"Uncle Sam's Youngest Son, Citizen Know Nothing," ca. 1854 (Library of Congress)

When it comes to partisan politics, Americans are deeply conflicted. On the one hand, we complain that extreme polarization precludes the possibility for civil discourse. On the other, we”re nostalgic for a time when people really cared. We want an engaged citizenry without the deep fissures in the body politic, but can we have it both ways? Have we ever had it both ways?

On this special post-midterm election podcast, the History Guys reflect on Americans’ distaste for contemporary politics. Has Washington sunk to a new low, or is it merely American-constitutional-democracy-as-usual? Does partisanship threaten to tear our society apart at the seams, or is keeping us together?

This podcast features a special guest appearance by syndicated radio talk show host Randi Rhodes, who explains what it’s like to be a liberal in an industry dominated by conservatives.

What Barack Obama accomplishes in his first hundred days remains to be seen, and yet pundits are already talking about him in the same breath as Lincoln and FDR. In this hour of BackStory, the History Guys look at presidential transitions, and ask whether they deserve all the attention they tend to get. First, historian Michael Holt discusses James Polk and other lesser-known presidents whose accomplishments outshine their reputations. Then, producer Catherine Moore recounts the story of America’s first inaugural parade. Last, Henry Haller, White House chef through five presidencies, talks about the differences between cooking for Democrats and Republicans.

Guests Include:

• Michael Holt, historian and author of By One Vote
• Henry Haller, former White House Executive Chef

Show Highlights

• James K. Polk — Michael Holt explains the lasting impact of a little-known president.
• George Washington’s Inaugural Parade — The story of George Washington’s inaugural “parade,” and why it mattered.

Further Reading

Want to dig deeper into the history of Presidential transitions? Check out this list of resources compiled by the History Guys to learn more.

Show Highlights

What the Heck is the Electoral College?
Historian Alexander Keyssar explains what the Founders were thinking when they designed the electoral college, and why the system has persisted even though so many Americans object to it.

When Voting was Fun!
Historian Mark Summers tells 19th Century History Guy Ed Ayers about voting in the days before the secret ballot, when party came before the man, and vote-buying, intimidation and 112% voter turnout were par for the course.

Related Links:

• Read Alexander Keyssar’s case against the Electoral College.
• Watch Lyndon Johnson’s speech at the signing of the Voting Rights Act.
• Learn more about the long and colorful history of electoral fraud.
• Find out how Americans voted before the chad.
• Solve the mysteries of the Electoral College!
• Voting in the Past from Colonial Williamsburg
• Tuesday in November, a U.S. Office of War propaganda film from 1945