Extreme Mortman

Latest Episodes:

Political Parties Like It's Fiscal Year 1999 Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

We hear all the time from politicians talking about how to reduce the deficit and the debt.But have you ever heard a politician talk about how to spend a surplus.Believe it or not, that did happen.

It is now official and I'm proud to announce that we posted a budget surplus of $123 billion -- the largest surplus in American history. And in the last two years alone, we have paid down our nation's debt by $140 billion -- the largest debt reduction in our nation's history. We have closed the book on deficits and open the door on a new era of economic opportunity.

That was President Bill Clinton ... October 27th, 1999Ever wonder what it sounds like when the government has more money than it spends?And then - politicians come up with ideas for how to spend that extra money?And then - those ideas lead to angry arguments about how to spend that money -- arguments that kind of sound like what we hear now, but in reverse?Then this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" is just the thing for you.Because that's exactly what you'll hear.No, these aren't fake AI-generated hallucinations. Yes, it really did happen — actual real politicians saying real things about a real budget surplus... The year was 1999 ... a year politicians fought over not how to cut the deficit and debt — but how to spend the surplus.Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tom Wickham's Five Most Memorable Moments as House Parliamentarian Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

The House parliamentarian. The C-SPAN audience knows the parliamentarian from House rules and procedures and various parliamentary inquiries and interruptions… But what about the personal side of the job? …. The unrivaled opportunity to see Congress history up close and personal – watching it all from the front, facing the chamber, and seeing all the faces… What's that like?

In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly," we find out.

We talk with former House parliamentarian Tom Wickham .. His career in Congress spanned over a quarter century. And during that time, from his front row seat, Tom Wickham witnessed first-hand some of the most dramatic and iconic moments in House history.

Tom Wickham left Congress in 2020. He's now Vice President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

And now – Tom Wickham is back on C-SPAN!

He's picked the five most memorable moments he experienced as House parliamentarian — and he reveals that list in "The Weekly."

What are Tom Wickham's five most memorable House moments — and why?

Go behind the scenes and find out — in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" — with Tom Wickham.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the 50th anniversary of "Jaws" – So Let's Hear from Joe Scarborough and Hunter Scott Jul 31, 2025

Show notes

The House of Representatives … October 10th, 1998, … A Republican Congressman from Florida rises and makes remarks about a bill he's introducing:

In the closing days of World War II, the U.S.S. Indianapolis had its hull pierced by three Japanese torpedoes. Twelve minutes later the cruiser went down. On board were almost 1,200 crew members and only 300 survived, the others dying of shark attacks and exposure. For half a century, the 316 remaining surviving crew members of the worst disaster in Naval history tried in vain to defend the honor of their captain, Charles McVay. This year a new secret weapon was employed in their quest, and that weapon was a 13-year-old boy named Hunter Scott

Who was that?

That was former representative Joe Scarborough.

His mention of the U.S.S. Indianapolis might sound familiar –The story of its sinking by a sub was shared in that speech by Congressman Scarborough – and in a stirring soliloquy from a salty seasoned shark hunter in Steven Spielberg's seminal Seventies summer spectacular, Jaws.

But the mention of Hunter Scott might be new to you.

Who's Hunter Scott?

Why did Joe Scarborough call him "a secret weapon"?

And how did they take on the U.S. Navy together to change history – and win?

Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" – as we mark the 50th anniversary of the blockbuster movie "Jaws" …

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"We're all going to die" – Joni Ernst? Nope. Bill and Hillary Clinton. Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

You probably saw video of Republican Senator Joni Ernst recently telling an Iowa town hall: "We're all going to die."

And you probably saw the ensuing Democratic outrage.

But do you remember who said this?

"It says that eventually we are all going to die!"

"Under the Clinton health plan? You mean after Bill and Hillary put all those new bureaucrats and taxes on us; we're still all going to die?"

That was Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton.

When did they say that?

Where did they say that?

And – maybe most important -- Why did they say that?

Plus: Which other politicians have publicly suggested "We're all going to die?"

Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"Peace Through Strength": The U.S.S. Ronald Reagan Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

"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 the sailors aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. Great ship. Your ship's motto is one that we embrace every day: "Peace Through Strength". That's what the motto is, and we have that motto at home. Everywhere the Seventh Fleet sails, the USS Ronald Reagan is an enduring symbol of American might, American strength, American power and, really, American goodness, in so many ways.

