Best Reagan Library Podcasts (2025)

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"Peace Through Strength": The U.S.S. Ronald Reagan 16:31

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2d ago16:31

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"Peace through strength" — it's a phrase heard frequently after the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. These days, "peace through strength" has become associated with President Donald Trump. But an earlier President also famously embraced the doctrine of "Peace through Strength." Happy Thanksgiving as well to Captain Pat Hannifin and all of …

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Our Annual Supreme Court Justice Comedy Festival - With Special Guest Jon Macks 43:35

9d ago43:35

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The U.S. Supreme Court just ended its 2024-2025 term. And along with issuing big decisions in big cases — they also had — in some oral arguments — big laughs. So, time now for our annual end-of-term Supreme Court comedy festival! Hear the top 8 laugh lines from this Supreme Court term – then find out why they were funny — then, find out how they co…

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Fourth of July! Time for Fireworks – and Time to Think About Ex-Rep. Felix Grucci! 20:34

16d ago20:34

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It's the Fourth of July! Which makes now the perfect time to remember this Republican congressman from New York: "Rep. Felix Grucci from New York's 1st district. We probably don't have many fireworks company presidents in Congress. That's how some people might know your name. Tell us about the family business." "Well, the family business is one hun…

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Fourth of July, America 250, Presidents — And Time Capsules 24:53

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Time capsules! America is full of them ... and for America 250, Congress is even creating a new one. For this year's Fourth of July holiday, C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" presents a time capsule of its own. The contents: What American presidents have said about time capsules — or even put in time capsules. Like pictures of themselves. Here's what S…

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William F. Buckley: Republicans — and Democrats — in Congress Quote the Conservative Giant 30:34

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William F. Buckley, Jr. The conservative icon died in February 2008 — but in 2025, he's back in the news. • In March, the U.S. Postal Service announced a new stamp with his picture • In June, a new biography, "Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America," was published • And in November, it would have been Bill Buckley's 100th birthda…

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President Birthdays: 10 fun facts about wishing and singing Happy Birthday to Presidents 27:59

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There's a big parade planned in Washington, DC for Saturday, June 14th, 2025. It's Flag Day — It's the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army — and it's President Trump's birthday — his 79th. Speaking at West Point five years ago, President Trump noted the calendar coincidence. Tomorrow America will celebrate a very important anniversary: the 245th bir…

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Presidents and Politics with 6 Celebrity CEOs not named Elon Musk 1:07:56

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Elon Musk is ending active involvement in the Trump administration and DOGE... His relationship with President Trump as a senior advisor and special government employee has been well documented… So has the billionaire's founding and serving as CEO of several companies…But Elon Musk isn't the only famous CEO who's had connections to presidents. In t…

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Three Top Senate Reporters Share Favorite Senate TV Moments for C-SPAN2 Anniversary 1:12:44

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Live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the U.S. Senate floor. It began 39 years ago -- June 2nd, 1986 – Day One of C-SPAN2. Here's one of the first things heard that first day of Senate TV: "Today begins the video history book. No longer will the great debates in this Chamber be lost forever. What a thrill it would be to watch Henry Clay, John Calhoun, o…

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Memorial Day: Presidents and the Vietnam War, 50 Years After the Fall of Saigon 15:54

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50 years ago, the Vietnam War ended.. The South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army…. North Vietnam achieved its objective of reunifying Vietnam under communist rule.... There were 58,220 U.S. military fatalities …. America effectively lost the Vietnam War.... "It was a sad day to sit in the Oval Office and see on televis…

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Governors Say the Loveliest Things About Their Spouses 19:25

2M ago19:25

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Ah -- Romance is in the air. And by romance in the air – we mean Governors giving their annual state of the state addresses and budget speeches in front of state legislatures. Like Tony Evers. Here’s what the Wisconsin Governor said during his 2025 state of the state address: “My forever prom date, Kathy, is up in the gallery, as well. Kathleen Fra…

