MHCBUYP Premium: Recent Episodes
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In our four-part series on the 1864 Election, we look at Lincoln’s political situation.
Using Grover Cleveland’s letters we tell the story of Grover Cleveland’s post-Presidency.
We take a look at Benjamin Perley’s book of remembrances from 1886, and look at his description of Washington D.C. in 1844 and the time of the Texas Annexation, and how and why John Tyler put the policy through.
What was FDR doing around the time at D-day, Hoover deals with hecklers on his train and other stories.
The American Revolution ended in Yorktown, but that wasn’t necessarily a sure thing. A bit about the events after Yorktown, most of them in Britain that contributed to the end of the war.
In this episode we talk about two battles that began the end of the American Revolution. It wasn’t easy to tell at the time that they would be decisive. One was clear win for the Americans, the other a technical loss.
From Trump’s VP run to the Lyndon Johnson Rule, we talk about some topics that didn’t make it into the six-part series.
Thorough the pages of New York Magazine in 1988, we look at the culture of the times of 1988 as America decides who will be President.
A good haul from some recent library trips – story about an NYC cop, What Zachary Taylor did for fun and other stories.
An incident at the US Embassy in Pakistan in 1979, that almost turned into another hostage crisis, and related events.
A bunch of leftovers from the Carter cast mixed with books I’ve read over the summer and early fall here. Hope they are enjoyed.
As a young assemblyman, Theodore Roosevelt was ready to vote against a ban on cigar making in homes in New York. It was he thought ‘socialistic’ Then Samuel Gompers took him on a tour.
A look at Chief Black Hawk’s crossing of the Mississippi, leading to the conflict known as Black Hawk’s War. Two Presidents would serve in that war as would many budding politicians. Why was it fought? Did Black Hawk want to … Continued
the first year of Jimmy’s Carter Presidency. Carter shakes the yoke of the Imperial Presidency with new changes. He leads on energy, perhaps more than Americans are ready for. Congress complains, they call it betrayal, he calls it leadership. Hopes, … Continued
In a tight race, Bush-Cheney tried a novel, and now forgotten strategy. They looked to multi-level marketing groups and emulated some tactics. It may have worked, or not.
A recent library trip and some unused tidbits generated an episode of various items of interest about politics and history.
More demonstration of WEB DuBois uncanny ability to use words to describe his experience. Also a bit more about Claude Kirk and why, despite 3 episodes, I wish I hit some points more. About his lost hat, run for governor … Continued
In Part 3 Kirk goes from Vice Presidential contender to Florida gadfly with a few long-term political blunders.
Part 2 of the series.
In this episode, the ‘Go-Go Governor’ Claude Kirk tries out directly confronting people as a strategy. Results are mixed.
A rough edit of a soon-to be episode on Claude Kirk, a flamboyant Florida governor in the 1960’s, the first GOP governor to be elected since Reconstruction.
As we enter a primary season a look at the election of 1984. The primary was surprising and significant. It featured a bleeding of political analysis and momentum-talk into the race real time. I
Advanced release of our special Part 7 Episode – Bloknot – notebook episode with all the things we left behind and didn’t get a chance to talk about.
The end of the Soviet Union happens with a mysterious silence, a plane chase, unwanted visitors and a fresh new pen. In the six and final episode we look at the end of a country, and the beginnings of a new one, perhaps.
The final night of the coup gets deadly., and we look at the right-wing of the Soviet Union, the anti-peristroika movement, and those who still believe. The trauma of the past and the dreams of the future fought out under a constant rain.
Day 2 of the takeover of the Soviet Union by high-ranking officials. August 20th finds new fears but also increasing resistance not just in Moscow but in the republics. Soviet citizens resist, in a way they may be able to do because of their hard lifestyle.
As the day of August 19th, 1991 turns to night, both sides seek large power sources. Yeltzin reaches out to soldiers. The Gang of Eight try their luck with the press. The first crowds gather to defend Yeltzin.