That was President Trump on Thanksgiving in 2018. Speaking to the crew aboard the USS Ronald Reagan — and noting the ship's motto — "Peace Through Strength."

What is the history of the USS Ronald Reagan?

How did "Peace Through Strength" become associated with the Nimitz-class nuclear powered aircraft carrier?

And which other presidents and politicians have cited "Peace Through Strength" when talking about the USS Ronald Reagan?

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Annual Supreme Court Justice Comedy Festival - With Special Guest Jon Macks Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

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 could have been made even funnier still — Then, hear the jokes ranked.

How are we going to pull of this daunting comedy feat?

Simple: we'll be joined a very special guest — an actual comedy professional - to walk us through all this year's SCOTUS humor.

It's legendary — and hilarious — comedy writer, Jon Macks.

You've heard Jon Macks' work on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," the Academy Awards – and his jokes told by Chris Rock, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Martin Short, Ricky Gervais … and, over the years, by many, many politicians.

And now you can hear him in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

• What got big Supreme Court laughs this term – and why?

• What does Jon Macks think of the jokes – rated and ranked?

• Would the joke have worked at a comedy club?

• And how would Jon Macks have told the joke if he were a Justice on the Supreme Court?

Find out in "The Weekly."

So - throw your head back and roar in laughter with Supreme Court justices — and find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fourth of July! Time for Fireworks – and Time to Think About Ex-Rep. Felix Grucci! Jul 03, 2025

Show notes

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 hundred twenty-five years old and it's been a family business. We've been lighting up the skies and delivering the ooh's and the ah's to millions of people not only around the country but around the world. We’ve done the last five with presidential inaugural, the Brooklyn Bridge centennial, Statue of Liberty and the most recent is the millennium moment here in Washington when we lit up the skies of both the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool and the Lincoln Memorial. It was quite an exciting evening."

That was freshman Congressman Felix Grucci on C-SPAN in November 2000.

How long did Representative Grucci last in Congress?

And why think of him during the Fourth of July Weekend?

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

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fourth of July, America 250, Presidents — And Time Capsules Jun 26, 2025

Show notes

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 Senate historian Don Ritchie once told C-SPAN:

"I was present in 1976 when we actually opened a safe that was essentially a time capsule that had given to the government in 1876. And President Ford came to the Capitol just before the Bicentennial, and opened the safe, we had no idea what was inside, there were pictures of Rutherford B. Hayes and his wife and other items that were donated at the time of the first centennial."

Which other presidents have included pictures of themselves in time capsules?

And what else have they put in?

Find out in C-SPAN's "The Weekly."

Because if you're celebrating the Fourth of July — and gearing up for America 250 — you'll want to hear all about American history, the American presidency — and time capsules.

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

William F. Buckley: Republicans — and Democrats — in Congress Quote the Conservative Giant Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

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 birthday

Over the years, members of Congress cited Bill Buckley and told stories about Bill Buckley ... and celebrated him after his death. Like this future Vice President:

He led in a manner that earned both the respect and the friendship of his political adversaries. William F. Buckley, from his many years on television, the program, Firing Line, which was the longest running political television program in the history of American television, he demonstrated that wit and sharpness and civility can all go together, and it is a lesson that I suspect many of us on an ongoing basis can continue to learn and apply in the institutions of our government.

That was Republican Congressman from Indiana, Mike Pence — April 23rd, 2008.

But it wasn't just Republicans who praised and quoted William F. Buckley over the years on the floor of Congress.

Democrats, too.

Who were they?

What did they say?

And what stories about Bill Buckley did members of Congress like to tell?

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

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Birthdays: 10 fun facts about wishing and singing Happy Birthday to Presidents Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

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 birthday of the United States Army. Unrelated, going to be my birthday also. I don't know if that happened by accident. Did that happen by accident, please? But it's a great day because of that Army birthday.

Donald Trump's and the Army's birthdays falling on the same day isn't the only fun fact about presidents and birthdays.

In fact, there are 10 ten fun facts about presidents and birthdays you might not have known.

Can you name all ten?

If you can't, don't fret. They're all in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."

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

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices