Shows / Extreme Mortman
Extreme Mortman
Original political stories inspired by current events. A weekly fix for political junkies combining compelling clips from the C-SPAN archives (iconic and obscure), history, trivia – and often a healthy helping of comedy.
Episodes
Extreme MortmanRemembering Mark Knoller — His Decades at the White House, and on C-SPAN
On August 30th, 2025, Mark Knoller, the legendary, long-time member of the White House press corps, died. In tribute, the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast…
Extreme MortmanPresidents and Summer Vacations – Behind-the-scenes history with Kirk Bado
Did you have a lovely summer vacation? Was it long enough? Sad it's over? You know who once had a nice, long, summer vacation? That's right — President Dwight…
Extreme MortmanWarren Buffett's Father: The Rep. Howard Buffett Story
Think you know everything there is to know about Warren Buffett? You likely know how he got wealthy as CEO and chairman of Berkshire Hathaway.... And you…
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Political Parties Like It's Fiscal Year 1999
We hear all the time from politicians talking about how to reduce the deficit and the debt.But have you ever heard a politician talk about how to spend a…
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Tom Wickham's Five Most Memorable Moments as House Parliamentarian
The House parliamentarian. The C-SPAN audience knows the parliamentarian from House rules and procedures and various parliamentary inquiries and interruptions……
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It's the 50th anniversary of "Jaws" – So Let's Hear from Joe Scarborough and Hunter Scott
The House of Representatives … October 10th, 1998, … A Republican Congressman from Florida rises and makes remarks about a bill he's introducing: In the…
Extreme Mortman"We're all going to die" – Joni Ernst? Nope. Bill and Hillary Clinton.
You probably saw video of Republican Senator Joni Ernst recently telling an Iowa town hall: "We're all going to die." And you probably saw the ensuing…
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"Peace Through Strength": The U.S.S. Ronald Reagan
"Peace through strength" — it's a phrase heard frequently after the U.S. attack on Iran's nuclear facilities. These days, "peace through strength" has become…
Extreme MortmanOur Annual Supreme Court Justice Comedy Festival - With Special Guest Jon Macks
The U.S. Supreme Court just ended its 2024-2025 term. And along with issuing big decisions in big cases — they also had — in some oral arguments — big laughs…
Extreme MortmanFourth of July! Time for Fireworks – and Time to Think About Ex-Rep. Felix Grucci!
It's the Fourth of July! Which makes now the perfect time to remember this Republican congressman from New York: "Rep. Felix Grucci from New York's 1st…
Extreme MortmanFourth of July, America 250, Presidents — And Time Capsules
Time capsules! America is full of them ... and for America 250, Congress is even creating a new one. For this year's Fourth of July holiday, C-SPAN's podcast…
Extreme MortmanWilliam F. Buckley: Republicans — and Democrats — in Congress Quote the Conservative Giant
William F. Buckley, Jr. The conservative icon died in February 2008 — but in 2025, he's back in the news. • In March, the U.S. Postal Service announced a new…
Extreme MortmanPresident Birthdays: 10 fun facts about wishing and singing Happy Birthday to Presidents
There's a big parade planned in Washington, DC for Saturday, June 14th, 2025. It's Flag Day — It's the 250th Anniversary of the U.S. Army — and it's President…
Extreme MortmanPresidents and Politics with 6 Celebrity CEOs not named Elon Musk
Elon Musk is ending active involvement in the Trump administration and DOGE... His relationship with President Trump as a senior advisor and special government…
Extreme MortmanThree Top Senate Reporters Share Favorite Senate TV Moments for C-SPAN2 Anniversary
Live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of the U.S. Senate floor. It began 39 years ago -- June 2nd, 1986 – Day One of C-SPAN2. Here's one of the first things heard that…
Extreme MortmanMemorial Day: Presidents and the Vietnam War, 50 Years After the Fall of Saigon
50 years ago, the Vietnam War ended.. The South Vietnamese capital of Saigon fell to the North Vietnamese Army…. North Vietnam achieved its objective of…
Extreme MortmanGovernors Say the Loveliest Things About Their Spouses
Ah -- Romance is in the air. And by romance in the air – we mean Governors giving their annual state of the state addresses and budget speeches in front of…
Extreme MortmanThe Best-Of James Traficant Speeches – Annotated by Nick Gillespie of Reason Magazine
At some point, close listeners to C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" might have wondered: Why have we never done an episode featuring the best-of James Traficant?…
Extreme MortmanRonald Reagan and Brian Mulroney: A U.S.-Canada Friendship
Can you imagine a time when a U.S. President and a Canadian Prime Minister were friends? ... And said nice things about each other in public? ... And the nice…
Extreme MortmanThe Washington Hilton Is 60 — And Still Hosting the WHCA Dinner
It's time for the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton. But this year: No comedian. Which means: No jokes about C-SPAN…
Extreme MortmanFour Former WHCA Presidents Tell Us Their Favorite Big Media Dinner Moments and Inside Stories
The White House Correspondents Association dinner is just a week away. The big annual media black tie shindig in the basement of the Washington Hilton…
Extreme MortmanHow did a 1996 Senate Whitewater Hearing Seen on C-SPAN Inspire the Hit 2025 Netflix Series "The Residence"?