Episode 2 of our podcast series on the fall of the USSR takes us into the afternoon of August 19th, where activists are waking up to what is going on, and a bit into the history of events that lead to the coup of 1991.
You hear it hear first – the first version rough edit of THE FALL OF USSR series. EP1 Wake Up Cassandra
Soviet citizens wake up to tanks out the window, and strange announcements mixed with music. Citizens react. One leader makes a narrow escape. Another leader is held in place. Is democracy over? Is this the beginning of the end of everything?
After the midterms of 1930 it looked like Hoover’s Party, the GOP, was able to hold on to the House, though narrowly. Then 14 Congressmen-elect died.
I found a few gems in a couple recent library trips that will probably show up in future episodes. That and a show update, and an update on where we are with the USSR podcast.
A sneak preview of an upcoming episode on NASA and the role of inflation in its decisions.
A hodge podge of new material for future episodes not yet released and some older content that has new significance given recent events. Given our look at Argentina’s dictatorship we visit another Latin American country. A small country that found they could economize the oppression due to their size. Plus Grover Cleveland’s scandal and what happened afterwards, from a 2013 episode, Prince Charles and Other notes.
It’s not what you were told in school, but it’s not totally wrong either. Some highlights of the Thanksgiving and one of America’s origin stories. What really happened, and the unknown story of how the original Mayflower history was undiscovered … Continued
preview of an upcoming episode on Nixon’s only midterm as it would turn out. 1970. The stakes were high and Airforce One was involved like never before.
I’ve been looking through the buried treasure of the old MHCBUYP server (as a recent business change it went from Yahoo to Verizon) and found a few episodes that were released in their time but are no longer on the … Continued
In this we share a little extra info about Bruce Givner, the intern at the DNC at the time of the Watergate breakin, and also about Congress’s Subpoena power, items that did not make it into the main casts.
An early preview for supporters of our episode on the history of congressional committees
More information left on the legal pads from the Student Loan and Midterm about nothing cast. Including Sputnik landing in America, Nixon and Midterms and other notes.
We take a look at what the folks who met in New England’s moment of near – secession, the Hartford Convention wanted. What would have American life been like under their suggested rules and amendments to the Constitution? This and … Continued
We look at the Vice President who – maybe – described the office as a “bucket of warm spit.” He also may have been its most powerful occupant up to his time, and he’s responsible in a little way for … Continued
Fast food, department store shopping and taking tea in a hotel room. How Three British visitors to America in two different time periods saw the country. Pictured is the English novelist Francis Trollope, who wrote about her visit to 1820’s … Continued
Attention Bruce will be speaking to Patreon and Premium Supporters this week, in what will be one of many calls this Summer. He’ll talk about My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, future plans, upcoming episodes, recent episodes and the … Continued
We talk about Vichy France, Jazz music and the Hull note, items left out of the Visions of a Fever cast on 1941, and develop these topics more. FDR’s cooperation with Vichy is considered a clear mistake by many historians … Continued
Reporter William C Hudson on the meeting between a young Theodore Roosevelt and then Governor Grover Cleveland. And a moment about how the losing candidate handled the 1876 election, from an eyewitness.
A few left over notes from the Cal Coolidge and Ethiopia Invasion Podcasts. About Coolidge’s Electric Horse, and about the death of Ethiopia Emperor Halie Selassie.
A preview of an upcoming cast. Regulation of artificial butter. Grover Cleveland and Congress get involved. Blaine and Conkling to at it in Congress, and a look at Secretaries of State.
We discuss one of the greatest speeches in Senate history, and the issues of federal and state control of government.
Washington’s big mistake, the term speakeasy’s origin, George Wallace unloads on Jimmy Carter [unfairly], the origins of New Jersey, I read notes from a recent library trip with varied bits of history and ideas for future podcasts, perhaps and look … Continued
A preview of an upcoming episode (Feb 2022) with three unique stories that in their own way, speak to our times. About viral messages, lobbies and the control over Presidents as well as an early 1887 battle over battle flags, … Continued
A look at Schuyler Colfax, Grant’s first Vice President lived a full life but died in obscurity and some shame. We examine the smiling vice president, former Speaker and friend to Lincoln.