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The Best-Of James Traficant Speeches – Annotated by Nick Gillespie of Reason Magazine 46:12

2M ago46:12

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At some point, close listeners to C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" might have wondered: Why have we never done an episode featuring the best-of James Traficant? Well – wonder no more. Because – it's this week's episode! Why now? Two reasons: 1. This podcast is running on May 8th - That's right – Congressman James Traficant's birthday … he was born on …

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Ronald Reagan and Brian Mulroney: A U.S.-Canada Friendship 24:57

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Can you imagine a time when a U.S. President and a Canadian Prime Minister were friends? ... And said nice things about each other in public? ... And the nice things they said about each other in public were neither remarkable nor newsworthy? Well, here's proof that such a time once existed: "The fact that we go on, we got along, President Reagan a…

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The Washington Hilton Is 60 — And Still Hosting the WHCA Dinner 13:10

3M ago13:10

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It's time for the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton. But this year: No comedian. Which means: No jokes about C-SPAN … or about the Washington Hilton. In the past, at every dinner, there seemed to be at least one joke made about one or the other ... or sometimes both in the same joke — Like Conan O'Brien p…

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Four Former WHCA Presidents Tell Us Their Favorite Big Media Dinner Moments and Inside Stories 1:10:22

3M ago1:10:22

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The White House Correspondents Association dinner is just a week away. The big annual media black tie shindig in the basement of the Washington Hilton typically has several surprises. Like this film shown during 2000 dinner. "I want to thank the Academy for this tremendous honor. This may be the greatest moment of my life. I mean, hear since i was …

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How did a 1996 Senate Whitewater Hearing Seen on C-SPAN Inspire the Hit 2025 Netflix Series "The Residence"? 35:03

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Thirty years ago, C-SPAN showed the Senate Whitewater Committee hearings. The Special Committee to Investigate Whitewater Development Corporation and Related Matters was created in May 1995. Hearings ran for 300 hours over 60 sessions across 13 months. Did anything concrete come out of those hearings seen on C-SPAN? Well – at least one thing. A hit…

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A Republican President, Canada, and Tariffs: What Ronald Reagan Said and Did 14:41

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If you're listening closely to the language currently being used by leaders of the United States and Canada about each other -- what a Republican president once said about the two countries might seem unfamiliar. The American people know that putting up walls around our country is a prescription for ruin, not renewal. What the world and the United …

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Annual Baseball Episode: An Oral History of the Washington Nationals, As Told By Congress 30:54

4M ago30:54

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October 31st, 2019. The U.S. House debates and passes a resolution laying out the rules in the first impeachment inquiry of President Trump. House Democratic Leader Steny Hoyer addresses the House that day — but there's something else on his mind as well: Today is a serious day. Last night was an extraordinary night. I rise for the millions of peop…

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The JFK Assassination, Oliver Stone, and Conspiracy Theories — Now with President Trump 35:17

4M ago35:17

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On the third day of his second administration, President Trump signed six executive orders. One was: Declassifying files pertaining to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, former Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, and Martin Luther King Jr. The inclusion of JFK was of particular interest to the C-SPAN podcast "The Weekly." Three years …

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Three Top Political Podcasters Share Their Favorite Moment From The House on TV 38:18

4M ago38:18

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Next week is C-SPAN's 46th anniversary…. On March 19th, 1979, House TV began – for the first time Americans could watch live gavel to gavel coverage of the U.S. House floor on their television. … It was Day One of privately funded C-SPAN. To mark this anniversary on this podcast, we're trying something new. We asked three of America's greatest poli…

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DEBT FRET: In their First Speeches to Congress, New Presidents Aguish About the National Debt 12:45

5M ago12:45

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When presidents come into office, traditionally their first big speech to Congress is about the budget. Like President Trump this past week. Instead of a State of the Union address, new presidents share their economic agenda and vision for the coming four years. And almost always in that big budget speech, they anguish over the escalating national …

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SNL’S Chris Farley as Speaker Newt Gingrich: An Oral History 18:56

