Whistlestop

Bite-size stories from presidential history.

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About the Show

John Dickerson of Slate’s Political Gabfest revisits a moment from the American carnival of politics. Hear about the grand speeches, emergency strategies, baby kissing, and backstabbing that make each presidential cycle so fascinating.

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The Presidency as a Consumer Experience (Part 2)

On Oct. 19, 2016, Florida Republican Sen. Marco Rubio, a defeated GOP aspirant for the presidency, asks his party not to play by the modern rules of politics.

The Presidency as a Consumer Experience (Part 1)

Will the psychology of self-soothing and social media dopamine destroy democracy as we know it?

Avoiding a Great Re-Recession

On March 12, 2008, as President George W. Bush went over a speech to address the financial crisis, the treasury secretary made an unfortunate prediction.

The Making of the American Presidency (Part 4)

On Dec. 23, 1783, the commander in chief of the Continental Army sat with the president of the Confederation Congress and prepared to leave his post, thereby securing his place in presidential history.

The Making of the American Presidency (Part 3)

On March 4, Sen. Rand Paul quoted from Montesquieu on Twitter: “When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty.”

The Making of the American Presidency, Part 2

In June of 1787 America’s founders faced a challenge, the nation couldn’t depend on the goodwill of the states to keep itself unified, but there wasn’t a mandate for new rules to be made either.

The Spring of 1787

In the spring of 1787, 55 men participated in foundational debates to shape the America we know today and define the presidency to lead it.

A ’90s-Style Government Shutdown (Part 2)

On Nov. 7, 1995, a long and uncomfortable plane ride helped fire up Speaker Gingrich to deliver a dramatic set of budget demands that President Bill Clinton did not expect.

A ’90s-Style Government Shutdown (Part 1)

In April 1995, Bill Clinton and Newt Gingrich battled to define American democracy.

If a Wall Falls

In 1989, the Berlin Wall came down and President George H.W. Bush refrained from making grandiose statements about American-style democracy.

Tip and the Gip: Part 2

Republican President Ronald Reagan and Democratic House Speaker Tip O’Neill demonstrate how bipartisanship can lead to compromise when it comes to Social Security.

Tip and the Gip: Part 1

Republican President Ronald Reagan and Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill were friends, at least after 6 p.m.

Doing the Midterm Shuffle

Midterm elections in 1982, 1986, 1994, 2006, and 2010 all called for the incumbent president of the United States to do a little reframing of the meaning of the vote of the people.

Taking Aim at the New Guy

On Oct. 18, 1938, former President Hoover picked on his successor with gusto.

The Nomination of Judge Bork, Part 2

President Reagan saw Judge Bork as a clear choice for the Supreme Court, but it wasn’t quite so clear to the Senate Judiciary Committee.

The Bidding of Biden to Boo Bork

When Justice Powell announced his resignation, President Reagan realized he had an opportunity to score major cultural points with his party.

Kennedy and Communism (Part 3)

“Little Boy Blue meets Al Capone.”

Kennedy and Communism (Part 2)

In 1961, JFK gave Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev a second chance.

Kennedy and Communism (Part 1 of 2)

President John F. Kennedy bumbled the Bay of Pigs but pressed on to meet Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev.

Nixon Goes to China (Part 3 of 3)

President Nixon trades jokes and digs into philosophy with Chairman Mao.