Lincoln on canals, railroads and other infrastructure improvements. Along with the tariff and his support for a national bank it was his key issue.
The only Vice President (who didn’t become President) to have his image on American money. Well spoken, a powerful debater, a close-election winner and loser, Thomas Hendricks is the subject of a future episode of the Vice Presidents podcast we … Continued
A preview of an upcoming cast on a prime minster of the UK that was the first to visit America in office. And about the end of the gold standard. Will air in December – you hear it today.
From selling people, drafting Americans for the Spanish Legion, Hollywood in Trouble and a Unsung Jazz Legend’s death – More discussion of news events 100 years ago with WSJ editor Jon Blackwell, whose Twitter records events from 1921.
A bunch of ‘leftovers’ but as promised in the episode about the Anti-Masonic party, we look at that party’s VP candidate. Being a third party with very little chance to win and being the #2 spot did not spare Ellmaker … Continued
For premium and patreon subscribers, I’ve made an early release of an episode that will air in November – TIN MAN, dealing with populism, anti-populism, silver and gold and a little about the Wizard of OZ.
A bit about Senators that have caused problems for Presidents of their party and gone their own way, and a bit about British Prime Minster Harold Wilson and his role in virtual education, Vietnam and the UK and Europe.
An upcoming episode on Grover Cleveland and his battle with Congress. Also about William Jennings Bryan’s short military career and Lincoln and Rutherford B. Hayes and their coats, both of which didn’t get used too much.
In this third installment of The American 1890’s History audio scrapbook we look at a number of modern issues that bubbled up in the Mauve Decade, including: police violence and Indian rights, women’s rights, mental health, African American rights and … Continued
We look at an early series of letters that James Madison writes to a college chum William Bradford from Princeton which reveal his early thoughts on the coming Revolution, and the Northern part of America versus the Southern part. If … Continued
More thoughts on a potential ‘dream ticket’ in 1980. What happens when a President and former President enter the White House.
Some more cranky characters from Washington D.C. in the 1880s, clarifications of what I got wrong about license plates on the cast [the DC motto established in 2000 v. 1991], and other stories.
A cabbie’s view of the stock crashes, a tragedy in the news, and Donald Trump’s Black Monday, all left overs from the podcast
While cannons fired and infantry charged, a battle in the Civil War was fought on another front – the world financial markets – with implications for the war. A section we recorded for the Ark of Commerce Part b but no … Continued
For members only, sneak preview of the first installment of the final Ark of Commerce, our series on the commercial history of the United States. In this episode we discuss Black Monday 1987, and the exchange systems that led up … Continued
Continuing on our look at the 1890’s – many flying machines, Jack London goes from pirate to lawman, William Taft seeks gold, a cookie company and a cough drop company get their names, chicago and Southern California bloom, a city … Continued
Early rough cut of an upcoming episode on the 1996 election, and how events in 1995 all but foretold the outcome. Dick Morris and Clinton, Powell and Dole accusations that the media was biased against Clinton and lot of fundraising.
From one hundred years ago, a simple story that is highly political. Sherwood Anderson’s tale of a son talking about his father’s egg farm and restaurant dreams is a criticism of the intensity and negative side of the American Dream.
US in Haiti, Fatty Arbuckle and Virginia Rappe, Tony Jackson dies but not his influence on jazz singers, Hitler meets Luddendorf. And other items that didn’t fit in the episode.
A little bit more about Mayor Monroe and Lt Governor Oscar Dunn, players in the episode about the Mechanics Institute attack in new Orleans. From the legal pad leftovers.
Many of the attacks on the Constitution lacked specific detail, so Federalists had to fight straw men and conspiracy theories. In this episode we look at how James Wilson and Madison did, and how they explained the Constitution’s benefits. We … Continued
We get the perspective of George B. McClellan Jr, son of the Union general, about Congress in the 1890’s as a Democrat from the North. Dealing with his Southern colleagues and avoiding duels was on his list of activities. Also … Continued
A look at the vice president under Theodore Roosevelt (1905-1909), who was overshadowed by his boss but kept the ‘stand pat’ conservatives happy while his boss ran the White House.