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If someone were to ask you: name your favorite moment in Congress involving a character from Saturday Night Live -- how would you respond? There’s a good chance you would say it was this: Chris Farley – as Speaker Newt Gingrich – with Speaker Newt Gingrich –– August 4th, 1995 … It was the 100th day of the new Republican majority in the House of Rep…

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Congress Revises and Extends "Saturday Night Live" 28:50

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"Saturday Night Live" – The comedy show has been on TV for half a century. And it seems like Congress has been talking about it for nearly that long. Like Democratic Senator Al Gore in 1990: "I saw a television show recently called Saturday Night Live, Mr. President. They have the habit of putting on humorous pretend commercials that look like real…

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Happy Valentine’s Day – Let’s Talk Tommy Gun - And Massacre 20:32

5M ago20:32

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Americans are celebrating Valentine's Day. So, let's remember – the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Here's President Bill Clinton, speaking on February 15th, 1994 – the day after Valentine’s Day, to the law enforcement community in London Ohio … In the last three decades, violent crimes have increased by 300 percent. Over the last three years, almost…

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Presidents Talk Democracy Unfiltered 13:19

5M ago13:19

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You might have seen or heard a new promo spot from C-SPAN – Presidents talking democracy … from Jimmy Carter through Donald Trump …. Carter: "Democracy is always an unfinished creation" Reagan: "Democracy is worth dying for" Bush: "Democracy belongs to us all" Clinton: "We are here in the sanctuary of democracy" Bush: "Great responsibilities fall o…

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A Ford Eulogy for Carter, A Carter Eulogy for Ford 39:08

6M ago39:08

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Two presidents. Two eulogies. For each other. Political opponents who became friends. Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. Here's Jimmy Carter's eulogy for Gerald Ford in 2007. For myself and for our nation, I want to thank my predecessor for all he has done to heal our land." Those were the first words I spoke as president. And I still hate to admit that…

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John Tower 1989: Senate Debates Defense Secretary – And Alcohol 38:31

6M ago38:31

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During the first two weeks of March 1989, the U.S. Senate debated President George Bush's nominee for Defense Secretary, John Tower. Among the Senators who spoke about former Senator Tower – one of his former colleagues -- Alaska Republican Ted Stevens … "my mind went back again to some Senators I have known here in the Senate who have been impaire…

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Presidential Inaugurations: 11 Fun Facts About Administering The Oath of Office 27:12

6M ago27:12

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Getting ready for January 20th – and the presidential inauguration? Then you might also be getting ready for fun facts about the swearing-in ceremony. Like in 2009 – when swearing-in President Barack Obama – Chief Justice John Roberts got the oath wrong. What did he get wrong? And -- what are some other inauguration fun facts? Like: • Which Chief J…

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Presidents Say Goodbye: Top Moments in Farewell Speeches from George Washington to Donald Trump 33:29

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We're just days away from President Joe Biden leaving the White House. Which makes this a good time to remember other departing presidents – and their farewell addresses. Like Richard Nixon speaking to staff, August 9, 1974, the day he resigned the presidency. You are here to say goodbye to us, and we don't have a good word for it in English -- the…

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ELECTORAL VOTE LOSERS: When vice presidents tell Congress they’ve lost 20:38

7M ago20:38

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On Monday, January 6, 2025, Congress once again will meet in a Joint Session to certify the electoral votes in the presidential election. As President of the Senate and presiding over that ceremony, Kamala Harris will find herself a unique and rare position –a sitting vice president who ran for the presidency and then had announce his or her own el…

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A Short Take On The Making Of The Weekly Podcast 25:05

7M ago25:05

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Ever wonder how C-SPAN’s The Weekly comes together? In this special behind-the-scenes episode, we pull back the curtain to explore the making of our podcast. From brainstorming story ideas to interviewing top political insiders, discover what it takes to deliver timely and insightful episodes week after week. Join host Howard Mortman and producer S…

