Extreme Mortman

C-SPAN
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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. 4d ago

    Thumpings and Shellackings – Presidents' Raw Reactions to Mid-Term Elections Results

    The post-midterm election presidential press conference ... A rare opportunity to hear a president give raw, emotional, and unrehearsed answers -- especially when his party loses big. Like 1994 — when not a single Republican incumbent loses any race for Governor, House, or Senate … and Democrats lose the majority in both chambers of Congress Well, I think that I have some responsibility for it. I'm the President. I am the leader of the efforts that we have made in the last 2 years. And to whatever extent that we didn't do what the people wanted us to do or they were not aware of what we had done, I must certainly bear my share of responsibility, and I accept that. That was Bill Clinton, the day after the 1994 mid-term election With voting in 2026 now over, this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "Extreme Mortman" presents presidents going back to Ronald Reagan reacting to midterm elections. Which president called the results a "thumping"? Which president called it a "shellacking"? What did President Donald Trump in 2018 say about Nancy Pelosi becoming House speaker again and Mitch McConnell expanding his Senate majority? And which three presidents, soon after mid-term elections, made major announcements on immigration? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Oct 29

    Brink of War? The Dramatic October 1986 Reagan-Gorbachev Showdown in Reykjavik Iceland

    September 30th, 1986, … the White House press briefing room … Here's President Ronald Reagan … I am pleased to announce that General Secretary Gorbachev and I will meet October 11th and 12th in Reykjavik, Iceland. The meeting was proposed by General Secretary Gorbachev, and I've accepted. And it will take place in the context of preparations for the General Secretary's visit to the United States, which was agreed to at Geneva in November of '85. And I might say the United States and the Soviet Union appreciate the willingness of the Government of Iceland to make this meeting in Reykjavik possible. 40 years ago this week, in October 1986, President Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev met in Iceland. What happened in Reykjavik? Was the Iceland meeting, as some suggest, a huge success? Or was it, as others say, a disastrous failure? What was the most iconic moment then — and what do we remember now? And were the Americans and the Soviets really, as a new movie about that meeting says in its title, on the brink of war? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Oct 22

    Why We Love Concession Speeches: With Fellow Concession Speech Lovers Kirk Bado and Bob Cusack (part 2 of 2)

    As we near the end of the 2026 mid-term election, we'll soon be enjoying a whole new crop of non-presidential candidate concession speeches. And that makes this an ideal time for the C-SPAN podcast "Extreme Mortman" to appreciate the bounty of concession speeches with which we've already been blessed. Yes -- it's time to consider the losers: Which losers were gracious? Which losers were angry? Which losers used foul language? Who was bitter? And who refused even to concede? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Oct 15

    Why We Love Concession Speeches: With Fellow Concession Speech Lovers Kirk Bado and Bob Cusack (part 1 of 2)

    1962 … The California governor race … Here's the loser: But as I leave you, I want you to know - just think how much you're going to be missing me. You don't have Nixon to kick around anymore because gentlemen, this is my last press conference and I hope that what I will have said today will at least make television, radio, the press recognize that they have a right and a responsibility, if they're against a candidate, give him the shaft, but also recognize if they give him the shaft put one lonely reporter on the campaign who will report what the candidate says now and then. Of course, Richard Nixon's famous "last press conference" in November 1962 was hardly his last press conference. And he sure got kicked around a whole lot more. But the notorious speech itself is a classic of an under-appreciated yet thoroughly enjoyable category of political rhetoric: the concession speech. As we near the end of the 2026 mid-term election, we'll soon be enjoying a whole new crop of non-presidential candidate concession speeches. And that makes this an ideal time for the C-SPAN podcast "Extreme Mortman" to appreciate the bounty of concession speeches with which we've already been blessed. Yes -- it's time to consider the losers: Which losers were gracious? Which losers were angry? Which losers used foul language? Who, like Nixon, was bitter? And who, unlike Nixon, refused even to concede? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Oct 8

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

    Ten years ago, September 28, 2016, … Council Bluffs, Iowa.. Here's presidential candidate Donald Trump: “Her staffers taking the fifth amendment. How about that. And her ring leader's getting immunity. Now, people taking the fifth amendment. Four people plus the guy who illegally did the server. You know, He put in the illegal server. So, there are five people taking the Fifth Amendment, like you see on the mob, right? You see the mob takes the Fifth. If you’re innocent, why are you taking the Fifth Amendment?” Donald Trump was talking about Hillary Clinton … it was soon after her aides invoked the Fifth Amendment to avoid testifying in a Congressional hearing into her e-mails. Which other highly anticipated, high-profile hearings ended up with a star witness invoking the Fifth Amendment? What language do they use? And what do members of Congress say about witnesses claiming Fifth Amendment privileges? Find out in the second part of a two-part special 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." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Oct 1

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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

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4.4
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About

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.

Information

  • Channel
    C-SPAN
  • Creator
    C-SPAN
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2026
  • Episodes
    668
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 National Cable Satellite Corporation. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Extreme Mortman

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