Extreme Mortman

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AI: History for Congress – and A New Voice for Jennifer Wexton Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

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 see us for that disability. In truth, we are so much more. Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing this Disability Pride Month and in celebrating the strength and perseverance of the disability community.

Why did Congresswoman Wexton need Artificial Intelligence to speak?

How did AI pull it off?

And what was did she sound like before AI cloned her voice?

Find out 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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A Big August for Vice Presidents – Gerald Ford, 1974 – Kamala Harris 2024 Aug 22, 2024

Show notes

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 all about Gerald Ford.

And his two big public appearances after becoming president.

Both in August 1974.

His first address to Congress as president. And his first press conference as president.

What did he say about Richard Nixon?

What did he say about a pardon and presidential immunity?

And did he tell jokes?

Well, yes – to Congress:

“Only 8 months ago, when I last stood here, I told you I was a Ford, not a Lincoln. Tonight I say I am still a Ford, but I am not a Model T.”

What are the parallels between a Vice President replacing a president in August 1974 – and a Vice President replacing the presidential nominee 50 year later?

Find out in “The Weekly.”

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Running Mates and the National Guard: Tim Walz? Nope. Dan Quayle Aug 15, 2024

Show notes

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. And as a young man I served six years in the National Guard. And like millions of Americans who have served in Guard , I served ...and I’m proud of that"

Why was Dan Quayle talking about the National Guard when he accepted the 1988 Republican vice presidential nomination?

What was the controversy?

How did he handle it?

And -- any lessons learned by a 1988 running mate which might be helpful for a 2024 running mate -- also under National Guard scrutiny?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s “The Weekly.”

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

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Jimmy Carter's Unique Relationship with Democratic Conventions Aug 08, 2024

Show notes

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 the first time, and now I've come here after seeing our great country to accept your nomination."

That was the 1976 Democratic convention.

Jimmy Carter would repeat versions of that signature line in more speeches at more conventions over the following decades ... In fact, Jimmy Carter had a presence in nearly every Democratic convention since 1976.

But it has been an up-and-down relationship.

Which conventions gave Jimmy Carter a victorious welcome?

Which conventions gave him an awkward – even rocky – acknowledgment?

And what did Jimmy Carter say to all those conventions all those years after he was president?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly” – Which might make you think, what will they say about Jimmy Carter at the 2024 Democratic Convention?

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The Negro Leagues and Presidents and Politicians Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

Something seismic just happened in professional baseball.

For over half a century, records from the Negro Leagues had been kept separate from Major League Baseball.

In May 2024, MLB announced that statistics from the Negro Leagues would now be incorporated into the record books.

Inspired by the long overdue correction, C-SPAN's "The Weekly" is incorporating the Negro Leagues into this week's podcast.

It's C-SPAN's "The Weekly" annual baseball episode. And this year, following the death of legend Willie Mays, we're doing something special – we’ll hear presidents and politicians honor the towering baseball players who got their start in the Negro Leagues.

Among the presidents and politicians and players in this podcast:

• President Obama remarks on Willie Mays

• President Obama remarks on Ernie Banks

• President Bush remarks on Buck O'Neil

• President Bush remarks on Jackie Robinson

• President Bush remarks on Hank Aaron

• President Clinton remarks on Hank Aaron

• President Biden remarks on Satchel Paige

• Sen. Chuck Schumer remarks on Willie Mays

• Sen. Mitch McConnell remarks on Larry Doby

• Rep. Hakeem Jeffries remarks on Jackie Robinson

• Rep. Terri Sewell remarks on Rickwood Field

• Rep. J.C. Watts remarks on the Negro Leagues

What did the presidents and politicians say about these baseball legends?

Which players got the Presidential Medal of Freedom?

Which players got the Congressional Gold Medal?

And which baseball great who started in the Negro Leagues ended up with a standing ovation in a State of the Union address?

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Ronald Reagan’s Funniest Jokes About His Age Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

During the 2024 presidential campaign, we’ve heard a lot about how old the candidates are.