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George Will: Five Decades at the Washington Post, Four Decades on C-SPAN 32:10

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The Washington Post recently published a 10-page special section called, "A half-century of George F. Will: The Iron Man of America's op-ed pages."… George Will’s first syndicated column for the Washington Post was January 4, 1974…. Inspired by the Washington Post marking five decades of reading George Will …. the C-SPAN podcast “The Weekly” is mar…

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Farewell Charlie Palmer: Farewell To All The Steak, Farewell To All The Money 15:56

7M ago15:56

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January 6, 2006. On the C-SPAN morning call-in program, the topic is lobbying and money and politics. The guest is from the American League of Lobbyists… Here’s one of the calls. Good morning, so, you are either stupid or naive, or whatever. If you are a low-level aid, you know good and well that if I were to call my congressman, who is Frank Wolf,…

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Meet the New Senators: Personal Stories From Victory Speeches 17:24

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The 119th Congress will have 12 new Senators. And if you heard election night victory speeches on C-SPAN, you might have learned something new about many of them. DLike the new Democratic Senator from New Jersey, the first Korean American in the Senate -- Andy Kim: "As I prepare to take on this job, a job that only 2,000 Americans in this history o…

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Thanksgiving: No Broccoli at President Bush's Table 14:28

8M ago14:28

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Why would President Bush talk about broccoli at a prayer breakfast? Where are other places he told his audience how much he disliked broccoli? And what did First Lady Barbara Bush think about her husband’s broccoli hatred – and what stunt did she pull to retaliate? Find out in C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” annual Thanksgiving food episode. Because it’s our…

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Gaetz vs. Garland: Clues for What House Judiciary Oversight Hearings Sound Like 28:11

8M ago28:11

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President-elect Trump wants former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz to head the Justice Department. If Matt Gaetz does become Attorney General – the 87th Attorney General in U.S. history -- he’d likely appear before the House Judiciary Committee for oversight hearings. What would that sound like? It might go something like this…. GAETZ: And meanwh…

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“Miracle”: Presidents Celebrate Peaceful Transfer of Power 15:09

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The peaceful transfer of power. It’s something outgoing presidents traditionally talk about when turning over the White House to an incoming president … Like Bill Clinton in 2001 – his final radio address: “The peaceful transfer of power from one administration to the next, from one party to another, may confound others around the globe. But it ref…

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Campaign 2024 In One Word, And It's Not a Good One 20:28

8M ago20:28

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Is it possible to use one word to remember or describe the 2024 presidential campaign? If so, that one word might start with the letter S. This year on the campaign trail, the S word seemed to be everywhere. What were candidates talking about that required foul language? How did the crowds react to all the cussing and cursing? And did the candidate…

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Top Moments from Presidential Candidate Victory and Concession Speeches 27:27

9M ago27:27

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Getting ready for election night 2024? Excited to hear presidential candidates give victory and concession speeches? First, refresh your memory with top lines from speeches in years past! Like Democrat Jimmy Carter losing in 1980 … “I promised you four years ago that I would never lie to you. So, I can't stand here tonight and say it doesn't hurt. …

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Halloween – When Presidential Campaign Language Turns Scary 11:48

9M ago11:48

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Getting ready for Halloween? Well, while you're digging out the old costumes and candy … here's one more Halloween staple you need to brace yourself for: Scary Halloween rhetoric on the presidential campaign trail. “It’s good to be in Tampa. And of course, today is Halloween. All the kids are dressing up, doing scary things. That’s the way it is in…

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"The West Wing" 25th Anniversary: President Jed Bartlet as SHEEN on C-SPAN 23:42

9M ago23:42

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The date: September 20th, 2024… The place: The White House Rose Garden…. The speaker: actor Martin Sheen.. “You know, the Irish tell the story of a man who arrives at the gates of heaven and asks to be let in. Saint Peter says, ‘Of course. Just show us your scars.’ The man says, ‘I have no scars.’ Saint Peter says ‘What a pity. Was there nothing wo…

