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 3, 2023 63:30


    Sometimes the media is biased, and sometimes they are just oblivious. While this might be a case of oblivious - they missed the relevant weirdness in this speech. Biden was quick, he was fake, and he was gaffe prone. However, he also accomplished his goals. 

    Biden Bungles a Slam Dunk Speech - Again

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2023 56:34


    President Biden is not the best public speaker, but there are some issues where he is better than others. Giving an Martin Luther King Day Speech should be one of those areas where he should stand out. However, he again bungles this speech.....and we think that at least one of his speech writers should be fired. 

    The Federal Trade Commission is at war with itself - This Speech is Declaration

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2023 47:28


    How much Tea can be spilled in one speech? A lot - More than we could have imagined. From nerdy insider tea - to overt contemptuous tea. There is no tea saucer big enough for the attacks in this speech. And given the Director of the FTC - Lina Khan - it is a glorious attack and it is well deserved. 

    Biden Fumbles Another Easy Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2023 45:13


    A speech is like a good wine. It can be good on its own, but when paired with a good dinner the true notes can be unlocked. If this speech was a wine it would be mad dog, but it could have easily have been much better. 

    Low Energy Trump - Announces Presidential Run

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2022 60:08


    In a low key setting - former President Trump announced that he was running for President - again. Is he doing it for real? Does he want to win? Does he want revenge? Does he just want to avoid legal trouble? Whatever the answer - this speech wasn't a good look for the former President. 

    Biden Gives His Final Pitch - It doesn't make sense and might have hurt him even more

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 58:00


    With Republicans poised to take over both the House and the Senate - Biden took to the podium to make his case to vote for Democrats - but might have actually made the case to vote for Republicans. 

    A Stroke Survivor vs Egomaniac Carpetbagger - PA Senate Debate 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 2, 2022 71:17


    This Senate debate for the PA Senate seat that could decide control of the US Senate is equal parts entertaining and sad. 

    Reagan's A Time for Choosing - A speech that has shaped politics for more than 50 years

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2022 52:10


    A speech given by Ronald Reagan in 1964 has shaped public policy and political discourse for the last 60 years. Reagan called it "The Speech" it is now known as "A Time for Choosing", but if we have anything to say about it - the speech will again be called "The Speech". 

    The First Speech of the new King - You Better Spend Some Money On Me Peasants

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 5, 2022 29:47


    While this speech has a few killer lines - this is one of those speeches that is more about the why and when that is almost more important. We were interested in this speech because it is something that the King had waited his whole life to deliver - it didn't really live up to that. 

    The Economic Forecast is Rocky - Our Palms were Sweating Going Through This Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2022 47:46


    Sometimes the news is good - sometimes it is bad - sometimes the news is more of a lie than the truth - but when a Governor of the Federal Reserve Speaks it is mainly just nerdy. In this case - it is both nerdy and frightening. We try to take the edge off, but this episode might be best enjoyed with a glass of scotch, bourbon, or your favorite spirit. 

    The Queen vs. George Washington - President John Adams Eulogizes George Washington

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2022 33:57


    With the death of the Queen we explore some of the speeches and messages around the death of our first President, and one of the best leaders of all time, George Washington. The comparisons between the Queen's leadership and George Washington's aren't very comparable, but the words that are used to discuss these two leaders are.  While the Queen's eulogies almost feel hollow (and we appreciate who she was as a person), George Washington's are almost underrated. This is also our first speech from John Adams - this has enough personality that we will be doing more. 

    Bully Biden Blames Half the Country for Our Problems

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2022 59:33


    Some people take responsibility for problems while others will attempt to blame anyone else they can - Biden takes the low road in this Constitution Hall speech and blames the Republicans for everything wrong with the Country while ignoring everything the Democrats have done over the past several years. However, he still delivers a better speech than Kevin McCarthy did before him - but just barely. That isn't to say that this speech will win Biden any votes. It probably won't.

    The Future Speaker of the House - Should Probably Fire His Speechwriter

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2022 67:14


    Kevin McCarthy, the likely Speaker of the House in 2023 delivered a speech in Scranton PA hours before President Biden did the same. He pre-attacked the President in an excellent strategic move, but the speech - both as written and in the delivery - was just ok. He definitely got in some good punches and it had some great info as well. Check back next week for Biden's Speech. 

    Ben Franklin Did Not Support the Constitution - But Agreed to it Anyway

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 24, 2022 27:42


    We might have uncovered the most inspirational, yet negative, line in American politics, "Doubt Yourself". In this speech to wrap up the Constitutional Convention - Benjamin Franklin drives home the idea that compromise - is necessary and can be good. The everyone has biases, but that can be good. And that even the constitution is likely flawed - but that is ok. 