The 1890’s was dubbed The Mauve Decade because of the popularity of that color in fashion. It was also a time of depression and boom, populist politics, attempts to fly, dead poets schoolyard games, automobiles that looked like bikes, and … Continued
Additional notes about Lincoln’s Inaugural train ride. Including Whitman’s description of him. More Train stop speeches. A curse of Congress by Benjamin Wade, Lincoln’s true opinion on Seward’s New Mexico idea (more complex I must admit than my comments in … Continued
We look at the Bonus Army of 1932 and 1933 and how two different Presidents reached to marches on Washington. In the wake of tragic events at the Capitol this week, we discuss Coxey’s Populist ‘army’ and the first real … Continued
About Vice President Adlai Stevenson, the grandfather of the Democratic candidate for President in 1952 and 1956. We include some stories from his memoir and the political events of his time. This was run on the Vice Presidents of the … Continued
We touched on FDR and Hoover’s touchy transition in the episode about LBJ and Nixon. In this premium episode, I go into the telegrams Hoover sent FDR and what he wanted from FDR – and what FDR refused to do.
The relationship between Roscoe Conkling, Senator and New York State political boss of the post-Civil War era, and Chester Arthur, future President is explored in this episode. We look at the key moment of Arthur’s defiance at the 1880 Convention, … Continued
We discuss a variety of topics based on questions I’ve been asked. who might be President a third time if there was no prohibition on it? And what’s up with Harry Truman’s middle name?
More things to consider about the results of the 2020 Election, besides the big result, that didn’t make it into the main cast.
On the evening of June 18th, 1954, Albert Love Patterson walked out of his law office in Phoenix City, Alabama. Former state senator soldier in France in World War One was aware of how bad the situation the town he … Continued
Two GOP Candidates reckon with potential military rivals. One susses, the other waits their potential rival out. And other stories of the 1884 and 1896 election that couldn’t fit in the episode of DONT RUN FOR PRESIDENT
A little bit about Lincoln, and his advocacy and defense of Zachary Taylor, a president who preceded him by three Presidents, all of them ineffective. Zachary Taylor would get barely over a year in office, but his stance on brewing … Continued
When it was discovered that Nixon through aide/supporter Chenault had interfered with Vietnam peace talks, LBJ left it to the Democratic candidate Humphrey to use or not use the revalations in politics. Humphrey declined. When asked why Humphrey didn’t use … Continued
As normal, I never fit everything I plan to in one episode. This was especially true with the ‘Don’t Run for President’ episode. In this cast, the extras left in various notebooks and computer text files. Susan B Anthony struggles … Continued
A secret ‘campaign within the campaign’ to act as odbudsman for campaign rhetoric may have helped Clinton win in 1992. Other successful campaigns should follow.
A bit about Sargent Shriver’s legacy, his running for Vice President in 1972 and good and bad moments, including a surprising connection to Joe Biden’s future.
They called it Solar Totem. But to many, they wouldn’t know what it was. Students that pass by it in Kent State University in April of 1970, say, might never have known that it was there at all. South of … Continued
For most people, John W. Davis is at best a footnote, a speck of information and a textbook about presidential election history, the Also-Ran of Calvin Coolidge. Nineteen twenty four. You open up the historical electoral maps and you see … Continued
Since we talked about people not running for President in this cast we talk about Mario Cuomo and address that topic. I tell a Leftover story about Henry Clay we didn’t get into on the main cast. About his two … Continued
Was there a room where Warren G. Harding was selected for the GOP nomination in 1920. It might be more story than substance. But what about George Harvey’s room in the Blackstone Hotel in Chicago. Well… We look into this, … Continued
Lyndon Johnson surprised the nation and some of his supporters and administration officials when he said he would not seek, nor accept the nomination for President in 1968. But did he mean it? New evidence has surfaced that Lyndon Johnson … Continued
Who was the first VP? John Adams. Who was the first Veep? Truman’s VP Alben Barkley was the first to use the knickname for the job, Veep, coined by his grandson. We talk about Barkley in this episode that is … Continued
More from Rick Perlstein about the 1980 election; did the hostage issue really have the impact that most think it did (including Bruce, up until hearing this). Also Walt Whitman and his use of The United States ‘are’ and the … Continued
Worth a re-listen to my post-2016 episode for premium subscribers, with my thoughts of what happened and what might happen, now four years later. I quoted Harold Wilson but it’s actually Harold MacMillan who was the Prime Minster of the … Continued
We look at the Trump tax return case and the Faithless Elector cases recently decided by the Supreme Court. Also Howard Cosell and his view of politics in 1976, some unused material from the 1976 Convention Cast.
