Fail to the Chief

James Cox: The John Kasich of 1920

Humorist historian discuss the presidential losers.  In this episode, Gov. James Cox of Ohio, who lost in 1920 to Warren G. Harding and bears a striking similarity to Gov. John Kasich of Ohio.

BONUS! The Premature Obituary of John Breckinridge

Thom reads the New York Times' premature and erroneous obituary of John C. Breckinridge, thought to be killed in the Civil War (but actually surviving for another 12 years).

1860 Part 3. The Traitor, John Breckinridge.

Join humorist historian Thom Woodley on a whirlwind tour through the losers of presidential history.

1860 part 2. Ding goes John Bell.

Comic historian Thom Woodley @thomwoodley dives into one presidential loser each episode. This time it's the sole nominee of the short-lived Constitutional Union party, John Bell of Tennessee.

BONUS! Antebellum Era Recap

1860. Stephen Douglas, the Little Giant.

Join comic historian on a tour through the presidential losers of elections past.  @failtothechief

Ep16. la la la La Follette, la la la Loser

Join comic historian Thom Woodley (@thomwoodley) as he explores a losing presidential candidate of the past, and discusses how they got the nomination, how they lost, what life might be like if they had won, and what they might be like if they were on the political scene today.  This episode: Fighting Bob La Follette, Wisconsin Progressive, of the 1924 election. 

Ep15. Free Men, Free Soil, Free Loser: Fremont.

join comic historian Thom Woodley as he discusses the losers of the presidential elections of the past, and debates what kind of president said loser would have made. In this episode, the 1856 election and the first Republican candidate, John C. Fremont. 

Ep14. The Big Man: Winfield Scott

Join comic historian @thomwoodley as he explores the foibles and facts of the losers of our presidential elections.  Follow us @failtothechief and check out failtothechief.wordpress.com for more. 

Ep13. Lewis Cass, our first Ugly-American candidate.

Comic historian Thom Woodley (@thomwoodley) takes you on a tour through the rogues gallery of presidential candidates who didn't quite make it. This episode, Lewis Cass (Democrat, 1848), who lost to Zachary Taylor. 

Ep12. Henry Clay - Part 2

Ep11. Al Gore, the loser who won.

Comic historian @thomwoodley discusses the candidate Al Gore in the 2000 presidential election, and what would have happened had he won. 

Ep10. The Devil in Daniel Webster

Comic historian Thom Woodley @thomwoodley talks about congressional legend Daniel Webster's failed 1836 Presidential bid, and the two other times he could have very easily become president. 

Ep9. Hugh Lawson White, legislative Dracula

This episode, Thom Woodley talks about Hugh Lawson White, possibly the most conservative candidate ever to run on a major party ticket for president. Also one of the ugliest, and possibly most undead. 

Ep8. William Wirt Fights the Freemasons

Every episode, comic historian Thom Woodley (@thomwoodley) details one loser of a presidential election. This time, it's the 1832 third party, William Wirt, sole candidate of the short-lived Anti-Masonic Party... that's right, an entire party dedicated to eradicating the influence of Freemasons. 

Ep7. Henry Clay, Part 1

Today Thom discusses Henry Clay, three-time loser, six-time candidate, and loserly legend so spectacular he needs two episodes. 

Bonus: Happy President's Day!

Today in honor of President's Day, we take a look at all the presidents who have been defeated, either before or after their terms. Just because they won doesn't mean they're not losers. 

Ep5. President George Wallace! (gotta keep 'em segregated)

This episode, comic historian Thom Woodley talks about the famous villain from the movie SELMA and his quixotic 1968 run for President as the candidate of the American Independent Party. Segregationist, populist, and assassination survivor - just how bad of a President would George C. Wallace have made? Follow at @failtothechief on Twitter and Facebook, subscribe on iTunes, and follow the blog at failtothechief.wordpress.com.

BONUS Episode! The First Era of American Politics

Thom Woodley takes a look at the first 9 terms of American presidential history, decides who the Loser of the Era was, and talks about a few more interesting losers who didn't clinch the nomination. 

Ep4. The Man who would be Rufus King

Join comic historian Thom Woodley as he discusses the losers of presidential history - this time Senator Rufus King (1816), the last candidate of the doomed Federalist Party, who didn't even want to be. 

Intro Episode: Hello, Loser

Welcome to Fail to the Chief, the podcast where comic historian Thom Woodley talks about the men who became President… almost. First, let’s talk about what this podcast is and isn’t, and get a sense for the wonderful Losers we’ll be exploring.