My History Can Beat Up Your Politics

In our final episode, we look at a few historic media that truly sought to tell readers not just the news, but what the news was. From Bennett to Drudge, we look at these innovators. And we talk about today's media innovation. All of us, and our politicians as media.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A talk with Listener Jerry Spencer about Coxey's Army, which marched to DC during a depression in the 1890's. And also about how Hearst and Pulitzer's papers fueled the story.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the past 100 years, over 80% of the first term midterms went badly for Presidents, and their party lost seats. But in a few cases they did not. And a few times when they did, the result was very little real change or even a kind of win. A look at first term midterms during the Presidencies of Chester Arthur, Harding, FDR, GW Bush, Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

A combo of new and previously recorded MHCBUYP episodes reveals that while many first term midterms have devastated the President's plans, Presidents don't always do badly, there are 'stave' elections where Presidents have lost so little it's almost a win. And sometimes, a defeat has positive effects.

Music by Josh Woodward and Lee Rosevere in this episode. Find them on the Free Music Archive website
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We've talked about who owns media, who writes it. Now will talk about the debates about what is in it? This episode is about bias in the news media.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

"To the victor goes the spoils" True of government jobs after a 19th century election. Also true of newspapers. Much of the spoils system perfected during Jackson's time helped newspaper publishers get ads, printing and postmaster jobs.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices