Extreme Mortman

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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.

1 DAY AGO

Lou Cannon — Reagan biographer - Remembered by Carl Cannon

In December 1999, legendary Washington Post reporter Lou Cannon joined C-SPAN for a special program at the Reagan Ranch in Santa Barbara California .. It was the thirty-ninth in a series on American presidents ... A biographer of - and authority on - Ronald Regan, Lou Cannon talked with the C-SPAN audience — and took calls — for three hours: BRIAN LAMB: Any reaction to this whole three hours, to being up here on the ranch again. Anything that comes mind. LOU CANNON: 3 hours is a long time. I might have said this at the beginning. But maybe you should end where you begin. Ronald Reagan had many sides to him. The side people that people saw was this performer. The performer as actor. The performer as governor. The performer as president. But he also needed time to himself. He also liked to be off stage. He also liked to be by himself. This was the place he came when he was off stage. In December 2025, Lou Cannon passed away … For decades, he appeared on C-SPAN programs and took calls … And his son Carl Cannon, also an accomplished journalist and author, continues to do so. Like the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman." Carl Cannon joins us to remember his father. We hear clips of Lou Cannon talking about his books, his reporting, President Reagan – and talking about Carl Cannon. What did Lou Cannon say about his son? How does Carl Cannon react to hearing his father talk about him? And what inside stories do we learn about Lou Cannon as a reporter, as an author – and as a father. Find out in the latest episode of "Extreme Mortman." With very special guest – Carl Cannon. Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

52 min
5 FEB

When Super Bowl Sunday Collided with Senate Session Sunday

Here's one thing you don't normally hear mentioned in the prayer: The Super Bowl. But one day, that did happen. "Lord, give our Senators unity to light the symphony with its variety of instruments, its many different notes which produce grand harmonies. May our lawmakers reduce these melodies on this Super Bowl Sunday." That was Senate chaplain Dr. Barry Black. With this year's Super Bowl approaching, this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" remembers one historic day when U.S. Senators were debating and football teams were playing — both at the same time ... and both with a lot at stake. When was the Senate in session on Super Bowl Sunday? Why was the Senate in session on Super Bowl Sunday? And which Senators talked about the Super Bowl — and what did they say? Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman." Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16 min
29 JAN

What Is a Discharge Petition? What Does It have To Do with Jeffrey Epstein, Stocks, and Healthcare? Scott Wong Has Answers

In September 1993, Ross Perot held a press conference on Capitol Hill. He was surrounded by members from both parties. The topic: the then-secretive and mysterious discharge petition: "Well, this is a great day for our country. I am certain that the framers of the Constitution and the signers of the Declaration of Independence are looking down from heaven smiling on this reform. For 63 years, there was a handful of leaders in the House of Representatives who decided the agenda, not the members of the House. This was an unlikely event to occur, but it did occur because of the leadership and the courage of the people who signed that petition." Soon after Ross Perot's 1993 press conference, the House of Representatives ended its 63- year-old tradition of secrecy surrounding discharge petitions. They became public. And so did the list of members who signed them. And that changed everything. What is a discharge petition? How does it work? And in 2026, what does it have to do with health care… with members of Congress owning stocks .. and with Jeffrey Epstein? And -- how has the discharge petition changed politics in Congress – particularly when the Republican House majority is razor thin? Scott Wong Has Answers! … The NBC News senior congressional reporter joins C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" …. Scott Wong explains how the discharge petition has become a game changer in Congress. So, if you have lots of questions about the discharge petition – but were afraid to ask – then listen to the latest episode of "Extreme Mortman" – with very special guest - Scott Wong of NBC News. Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

55 min
22 JAN

PART 2 - 8 political sex scandals…w/ Washington Post's Roxanne Roberts

Recently, the Washington Post ran a story headlined "8 political sex scandals that threw the nation into a frenzy." Longtime Post reporter Roxanne Roberts wrote that story. Here's one politician who made Roxanne Roberts' list: "We're all going to have to seriously question the system for selecting our national leaders that reduces the press of this nation to hunters and presidential candidates to being hunted, that has reporters in bushes, false and inaccurate stories printed, photographers peeking in our windows, swarms of helicopters hovering over our roof and my very strong wife close to tears because she can't even get in her own house at night without being harassed. And then, after all that, ponderous pundits wonder in mock seriousness why some of the best people in this country choose not to run for high office." Who was that and how did he get on the list of 8? Who are the other seven? What's the history behind each of the frenzies? And what do they all have in common? In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" – find out. Our very special guest -- Roxanne Roberts herself – she goes through each of the political sex scandals which made her Washington Post list. And we hear clips about the scandals from most of the politicians and those individuals they were involved with. It's a special two-parter of "Extreme Mortman." This week's episode is part 2. Find C-SPAN's Extreme Mortman wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