Thirty years ago, C-SPAN showed the Senate Whitewater Committee hearings. The Special Committee to Investigate Whitewater Development Corporation and Related…
Extreme MortmanA Republican President, Canada, and Tariffs: What Ronald Reagan Said and Did
If you're listening closely to the language currently being used by leaders of the United States and Canada about each other -- what a Republican president…
Extreme MortmanAnnual Baseball Episode: An Oral History of the Washington Nationals, As Told By Congress
October 31st, 2019. The U.S. House debates and passes a resolution laying out the rules in the first impeachment inquiry of President Trump. House Democratic…
Extreme MortmanThe JFK Assassination, Oliver Stone, and Conspiracy Theories — Now with President Trump
On the third day of his second administration, President Trump signed six executive orders. One was: Declassifying files pertaining to the assassinations of…
Extreme MortmanThree Top Political Podcasters Share Their Favorite Moment From The House on TV
Next week is C-SPAN's 46th anniversary…. On March 19th, 1979, House TV began – for the first time Americans could watch live gavel to gavel coverage of the…
Extreme MortmanDEBT FRET: In their First Speeches to Congress, New Presidents Aguish About the National Debt
When presidents come into office, traditionally their first big speech to Congress is about the budget. Like President Trump this past week. Instead of a State…
Extreme MortmanSNL’S Chris Farley as Speaker Newt Gingrich: An Oral History
If someone were to ask you: name your favorite moment in Congress involving a character from Saturday Night Live -- how would you respond? There’s a good…
Extreme MortmanCongress Revises and Extends "Saturday Night Live"
"Saturday Night Live" – The comedy show has been on TV for half a century. And it seems like Congress has been talking about it for nearly that long. Like…
Extreme MortmanHappy Valentine’s Day – Let’s Talk Tommy Gun - And Massacre
Americans are celebrating Valentine's Day. So, let's remember – the St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Here's President Bill Clinton, speaking on February 15th…
Extreme MortmanPresidents Talk Democracy Unfiltered
You might have seen or heard a new promo spot from C-SPAN – Presidents talking democracy … from Jimmy Carter through Donald Trump …. Carter: "Democracy is…
Extreme MortmanA Ford Eulogy for Carter, A Carter Eulogy for Ford
Two presidents. Two eulogies. For each other. Political opponents who became friends. Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford. Here's Jimmy Carter's eulogy for Gerald…
Extreme MortmanJohn Tower 1989: Senate Debates Defense Secretary – And Alcohol
During the first two weeks of March 1989, the U.S. Senate debated President George Bush's nominee for Defense Secretary, John Tower. Among the Senators who…
Extreme MortmanPresidential Inaugurations: 11 Fun Facts About Administering The Oath of Office
Getting ready for January 20th – and the presidential inauguration? Then you might also be getting ready for fun facts about the swearing-in ceremony. Like in…
Extreme MortmanPresidents Say Goodbye: Top Moments in Farewell Speeches from George Washington to Donald Trump
We're just days away from President Joe Biden leaving the White House. Which makes this a good time to remember other departing presidents – and their farewell…
Extreme MortmanELECTORAL VOTE LOSERS: When vice presidents tell Congress they’ve lost
On Monday, January 6, 2025, Congress once again will meet in a Joint Session to certify the electoral votes in the presidential election. As President of the…
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A Short Take On The Making Of The Weekly Podcast
Ever wonder how C-SPAN’s The Weekly comes together? In this special behind-the-scenes episode, we pull back the curtain to explore the making of our podcast…
Extreme MortmanGeorge Will: Five Decades at the Washington Post, Four Decades on C-SPAN
The Washington Post recently published a 10-page special section called, "A half-century of George F. Will: The Iron Man of America's op-ed pages."… George…
Extreme MortmanFarewell Charlie Palmer: Farewell To All The Steak, Farewell To All The Money
January 6, 2006. On the C-SPAN morning call-in program, the topic is lobbying and money and politics. The guest is from the American League of Lobbyists……
Extreme MortmanMeet the New Senators: Personal Stories From Victory Speeches
The 119th Congress will have 12 new Senators. And if you heard election night victory speeches on C-SPAN, you might have learned something new about many of…
Extreme MortmanThanksgiving: No Broccoli at President Bush's Table
