Politics and Polls
422 episodes - English - Latest episode: over 2 years ago - ★★★★★ - 116 ratingsPolitics & Polls is a podcast produced by the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs.
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#260: How the Democrats Failed to Solve Inequality (Lily Geismer)
April 21, 2022 16:30 - 32 minutes - 44.8 MBThe GOP is often seen as "the party of the rich," enacting policies that benefit the wealthy and leave the poor behind. However, a new book by historian Lily Geismer reveals that Democrats also played a significant role in deepening American inequality. In this episode, she and Julian Zelizer discuss the Clinton-era policy decisions that led to skyrocketed inequality and poverty in the U.S. today. Her book, "Left Behind: The Democrats' Failed Attempt to Solve Inequality," was published in ...
#259: Does America Need a Reboot? (Will Hurd)
March 31, 2022 13:07 - 40 minutes - 54.9 MBBig questions are coming up as the midterm elections inch closer. Where does the GOP stand in the post-Trump era? How severe is political polarization? And how will President Biden and his team tackle some of the country’s biggest challenges from responding to the war in Ukraine to getting a handle on inflation? Former Congressman Will Hurd — and self-described “idealist” — proposes a blueprint for getting things done in Washington, all of which is explained in his new book, “American Reb...
#258: The War In Ukraine and U.S. Politics
March 15, 2022 20:08 - 36 minutes - 50.8 MBRussia's attacks on Ukraine are getting closer to NATO countries and striking civilians trying to flee. Negotiations for a resolution have been attempted, but all have failed so far. Nuclear weapons seem as though they loom large, as the world watches how the conflict continues to unfold. Julian and Sam discuss the current state of the war in Ukraine, how the media is responding, and what might lie ahead in this week's episode.
#257: Fighting for Peace: From Lincoln to Modern Europe
March 10, 2022 11:00 - 41 minutes - 56.8 MBFollowing Russia's invasion into Ukraine, the world finds itself again in a moment of war. As gunfire and bombings continue, it's unclear whether Putin will give up this fight, leading to questions about how to achieve an end to the conflict. Moving into a successful post-war peace will require thoughtful and deliberate leadership — characteristics that President Abraham Lincoln displayed during and after the Civil War. A new book by author John Avlon provides a groundbreaking, revelator...
#256: Living with COVID-19 (Ezekiel J. Emanuel)
February 16, 2022 19:54 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MBCOVID-19 restrictions are being dropped around the country as the U.S. enters what feels like a state of normalcy, at least to some. Oncologist and health expert Ezekiel J. Emanuel joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang to discuss how the nation will continue to live with the virus. As Sam described on his Twitter feed: “What’s out: surface transmission. What’s in: air quality, HEPA filters.” Tune in to learn more. Emanuel is the vice provost for global initiatives, the Diane v.S. Levy and Ro...
#255: The Dismantling of American Democracy (Karen Greenberg)
February 03, 2022 18:52 - 49 minutes - 67.4 MBTaking readers from Ground Zero to the Capitol Insurrection, Karen Greenberg describes the subtle tools that were forged under George W. Bush in the name of security — all of which had profound effects on democracy. She details these tools in a new book, "Subtle Tools: The Dismantling of American Democracy from the War on Terror to Donald Trump," which she discusses with Julian Zelizer in this episode. Greenberg is director of the Center on National Security at Fordham Law, an internationa...
#254: Injustice … in the Pursuit of Justice (Laura Coates '01)
January 18, 2022 11:00 - 44 minutes - 60.9 MBLaura Coates '01, CNN anchor and legal analyst and, believes in education as a form of activism. This led her to write her new book, "Just Pursuit: A Black Prosecutor's Fight for Fairness," a groundbreaking account of bias in the courtroom. In this episode, Julian and Sam talk with Laura about the essays in her book, which document her time as a prosecutor in the Department of Justice, and reveal how she experienced both racism and sexism in the courtroom. Despite her best intentions, she ...
#253: Jan. 6 & Democracy Today (Carolyn Shapiro)
January 06, 2022 20:20 - 35 minutes - 48.2 MBOn the anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection, this week's episode focuses on the strains placed on American democracy. From voter suppression to wreckage at the U.S. Capitol, many of our political processes feel under attack, leaving some hopeless and others searching for solutions. Julian and Sam dive into the subject with scholar Carolyn Shapiro, an expert on the Supreme Court and its role in our constitutional democracy. She provides a primer on the Guarantee Clause, which provides Co...
