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:

Favorite! Best! Top! Funniest! Political Moments seen on C-SPAN in 2025: A Cate Martel Playlist! Jan 01, 2026

Show notes

In 2025, you watched and listened to a lot of C-SPAN.

Can you name your favorite moments from the past year?

Here's one person who can:

Cate Martel.

You know Cate Martel as a longtime reporter for The Hill and creator of The Hill's 12:30 Report newsletter.

C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" asked Cate Martel for her favorite C-SPAN moments in 2025.

Here’s one which made her list:

"Look, now there is no guarantee that the show is always good or that it’ll go off without a hitch or it doesn’t have its, uh, hecklers. Yeah. But the show must go on. And, if you’re with your people, and you won’t have to do it alone. Because life is not a solo act. No, it’s not. It’s a big, messy, delightful ensemble piece, especially when you’re with your people."

That was Kermit the Frog giving the 2025 commencement address at the University of Maryland.

Which other moments made Cate Martel's best-of 2025-on-C-SPAN list?

Who wore hard hats and other protective gear on C-SPAN in 2025 – much to Cate Martel's considerable amusement?

And – gosh – why is Kermit the Frog on Cate Martel's list?

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Extreme Mortman Explained: Howard Mortman’s Podcast on Politics, History, and the C-SPAN Archives Dec 25, 2025

Show notes

Extreme Mortman is a fast-paced podcast hosted by Howard Mortman that dives into American politics, history, and the vast C-SPAN Video Library. With a mix of commentary, archival clips, and playful challenges, Mortman brings decades of Washington moments to life. The podcast offers both insight and entertainment, drawing on C-SPAN’s unmatched archives to connect past events with today’s political conversation.

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Presidents Get Winter Vacations – We Get Kirk Bado and Ledge King Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

Over the summer, C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" did an episode all about Presidents – and summer vactions.

Now - time for the sequel – Presidents – and winter vacations!

Like the one Barack Obama took – which he previewed during a 2013 press conference – a few days before Christmas:

"So the end of the year is always a good time to reflect and see what can you do better next year. That's how I intend to approach it. I'm sure that I will have even better ideas after a couple days of sleep and sun."

And George W. Bush, on vacation in 2002, New Year's Eve:

"Hi, guys. Happy New Year to everybody. Laura and I wish all our fellow Americans a prosperous and peaceful and a happy new year. We are really happy to be spending New Year here in Crawford, Texas. We'll be having our New Year's hamburger here in a minute."

Just like with presidents and summer vacation, by now you're likely wondering:

• Where do our Presidents go for winter vacation?

• Do they get work done during winter vacation?

• Who pays for the trip?

• And what do political junkies and National Journal veterans Kirk Bado and Ledge King –– say about presidents and winter vacations?

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What's It Like for Robert Redford to Play You in a Movie? Bob Woodward Has Answers Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

Hollywood legend Robert Redford didn't just make movies. He also spoke at the National Press Club. Where he talked about his movies. Like "All the President's Men."

"We had some people within the Post that were unflagging in their cooperation, like Bob Woodward. He was -- you know he may have had something to gain in it, but he was incredibly cooperative, even against the heat of his own paper. And it was through Bob and Carl -- their notes, we were able to construct a lot of the screenplay from because I wasn't able to get enough information from the original screenplay. So, we went back with them and just took all their notes and constructed a lot of the dramatic scenes from their notes."

That was Robert Redford at the National Press Club in September 1994.

The actor's recent death had many media and political junkies remembering that movie about the Washington Post and Watergate.

And likely a few questions came to mind:

• What did Bob Woodward and his colleagues say "All the President's Men" got right - and what did the movie get wrong?

• What else did Robert Redford himself say about the Washington Post, Bob Woodward — and his Academy Award-winning movie?

• And a question few Americans ever have had the chance to consider: What did Bob Woodward think of Robert Redford playing him?

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Dana Carvey and George Bush: A Comedian and a President Make Each Other Laugh Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

December 7th, 1992 ... The East Room of the White House.... The President and White House staff gather for a Christmas Ceremony.... The mood is gloomy, sad, glum. A month earlier, President George Bush lost his reelection campaign. The president is introduced, the staff applauds — but then a surprise - and the mood changes entirely:

"Not gonna do it. Wouldn't be prudent. At this juncture. That was the other one. Wouldn't be prudent at this juncture. That thing, doing that thing. Now, I always did this thing. I always said that the President goes, "It's bad, it's bad," but you only did it once. I did it for four years. He did it once. So. I don't know. do you want to come on up."

That was comedian Dana Carvey.

And, with his urging, President Bush did come on up..

Now, 33 years later, we're still talking about politicians and their relationships with comedians who make fun of them.

In this week's episode of C-SPAN's "Extreme Mortman" — we remember when a comedian did an impression of a president — and the president did an impression of the comedian doing an impresion of the president.

What did that sound like?

How did Dana Carvey get to play the White House?

And perhaps most important — What did President Bush think of Dana Carvey's impression?

