American Elections: Wicked Game

A podcast by Airship - Tuesdays

Tuesdays

Categories:

History

126 Episodes

  1. 1884, Blaine vs. Cleveland: Tell the Truth

    Published: 3/17/2020

  2. 1880, Hancock vs. Garfield: Maelstrom

    Published: 3/10/2020

  3. 1876, Tilden vs. Hayes: Faustian Bargain

    Published: 3/3/2020

  4. 1872, Greeley vs. Grant: Progress Under Siege

    Published: 2/25/2020

  5. 1868, Seymour vs. Grant: The Rise of the General

    Published: 2/18/2020

  6. 1864, McClellan vs. Lincoln: Providence

    Published: 2/11/2020

  7. 1860, Lincoln vs. Douglas: A House Divided

    Published: 2/4/2020

  8. 1856, Fremont vs. Buchanan vs. Fillmore: The End of Compromise

    Published: 1/28/2020

  9. 1852, Scott vs. Pierce: Bursting at the Seams

    Published: 1/21/2020

  10. 1848, Cass vs. Taylor: Old Rough and Ready

    Published: 1/14/2020

  11. 1844, Clay vs. Polk: His Accidency

    Published: 1/7/2020

  12. 1840, Van Buren vs. Harrison: Ole Tip

    Published: 12/31/2019

  13. 1836, Van Buren vs. the Whigs: Sin on the Ballot

    Published: 12/24/2019

  14. 1832, Jackson vs. Clay: The Reign of King Mob

    Published: 12/17/2019

  15. 1828, Adams vs. Jackson: The General’s Vengeance

    Published: 12/10/2019

  16. 1824, Adams vs. Jackson: End of an Era

    Published: 12/3/2019

  17. 1820, Monroe: Good Feelings

    Published: 11/26/2019

  18. 1816, Monroe vs. King: The Virginia Dynasty

    Published: 11/19/2019

  19. 1812, Madison vs. Clinton: The Wartime Candidate

    Published: 11/12/2019

  20. 1808, Madison vs. Pinckney: Two Virginians

    Published: 11/5/2019

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On February 10th, 1796, Vice President John Adams wrote to his wife Abigail, lamenting the state of discourse in the country. The election was nearing—and becoming heated. Newspapers screamed, factions warred, and John Adams was dismayed with what he called “the wicked Game.” Americans in 2023 can relate. They still have to endure months of shouting, outrage, and the worst sort of political rancor as the country once again chooses its president. But it’s almost always been this way. And to prove it, American Elections: Wicked Game will review the entire history of presidential elections, from the unanimous and inevitable election of George Washington in 1789 to Donald Trump’s surprise electoral victory in 2016—and his contested defeat in 2020. From the host of the American History Tellers and American Scandal, this podcast will explore all 59 presidential elections to discover that there never never was a “good ol’ days,” and that presidential politics has always been played dirty.