From 2014, our look at vaccines and healthcare politics related to it. With some material blended in from other casts related to vaccines, including the Boston slave who saved the city.
A talk on a bunch of different topics, including the strange story of a conflict between the Republic of Texas and France
Some thoughts about rebellions, federal and state power, the Whskey excise tax rebels of 1794 and the actions of the local government in Pittsburgh at the time. Spurred on by our discussion with Lindsay Chervinsky about George Washington’s Cabinet.
I discussed a lot about healthcare when the issue was hot during the Obamacare debate. I had some ideas that angered both left and right, and also got into the history of healthcare, or really the lack of it, in … Continued
Known as a backroom-dealer and powerful Vice President, less is known about DIck Cheney’s younger years. We tell the story on this preview of a Vice Presidents podcast episode, for Extra Podcast subscribers. Thanks for your support. Cheney’s family were … Continued
Touching on a few topics from the various notebooks I’m been assembling. Little more detail on Kent State, and more that Ruffner said in the interview I couldn’t fit in the cast. Also the original SARS disease and Daniel Defoe’s … Continued
a really old one – but a lot of the content applies, as to the categories of VP picks. Do you heal a party, patch up a weakness, create buzz, or something else? I aired this episode before one of … Continued
Well, a rerun of a 2014 episode, part of a series about ‘Lies Your Talking Head Told You’. What the battle of New Orleans was like, and how it changed politics in America forever.
A rough cut of a just completed interview with ANOTHER eyewitness to the events at Kent State May 4th 1970. Howard Ruffin took the photographs that would appear in LIFE Magazine from that day. We discuss a lot of topics, … Continued
These are the topics we tackle in this episode, based on our recent interview with AJ Baime. Stay safe.
We spoke with A.J. Baime 2 years ago, and he’s back on again. This time to discussion the election of 1948, The Marshall Plan and Truman. Parts of te interview will be used on an upcoming episode of the podcast … Continued
We talk about the transition of Coolidge from Vice President to President. His style, his politics, and the challenges he would face, including a potential challenger. How he became President was one of his greatest assets.
In 1987, Baltimore would elect a new mayor with great hope and promise. He didn’t come from any of the political clubs. He could see things differently. When he looked at the drug trade, he came up with a unique … Continued
The Spanish Flu was devastating, and in this episode we tell stories about the devastation, it’s impact on New York and on the art world, and how the epidemic victims were counted. I enjoyed my conversation w/ science journalist Laura … Continued
(a little glitch with the last one) A little more about 1884 for premium subscribers! DId Blaine really not hear the Rum Romanism and Rebellion comment? And other things.
An early cut and preview of my podcast on Levi Morton, Benjamin Harrison’s vice president.
Muskie, Kennedy and Hart. All of them lost their front-runner status due to scandal and poor decision making. I think this is relevant as Bridgegate convictions remind us that a front runner was greatly damaged by a scandal in … Continued
Hi and Happy New Years and thanks for your support this year. A few words from me on what’s coming up, what I’m reading. A little more about Robert Caro and Robert Moses, and more.