    The Burr Conspiracy - Thomas Jefferson Discusses the Conspiracy that Nobody Knows About

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2022 33:57


    Thomas Jefferson makes his case that his former Vice President was committing treason and attempting to take over a large portion of the United States. Did you know about it? We didn't. A very cool speech about a piece of history - that was very important at the time, and yet not many people talk about today. 

    Trump's Farewell Speech - Unexpected Lines and Expected Exaggeration

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2022 52:23


    The more you think about this speech the weirder it gets. 

    FDR's Four Freedoms Speech is like Biden talking about Russia, but coherent

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2022 45:46


    If we could delete the middle of this speech we would, but it is still an amazing and moving speech. It conveys both the sinister nature of the time, while foreshadowing the future. However, it also exposes some of the issues that we ourselves in our own government - especially during important times. 

    History isn't repeating itself, but you can hear the echo - Ford Pardons Nixon

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2022 29:09


    With the January 6th "Hearing" going on and speculation about the intent of the President - it is interesting to think what would have happened if something bigger happened - and Pence was made President. Would he have Pardoned Trump? Would it have cost him his career the way that it cost Ford? And, would people come to realize the benefit of allowing the country to move past the issue. We explore it all. 

    Biden Caught Lying - about something that doesn't matter......so why?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2022 44:46


    On Pardon My Parsing we examine speeches by breaking them down to their basics. When listening to President Biden this time though - something caught our attention - he changed a story from his youth. His folksy manner is what it is, but this is a weird low. He didn't need to change the story - he could left it alone - and it could have still worked. The amazing thing is that this was likely added by a speechwriter - who probably wrote the previous version as well. Collusion for a pointless lie. This isn't Watergate - but if the President is willing to lie when there is literally nothing at stake - what is he willing to do when the lie means something? 

    Susan B Anthony fights for rights (and wins- at least eventually) and doesn't say a word

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 5, 2022 41:43


    In Pennsylvania in 1876 there was a big celebration. A lot had happened in our young country in just 100 years - but women were still not equal. One of the women invited into the VIP area of the event - and not allowed to speak still wanted her presence to be known. So, not only did she write a speech, but she made copies and she and her friends handed them out to those in the crowd. Boom. Now that is a firework. 

    First Campaign Speech of 2024 - Pence at the University Club

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2022 74:49


    Vice President Pence recently presented his plan for the economy at the University Club of Chicago. It is notable for several reasons - but primarily because this can easily be listed as the first real campaign speech of 2024. Buckle up People. 

    LBJ Introduces the idea of the Great Society while giving a simple Commencement Address

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2022 43:27


    Can you like a speech by a politician that you don't agree with or like? Yes, yes you can. This speech is simple and to the point. It could have a little tighter - and dropped the bad jokes - but otherwise it was almost all informational without much fluff or extra language. This speech marks at least the public unveiling of the most influential periods in politics - where many of the biggest programs that shape our society today were passed. 

    Nixon Defends His Finances - But is Remembered for Defending a Dog

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2022 31:12


    This is a great speech delivered by then Vice Presidential Candidate, and Senator, Richard Nixon. Nixon was under attack for an "illegal campaign account" and was able to turn the whole argument around, by defending a dog......ok....and fully disclosing his finances, and paying a few expensive firms to audit the accounts in question. 

    A Speechwriters Favorite - Some great lines and Some great history - RFK in Kansas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2022 40:46


    A politician can easily - although sometimes begrudgingly deliver a speech. But, a good politician can move a room - turn opponents into supporters - and turn a negative into a positive. Kennedy delivered a masterclass of a speech - during a time and a political climate that made it very hard. It is no wonder than many modern politicians seem to be echoing his words and arguments today. 

    This is the Politician That Everyone is Trying to Be - But they aren't this cool

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2022 31:44


    If ever there was a political speech that didn't need to be delivered - this was it. However, gun shot wound and all it was delivered - and made the speech unbelievable and one for the ages. The interesting thing about it though - is that many modern politicians seem to be attempting to convey the very same message that was delivered in this speech. 

    Our First Time Looking at a Trump Speech - We Can't Unsee the Trumpiness

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2022 54:20


    Trump speeches are a subject themselves. He has a style that is simple - yet meandering. Too the point, and not. They are wild, but they are a well constructed show - and the speech he delivered in Pennsylvania did not disappoint. 

    Biden Spices Up Boring Speech By Endorsing Autocratic Governance

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2022 44:08


    Biden has been on a barn storming tour trying to build support for his a bill that was dead months ago, so he is getting bored - and for Biden that means going off script, and in this version of his Build Back Better Speech - he endorses Autocratic government. Truly bewildering - and something that will come back to haunt him. 