How did the last famously “old” president -- Ronald Reagan -- handle the age issue?

With jokes!

Like this:

I remember when George Bush and I took office, January 1981 -- or as another Republican President might have put it: 4 months and 7 years ago. You know, I've waited 125 years to say that.

That was President Reagan opening a Republican fundraising dinner speech.

The date: May 11, 1988 … The age: 77.

What were Ronald Reagan’s funniest jokes about his age?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly” … It’s the best of Ronald Reagan jokes… about being old.

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Presidential Acceptance Speeches: Top Lines and Phrases from Conventions Since 1960 Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

This summer, C-SPAN is bringing you live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of both the Republican and Democratic party conventions … featuring the presidential nomination acceptance speeches of Joe Biden and Donald Trump … If history is any guide, there will be at least one memorable line or phrase from each speech.

Like in 1964:

"So let us here tonight, each of us, all of us, rededicate ourselves to keeping burning the golden torch of promise which John Fitzgerald Kennedy set aflame”

That was President Lyndon Johnson, accepting the nomination at the 1964 Democratic National Convention… He ran for president a year after the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

And here’s his opponent -- Senator Barry Goldwater -- accepting the nomination at that year’s Republican National Convention

“I would remind you that extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice. And let me remind you also that moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue”

The latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" puts all these famous lines in historical context – going back to 1960.

What were the most iconic or meaningful or campaign-altering sentences and phrases from every acceptance speech since 1960?

What were the quick but big rhetorical moments that affected every presidential campaign over the past 64 years?

Find out in C-SPAN’s “The Weekly.”

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Olympics Champions and Party Conventions: Pledging Allegiance and Endorsing Candidates Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

Every four years, there’s a Republican convention.

And every four years, there’s a Democratic convention.

And every four years, there’s a Summer Olympics.

What happens when you put them all together?

You get this:

“Delegates and guests, please welcome Olympic gold medalist, gymnast Gabby Douglas to lead us in the pledge of allegiance”

That was the 2012 Democratic National Convention. And here’s the 2004 Republican National Convention:

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome two of our favorite all-American heroes, Mary Lou Retton and Kerry Strug.”

It happens every four years: Olympians at both conventions: They pledge allegiance ... They endorse candidates… They make people laugh … They make people proud.

Which American Olympic champions have spoken at which conventions?

And what did they say?

And whom did they endorse?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly.”

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Fourth of July: Bob Michel Sings Patriotic Songs Jul 03, 2024

Show notes

It's the Fourth of July.

Here at C-SPAN Radio, we hope you're enjoying the holiday ...and America's independence.

In the mood for hearing patriotic songs?

Then you won't want to miss this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

Because we're featuring patriotic songs sung by Bob Michel.

Elected to the House in 1956, he served as House Republican leader from 1981 until his retirement on January 3, 1995…. And he spent much of his time singing.

Bob Michel – not just a Republican leader – a baritone singer.

For the Fourth of July, download and listen to "The Weekly" and hear Bob Michel sing about America.

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Debate Moderators to Debate Audiences: SILENCE! Jun 26, 2024

Show notes

Presidential debates without studio audiences … 1960 between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon … 1976 between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford … And now, 2024 …

Which means -- before the upcoming CNN debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, you won't hear anything like what moderator Jim Lehrer told the audience on October 3 , 2000 … before the debate between Al Gore and George W. Bush:

I'm going to sit here and ask questions for 90 minutes.

And you all are going to remain absolutely silent for 90 minutes.

One exciting feature of presidential debates used to be: watching debate moderators give the audience instructions on how to behave. Instructions based on a simple yet stern premise: be quiet.

If you're going to miss hearing presidential debate moderators tell presidential debate audiences to pipe down, then the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" is just the thing for you. A heart-warming nostalgic stroll down memory lane, remembering all the ways moderators used to tell audiences: keep your mouths shut.

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