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Thanksgiving Presidential Turkey Pardon Contest – With Justin Robert Young Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

Ahhh... Thanksgiving … That uniquely American tradition of sitting around the bountiful dinner table, enjoying the company of family and friends, and remembering this 1955 Newsreel:

"As Thanksgiving nears, a seasonal gift to President Eisenhower is this strutting, impressive 39-pound Tom Turkey. Handsomest bird in all Nebraska. And perhaps the other 47 states as well. All the trimmings for the White House dinner come with him. A big basket of cranberries to complete the holiday platter. It's a lucky bird that graces the President's table. And he's gobbling with excitement at the prospect."

Sadly for handsome 39-pound Tom Turkey, his luck soon ran out.

President Eisenhower ate him.

Decades later, with America more enlighted, tukeys no longer get eaten. They get pardoned.

Presidential pardons.

These days, Thanksgiving presidential turkey pardons are big, extravagant White House events.

With comical turkey names, comical turkey quips, and lots of giggles and gobbles.

Which can mean only thing: It's time for an "Extreme Mortman" White House Thanksgiving Presidential Turkey Pardon Ceremony contest.

Featuring a very special guest – the host of the Politics Politics Politics podcast – a true political junkie – Justin Robert Young ...

• What are the contest questions?

• What are the contest answers?

• And why is Justin Young best equipped to be the guest?

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Extreme Mortman: The New Almanac of American Politics Is Here! With Author Lou Jacobson Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

Time now for more great news for political junkies:

The new edition of the Almanac of American Politics - is out!

So, let's hear from Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz

Right now, Caroline and Catherine are both at home getting ready to go to bed, and they have both turned on the television. They are both watching C–SPAN. Now I’m going to confess that Caroline and Catherine don’t usually watch C–SPAN since there are far too few animated features on C–SPAN. But because the girls are watching, and my wife Heidi is watching with them, I wanted to take an opportunity—an opportunity I don’t usually have when I am in DC—to read them a couple of bedtime stories

What do those 2013 Ted Cruz floor remarks from have to do with the 2026 Almanac of American Politics?

In the next episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman," find out!

We talk with Lou Jacobson. He's chief author of the 2026 Almanac.

Lou Jacobson has picked five big moments in Congress seen and heard on C-SPAN reported in the Almanac.

What are the five moments?

And what does Lou Jacobson say about each of them?

Find out in "Extreme Mortman."

Find C-SPAN's "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts.

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Presidential rhetoric after shootings and domestic attacks -- with historian Tevi Troy Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

After conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September 2025, President Trump spoke at a memorial service at a stadium in Arizona:

In that private moment, on his dying day, we find everything we need to know about who Charlie Kirk truly was. He was a missionary with a noble spirit and a great, great purpose. He did not hate his opponents. He wanted the best for them. That's where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent and I don't want the best for them. I'm sorry. I am sorry, Erika.

Commenting and consoling after a shooting or domestic attack has been a ritual for every president since the early 1990s.

What have presidents said each time they occurred?

How has presidential rhetoric changed over the past four decades?

And when do Presidents use political language — and when do they use spiritural and religious language — in their remarks?

Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" — as we hear every president from Bill Clinton through Donald Trump speak about shootings, domestic attacks, and the people who died.

And for context and explanation, we're joined by a special guest: presidential historian Dr. Tevi Troy.

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Dick Cheney: What Did They Say About Him At CPAC? Nov 06, 2025

Show notes

Over the years, Dick Cheney spoke many times at CPAC, the marquee conservative political gathering.

Which means, over the years, Dick Cheney got many introductions at CPAC.

Like this one in 2006 – from conservative leader David Keene …

"It falls upon me this evening to once again introduce a friend who not to be too trite about it needs no introduction. Vice President Dick Cheney has appeared here before. In fact, with the sole exception of former President Ronald Reagan, he's the highest-ranking official with a continuing relationship with CPAC, and indeed with the movement of which we're all a part."

In the current conservative political climate, such a welcome for Dick Cheney might sound unfamiliar …

How did CPAC leaders introduce Dick Cheney to CPAC crowds?

How did the audiences react?

And what were some surprises along the way?

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Halloween: 11 Scary Moments in Politics – with Ledge King Oct 30, 2025

Show notes

It's Halloween!

When everything is scary.

Can you name a scary moment in politics?

How about this one:

LITTLE GIRL plucking daisy petals: One, two, three, four, five, seven, six, six, eight, nine

"MISSION CONTROL": Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, zero

SOUND EFFECTS: Huge atomic bomb blast.

Pretty scary, right?

That was from the 1964 presidential campaign … Lyndon Johnson's "Daisy" ad he used against Barry Goldwater. It showed a little girl plucking a daisy … Then: images of nuclear destruction. ... Then, LBJ says: "We must either love each other. Or we must die."

The ad ran just one time … But that was enough to make it famous … And it was enough to make the list of 11 scary moments in politics… As you'll hear in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" …Timed for Halloween and with a very special guest: Managing Editor of National Journal Daily - Ledge King.

Which ten other political moments make the scary list?

And what does Ledge King say about each of them?

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