Extreme Mortman

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**Extreme Mortman**

Original political stories inspired by current events. A weekly fix for political junkies combining compelling clips from the C-SPAN archives (iconic and obscure), history, trivia – and often a healthy helping of comedy.

Latest Episodes:

Presidential Inaugurations: 11 Fun Facts About Administering The Oath of Office Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

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 Justice has administered the most oaths of office?

• Which Chief Justice has administered the second most oaths of office?

• Who was the first woman Supreme Court justice to conduct a swearing-in – and for whom?

• How many times has a Black justice conducted a swearing-in – and for whom?

• How many House Speakers have done it?

• And which football star administered the oath of office?

The answers – and a whole lot more – in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

It's 11 Fun Facts About Administering The Oath of Office in Presidential Inaugurations

Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.

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Presidents Say Goodbye: Top Moments in Farewell Speeches from George Washington to Donald Trump Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

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 best is au revoir. We'll see you again.

Presidents giving farewell addresses …

• Who spoke from the White House?

• Who used their State of the Union addresses as their farewell?

• Who said goodbye in places other than Washington DC?

• And – of course -- what did they say?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

It's the best-of presidential farewell speeches …

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ELECTORAL VOTE LOSERS: When vice presidents tell Congress they’ve lost Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

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 electoral defeat.

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A Short Take On The Making Of The Weekly Podcast Dec 26, 2024

Show notes

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 Shannon Rice as they share funny anecdotes, memorable moments, and the challenges of turning complex political topics into compelling audio storytelling. Plus, hear exclusive stories that didn’t make it into the episodes and learn how The Weekly stays true to C-SPAN's mission of providing unbiased and unfiltered coverage of American politics.

Tune in for a candid conversation about the art, hustle, and heart behind your favorite episodes!

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George Will: Five Decades at the Washington Post, Four Decades on C-SPAN Dec 19, 2024

Show notes

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 marking mark four decades of hearing about George Will…

Like from Republican Illinois Congressman Henry Hyde –– during the Iran-Contra hearings … July 1987:

“There’s another saying and that’s all lies are reprehensible. Some lies are just reprehensible than others. For instance, we politicians We practice what’s called political hyperbole. We don’t lie. We practice political hyperbole. George Will has a great phrase: He has an emancipated view of the facts.”

• What have Congressmen said about George Will?

• What have Senators said about Georgia Will?

• What have presidents and presidential candidates said about George Will?

• And what do other top writers and columnists think about George Will?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” – it’s a best-of mentions of George Will – on C-SPAN

Find C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” wherever you get podcasts.

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Farewell Charlie Palmer: Farewell To All The Steak, Farewell To All The Money Dec 12, 2024

Show notes

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, I'm not going to get an audience with him unless I take him to Charlie Palmer's steakhouse right down on 101 Constitution Avenue. I am not going to get a call-back from him. I am not going to get a regular letter. I’m going to get a form letter thanking me for my interest.

Ah, Charlie Palmer Steak. The caller got the address correct. And it was actually the second mention of Charlie Palmer on "Washington Journal" that morning.

But -- there likely won’t be many more mentions of Charlie Palmer on C-SPAN … Or anywhere else…. Charlie Palmer – the steakhouse one block from the U.S. Capitol -- has shut down..

• How much money did political influencers spend at Charlie Palmer?

• Which political notables were famous for going there?

• And what did the C-SPAN audience think of all the lobbying and influence served up at Charlie Palmer?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly” – as we say farewell to Charlie Palmer … Farewell to all the steak … and farewell to all the money.

Find C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” wherever you get podcasts.

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Meet the New Senators: Personal Stories From Victory Speeches Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

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 of this country has ever had the honor to do."

And the new Republican Senator from Montana, Tim Sheehy, who was on stage with his wife Carmen: "We were married via the mail. I’m a mail order husband. Because she was deployed in Afghanistan. And I was somewhere else. And we decided to get married. So, we notarized a couple of forms. …She stuck with me through all sorts of crazy stuff. Plane crashes, wars, two wars. Multiple deployments."

In this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly," you'll hear those new Senators – and many others -- share more personal stories during their election night speeches.

• Which new Senator told his audience his brothers on stage used to beat him up?

• Which new Senator held his election night party at the same hotel where he lived as a kid?

• And which new Senator shares a biblical name with his wife?

• And while we're at it – who was the last Republican to win a Senate race in New Jersey? … and who was the last Democrat to win a Senate race in Utah?

Those answers – and a whole lot more – in "The Weekly."

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Thanksgiving: No Broccoli at President Bush's Table Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

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 first-ever podcast about a side dish.

Find C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” wherever you get podcasts.

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Gaetz vs. Garland: Clues for What House Judiciary Oversight Hearings Sound Like Nov 21, 2024

Show notes

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 meanwhile, the judge is making money on it. The judge is making money on it -- or the judge's family is making money on it for stuff that you yourself wouldn't do. You know, no one's going to buy this. No one's going to believe it. It's going to create great disruption. And I am saddened by it because, like you, I have given my life to the law. I care deeply about the law. And I think that the lawfare we've seen against President Trump will do great damage well beyond our time in public service. I see my time's expired, I yield back.

JORDAN: Ranking member is recognized for five minutes.

NADLER: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Attorney General, do you want to respond to anything in Mr. Gaetz’s tirade?

That was a House Judiciary Committee oversight hearing for the Department of Justice. … June 4, 2024 …

Matt Gaetz – followed by committee chairman Jim Jordan -- followed by ranking member Jerry Nadler …

In the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly” – we look back at House Judiciary Committee hearings during the Biden Administration … when Matt Gaetz was asking questions of Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Will Democratic questions sound the same when Attorney General Matt Gaetz is testifying?

Listen to “The Weekly” for some clues.

Find C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” wherever you get podcasts.

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“Miracle”: Presidents Celebrate Peaceful Transfer of Power Nov 14, 2024

Show notes

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 reflects the underlying strength of our Constitution and rule of law.”

And George H.W. Bush in 1992 – after he lost re-election to Bill Clinton:

“ I can think of nothing other to say than say let's finish this job with style. Let's get the job done, cooperate fully with the new administration. The Government goes on, as well it should, and we will support the new President and give him every chance to lead this country into greater heights.”

What have other presidents said about the peaceful transfer of power?

Which president – in his Inaugural address – called the peaceful transfer of power a “miracle”?

And how many former, current, and incoming presidents once gathered in the Oval Office – to assure a peaceful transfer of power -- and when was that historic event?

All these answers .. and a whole lot more … in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly.”

Find C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” wherever you get podcasts.

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