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:

Governors Celebrate America 250: Great American History from State of State Speeches, Part 2 May 21, 2026

Show notes

Republican Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

You likely have heard she may run for president.

But did you also hear her talk about America's 250th birthday?

"If you hear nothing else I say today, hear this: Jesus is our living hope. For each of us. For our state. For our country. America was founded 250 years ago as one nation under God. We have our differences, but our shared faith, values, and love for the people of Arkansas is stronger and more important than any difference."

That was Governor Sanders' annual address to the Arkansas legislature.

And it turns out, many other governors — some also potentially running for president — also used their state of the state address to talk about America 250.

Which governors mentioned America 250 in their state of the state address?

What was their big message about the country's big birthday?

What did the governors say about their own state's role in the birth of America?

And what new fun facts about American history did governors teach us?

Find out in the latest, special two-part episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman."

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Governors Celebrate America 250: Great American History from State of State Speeches, Part 1 May 14, 2026

Show notes

Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.

You likely have heard he may run for president.

But did you also hear him talk about America's 250th birthday?

I recall as a young State Representative looking up at this mural and seeing the likes of Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thaddeus Stevens. These are our elders and their example should guide and inspire us. Men like Franklin and Paine and others gathered in Philadelphia 250 years ago to begin this grand experiment in the greatest system of governance the world has ever seen.

That was Governor Shapiro's annual address to the Pennsylvania legislature. February 3rd, 2026.

And it turns out, many other governors — some also potentially running for president — also used their state of the state address to talk about America 250.

Which governors mentioned America 250 in their state of the state address?

What was their big message about the country's big birthday?

What did the governors say about their own state's role in the birth of America?

And what new fun facts about American history did governors teach us?

Find out in latest, special two-part episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman."

Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts ....

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When DC Laughed at Itself: Dan Glickman and the Golden Age of Political Comedy May 07, 2026

Show notes

Lots of people say lots of things in politics are broken.

Here's one item on that list:

Comedy.

"You know, I like Leno and Letterman and the rest of them. I think they're funny. In fact, if they're looking for a writer, I'm going to be out of work in about nine days, so I hope they give me a call. But I think it would be good if politicians started to take back political humor for themselves. The key to late-night political humor is that it targets those qualities that we, the politicians, don't want you to see. But if we were to bring out our blemishes into the open, it takes the edge off the jokes that other people make about us. Even politicians know that people don't always have the highest opinion of them. So instead of denying it or hiding from it, why not laugh about it?"

That was Dan Glickman. 2001. The outgoing Secretary of Agriculture speaking at one of DC's marquee comedy venues — the National Press Club.

Dan Glickman also is a former member of Congress and a former top lobbyist for the movie industry.

And he's the current author of "Laughing at Myself: My Education in Congress, on the Farm, and at the Movies."

Why is Dan Glickman's book so different from other books politicians write?

What are the funniest things Dan Glickman has said — and sung — on C-SPAN?

What are some things people throw at Dan Glickman?

Why do people throw things at Dan Glickman?

And -- is there hope that politicians might once again make jokes— about themselves.

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Governors Who Might Run for President Drop Big Hints in State of State Addresses Apr 30, 2026

Show notes

Let's hear from Gavin Newsom ... March 5th, 2026, ... The Democratic Governor from California speaking in New Hampshire - a state he might visit a lot more if he runs for president...

"Ten percent of the people own thirds of the wealth. You got a 30 -year-old, the first 30 -year-old in the history of this country in a generation that's not doing better than their parents. Bernie Sanders has been absolutely right about this, for decades and decades, there's no question about it. So, I did my state of the state - the dreaded teleprompter - a month ago – and I made a very proactive case for California's progressive taxes."

For the C-SPAN podcast "Extreme Mortman," Governor Newsom citing his State of the State address made us wonder: What else did he say in that speech which might hint toward national ambitions?

And how about other governors who might run for president: Any language or ideas or phrases in their state of the state addresses which might indicate they'll soon be getting on the road to the White House?

Well … yes …plenty!

Who are they?

What did they say?

Find out in this week's episode of "Extreme Mortman" — as we feature governors who used their State of the State address to drop hints – some coy, some as blunt as a two by four – about what oval office they want next ...

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Funniest Jokes Presidents Told at WHCA Dinners — With Special Guest Tamara Keith Apr 23, 2026

Show notes

The 1987 White House Correspondents Association Dinner..... The earliest Correspondents dinner seen or heard on C-SPAN.... Here's a joke - from President Ronald Reagan ...

You know, of course, that we're just back from California. We introduced Howard Baker to ranch life. We put him in the saddle, and he really took to it. He told me he'd never been so excited by anything, that just sitting in that saddle made his heart race. Next time we're going to put the saddle on a horse. But a lot happened while we were gone. Texaco declared bankruptcy, Senator Simon declared for the Presidency, Gary Hart did both.

This weekend, President Donald Trump is making his first ever speaking appearance at the correspondents dinner ...In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman," we hear jokes told at the dinner by each prior president seen and heard on C-SPAN - Ronald Reagan through Joe Biden ..

One president, one joke.

Which presidential jokes were the best?

Or the funniest?

Or the most memorable?

Which president — according to official government stats -- holds the record for scoring the most joke laughter in one dinner?

And why is our special guest for this podcast, Tamara Keith of NPR?

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1996 SHOCKER: Clinton Press Secretary Confesses to Smoking Joint When Young Apr 16, 2026

Show notes

Coming soon: April 20th — the counterculture holiday for celebrating cannabis consumption and advocating marijuana legalization ... So, let's hear, from 2021, Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer ...

