Extreme Mortman

The Fifth Amendment. You've heard it invoked many times during Congressional hearings. Like July 29th, 2026: "Well, nothing says honesty like taking the fifth, huh, doc? Let's try something. What day of the week is it today?" "On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution." "What color tie...

Thirty-five years ago this month — on the steps of the state capitol in Richmond Virginia — the nation's first elected black governor announced he was running for president. "After many months of deliberation and hours and many, many hours of private thought and reflection on my commitment to Virginia and my obligation to my country, I have decided to run for the Presidency of the United States in...

On March 23rd, 2000, Dolly Parton spoke at the National Press Club. The topic: Youth literacy. Here's how Dolly opened: But this is quite a town, I have to tell you, being here in D.C. I'm not running for office, but I certainly have had a lot of politicians checking out my platform. Bet I could stir up something around here, with Bill Clinton, now that Hillary's in New York and all, maybe. Just j...

November 15th, 2011, … the George Bush Presidential Library Center … former first Lady Laura Bush joins another former first lady, her mother-in-law, Barbara Bush … It's a discussion on First Ladies… One topic: 9-11: I remember the next day actually after September 11th, they set up a blood donation spot in the Old Executive Office Building and people literally lined up around the block, because t...

Here's an anniversary to celebrate: "Star Trek." 60 years since the iconic TV series began. The first episode: September 8, 1966. And for many of those 60 years, in their floor speeches, members of Congress have quoted "Star Trek" ... Specifically, Captain Kirk's urgent request of Scottie: "Beam me up." It was the President’s task force that said we must save Medicare. So, we did something radical...

President Ronald Reagan was a strong anti-Communist. He also liked to tell jokes.   So, he combined those two passions into one pursuit. Telling jokes that mocked and ridiculed Soviet Communism ... I have a new hobby. I am collecting jokes. And these jokes are jokes that I can absolutely prove are written -- not written -- are invented by the people of the S...

Thirty years ago this month… At the Republican National Convention…Bob Dole accepted his party's presidential nomination … But right before the recently retired Senator spoke, four other Senators went on stage – and they sang. Bringing harmony to the Senate is a lot of fun. Bringing harmony here tonight is a lot of fun. And we're going to dedicate this next song to America's next first lady Elizab...

Jennifer Briney is host of the hugely popular and influential podcast "Congressional Dish." It's a rare breed of podcast: Focusing not on the politics of Congress behind the scenes, but the policy developed in full view on C-SPAN. And it's deeply researched — which makes Jennifer Briney one of America's closest watchers of the House and Senate — the floor and the hearings... You might wonder: What...

40 years ago this summer, the beloved film "Ferris Bueller's Day Off" was released. You might remember this scene: "In 1931, in an effort to stop the... Anyone? Anyone?... The Great Depression, Congress passed the Hawley Smoot Tariff Act which, anyone? Raised, lowered?... Anyone, anyone raised tariffs, to halt The Great Depression. D...

Fourteen years ago, on August 30th, 2012, the Republican presidential nominee gave his acceptance speech. But before Mitt Romney addressed the convention that night — there was another big-name speaker. Clint Eastwood! Well, I know even some of the people in your own party were very disappointed when you didn't close Gitmo. And I thought, well, closing Gitmo — why close that? We spent so much mone...

Are you a Stephen Colbert fan? Think you know everything there is to know about Stephen Colbert… and politics? Well, did you know about this? QUESTION: Jake, Stephen Colbert, Senior White House Correspondent for the Daily Show. Will the President be making any more statements today? SIEWERT: The President I expect will be making a statement this afternoon, and you're invited to attend that. QUESTI...

Keir Starmer departs soon as British Prime Minister... But not before telling a joke or two — about sex ..."On consistency, don’t get me started: five Prime Ministers, six Chancellors, eight Home Secretaries 16 Housing Ministers—they had more positions in 14 years than the Kama Sutra. No wonder they are knackered; they left the country screwed."That was Prime Minister's Questions. .... January 14t...