#252: A Boost for Science (2021 in Review)
December 16, 2021 17:24 - 35 minutes - 49.3 MBIt's the end-of-the-year broadcast for Politics & Polls! Julian and Sam recap the year, beginning with a discussion on the Jan. 6 insurrection and a seemingly under-the-radar fight for democracy. They also chat about the supply chain, inflation and jobs, as well as some of the biggest news stories of the year. Hint: COVID-19 continues to ravage, sparking anxiety and fear, but vaccine rates are going up. This is why the pair gives kudos to science and scientists at the tail end of the episode...
#251: Are We Ready for Omicron?
December 16, 2021 16:15 - 28 minutes - 39 MBOmicron, a new variant of COVID-19, is making its way around the globe, shuttering international flights and bringing back former restrictions. How will the U.S. react? Julian and Sam discuss this moment and how it's a big test for the Biden administration. They also chat about polarization, redistricting, and — looking ahead to 2022 and 2024 — how we can maintain our faith in elections.
#250: On the Knife's Edge — Democratic Power in Midterms 2022
November 18, 2021 18:56 - 36 minutes - 49.8 MBIs it too early to talk about the 2022 Midterm Elections? Julian and Sam don't think so, which is why they unpack some of the issues that may threaten Democratic power next year. They discuss the role redistricting will play and the complexities of gerrymandering — an issue that’s always on Sam’s mind. Thanks for tuning in!
#249: Progressive Jewish Values & the Secular World (Julian Zelizer)
November 09, 2021 18:44 - 38 minutes - 52.7 MBAbraham Joshua Heschel was a Polish-born American rabbi, theologian, and civil rights and anti-war leader. To this day, Heschel remains a symbol of the fight to make progressive Jewish values relevant in the secular world. Julian Zelizer wrote a biography on Heschel’s life from childhood to death, detailing his position at the intersection of religion and progressive politics in mid-20th-century America. Sam Wang interviews Julian about the new book in this week's episode.
#248: Where Can the Center Right Find a Home? (Christine Todd Whitman & Miles Taylor)
October 21, 2021 18:13 - 35 minutes - 48.1 MBPro-Trump extremists seem to have a tight grip on the Republican Party at both state and national levels. With elections around the corner, traditional Republicans are now calling for party officials to move the GOP away from "Trumpism." Some are even wondering whether a new center-right party may be needed — as a last resort. These concerns were expressed by Gov. Christine Todd Whitman and Miles Taylor in a recent Washington Post op-ed. They join Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang in this week...
#247: Was Pulling U.S. Troops out of Afghanistan a Mistake? (Amb. Robert Finn)
October 06, 2021 19:06 - 28 minutes - 39 MBSince President Joe Biden pulled U.S. troops out of Afghanistan, many are sorting through whether a withdrawal was really necessary. Regardless, the decision marks a decided end to a long and protracted war, which began during 9/11. Amb. Robert Finn joins Julian Zelizer in this week's episode to analyze the decision and its effects in this week's episode. A former U.S. ambassador to Afghanistan, Finn is a former lecturer on Turkish literature at Princeton University's Department of Near Ea...
#246: When the Left Attacks Big Government (Paul Sabin)
September 23, 2021 15:27 - 35 minutes - 48.4 MBBig government is often attacked. In the 1960s and 1970s, social advocates like Ralph Nader and Rachel Carson led the charge in the form of public interest groups. While they disrupted a number of government plans, some unintended consequences emerged: the undermining of big government liberalism, which is the alliance between government, business, and labor. A book by academic and author Paul Sabin traces the history of the public interest movement, showing the ways in which American libe...
#245: The Continued Fight for Voting Rights (Wendy Weiser)
August 19, 2021 16:06 - 35 minutes - 48.8 MBHow are Congress and the courts exercising their powers on the issue of voting rights? Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang are joined by Wendy Weiser, vice president for democracy at the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University, for a conversation about voting rights from the Texas State legislature to the U.S. Supreme Court. Weiser has appeared on CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, PBS, and has written for The New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, and others. Before joining the Brennan Center,...
