Whistlestop: Presidential History and Trivia - podcast cover

Whistlestop: Presidential History and Trivia

Slate Podcastsslate.com
John Dickerson of Slate’s Political Gabfest revisits a moment from the American carnival of politics. Hear about the grand speeches, emergency strategies, baby kissing, and backstabbing that make each presidential cycle so fascinating.

Episodes

The Presidency as a Consumer Experience (Part 2)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to October 19, 2016 as Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, the defeated GOP aspirant for the presidency, is asking his party not to play by the modern rules of politics. Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts?Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions,...

Aug 28, 201946 min

The Presidency as a Consumer Experience (Part 1)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to October 12, 2012 when Democratic candidate Barack Obama was declared the loser at the first Presidential debate against Mitt Romney and Twitter won. Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts a...

Jun 06, 201930 min

Avoiding A Great Re-Recession

This episode of Whistlestop travels to March 12, 2008 as President George W. Bush goes over the text of his speech to address the financial crisis in the housing market and Treasury Secretary Paulson makes a warning that becomes an unfortunately accurate prediction. Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with...

May 23, 201944 min

Introducing Charged: A True Punishment Story

For two and a half years, Emily Bazelon has been following people through a special court in New York designed to be a speedy machine for the harsh punishment of illegal gun possession. Along the way, a strange thing happened — the politics outside the courtroom started to change when a new generation of activists and insiders began challenging the old system the gun court was part of. Season 1 of Slate Presents brought you the story of Ruby Ridge, and Season 2 brings you a fight to transform on...

Apr 18, 201930 min

The Making of the American Presidency (Part 4)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to December 23, 1783 when the commander in chief of the Continental Army sat before the president of the Confederation Congress and prepared to step away from the job. Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, excl...

Mar 27, 20191 hr 2 min

The Making of the American Presidency (Part 3)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to March 4, 2019 when Senator Rand Paul quoted from Montesquieu on Twitter: “When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty.” A statement that helped guide the founders towards a valuable separation of power. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's...

Mar 13, 201940 min

The Making of the American Presidency (Part 2)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to June 1st, 1787 when America’s founders faced a challenge: the nation couldn’t depend on the good will of the states to keep itself unified but there wasn’t a mandate for new rules to be made either. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonu...

Feb 27, 201937 min

The Making of the American Presidency (Part 1)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to the spring of 1787 when fifty-five men of property and elite status argued in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention for what President John Adams called "the greatest single effort of national deliberation that the world has ever seen,” and soon the American Presidency was born. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's pr...

Feb 14, 201927 min

A ’90s-Style Government Shutdown (Part 2)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to November 7, 1995, when a long and uncomfortable plane ride helped fire up Speaker Gingrich to deliver a dramatic set of budget demands that President Bill Clinton did not expect. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free ...

Jan 30, 201931 min

A ‘90’s Style Government Shutdown (Part 1)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to April 1995 as President Bill Clinton and Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich battle to define American democracy. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free tr...

Jan 16, 201933 min

If a Wall Falls

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to November 9, 1989, when East and West Berliners took sledgehammers to the Berlin Wall and President H.W. George Bush refrained from making grandiose statements about American-style Democracy. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus s...

Dec 12, 201848 min

Tip and the Gip Part 2, Social Security

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to December 16, 1981 when President Ronald Reagan signs Executive Order 12335, creating the National Commission on Social Security Reform. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more....

Nov 28, 201850 min

Tip and the Gip Part 1

This episode of Whistlestop visits 1981 when Republican President Ronald Reagan, after surviving an assassination attempt, received a warm visit from the Democratic Speaker of the House Tip O’Neill. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive...

Nov 14, 201849 min

Doing the Midterm Shuffle

This episode of Whistlestop visits 1982, 1986, 1994, 2006 and 2010 when former sitting U.S. Presidents all scrambled to respond to displeasing midterm election results. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your...

Oct 31, 201847 min

Taking Aim at the New Guy

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to October 18, 1938 when former President Hoover picked on the new President with gusto. Many U.S. Presidents to follow were also publicly critical of the new one in office. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free ver...