Quick comedy question: Can you name a time when, during an oral argument, a Supreme Court Justice made everyone laugh? How about December 11th, 2000: KLOCK: I think what the Florida Supreme Court should do in that instance is note the very tight restrictions that exist under the protest phase. They require that you find voter intent with respect to a damaged ballot. They also v...

Happy Fourth of July! 250 years ago, America declared independence from the British. And 212 years ago … the British burned down the White House. And now … it's become one big joke …   And if I may say so, it is a particular pleasure to be back in this wonderful building, the heart of your democracy. On this occasion, I cannot help noticing the readjustments to the East Wing, Mr. President...follo...

Quick comedy question: Can you name a time when, during an oral argument, a Supreme Court Justice made everyone laugh? How about December 11th, 2000: KLOCK: I think what the Florida Supreme Court should do in that instance is note the very tight restrictions that exist under the protest phase. They require that you find voter intent with respect to a damaged ballot. They also vest it in the canvas...

Quick question: Name something former presidents have in common. How about: Begging for money! "I would say parenthetically that one of the things that brings former presidents closest together is the extremely onerous and burdensome task of begging for enough money to build a presidential library from private sources; not from the government, and then turn it over to the federal government in per...

On June 18th, Barack Obama speaks at the dedication of his presidential library. What will he say? Well, here's what another president said when his library opened: "Proverbially, old men plant trees even though they do not expect to see their fruition. Well, so it is with presidents. The doors of this library are open now, and all are welcome. The judgment of history is left to you, the people. I...

We're marking the 40-year anniversary of C-SPAN2 by hearing favorite and most memorable moments picked by our audience…. With history and analysis by top Congress reporters Carl Hulse of the New York Times … Paul Kane now with NOTUS – soon The Star … and Chad Pergram of Fox News … … The dream team! • Which clips did our listeners pick? • What do Carl Hulse, Paul Kane, and Chad Pergram say about th...

What were John Glenn's reservations about whether TV would change the way the Senate operates? And did those reservations become reality? In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" – we get answers – from the All Stars of Congress reporting: Carl Hulse of the New York Times … Paul Kane now with NOTUS – soon The Star … and Chad Pergram of Fox News. .. The dream team! It's the 40th...

Republican Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. You likely have heard she may run for president. But did you also hear her talk about America's 250th birthday? "If you hear nothing else I say today, hear this: Jesus is our living hope. For each of us. For our state. For our country. America was founded 250 years ago as one nation under God. We have our differences, but our shared faith, value...

Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. You likely have heard he may run for president. But did you also hear him talk about America's 250th birthday?   I recall as a young State Representative looking up at this mural and seeing the likes of Ben Franklin, Thomas Paine, and Thaddeus Stevens. These are our elders and their example should guide and inspire us. Men like Franklin and Paine and...

Lots of people say lots of things in politics are broken. Here's one item on that list: Comedy. "You know, I like Leno and Letterman and the rest of them. I think they're funny. In fact, if they're looking for a writer, I'm going to be out of work in about nine days, so I hope they give me a call. But I think it would be good if politicians started to take back political humor for themselves. The...

Let's hear from Gavin Newsom ... March 5th, 2026, ... The Democratic Governor from California speaking in New Hampshire - a state he might visit a lot more if he runs for president... "Ten percent of the people own thirds of the wealth. You got a 30 -year-old, the first 30 -year-old in the history of this country in a generation that's not doing better than their parents. Bernie Sanders has been a...

The 1987 White House Correspondents Association Dinner..... The earliest Correspondents dinner seen or heard on C-SPAN.... Here's a joke - from President Ronald Reagan ... You know, of course, that we're just back from California. We introduced Howard Baker to ranch life. We put him in the saddle, and he really took to it. He told me he'd never been so excited by anything, that just sitting in tha...

Coming soon: April 20th — the counterculture holiday for celebrating cannabis consumption and advocating marijuana legalization ... So, let's hear, from 2021, Democratic Senate Leader Chuck Schumer ... "Today is what you might call a very unofficial American holiday, 4/20. It is as appropriate a time as any to take a hard look at our laws that have overcriminalized the use of marijuana and put it...