3 Words That Changed Presidential History: “Rum, Romanism and Rebellion”

We solve, or attempt to solve a political and historical mystery of the 1884 election. Why did an unhelpful supporter of James G. Blaine utter the words that would sink his campaign, and did Blaine hear him say the words?

Why Do Nebraska and Maine Vote for President the Way They Do? And Other Esoterica of Election 2020

It started with one guy’s idea.  And nothing happened with it until after he died.  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…

1866 Mechanics’ Institute Attack

One violent event, captured in the best media technologies of its time and brought to American living parlors, completely changed American politics during the Reconstruction period.  A convention at the stately Mechanics’ Institute in New Orleans, determined to create a new constitution where all races could vote, was forcefully ended by police in what investigators…

George Romney

A little bit about the Senator’s father, his run for President in 1968 and time as HUD secretary.

16 Obscure Facts About Presidents w/ Jeremy Anderberg of The Art of Manliness and Readmorebooks.co

Who was Chester Arthur’s secret pen pal?  How did Herbert Hoover spend his last day in office?  What was McKinley’s obscure accomplishment?  What was Rutherford B. Hayes passionate hobby? What event hurt Taft’s Presidency from the get-go? How did Martin Van Buren contribute to today’s politics?  For Presidents Day, a conversation with Jeremy Anderberg of…

I Don’t Want to Trick You: The Lyndon Johnson – Richard Nixon Presidential Transition, and Other Stories

Nothing starts a good presidential transition like wild charges against the President-Elect, and thus it was in 1968 that a tense election ending started a transition between Presidents of two parties.  Yet all things considering, Richard Nixon and Lyndon Johnson’s transition is considered one of the better ones by scholars.  Yet was it? With so…

Granting of Certiorari: The Hidden Process Behind the Supreme Court

From an 2011 episode, all about the hidden process that determines what cases are heard by the Supreme Court.

Did Nixon Win the Popular Vote in 1960? And Other Stories

In this episode we look at an enduring mystery, one that didn’t matter too much in the 1960 election but has since taken on significance. Could it be that Kennedy lost, and Nixon won, the popular vote nationally in 1960. We looked at it a decade ago, and at that time MHCBUYP declared that Richard…

The Creation of Children: Child Labor and The History of U.S. Child Labor Laws

The progress of regulation of working hours for children required not only a fight, but a change in philosophy, the acceptance of children as a subject of national law. A history of child labor and child labor laws in America

Grover Cleveland Holds Umbrella for Benjamin Harrison, Who Defeated Him

As indicated on the podcast detail of the 1889 inaugural of Benjamin Harrison shows Grover Cleveland, hat in hand holding an umbrella for Benjamin Harrison during his inauguration. He had just been defeated for the Presidency by Harrison. Of course this politeness didn’t stop Cleveland from getting the office back, 4 years later.

Notes of 1884: Thoughts on That Election, and The Current One

We discuss the tight election that elected the first Democratic President in 25 years, Grover Cleveland, the Republican help he got, and some comparisons and contrasts to the current election.  A President’s umbrella, salutes for his “big foot,” chain-armor clad parades, and the importance of a concern for the “general weal.” all in this episode. …

Now on The Patreon Site – Mario Cuomo Running and Not Running

ON the PATREON SITE , the story of Mario Cuomo’s non-runs for the Presidency. We talked about candidates not running for President on a recent cast, but in that one we were looking at obscure stories. The obvious story of a modern candidate not running for President. We talk about the reasons. A lot of…