"Today is what you might call a very unofficial American holiday, 4/20. It is as appropriate a time as any to take a hard look at our laws that have overcriminalized the use of marijuana and put it on a par with heroin, LSD, and other narcotics that bear little or no resemblance in their effects."

Chuck Schumer is the first ever Senate Leader to publicly advocate ending the Federal prohibition on marijuana.

In this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" — timed for what Senator Schumer calls the "unofficial American holiday 4-20" — we remember when a White House press secretary said that as a kid, he smoked a joint — and the firestorm of shock, controversy, and outrage that confession created.

Who was the press secretary?

Who was the president?

Why was the White House press corps asking about marijuana?

And which prominent member of Congress at nearly the same time also admitted to once smoking a joint?

Find out in in "Extreme Mortman" — as we get in the weeds — with marijuana.

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The British Are Coming – To Congress! Charles, Churchill, And Memorable Moments from British Leaders Addressing Congress Apr 09, 2026

Show notes

November 9th,1985 … A White House dinner for the Prince of Wales and the Princess of Wales ... Charles and Diana … Here's President Ronald Reagan:

"In his 1941 address before a Joint Session of the United States Congress, Prime Minister Churchill remarked, 'I cannot help reflecting that if my father had been American and my mother British, instead of the other way around, I might have got here on my own.' But Your Royal Highnesses, the reception you've received here suggests that if you had been American, you might well have gotten to this house on your own."

When President Reagan cited that 1941 Winston Churchill speech, Charles was a Prince. Now, he's a King. And on April 28th, 2026, he'll be the one addressing Congress.

• Which other British leaders have made speeches in Congress?

• What did they say?

• Which American presidents did they most frequently cite?

• And what surprises did the British bring?

Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" – as we set the scene for the historic appearance in Congress – of King Charles.

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Before Trump and Maduro and Venezuela: Bush and Noriega and Panama Apr 02, 2026

Show notes

President Trump's use of the U.S. military to capture Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro reminded many observers of another U.S. military operation … It was several decades ago … Also in Latin America … Also targeting one country … And also ending up in the capture of that country's leader …

At about 8:50 p.m. this evening, General Noriega turned himself in to U.S. authorities in Panama with the full knowledge of the Panamanian Government. He was taken to Howard Air Force Base in Panama, where he was arrested by DEA. A U.S. Air Force C - 130 is now transporting General Noriega to Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. He will be arraigned in the U.S. District Court in Miami on charges stemming from his previous indictment for drug trafficking.

That was President George H.W. Bush, January 3rd, 1990.

Why did the U.S. go after Manuel Noriega?
Why did we have to invade Panama to do so?
How did President Bush's Operation Just Cause play in the 1992 presidential election?
And in the context of the U.S. military action in Venezuela to get Maduro now, how are politicians remembering what happened in Panama with Noriega 36 years ago?

The answers in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman".

Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts.

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Washington Post Sports Writers Mar 26, 2026

Show notes

Let's hear from Missouri Republican Senator Kit Bond.…. September 29th, 1998 …. the year that St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Mark McGwire captivated the sports world by hitting a then-record 70 home runs, shattering Roger Maris’ 1961 record of 61:

"Mark McGwire is a man of immense physical stature, conditioning and strength. When I met him I was overwhelmed with his size and muscle. But he is a man of great mental dedication, of great concentration, determination, and--reading the column in today's Washington Post by Tom Boswell--probably possessing other extraordinary capabilities of which we mere mortals cannot be aware."

That quote from Senator Bond reminds us of something happy: It's the beginning of the baseball season.

But also, something sad: Senator Bond citing the Washington Post sports page reminds us: there used to be a Washington Post sports page.

Now, it's gone.

But we bring it back for the annual "Extreme Mortman" baseball episode.

How do we pull that off? By hearing Congress talk about the Post sports section – and its writers …

What have members of Congress said about the Washington Post sports section?

Which Washington Post sports writers have been recognized by Congress?

And what do they all say about baseball.

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For C-SPAN's 47th Anniversary, Something Rare: Top Moments from the House Ethics Committee Mar 19, 2026

Show notes

It's C-SPAN's 47th anniversary!

Typically for a C-SPAN anniversary, you get lots of clips of big, famous, and often entertaining moments culled from thousands of hours of coverage of the U.S. House floor.

But not this time… Not for "Extreme Mortman."

For this year's anniversary, the C-SPAN podcast "Extreme Mortman" goes in the opposite direction – we give you something in Congress you hardly ever get access to – the House ethics committee…

"I commend you for the work you've done. I know you have a tough time here. I want you to disregard all the opposing counsel has said. I think they're delusionary. I think they've had something funny for lunch in their meal. I think they should be handcuffed to a chain-link fence, flogged and all their hearsay evidence should be thrown the hell out. And if they lie again, I'm going to go over and kick them in the crotch. Thank you very much."

That was Ohio Democratic Congressman James Traficant.

July 17th, 2002.

A rare public televised meeting of the House ethics committee.

Which other times has that committee met in a public hearing on C-SPAN?

Who were the targets of those investigations?

Did members of Congress testify?

And what was said – publicly – in those hearings?

Find out in this week's episode of "Extreme Mortman."

You still get a C-SPAN anniversary podcast – because even though there's so little coverage of the House ethics committee, it's still part of the C-SPAN story.

Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts.

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