Extreme Mortman

4.4 (97)
Politics
Updated Weekly

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.

5d ago

The Fifth Amendment & Congress: 19 Notorious Scandals & Blockbuster Hearings (Part 1 of 2)

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 are you wearing?" " On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution." "What color is the carpet in front of you?" "On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution." That was Missouri Republican Senator Josh Hawley – questioning Dr. Anthony Fauci … A hearing investigating Dr. Fauci's role in the COVID-19 pandemic… In a three-hour hearing, Dr. Fauci invoked the Fifth Amendment 111 times. And he joined a long list of famous and celebrity witnesses claiming Fifth Amendment privileges against testifying in a Congressional hearing. Which other highly anticipated, high-profile hearings ended up with a star witness invoking the Fifth Amendment? What language do the use? And what do members of Congress say about witnesses claiming Fifth Amendment privileges? Find out in a special two-part episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" – as we remember 19 notorious scandals and blockbuster hearings during which the Fifth Amendment was cited –hearings investigating government, business, politics and sports – from the Joe McCarthy era—to Anthony Fauci. Hear from many over two dozen star witnesses – or, more accurately, not hear from them – in "Extreme Mortman." Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 24

Doug Wilder: 35 Years Ago This Month, The Virginia Governor Announced for President

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 1992." That was Doug Wilder ... September 13th, 1991... What was unique about Doug Wilder's presidential campaign? How far did he get? How did he navigate both Bill Clinton and Jesse Jackson? What was his appeal to conservatives? And what did Doug Wilder say on the campaign trail in 1992 which politicians still say today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 17

Presidential Parton: Dolly Parton's 9 to 5 on the Political Playlist

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 joking. I mean, I shouldn't be making fun of my Southern brothers, should I? That may be the closest Dolly Parton ever got to politics – or at least, publicly expressing a direct opinion on partisan politics. But even if Dolly Parton avoided politics, politicians hardly avoided her – the connection: her hit timeless song 9 to 5. A staple of many campaign playlists — and much political rhetoric. Which female candidates played 9 to 5 in their campaign rallies? Which male politicians appropriated 9 to 5 for their own political purposes? And does any politician deserve a — brace yourself — presidential Parton? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 10

25 Years Since 9-11: Laura Bush Legacy and Anita McBride Stories

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 they wanted to give something, and they could give their blood. Something so literal, and so I think that, you know, it was a terrible, terrible day, but also, I think, we saw the good of a lot of people, including those firemen and other people who went into the buildings. That was Laura Bush right after the 10th anniversary of September 11th… Now it's the 25th anniversary.… And there are still many stories about that day of terror to remember, revisit, and retell. One storyline on the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman": Laura Bush. How did Laura Bush react in the immediate aftermath of 9-11? What did she say and what did she do? How did 9-11 change Laura Bush's long-term approach to the First Lady's office – and what was her legacy? We find out from Anita McBride... an internationally recognized expert on the legacies of American first ladies and operations of the White House … Anita McBride was First Lady Laura Bush's Chief of Staff. Hear Anita McBride discuss Laura Bush and 9/11 – plus her own experience working in the White House that day – in this week's "Extreme Mortman." Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 3

Star Trek At 60: "Beam Me Up" from Members of Congress Not Named James Traficant

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. We said we would allow Medicare to grow at 7.2 percent. The President said, let us let it grow at 7.4 percent, and we were told we wanted to destroy the system. Well, I agree with Traficant. Mr. Speaker, if saving Medicare is being mean to senior citizens, beam me up, because I do not understand this place anymore. No that wasn't the member of Congress most famously associated with "beam me up" - Ohio Democrat James Traficant. That was Florida Republican Joe Scarbrough ... April 10th, 1997. Which members of Congress other than James Traficant said in their floor speeches "Beam Me Up"? Why did they want to be beamed up? How many times did James Traficant end a floor speech with a plea to "beam me up"? And what was James Traficant's own reason for ending a floor speech by pleading beam me up? Find out in this week's episode of "Extreme Mortman" – as we celebrate 60 years of Star Trek – and boldly go where no podcast has gone before. Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 27

Communism Hater + Joke Lover = Ronald Reagan

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 Soviet Union and told among themselves. And they reveal a great sense of humor that we would all find very simpatico with us, but they also reveal a certain cynicism about facets of their system. That was President Reagan October 1988 ... speaking at the World Affairs Council in Los Angeles... Why did President Reagan tell jokes about Communism? And what did Soviet leader Mikhel Gorbachev – Reagan's Cold War adversary and summit partner -- think of those jokes? Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman." Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. What were President Reagan's favorite jokes about Communism? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 20

Elvira: The Spectacular Rise and Shocking Fall of the Singing Senators

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 Elizabeth Dole. The song is Elvira. That was Trent Lott – along with the three other Singing Senators. Who were the Singing Senators? Why were there Singing Senators? What happened to the Singing Senators? And what's the deal with Elvira? Find out in this week's episode of "Extreme Mortman" – as we go behind the music … for the spectacular rise and the shocking fall – of the Singing Senators. The quartet that spent much of the mid -90s asking the timeless musical question – Elvira. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 13

Top Congress Podcaster Jennifer Briney Reveals Her 5 Favorite Congress Moments

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 are Jennifer Briney's top 5 favorite or most meaningful or most consequential moments from watching the House and the Senate for so many years? In this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" — she tells us! Which five moments did Jennifer Briney pick? Why did she pick them? Do any of these moments come from the current Congress? And what does Jennifer Briney think these five favorite moments teach us about how Congress operates and makes policy? Find out in "Extreme Mortman." Find "Extreme Mortman" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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4.4

out of 5

97 Ratings

Annual Baseball Episode

03/29/2025

another RJF

Back when they wanted suggestions for the name of the “new” Washington baseball team - I wanted them to be the Washington (Beltway) Bandits.
Went woke

02/27/2025

The reviewer

Had to unfollow
This should be required listening for students

02/15/2025

sophieyale

C-SPAN has been doing the rare work of unfiltered access to the people who run our country. I’ve never watched it on TV but a podcast is a terrific way to dip into the vast trove of content.
Funny, enlightening, and captivating

01/09/2024

grincon55

Hands down one of the best podcasts out there. Wildly underrated.

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.