Oct 03, 201826 min

The Nomination of Judge Bork Part 2

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to September 15, 1987 and into the Senate Caucus Room where Associate Justice Designee Robert Bork begins his five days of testimony before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versi...

Sep 05, 201850 min

The Bidding of Biden to Boo Bork

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to June 26, 1987, when President Reagan learned that the swing vote Justice on the Supreme Court, Justice Lewis Powell, was going to step down and so a judicial nomination would be due. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments,...

Aug 22, 201841 min

Whistlestop Presents: Slow Burn

With John Dickerson out on vacation, we're here to bring you something special: Slow Burn. In each episode of this hit Slate podcast, host Leon Neyfakh excavates the strange subplots and forgotten characters of recent political history—and finds surprising parallels to the present. Season 1 of Slow Burn captured what it felt like to live through Watergate; Season 2 does the same with the saga of Bill Clinton’s impeachment. Subscribe to Slow Burn here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit mega...

Aug 08, 201838 min

Kennedy and Communism (Part 3)

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to June 1961, in the aftermath of President John F. Kennedy’s meeting Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jul 25, 201840 min

Kennedy and Communism (Part 2)

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to June 1961 when President John F. Kennedy sits down with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in Vienna. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free trial at s...

Jul 11, 201841 min

Kennedy and Communism (Part 1 of 2)

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to June 3, 1961 as President John F. Kennedy prepared to hobble on stage for his first high-stakes summit with a soviet leader. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your...

Jun 27, 201833 min

Nixon Goes to China (Part 3 of 3)

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to February 1972, when President Nixon abandoned a much-needed shower in order to rush off and meet Chairman Mao for the first time. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start...

Jun 13, 201840 min

Nixon Goes to China (Part 2 of 3)

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to July 10, 1971 when Henry Kissinger is reported to have had a terrible stomach ache while abroad but was really working covertly to promote President Nixon's international agenda. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-...

May 30, 201824 min

Nixon Goes to China (Part 1)

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to February 21, 1972 when President Nixon, a staunch anti-communist, begins the thawing of relations with China with a personal visit to the country. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival. Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcast...

May 23, 201834 min

Roosevelt v. The Gorgon

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to Feb 22, 1902, as Theodore Roosevelt prepares to receive the unhappy company of angry executives hoping to strong-arm the White House into ignoring their monopolies. Show Notes: The elitist men’s club, the Corsair Club, was reviewed by The New York TImes in 1913. Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival....

May 02, 201838 min

The Lighthearted Leanings of Leadership

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to April 30, 2011 when President Obama stepped up to the podium at the White House Correspondents' Dinner to deliver a dig and dig for a laugh. Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential campaign history. Hosted by our political correspondent and Political Gabfest panelist John Dickerson, each installment will revisit a memorable (or even a forgotten) moment from America's quadrennial carnival. Podcast production and edit by Jocelyn Frank. Research...

Apr 19, 201830 min

Four Score and Seven Years of Presidential Golfing

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to April 13, 1953 when Washington DC’s baseball team, the Senators, hoped the nation’s new President would deliver the first pitch of the season. Instead, President Dwight D. Eisenhower was on the links of Augusta, enjoying the sport he loved best of all. Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential campaign history. Hosted by our political correspondent and Political Gabfest panelist John Dickerson, each installment will revisit a memorable (or even...

Apr 04, 201834 min

Griever-in-Chief and Guardian of Common Ground

This episode of Whistlestop travels back to April 19, 1995 when the Oklahoma City Bombing shocked the nation and the President stepped up to offer emotional and political guidance. Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential campaign history. Hosted by our political correspondent and Political Gabfest panelist John Dickerson, each installment will revisit a memorable (or even a forgotten) moment from America's quadrennial carnival. Podcast production and edit by Jocelyn Frank. Research by ...

Mar 07, 201831 min

Retiring for Peace

When President Johnson delivered his State of the Union speech on January 17, 1968 he surprised those closest to him when he didn’t step down. Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential campaign history. Hosted by our political correspondent and Political Gabfest panelist John Dickerson, each installment will revisit a memorable (or even a forgotten) moment from America's quadrennial carnival. Podcast production and edit by Jocelyn Frank. Research by Brian Rosenwald. Love Slate podcasts? ...

Feb 21, 201843 min