Why would President Bush talk about broccoli at a prayer breakfast? Where are other places he told his audience how much he disliked broccoli? And what did…
Extreme MortmanGaetz vs. Garland: Clues for What House Judiciary Oversight Hearings Sound Like
President-elect Trump wants former Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz to head the Justice Department. If Matt Gaetz does become Attorney General – the 87th…
Extreme Mortman“Miracle”: Presidents Celebrate Peaceful Transfer of Power
The peaceful transfer of power. It’s something outgoing presidents traditionally talk about when turning over the White House to an incoming president … Like…
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Campaign 2024 In One Word, And It's Not a Good One
Is it possible to use one word to remember or describe the 2024 presidential campaign? If so, that one word might start with the letter S. This year on the…
Extreme MortmanTop Moments from Presidential Candidate Victory and Concession Speeches
Getting ready for election night 2024? Excited to hear presidential candidates give victory and concession speeches? First, refresh your memory with top lines…
Extreme MortmanHalloween – When Presidential Campaign Language Turns Scary
Getting ready for Halloween? Well, while you're digging out the old costumes and candy … here's one more Halloween staple you need to brace yourself for: Scary…
Extreme Mortman"The West Wing" 25th Anniversary: President Jed Bartlet as SHEEN on C-SPAN
The date: September 20th, 2024… The place: The White House Rose Garden…. The speaker: actor Martin Sheen.. “You know, the Irish tell the story of a man who…
Extreme MortmanAl Smith Dinner: Funniest Jokes Told by Presidential Candidates
It’s time for the big event with presidential candidates held every four years. The presidential election? Nope. The Al Smith dinner. - “This evening does have…
Extreme MortmanOne Year In Congress Prayers Since Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas Attack on Israel
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. Three days later, House chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben gave the opening prayer in Congress … It…
Extreme MortmanJames Carville Turns 80 – It's the Podcast, Stupid
In October 2024, James Carville turns 80 years old. Also in October: a new documentary debuts on CNN – “Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid.” The longtime…
Extreme MortmanVice Presidential Debates: Best-of, Legendary, and Funniest Moments, Phrases, and Zingers Since 1976
Gearing up for the Vice-Presidential debate – Tim Walz versus JD Vance? Then you might want to remember the first time running mates debated in a formal…
Extreme MortmanOprah Winfrey … and Trump, Harris, Obamas, Biden, Clinton, Congress, and Politics …since 1991
You might have heard Oprah Winfrey speak on behalf of Kamala Harris at the 2024 Democratic Convention in Chicago. You may also remember Oprah Winfrey endorsing…
Extreme MortmanPresidential debates – and the national debt
Getting ready for the next presidential debate – Donald Trump versus Kamala Harris – on September 10? Here's a type of question which, is history is any guide…
Extreme MortmanAI: History for Congress – and A New Voice for Jennifer Wexton
History was recently made in Congress. For the first time, a member addressed colleagues on the floor – using Artificial Intelligence. From July 25, 2024…
Extreme MortmanA Big August for Vice Presidents – Gerald Ford, 1974 – Kamala Harris 2024
For political history lovers, this August has been something special. What happened in the 2024 presidential campaign this month won’t soon be forgotten. But…
Extreme MortmanRunning Mates and the National Guard: Tim Walz? Nope. Dan Quayle
Vice presidential candidates and the National Guard That’s the topic of this week’s C-SPAN podcast “The Weekly.” So, we’re talking about Tim Walz, right? Nope…
Extreme MortmanJimmy Carter's Unique Relationship with Democratic Conventions
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…
Extreme MortmanThe Negro Leagues and Presidents and Politicians
Something seismic just happened in professional baseball. For over half a century, records from the Negro Leagues had been kept separate from Major League…
Extreme MortmanRonald Reagan’s Funniest Jokes About His Age
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…
Extreme MortmanPresidential Acceptance Speeches: Top Lines and Phrases from Conventions Since 1960
This summer, C-SPAN is bringing you live, gavel-to-gavel coverage of both the Republican and Democratic party conventions … featuring the presidential…