#244: Public Health Saved Your Life (Dr. Leana Wen)
August 12, 2021 19:58 - 37 minutes - 51.7 MBNew daily Covid-19 infections in the U.S. are reaching 100,000+, yet, not too long ago, that number was 11,000. With everyone asking ‘where do we go from here?’, Dr. Leana Wen joins Julian and Sam to consider the path through the pandemic and the future of public health. The trio preview Wen’s brand-new book, “Lifelines: A Doctor's Journey in the Fight for Public Health,” which chronicles public health’s successful innovations through the lens of Wen’s personal journey from young immigrant t...
#243: In Plain Sight: Lady Bird Johnson (Julia Sweig)
August 05, 2021 14:01 - 35 minutes - 48.7 MBBehind almost every U.S. President there has been a First Lady... but we don't always hear much about them. This week, author Julia Sweig joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang to discuss her book and podcast, “In Plain Sight,” which delves into the audio diaries of Lady Bird Johnson. Julia Sweig is a New York Times bestselling author whose writing has appeared in the Washington Post, the Atlantic, the Nation, and more. She’s a senior research fellow at the Lyndon Baines Johnson School of Publ...
#242: Partisan Identity & Political Instability (Brendan Nyhan)
July 30, 2021 14:08 - 38 minutes - 52.8 MBHow are partisan identity and misinformation connected? Sam Wang is joined by Brendan Nyhan to discuss misinformation, partisan identity, and the stability of America's democratic norms. Nyhan is a professor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth College. He is a researcher on politics, polarization, and healthcare, with an emphasis on false beliefs. He’s also a contributor to the Upshot from The New York Times and the co-founder of Bright Line Watch, a group that monitors the health...
#241: Vaccines, Critical Race Theory & More
July 22, 2021 16:05 - 37 minutes - 50.9 MBWhat in the world is going on? Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang catch you up on some of the biggest discussions happening in politics today: messaging about vaccines and the ongoing controversy about critical race theory and school curriculums.
#240: ‘Alligator Candy’ & the Strength of Community (David Kushner)
July 15, 2021 15:33 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MBJulian Zelizer sits down with David Kushner to discuss his new podcast Alligator Candy, which is based on his memoir of the same name. The podcast tells the story of Kushner’s family and how the community came together after the disappearance of his brother. Kushner is an acclaimed author and journalist who serves as a contributing editor of Rolling Stone and Outside. He has also written for publications including Vanity Fair, Wired, The New Yorker, New York Times Magazine, GQ, and more.
#239: Did Bill Barr Corrupt the DOJ? (Elie Honig)
July 08, 2021 12:19 - 35 minutes - 48.1 MBHow did Bill Barr alter the effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) during his time as President Donald Trump's attorney general? Elie Honig joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang for a deep dive into the DOJ and a discussion of his new book, "Hatchet Man: How Bill Barr Broke the Prosecutor's Code and Corrupted the Justice Department,” released July 6. Honig worked as a state and federal prosecutor for 14 years, trying cases including human trafficking and violent and organized ...
#238: The Truth is Out There...Somewhere (Adam Frank)
July 01, 2021 14:48 - 40 minutes - 55.5 MBIs there life on other planets? Are UFOs evidence of such life? Astrophysicist Adam Frank joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang to discuss his research of technosignatures — signs of past or present use of technology on other planets — and the search for evidence of life outside Earth. Adam Frank is professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Rochester. He’s a regular contributor to NPR’s All Things Considered, and he occasionally writes for The New York Times. Last year, he and se...
#237: Nixon at War (Kurt Andersen)
June 24, 2021 16:27 - 31 minutes - 42.8 MBPresident Richard M. Nixon is perhaps best known for the Watergate scandal and becoming the first U.S. president to resign. But how much more is there to that familiar narrative? Kurt Andersen joins Julian Zelizer to discuss his new podcast, Nixon at War, and the behind-the-scenes story of the downfall of America's 37th President. Kurt Andersen is a New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and radio host. Currently he’s the host, writer, and co-producer of the new PRX podcast Nixon...
#236: JFK, MLK, and Nine Long Days
June 17, 2021 12:37 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBThe arrest of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sent the 1960 Kennedy Campaign into overdrive in the last nine days of a historic campaign for the presidency. But what happened during that lead-up to one of the closest elections of the 20th century? Author Paul Kendrick joins Julian Zelizer in this episode to discuss his recent book “Nine Days: The Race to Save Martin Luther King Jr. and Win the 1960 Election.” Paul Kendrick is a writer and speaker whose articles have appeared in The New ...
