Extreme Mortman

We’re in the midst of convention season! C-SPAN recently brought you live gavel-to-gavel coverage of the Republican convention. Soon we’ll do the same for the Democratic convention. Which means it’s the perfect time to think about – Jimmy Carter. "My name is Jimmy Carter, and I'm running for President. It's been a long time since I said those words the first time, and now I've come here after seei...

Something seismic just happened in professional baseball. For over half a century, records from the Negro Leagues had been kept separate from Major League Baseball. In May 2024, MLB announced that statistics from the Negro Leagues would now be incorporated into the record books. Inspired by the long overdue correction, C-SPAN's "The Weekly" is incorporating the Negro Leagues into this week's podca...

During the 2024 presidential campaign, we’ve heard a lot about how old the candidates are. How did the last famously “old” president -- Ronald Reagan -- handle the age issue? With jokes! Like this: I remember when George Bush and I took office, January 1981 -- or as another Republican President might have put it: 4 months and 7 years ago. You know, I've waited 125 years to say that. That was Presi...

This summer, C-SPAN is bringing you live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of both the Republican and Democratic party conventions … featuring the presidential nomination acceptance speeches of Joe Biden and Donald Trump … If history is any guide, there will be at least one memorable line or phrase from each speech. Like in 1964: "So let us here tonight, each of us, all of us, rededicate ourselves to keepi...

Every four years, there’s a Republican convention. And every four years, there’s a Democratic convention. And every four years, there’s a Summer Olympics. What happens when you put them all together? You get this: “Delegates and guests, please welcome Olympic gold medalist, gymnast Gabby Douglas to lead us in the pledge of allegiance” That was the 2012 Democratic National Convention. And here’s th...

It's the Fourth of July. Here at C-SPAN Radio, we hope you're enjoying the holiday ...and America's independence. In the mood for hearing patriotic songs? Then you won't want to miss this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." Because we're featuring patriotic songs sung by Bob Michel. Elected to the House in 1956, he served as House Republican leader from 1981 until his retirement on Ja...

Presidential debates without studio audiences … 1960 between John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon … 1976 between Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford … And now, 2024 … Which means -- before the upcoming CNN debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, you won't hear anything like what moderator Jim Lehrer told the audience on October 3 , 2000 … before the debate between Al Gore and George W. Bush: I'm going to...

Independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. wants to be included in the upcoming debate on CNN between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. There hasn’t been a third participant, an independent candidate, in a presidential debate in over three decades…. Since Ross Perot in 1992 “No hedges, no ifs, ands and buts. I'll take the pledge. Because I know the American people want to talk about issue...

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been invited to address a Joint Meeting of Congress. It would be his fourth time. And that sets a few Congress records: The greatest number of official speeches in Congress by one foreign leader. His introduction by Speaker Mike Johnson marks the fourth time Benjamin Netanyahu has been by introduced by a Republican speaker. And Israel takes over first...

President George H.W. Bush would have been 100 years old. He was born June 12, 1924. And to mark that milestone birthday, he might have jumped out of an airplane. Like he did when he turned 75 … and 80 … and 85 … and 90. Why jump out of airplanes as he got older? Here’s what President Bush said in 1998: It was about closure because on September 2nd, 1944, I made a parachute jump and I did it badly...

Through the words of American presidents who have spoken over the years at Normandy, this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" marks the 80th anniversary of D-Day. We hear presidents talk about American soldiers who fought there and died there. Some of the greatest and most legendary speeches of the modern American presidency have been delivered at Normandy for D-Day anniversaries … In...

“This debate tonight has made crystal clear a challenge that is as old as America — the choice between hope and fear, change or more of the same.” That was Arkansas Governor Bill Clinton – his closing statement in the October 11, 1992, presidential debate… “More of the same” – It’s a phrase Bill Clinton famously – and quite effectively – used during the 1992 campaign… And you don’t just hear it fr...

The Trump hush money trial has us talking about the National Enquirer. But it seems like the tabloid never left the political conversation. The National Enquirer’s pictures, scoops, and reporting have influenced the establishment political media for years. In this week’s episode’s of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly,” we revisit what we might be the most famous example of how National Enquirer reporti...