A special preview of my episode on the VIce Presidents of the United States Podcast. We discuss Thomas Marshall. I use some of Marshall’s sayings and jokes on MHCBUYP. He could be considered the funniest VP. Known for calling the … Continued
I am currently reading Robert Caro’s On Working, a neat book of stories about how he does his work as a historian. That brought up a story about Lyndon Johnson’s 948 election in the Teas Primary over a popular governor, … Continued
Would you be kind enough to tell me whether or not you exercise any premptories? that sound you heard right there, you may not know it, but it’s a little bit of history. That’s Clarence Thomas, Justice of the Supreme … Continued
Extras from the legal pad of You Break Everybody’s Back, about the 1988 Election. More about Dole, Hart, Dukakis, Biden and more.
Prior to being President, Gerald Ford was Vice President for a few months. He did the best he could with a difficult spot. What it was like to be Vice President with a President under intense investigation. And about Ford … Continued
As part of our Revolutionary War sketches, we look at the story, or more the ordeal o a Hessian soldier who was captured twice.
Bruce responds to listener questions on a variety of topics and gets more into the topics of Impeachment and Switching Vices.
Bonus episode for the Premium members – looking a a listener’s question we expand on the Five Historical Trends for Trump and Hillary. He points out Trump’s novice-ness and lack of Presidential support.
A look at the Pan-Electric Telephone Scandal, which almost cost Alexander Graham Bell his patent, and some other interesting things about how Washington worked in the 1880’s. Using a book of Frank G. Carpenter (the Ohio journalist who we read … Continued
When Maine anti-slavery Senator Hannibal Hamlin was added to the 1860 ticket, a few signs blended the two names of the ticket and boasted ‘Abrahamlincon’ However, Hannibal’s stint as Lincoln’s first VP would not be that much of a partnership. … Continued
From a vote for a local judge for President, to the first vote for a woman and other votes, electors who go against the popular vote of their state -faithless electors- have done some interesting things in history
Some of the ‘leftovers’ that we didn’t have a chance to work into the Ark of Commerce Part IV. What are gunboats and why did Jefferson favor them? A bit more about the Embargo and the Railroad takeover. And … Continued
[00:00:00] When I hear your new ideas I’m reminded of that ad. [00:00:03] Where’s the beef. [00:00:30] One candidate and one large axe. Large blade huge handle. [00:00:40] Using both hands he holds it. He smiles and he hurls the … Continued
Bruce and Chris Novembrino of Don’t Worry About the Government Podcast talk about Sanders and his own Self-comparison to FDR, Biden, more on the 1984 campaign and other topics, mostly related to the 2020 primary race. How Trump won in … Continued
A bit abut Gary Hart and 1984, a couple good books and Stephen Douglas, the railroad owner and Senator discussed in the Ark of Commerce III.
Bruce’s approach to the third Ark of Commerce, what he left out. And plus – his ranking of the Presidents.
I interviewed C-SPAN a week ago. For premium subscribers, here’s the interview with Brian Lamb and Susan Swain. Those who watch C-SPAN will know them as very familiar faces. We talked about their book on the ranking of Presidents. … Continued
Bruce and Chris of ‘Don’t Worry About the Government’ podcast talk current politics and John Tyler, a President Chris has been researching. For Extra Podcast subscribers.
for Extra subscribers an interview on VPs and Presidents. I enjoyed this discussion with author Cohen much. It is a rough cut, we’ll be improving it a bit for the episode. Work on the Ark of Commerce Part 3 Goes … Continued
We talked to William Hitchcock on the podcast. in this special premium episode, I discuss his book and get more into Ike’s record on civil rights, including his actions around the 1957 bill. Included are a memo from one of … Continued
Update on the Premium cast – now the Extra Cast. Bruce Discusses his latest series the Ark of Commerce and where it’s going, and tells a story by a man named William Monks about settling the Southern Missouri country in … Continued
For premium subscribers only — My interview with John Avlon was quick. There is so much to talk about George Washington and politics. In this cast I talk more about my interview with John Avlon and how I interpret what he said.
A replay of our podcast about the context between the oft referred to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and Munich