#236: JFK, MLK, and Nine Long Days (Paul Kendrick)
June 17, 2021 12:37 - 30 minutes - 41.4 MBThe arrest of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. sent the 1960 Kennedy Campaign into overdrive in the last nine days of a historic campaign for the presidency. But what happened during that lead-up to one of the closest elections of the 20th century? Author Paul Kendrick joins Julian Zelizer in this episode to discuss his recent book “Nine Days: The Race to Save Martin Luther King Jr. and Win the 1960 Election.” Paul Kendrick is a writer and speaker whose articles have appeared in The New ...
#235: Big Tech, Big Data, and Big Lies
June 10, 2021 18:04 - 34 minutes - 46.7 MBOnline misinformation runs rampant on social media and is having tangible impacts on American society. What can be done to combat the spread of these untruths? Jonathan Mayer joins Sam Wang in this episode to discuss misinformation, big tech, and online data-driven research, and where they intersect with U.S. government policy. He also discusses his newest endeavor, Rally, which is a collaboration with Mozilla. Mayer is an assistant professor in the Princeton School of Public and Inter...
#235: Big Tech, Big Data, and Big Lies (Jonathan Mayer)
June 10, 2021 18:04 - 34 minutes - 46.7 MBOnline misinformation runs rampant on social media and is having tangible impacts on American society. What can be done to combat the spread of these untruths? Jonathan Mayer joins Sam Wang in this episode to discuss misinformation, big tech, and online data-driven research, and where they intersect with U.S. government policy. He also discusses his newest endeavor, Rally, which is a collaboration with Mozilla. Mayer is an assistant professor in the Princeton School of Public and Inter...
#234: Why People Believe Falsehoods (From Vaccines to Votes)
May 27, 2021 17:32 - 35 minutes - 48.1 MBWe're living in a political disinformation era. Public opinion is sharply divided not just on the facts, but what actually constitutes fact or fiction. Two issues have made this dilemma crystal clear: the acceptability of COVID-19 vaccines and the outcome of the 2020 presidential election. In this episode, Julian and Sam weed through the neuroscience of the brain and what makes people hold on to beliefs that may be factually inaccurate. They discuss the general distrust of institutions and...
#233: Why Democrats Should be Bold But Careful (Paul Starr)
May 20, 2021 16:25 - 38 minutes - 52.4 MBHow much time does the Biden administration have until Republicans revitalize their strength or even expand in the midterms? This is a question brewing among Democrats who wonder whether they should go bold with legislation, or tread lightly to protect the slim majority of Democrats in the House and Senate. In this episode and article, Paul Starr argues that Democrats must be bold in the battles they fight but careful about those they choose. Perhaps above all else, the party must prove th...
#232: Liz Cheney Ousting, Census Accuracy & Vaccine Persuasion
May 13, 2021 11:00 - 40 minutes - 55.6 MBCatching up on the politics of the week, Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang discuss how Rep. Liz Cheney was ousted from her role as House Republican Conference chair by the GOP, a position she's held since 2017, and what it means for democracy. Sam uncovers some suspicious Census undercounting of Hispanics in New York City, and they both evaluate COVID-19 vaccine messaging — and how to reach herd immunity.
#232: Liz Cheney Ousting, Census Accuracy & Vaccine Persuasion
May 12, 2021 19:23Catching up on the politics of the week, Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang discuss how Rep. Liz Cheney was ousted from her role as House Republican Conference chair by the GOP, a position she's held since 2017, and what it means for democracy. Sam uncovers some suspicious Census undercounting of Hispanics in New York City, and they both evaluate COVID-19 vaccine messaging — and how to reach herd immunity.
#231: Biden’s Infrastructure Plan (Matt Yglesias)
May 06, 2021 18:24 - 34 minutes - 48 MBThe Biden Administration is steadfastly pushing through a $4.1 trillion infrastructure plan, which some are comparing to President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal of the 1930s. Moving beyond roads, bridges, and tunnels, Biden’s bipartisan bill includes improvements to broadband internet, climate change, and even racial justice. Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang examine the plan with journalist Matt Yglesias — who recently wrote about it in his newsletter “Slow Boring.” Yglesias co-founded Vox.c...