During the recent White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, New York Times photographer Doug Mills got an award. He got an award for his photography at last year's dinner, too. And the Association awarded him in 2020 as well. The Association gives out only five awards every year — and until just a few years ago, those awards did not acknowledge visual journalism. So let’s make up for lost ti...

The recent death of O.J. Simpson reminds us of one of the most controversial episodes involving a prayer opening a session of Congress…And its aftermath. In this week's episode of C-SPAN’s “The Weekly, you’ll hear the full Senate prayer for O.J. Simpson following his arrest … plus, the rare rebuke by a U.S. Senator. And then, you’ll hear the surprise twist that happened next. Learn more about your...

Elected in November 1984, Mitch McConnell now has over 4,300 speaking appearances on C-SPAN. And he’s been telling jokes from the beginning. And - in this week’s episode of C-SPAN's “The Weekly” – we hear them! We recently remembered Democratic Senator Joe Lieberman by hearing his jokes, quips, and humorous one-liners. Now, it’s part II – BALANCE! -- we hear a Republican Senator telling jokes … So...

It is my sad duty to inform you officially of the death of Richard Milhous Nixon, the thirty-seventh President of the United States Born in 1913, he was first elected to the Congress in 1946, a member of that historic freshman class of World War II veterans that also included John F. Kennedy. He was elected to the Senate in 1950, and served two terms as Vice President of the United States between...

It’s the war between the States – of the States addresses! Folks are moving here in record numbers to become a part of our winning way of life. Californians and New Yorkers have never seen a state like ours – one that trusts our people, and one that embraces and promotes liberty and Freedom. That was Republican South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem … her State of the State address …Now here’s Democrat...

Joe Lieberman is being remembered as a Senator, a Presidential candidate, and a Vice Presidential candidate… But also part of Joe Lieberman’s legacy: comedy. What were some of his funniest quips, jokes, and real-time reactions? Find out in this week’s episode of C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” – as we remember Joe Lieberman’s journey through politics -- with the jokes he told and the funny things he said. L...

You know that in 2012 America had a presidential election– Mitt Romney versus Barack Obama. But did you know Russia had one, too? And it happens again in 2024 -- both America and Russia have presidential elections. Russia’s presidents serve six-year terms … So the last time the U.S and Russia both held presidential elections in the same year was 2012 .. and Putin was a candidate both times. In the...

It’s C-SPAN’s 45th anniversary … and C-SPAN’s “The Weekly” is marking it the best way we know how … With big, famous, legendary, significant, tragic, angry, hilarious, and otherwise notable moments from those 45 years … Some you’ve heard before, some perhaps you’re hearing now for the first time … So put on your tuxedo, toss some confetti, and enjoy this anniversary show. … 45 clips for 45 years…....

You’re a political junkie… You know your Congress history … and you watch and listen to C-SPAN. So, you probably know when and where Congressman Al Gore said this. Mr. Speaker, on this historic day the House of Representatives opens its proceedings for the first time to televised coverage. …Television will change this institution, Mr. Speaker, just as it has changed the executive branch, but the g...

About a month after the explosion, Oppenheimer comes to the White House and he sits down with Truman. And by this point he’s just wracked with second thoughts. And he says Mr. President I have these terrible regrets. I feel that I have blood on my hands. And Truman says: Don’t worry about it. I gave the order. I have blood on my hands. And they finish the conversation. Oppenheimer leaves. And Trum...

“Governor Bush, Atlanta Braves pitcher John Rocker gave a venomous interview to Sports Illustrated recently spewing hatred towards gays, blacks, single mothers and foreigners.” That was Suzanne Geha of WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids Michigan teeing up a question for Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush – January 10, 2000 – a debate at Calvin College in Grand Rapids Michigan. What was that cit...

Will President Biden mention immigration in his 2024 State of the Union address? If history is any guide: Yes. Immigration has been a topic in every State of the Address for the last 20 years. What do Presidents say about immigration – and legal and illegal immigrants -- and our southern border – and fences and walls -- in their State of the Union addresses? Find out in this week’s episode of C-SP...