    JD Vance Primary Victory Speech - Is Bragging About Not Preparing A Good Thing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2022 41:39


    JD Vance's Victory Speech in Ohio's Senate Primary has some interesting talking points - from claiming to run against the Republicans and Democrats - to bragging about not preparing. Is the new direction in politics - or just laziness rising to the top?

    Macron Victory Speech - A Healthy Dose of Humble Pie

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2022 25:50


    Emanuel Macron does something in his victory speech that most US politicians would refuse - admits that he likely won because people were voting against his challenger and not for him. 

    Desantis vs. Disney - what happened to small government republicans

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2022 31:22


    In this episode we look at proclamation from Governor Desantis regarding Disney and social media companies. It is an interesting look at the a new generation of republicanism....populism. 

    Biden Discusses Inflation - Proves that he doesn't understand inflation or the English language

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2022 47:15


    As inflation is starting to grab more and more headlines - President Biden and his team decided to start talking about it. However, instead of creating new messaging - they just adjusted the speeches that they had already written. In other words - he doesn't really address inflation. And, instead attempts to blame his decisions (right or wrong) on Putin. 

    Biden Goes Full Pander to the Unions - Is There a Guinness Record for Pandering?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2022 55:49


    Everyone knows that a part of Uncle Joe's (President Biden) career is built on the idea that he supports Unions, but the level that the Union's are allowed to dictate his administration's moves might not have been known - or at least public until this speech. However, over the course of this speech he makes it abundantly clear - that he doesn't do anything without their permission first.  

    A Speech by a President before he was President - Lincoln Lecture on Patents

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2022 72:07


    This episode has a little bit of everything - history, education, jokes and laughs. But, really it is a glimpse into the style of speech of one our most famous Presidents before he was ever elected President. 

    Biden Responds to Zalensky's Challenge - Declares New World Order

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2022 53:46


    In a speech that was actually remarkable in which Biden appears to answer Zalensky's call to help lead the world - he also sounded like he might have needed a nap. In an awkwardly delivered speech, Biden addresses some big issues. 

    A Wartime Leader Addressing Congress - Zalensky's Address to Congress

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2022 48:59


    A foreign President addressing Congress is a rare occasion, but addressing Congress amidst a war, while his people are under attack, and mercenaries are attempting to assassinate them is a different level. 

    A Poetic Speech, A Tragic Moment, and a Grandfather-Like figure: Reagan's Challenger Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2022 31:18


    Addressing a tragic event that a large number of people - including students across the country - witnessed live, President Reagan delivered an almost perfect speech - hitting all of the right notes, messages, and feelings. And, caps off the speech with what might be the best closing to a speech ever written - or it is at least in the running. 

    Biden's State of the Union - A Disaster? Or, Just Not Well Constructed?

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 86:43


    President Biden delivered his State of the Union Address last week. This week, we look at his speech, talk about what is in it - and grade him on it. Spoiler - He gets a "D", but it could easily have been a B or an even an "A" speech. 

    Where the State of the Union Began - Washington's First State of the Union

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 2, 2022 37:06


    George Washington had the opportunity to shape our country in many ways, but one of the overlooked ways was that he was the first President to deliver a State of the Union. It is both the shortest State of the Union and one of the more interesting ones to look at and discuss!

    Biden Tries to Justify Sending American Families to War - Forgets to Include Justification

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2022 48:10


    President Biden delivered this speech in order to justify sanctions on Russia. However, he falls way, way, short in providing anything meaningful - while admitting that Americans families and businesses were going to feel the pain. 

    Did Obama Have a Republican Speech Writer in 2004? Amazing and Pivotal 2004 Obama DNC Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2022 51:31


    Barack Obama's 2004 DNC speech was one of the best speeches that has ever been delivered - ok, maybe it squeaks by onto that list - but it is at least one of the best speeches in the past 20 years. It introduced him to the country, and propelled him into the national spotlight in a way that few speeches have ever launched a career. 

    Senator Hawley Invents a War on Men - Then Doesn't Do His Research

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2022 69:25


    Senator Josh Hawley Delivered a 14 page speech on the Left's supposed war on men. However, none of his points addressed any of the problems that the left has brought up - or the #metoo movement for that matter.  It is a tough read of a speech - and harder to stomach once broken down - but provides a great window into the thinking of Hawley and the other Republicans that are taking up cause of populism instead of small limited government policies. That said - we have some fun discussing it. 

    Jimmy Carter - Libertarian Hero?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 7, 2022 35:44


    In this episode of the Pardon My Parsing Political Podcast we look at the 1978 State of the Union Address by none other than the cardigan wearing Jimmy Carter. It is a truly surprising look back in time. 

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