America decides whether or not to re-elect a President and it's close. Bruce does his best 1916 version of Steve Kornacki going through the returns as they come in and as the nation awaits a verdict. A President that hadn't been elected with a majority, a re-election that happens while Europe is at war. Early results show that America will get a new President. But those pesky precincts. Why can't they count the vote faster? We talk about the factors behind the election and Wilson's Presidency. We are part of Airwave Media Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

A President becomes a former President. But not before one of the toughest final days of a Presidency. We are part of Airwave Media Network - www.airwavemedia.com Advertise? advertising@airwavemedia.com We have a patreon if you'd like to support us - see www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

In the third year of the Presidency, Jimmy Carter wrestles with combining the principles of his first term with realities of the American economy amid myriad domestic struggles, two hostage-taking incidents, and a intraparty political rival. He attempts to make a speech that will reconnect him with the American people. We are part of Airwave Media Network To advertise, email advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

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 ..read more

In our final episode on the first GOP governor of Florida since Reconstruction, Claude Kirk. Kirk's flamboyant style got him attention as a national political star in the late 1960's. But three particular actions he takes will trap him and make his future difficult. Music by Lee Rosevere and Revolution Void from Free Music Archive. We are part of Airwave Media Want to advertise? - advertising@airwavemedia.org We have a Patreon - if you'd like to support us, www.myhistorycanbeatupyourpolitics.com Can you help review the show on Apple Podcasts? If you could, it would help a lot. Thanks! Learn mo ..read more

In his first and second years as an improbable GOP Governor in the South in the 1960's Kirk, tries out a new type of politics, at least new to the Sunshine State: confrontation. Equally with protestors, strikers, and polluters, he confronts them straight on. He also makes a miscalculation that will hurt his rep while he's winning a political victory. We are part of Airwave Media Network Want to advertise? advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

 In the late 1960's the first GOP governor of Florida since Reconstruction found himself elected with no support in the legislature. He had only a microphone and so he used direct confrontation, insults, press-bashing and other tactics to get elected and get his way. Rather than let things be he took on left-wing hippies and right wing segregationists alike in the early part of his term. He aimed his cannons at communists, but also at good old boy political machines. And what do you know, he also is the governor to bring in a large amusement park to the state. Move that Earth he said! Thi ..read more

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 ..read more

NOTE - if you haven't listened to Part I of our series on Black Hawk you'll want to listen. This is a two-parter. In the second episode. Chief Black Hawk has an improbable victory, and it sets the stage for all-out conflict. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices ..read more

In 1832, a renegade chief crossed the Mississippi river. In his view, it was simply to get back to his cornfields. But the United States considered it an invasion, and reacted accordingly, and at first, badly, leading to deaths on both sides. It was, according to the general that led troops in the war, a mistake. But it would make the careers of Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis and Zachary Taylor and open up western settlement. Yet if Black Hawk was an enemy, why was he embraced by those that defeated him. Why in the name of newspapers, in the county courthouse, in state motos and in attack he ..read more