43 min
15 JAN

PART 1 - 8 political sex scandals…w/ Washington Post's Roxanne Roberts

Recently, the Washington Post ran a story headlined "8 political sex scandals that threw the nation into a frenzy." Longtime Post reporter Roxanne Roberts wrote that story. Here's one politician who made Roxanne Roberts' list: "We're all going to have to seriously question the system for selecting our national leaders that reduces the press of this nation to hunters and presidential candidates to being hunted, that has reporters in bushes, false and inaccurate stories printed, photographers peeking in our windows, swarms of helicopters hovering over our roof and my very strong wife close to tears because she can't even get in her own house at night without being harassed. And then, after all that, ponderous pundits wonder in mock seriousness why some of the best people in this country choose not to run for high office." Who was that and how did he get on the list of 8? Who are the other seven? What's the history behind each of the frenzies? And what do they all have in common? In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" – find out. Our very special guest -- Roxanne Roberts herself – she goes through each of the political sex scandals which made her Washington Post list. And we hear clips about the scandals from most of the politicians and those individuals they were involved with. It's a special two-parter of "Extreme Mortman." Find C-SPAN's Extreme Mortman wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

45 min
8 JAN

Congress Cites – and Attends -- the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas

This week, the annual Consumer Electronics Show is being held in Las Vegas Nevada. You might find members of Congress attending. Like Democratic Senator Jacky Rosen … "I got to do something fun a couple of weeks ago because in my home state of Nevada we host the Consumer Electronic Show and let me tell you what I saw there was just amazing. How technology is going to advance people with disabilities, people who are aging, it is going to improve our travel, our home, even our cooking, there are washing machines that will just about do everything for you except put away the laundry and so it is really tremendous." That was Senator Rosen speaking at a January 22nd, 2020, Senate Commerce hearing on 5G Technology. Which other members of Congress have said they attended the show? What else from the Consumer Electronics Show has inspired them? And what do members of Congress and Senators say about the show being held in Las Vegas? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 min
1 JAN

Favorite! Best! Top! Funniest! Political Moments seen on C-SPAN in 2025: A Cate Martel Playlist!

In 2025, you watched and listened to a lot of C-SPAN. Can you name your favorite moments from the past year? Here's one person who can: Cate Martel. You know Cate Martel as a longtime reporter for The Hill and creator of The Hill's 12:30 Report newsletter. C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" asked Cate Martel for her favorite C-SPAN moments in 2025. Here’s one which made her list: "Look, now there is no guarantee that the show is always good or that it’ll go off without a hitch or it doesn’t have its, uh, hecklers. Yeah. But the show must go on. And, if you’re with your people, and you won’t have to do it alone. Because life is not a solo act. No, it’s not. It’s a big, messy, delightful ensemble piece, especially when you’re with your people." That was Kermit the Frog giving the 2025 commencement address at the University of Maryland. Which other moments made Cate Martel's best-of 2025-on-C-SPAN list? Who wore hard hats and other protective gear on C-SPAN in 2025 – much to Cate Martel's considerable amusement? And – gosh – why is Kermit the Frog on Cate Martel's list? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

47 min
25/12/2025

Extreme Mortman Explained: Howard Mortman’s Podcast on Politics, History, and the C-SPAN Archives

Extreme Mortman is a fast-paced podcast hosted by Howard Mortman that dives into American politics, history, and the vast C-SPAN Video Library. With a mix of commentary, archival clips, and playful challenges, Mortman brings decades of Washington moments to life. The podcast offers both insight and entertainment, drawing on C-SPAN’s unmatched archives to connect past events with today’s political conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

31 min

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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.