#230: How Nebraska Became a Republican Stronghold (Ross Benes)
April 29, 2021 17:08 - 31 minutes - 57.6 MBAfter the election of Donald Trump, rural America — which made up a good portion of Trump's base — quickly became a focal point. Authors like J.D. Vance and others wrote about their struggling hometowns in the hopes of understanding the Trump appeal. And despite his 2020 election loss, Trump’s foothold remains strong in many of these pastoral pockets. A native Nebraskan, author Ross Benes joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang in today's episode to discuss what made the Cornhusker State drift r...
#229: Can Immigrants Still Chase the American Dream? (Sarah Coleman)
April 22, 2021 16:44 - 31 minutes - 57.6 MBGiven today's anti-immigrant, nativist sentiments, is the American Dream even still possible for immigrants to the U.S.? For decades, the politics behind immigration control have undermined the idea of citizenship for all, making this a hard question to answer. In a new book, historian Sarah Coleman reveals the roots behind today's immigration policies. She shows how immigration politics was not just about building or tearing down walls, but about employer sanctions, access to schools, wel...
#228: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency (Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes)
April 15, 2021 16:05 - 44 minutes - 82 MBPresident Joe Biden is approaching his 100th day in office, yet his ultimate win against incumbent Donald Trump was never a foregone conclusion. In their new book, “Lucky: How Joe Biden Barely Won the Presidency,” political reporters Jonathan Allen and Amie Parnes recount Biden’s perilous journey to the White House — from initial primary losses to the now-infamous first presidential debate. Allen is a senior national political reporter with NBC News Digital, and Parnes is a senior corres...
#227: 40 Acres, a Mule, and an Early Civil Rights Champion (Bruce Levine)
April 08, 2021 15:46 - 45 minutes - 82.4 MBAn often-forgotten champion for racial justice in America is Thaddeaus Stevens, a 19th century statesman. He was a leader of the young Republican Party's radical wing, fighting for anti-slavery and anti-racist policies long before others endorsed them. Unlike many of his contemporaries, he saw the Civil War as a second American revolution — an opportunity to remake the country into a true multiracial democracy. In this episode, Sam Wang takes a deep dive into the life of Stevens with hist...
#226: Racism at its Roots (Don Lemon)
April 01, 2021 16:42 - 56 minutes - 103 MBAs America’s only Black prime-time anchor, Don Lemon's monologues on racism, antiracism, and the nation's systemic flaws speak for his millions of fans. In this episode, Lemon speaks candidly with Julian Zelizer about his new book, "This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism," which currently sits at number on The New York Times Best Sellers list. In an urgent, deeply personal, riveting plea, Lemon shows us all how deep our problems lie, and what we can do to begin to fix t...
#225: Conspiracies in American Politics (Michael Butter and Nancy Rosenblum)
March 25, 2021 15:23 - 38 minutes - 69.7 MBConspiracy theories are embedded in American history, though today they circulate at speeds we haven't seen before. Qanon, or Q, is a modern-day example of the power of conspiracies in American political discourse. Loyalty to Q is a common theme among those involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol. Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang work to disentangle the web of conspiracy theories and their effects in this episode with two experts: Michael Butter and Nancy Rosenblum. Butter is autho...
#224: American Rescue Plan, Vaccines & the Filibuster
March 18, 2021 19:41 - 33 minutes - 61.1 MBWithin the first 100 days of Joe Biden’s presidency, he’s already signed a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package as the vaccine roll-out is accelerating. Meanwhile, the Democrats wrestle with advancing their priorities in the Senate, as Republicans continue to filibuster. There’s even talk of eliminating the filibuster, which could obstruct the Biden agenda. Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang unpack it all in this week’s episode.
#223: John Marshall's Full Legacy (Robert Strauss)
March 11, 2021 16:44 - 41 minutes - 76.2 MBJohn Marshall may be one of the most influential founders to never become President. As an early chief justice, he was a principal founder of the U.S. system of constitutional law. But more than that, his story is entwined with the entire founding of America. In this episode, Sam Wang discusses Marshall's legacy with historian and author Robert Strauss. The pair go into great detail on the American issues Marshall helped to shape, which is the subject of a new book by Strauss titled “John ...
