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 …

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, an…

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. Just twice since the 12th Amendment changed the election rules surrounding VPs, a vice president has won the big job. David goes into w…

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 Ca…

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 a…

'The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately in placing us in a point of opposition to each other. ' So wrote Jefferson to Adams about the 1796 Presidential Election, America's first with two candidates with true campaigns. ... Before it was over there would feature negative ads, misconstructions of candidate statements, foreign…

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…

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…

We all know Abraham Lincoln wins in 1860, and most know that it was because the Democrats split [except, in many states they actually got back together], that's what we know. But there's a lot to the 1860 election and this episode originally aired in 2020, we get into it. Sam Houston almost-ran. People called themselves woke. (well, "wide awake"). …

From belt buckles, to town-halls to whether the veeps get to debate, a brief history of debate negotiations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesΑπό τον Bruce Carlson

A look at the Senator who tried to end the Electoral College and the original reasons for it. It has as much to do with 1969 as it does with 1787 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesΑπό τον Bruce Carlson

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/adchoicesΑπό τον Bruce Carlson

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/adchoicesΑπό τον Bruce Carlson

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…

We look at the Anti-Masonic Party of the 1820s and 1830s from backwater movement to national stage and its lasting influence on one of the two major parties today, and on political conventions. Was it truly a conspiracy theory-based movement? What can it say about today's politics. And a candidate who didn't want to run for President. We look at al…

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 - @100YearsAgoN…

Από τον Bruce Carlson

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 a…

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 diff…

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 myhistoryca…

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/adchoicesΑπό τον Bruce Carlson

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…

More talk about the current situation, the attack on President Trump, history, and a bit about polls. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesΑπό τον Bruce Carlson

A sketch of the events around D-day and FDR's political and health situation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesΑπό τον Bruce Carlson

We look at the current situation, rich with historical questions, if not historical precedents. We look at brokered conventions, VP choices, incapacity, the 12th Amendment, good faith and bad faith debates going on, if 1892 can say anything about the race, and other thoughts. We talk about Punk Biden - meaning the defiant Biden now placing himself …

The Democratic Convention in New York City in 1980 was not the example to follow for how to run a convention. With the help of "Reaganland" author and historian Rick Perlstein, we look at one of the most frustrating modern conventions. The fight between Ted Kennedy and Carter for the nomination, obscure rules challenges, delegates cajoled by genera…

With the help of people who were there, we take you to the 1976 Convention. Jimmy Carter's nominating convention in New York handed him 30 percentage points in the polls, and is seen as one of the best. We look at what happened - from a strict chairman's gavel to a secret VP pick, from expert badge distribution to garbage cleanup, Also: possibly bu…

We know about the first half of the Declaration of Independence and life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. But the Declaration also contains a listing of facts submitted to a "candid world" detailing what was wrong in the American colonies. The Grievances are the second half of the Declaration of Independence. We discuss with Tim Patrick, list…

While there is a thing about first debates by incumbent presidents, clearly a pattern of not doing well, we may have just witnessed a trend-defyingly bad performance. But it still deserves a little context. So we will get into a few bad Presidential first debates - Reagan/Bush/Obama. But we'll also talk about this one. We talk about everything - DN…

We are pleased to be joined by Richard Lim of This American President Podcast (www.thisamericanpresidentpodcast.com). He discusses William Howard Taft, his considerable accomplishments, his Presidency, his position as governor of the Philippines, and the considerable respect many had for him. We'll also discuss why more than just his weight should …

We talk about what's happening on MHCBUYP, the Patreon, the announcement that our 10-year old episode on Neville Chamberlain and Munich is available on Patreon. and some show recs. patreon.com/mhcbuyp Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesΑπό τον Bruce Carlson

The UK has a surprisingly early general election this year, one that will rap up on July 4th, oddly. We talk to former host of What Am Politics Podcast Steve Byrne to give us all the insights of what's going on. Plus, the UK's surprising historical election, 1992 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

1948 is the classic comeback political story. And anytime you talk about it, you are talking about the possibility that an incumbent on the ropes come back. That's why MHCBUYP discussed this topic in 2020. But there is another angle to 1948. It's often forgotten that the year featured a sweeping bi-partisan legislative and foreign policy victory an…

A collection of random stories - a child reporter gets the scoop of the lifetime in 1976. A look at the Patty Hearst story and the central question, did she know it. The Potsdam Conference. And a little poetry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesΑπό τον Bruce Carlson

Patrons get more. If you like My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, you'll love the Patreon, where you can get all kinds of additional episodes. Right now, at www.patreon.com/mhcbuyp you can get our episode on 7 More Stories About the 1988 Election. That episode is free - but if you want more, like Grover Clevelands last letters or Texas Annexation…

From 2011 where I discussed the 1968 Chicago Convention, with an added note about today's events and the 2024 election and a bit about Gore Vidal and William F. Buckley's broadcast during the '68 convention. We are part of Airwave Media Network Check out 'Bro History,' Ben Franklin's World and For the Love of History. Check it out. Music by Lee Ros…

Stories of Presidential inflation fighting and fund-raising that seem to have a similar ring to today's events, in this episode. Nixon's plans to cut housing costs by reducing prices on the key element of housing inspires timber companies but riles environmentalist. Johnson uses his air fleet to shuttle the right people around to get the price of e…

With Jerry Landry of The Presidencies of The United States Podcast [https://www.presidenciespodcast.com/] we talk about a decisive point in John Adam's presidency where the capital moved to Trenton, and Adams had gone to Massachusetts. He comes back to take a decisive stand that will mean a lot for the history of the U.S. Presidency. Jerry's show c…

We look at the Maine and Nebraska congressional district system of Presidential elector assignment and its history as both the NE2 and ME2 went for different candidates than the statewide winner for the first time in history. That and other 2020 Election thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

Only one person has been elected President twice in non-consecutive terms. But it was not easy. To do it Grover Cleveland had to pass a few difficult tests. From Goody-Goodies to Anti-Snappers, to Anti-Egoists and Scarecrow Festivals; from entering opposing party contests in secret ways to placing bets for your own candidate, to pretending to run i…

In our third episode on the close 1916 election, a group of events take place between the nomination of candidates and the voting that help to determine the election. In the end, it comes down to two states. In a development that will never happen again in history, many voters are not enamored with either candidate. Why they decide to pick one or t…

Both major parties have their conventions. The Democratic swashbucklers are at the podium, firing up a party to get excited about Wilson by linking him to a cause. One he didn't ask to be linked to. The Republicans get their party united, and toastmaster Warren G. Harding is fierce as he makes the case to dump Wilson. The Socialists also pick new c…

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 ne…

Did Aaron Burr try to run for President on the sly, while claiming he didn't? What about that dinner with Jefferson? Did Stephen Douglas stump when he said he was "just visiting his mom?" Plus the idea of campaigning or not campaigning, counting or not counting the soldier vote. This, and other stories of that American tradition of not running for …

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 …

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 ca…

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 as…

Re running this episode from 2022. There's been no letdown in the relevancy of this topic since then. College costs have been an issue since the founding of the Republic, as we discuss in this issue, And equally, the desire to provide education to young minds has been strong. What's different about the era we live in is that college is closely asso…

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 ev…

From 2020 - A look at 1980's first South Carolina primary and its intended role at the time as a firewall for conservative politics. We also look at how disco sucked, Dylan went Christian and some events that happened at the same time, all unrelated but in their own way meaningful. Lee Rosevere's excellent Music for Podcasts featured on the episode…