My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

Latest Episodes:

MIDTERMS DONT ALWAYS GO BADLY FOR PRESIDENTS: (But Mostly They Do) Sep 27, 2026

Show notes

In the past 100 years, over 80% of the first term midterms went badly for Presidents, and their party lost seats. But in a few cases they did not. And a few times when they did, the result was very little real change or even a kind of win. A look at first term midterms during the Presidencies of Chester Arthur, Harding, FDR, GW Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

A combo of new and previously recorded MHCBUYP episodes reveals that while many first term midterms have devastated the President's plans, Presidents don't always do badly, there are 'stave' elections where Presidents have lost so little it's almost a win. And sometimes, a defeat has positive effects.

Music by Josh Woodward and Lee Rosevere in this episode. Find them on the Free Music Archive website

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BIAS: OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC, PART SEVEN Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

We've talked about who owns media, who writes it. Now will talk about the debates about what is in it? This episode is about bias in the news media.

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ANDREW JACKSON'S MEDIA SPOILS: OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC, PART SIX Sep 17, 2026

Show notes

"To the victor goes the spoils" True of government jobs after a 19th century election. Also true of newspapers. Much of the spoils system perfected during Jackson's time helped newspaper publishers get ads, printing and postmaster jobs.

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GIGGLE CLUB: FDR'S PRESS STRATEGY - OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC, PART FIVE Sep 14, 2026

Show notes

First rule is: Nobody talks about Giggle Club. Second. When he says no pencils, it's no pencils. Third. Get a buddy. Fourth. Don't take it so seriously, my good man. FDR's Press relationship on this episode, and Wilson before him.

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GRANT'S TROLL AND THE MAN IN THE CASTLE: OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC, PART FOUR Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

Press has power. Can it be too much? Or is it needed to offset governmental power? We look at some interesting, powerful, and at times problematic press people. The renegade Grant critic Don Piatt, the FDR basher McCormick, Seward's pain and Lincoln's booster Medill, and the man who ran for President, Horace Greeley.

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GET ME ON TV: OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC - PART THREE Sep 03, 2026

Show notes

TV technology arrives on the scene half press and half novelty. Politicians learn they can bring messages on at times that won't be critiqued. Yet twice, in big historic moments, the TV industry realizes it has to stop simply covering and speak for itself. These moments rare but pack a punch. Also, Kennedy, LBJ and their relationship with television and magazines. Mutual dependence and communications. Favors and frustration.

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LINCOLN'S CRITIC: OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC - PART TWO Aug 31, 2026

Show notes

The Battle of Chancellorsville. The Union has got the Confederates in their sights. But not for long. All the while, a reporter named Whitelaw Reid is tracking events. He's been kicked out of the coverage pool by the Union Army but that won't stop him. He rents a boat. And his readers love him for it.

He won't hold back his opinions, especially about President Lincoln. Not because he's against the cause, because Reid is very much for it. Reid does not truck this idea of being objective. His readers love him for that, too.

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OUR MEDIATED REPUBLIC, PART ONE Aug 24, 2026

Show notes

Eisenhower gets irritated. Lincoln finds a friend. Theodore Roosevelt seeks the truth at lunch. Madison sees talent. Greeley won't miss his dinner, despite the riots.

And a man has a simple plan. He'll make a newspaper that won't dirty your table.

Part One of Our Mediated Republic: a series on media in America and its role in creating political power.

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20 YEARS OF MY HISTORY CAN BEAT UP YOUR POLITICS Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

It went by fast! Show update. We've reached a milestone. And a few things you can do if you are interested.

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PROTEST: HOW CHANGE IS MADE -(From 2013) Montgomery Bus Boycott, Freedom Summer and Other Change Movements Aug 20, 2026

Show notes

Does Protest work? Maybe, with other steps & factors. Looking at the Montgomery Bus Boycott, Freedom Summer, Mothers of the Disappeared and the American Revolution, we look at change, from despair to anger to moderation. These stories are used to answer the question – What does political change take? What numbers does it take? How do you know when it’s happening?

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