#222: How Ted Kennedy Championed Modern Liberalism (Neal Gabler)
March 04, 2021 18:18 - 43 minutes - 79.2 MBThe story of liberalism isn't often told, especially as the conservative era has taken root. Yet, there was a key figure in the formation of modern-day liberalism who is indeed worthy of attention: the late Sen. Edward “Ted” Kennedy. Historian and writer Neal Gabler joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang in this week’s episode to discuss the early part of Ted Kennedy’s career. Gabler is the author of “Catching the Wind,” the first installment of a two-part volume on Ted Kennedy’s achievements, ...
#221: Is the Senate a Threat to Democracy? (Adam Jentleson)
February 25, 2021 21:12 - 1 hour - 110 MBNearly every major decision governing the country bears the stamp of the U.S. Senate. Yet, the current makeup of the Senate — which is predominantly white, conservative males — does not necessarily represent the majority of Americans. Some even argue that the U.S. Senate has become one of the greatest threats to democracy. Senate insider Adam Jentleson joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang in this episode of Politics & Polls, which originally aired as a live virtual event Feb. 22 and was hos...
#220: The President’s Cabinet (Lindsay Chervinsky)
February 18, 2021 13:23 - 33 minutes - 61.9 MBOnce all members are confirmed, President Joe Biden’s cabinet will be the most diverse group of advisers ever appointed. This team even includes Princeton’s Cecilia Rouse, who currently awaits a Senate vote. In this episode, historian Lindsay Chervinsky joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang to discuss Biden’s senior leadership team, as well as the history of presidential cabinets. Chervinsky is author of a new book, “The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution.” ...
#219: How War Shapes Us (Margaret MacMillan)
February 11, 2021 16:11 - 36 minutes - 67.6 MBFrom World War I to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, conflict has long been a part of American history. These events have molded society and culture, producing effects that ripple through generations. Author and historian Margaret MacMillan joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang in this week's episode to discuss how war is in our bones. She is author of the new book, “War: How Conflict Shaped Us" and a professor of history at the University of Toronto and emeritus professor of international ...
#218: How the Religious Right May Have Provoked the Insurrection (Katherine Stewart)
February 04, 2021 16:07 - 30 minutes - 56.4 MBAt the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, religious messaging echoed through the streets as Christian-right activists protested the 2020 presidential election. What role did the religious right play in the uprising at the Capitol? And will they continue to be emboldened despite President Donald Trump’s departure? Katherine Stewart joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang in this episode to discuss the religious right’s rise to power and its role in the insurrection. She penned an op-ed last...
#217: An Insurrection, an Inauguration & an Impeachment
January 28, 2021 17:08 - 32 minutes - 58.8 MBJanuary has been a politically charged month. Georgia flipped blue in two runoff U.S. Senate races, followed by a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. A week later, President Joe Biden was inaugurated, and now debates in the U.S. Senate continue to thunder as a second impeachment trial for Trump approaches. Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang unpack all that’s unfolded so far this month in this week’s episode.
#216: Presidential Legacies (Jonathan Alter)
January 21, 2021 18:48 - 50 minutes - 92.3 MBPeople often wonder what a U.S. President’s legacy will be — especially those who only serve one term in office — but the ways we remember Presidents can change over time. One such case is President Jimmy Carter who, to some, was considered the embodiment of a failed presidency. In retrospect, however, many of the ways in which President Carter governed were ahead of their time. Author and journalist Jonathan Alter joins Julian Zelizer and Sam Wang in this week’s episode to take a deep div...
#215: All About JFK (Fredrik Logevall)
January 14, 2021 15:54 - 32 minutes - 59.6 MBToday, many are examining leadership in American politics. Historians, biographers, and journalists are turning to the past to uncover how leadership, especially the presidency, has changed throughout the decades. Among those is historian Fredrik Logevall, who recently published a book on President John F. Kennedy, titled “JFK: Coming of Age in the American Century, 1917-1956.” Logevall joins Julian Zelizer in this episode to dispel some of the myths surrounding John F. Kennedy, presenting...
#214: Georgia Senate Runoff Election
January 07, 2021 16:16 - 33 minutes - 61 MBJulian Zelizer and Sam Wang speculate on the Georgia Senate runoff election in this episode, which was recorded Jan. 5 — before the final outcome was known. They discuss what the results will mean for the U.S. Senate, Joe Biden's presidency, and the Covid-19 pandemic response. They also chat about how unusual and unprecedented this post-election period has been.