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Al Smith Dinner: Funniest Jokes Told by Presidential Candidates 22:39

9M ago22:39

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It’s time for the big event with presidential candidates held every four years. The presidential election? Nope. The Al Smith dinner. - “This evening does have a special meaning. The story of Al Smith's historic run for the presidency is truly inspiring. It gives me hope that in America it's still not possible for a fellow named Al to be the comman…

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One Year In Congress Prayers Since Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas Attack on Israel 21:28

10M ago21:28

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On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. Three days later, House chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben gave the opening prayer in Congress … It was the first meeting of Congress – either the House or Senate -- following the Hamas attack "This morning, O God, keenly aware of the violence and turmoil in Israel and throughout the Middle…

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James Carville Turns 80 – It's the Podcast, Stupid 23:45

10M ago23:45

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In October 2024, James Carville turns 80 years old. Also in October: a new documentary debuts on CNN – “Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid.” The longtime Democratic strategist has been involved in national politics since the early days of the Clinton campaign – and even before. So, in the latest C-SPAN podcast "The Weekly," we mark both events…

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Vice Presidential Debates: Best-of, Legendary, and Funniest Moments, Phrases, and Zingers Since 1976 28:52

10M ago28:52

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Gearing up for the Vice-Presidential debate – Tim Walz versus JD Vance? Then you might want to remember the first time running mates debated in a formal, nationally televised setting: Good evening, I'm James Hoge, editor of the Chicago Sun Times, and moderator of this third of the historic debates of the 1976 campaign. Tonight we have the vice-pres…

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Oprah Winfrey … and Trump, Harris, Obamas, Biden, Clinton, Congress, and Politics …since 1991 22:33

10M ago22:33

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You might have heard Oprah Winfrey speak on behalf of Kamala Harris at the 2024 Democratic Convention in Chicago. You may also remember Oprah Winfrey endorsing Barack Obama in his 2008 presidential campaign. "I have found the answer. It is the same question that our nation is asking. Are you the one? Are you the one? I’m here to tell you, Iowa: he …

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Presidential debates – and the national debt 16:32

11M ago16:32

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Getting ready for the next presidential debate – Donald Trump versus Kamala Harris – on September 10? Here's a type of question which, is history is any guide, probably won't be asked "How can you or any president, whoever is elected next time, keep that pledge without running this country deeper into debt and passing on more of the bills that we'r…

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AI: History for Congress – and A New Voice for Jennifer Wexton 29:30

11M ago29:30

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History was recently made in Congress. For the first time, a member addressed colleagues on the floor – using Artificial Intelligence. From July 25, 2024, here’s Democrat from Virginia – Jennifer Wexton: I hope I can be a voice, even an AI voice, for Americans facing accessibility challenges and other disabilities because, too often, people only se…

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A Big August for Vice Presidents – Gerald Ford, 1974 – Kamala Harris 2024 19:29

11M ago19:29

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For political history lovers, this August has been something special. What happened in the 2024 presidential campaign this month won’t soon be forgotten. But we also remember what happened in August 50 years ago. Richard Nixon’s resignation as president – and Gerald Ford becoming president. This week’s episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly” is al…

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Running Mates and the National Guard: Tim Walz? Nope. Dan Quayle 26:02

11M ago26:02

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Vice presidential candidates and the National Guard That’s the topic of this week’s C-SPAN podcast “The Weekly.” So, we’re talking about Tim Walz, right? Nope. Dan Quayle. "Since 1980, I've been a United States Senator from Indiana - and very proud of it. Before that, I was a member of the United States House of Representatives -- and proud of it. …

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Jimmy Carter's Unique Relationship with Democratic Conventions 23:51

12M ago23:51

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We’re in the midst of convention season! C-SPAN recently brought you live gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Republican convention. Soon we’ll do the same for the Democratic convention. Which means it’s the perfect time to think about – Jimmy Carter. "My name is Jimmy Carter, and I'm running for President. It's been a long time since I said those words…