Segment from The GOP

Meet Mr. Republican

In 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower was certain he would clench the GOP nomination. That is until Senator Robert Taft, a formidable opponent known as “Mr. Republican” threw his hat into the race. Brian talks to historian William Hitchcock about this particular election and how Taft got that nickname.

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

Where Are You From?

According to the Republican National Committee, the first formal meeting of the new Republican Party was held in Jackson, Michigan on July 6, 1854. Some other American towns, however, beg to differ. Peter, Ed and Brian talk to Barbara Rimkunis and Brian Reilly about the birth of the GOP.

00:05:29

See You At The Crossroads

The hosts talk about how Republicans are once again facing change and circle back to Barbara Rimkunis to explore her idea that the Republican Party was born in multiple places simultaneously.

00:06:20

Meet Mr. Republican

In 1952, Dwight D. Eisenhower was certain he would clench the GOP nomination. That is until Senator Robert Taft, a formidable opponent known as “Mr. Republican” threw his hat into the race. Brian talks to historian William Hitchcock about this particular election and how Taft got that nickname.

00:08:34

What’s In A Name?

The hosts talk about where the name Grand Old Party comes from and what it meant when the party was formed. Political scientist Saladin Ambar contributes to this discussion.

00:06:00

Campaign Song Sing-A-Long

The hosts listened to some campaign songs with guest Stuart Schimler.

00:07:10

Whose Party Is This?

Historian Leah Wright Rigueur talks to the hosts about how Jackie Robinson, after years of supporting the GOP, had a very public change of heart in the early 1960s.

00:09:52

Praise The Lord And Pass The Ballot

The hosts ask pollster Robert P. Jones, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute, about how and when evangelical Christians became a reliable Republican voting bloc.

00:07:44

Mark Hanna - Podcast Only

Mark Hanna was the Karl Rove of his day. Through his work on William McKinley’s campaign, he is often credited with “making” McKinley and in the process, he created a new kind of politics. The hosts talk some more with Saladin Ambar about Hanna.

00:08:21