• Ronald Reagan and the Eleventh Commandment

    Ronald Reagan and the Eleventh Commandment

                California Governor Ronald Reagan was fond of invoking the Republican ‘Eleventh Commandment’ which was “Thou shalt not speak ill of another Republican.” This epistle was credited to California Republican State Chairman Gaylord Parkinson during the 1960’s. In 1976, Reagan broke that commandment to advance his own political career.             Reagan grew up in central…

  • Why Watergate?

    Why Watergate?

    Ah, Richard Milhous Nixon. The man who appeared on every presidential ballot from 1952-1972 except 1964. A complex man who was at the center of American politics for much of the Cold War era. Congressman, Senator, Vice-President, and the only President of the United States to resign. Why? Richard Nixon was born in 1913 in…

  • Hubert and Kamala???

    Hubert and Kamala???

                Since Joe Biden left the 2024 presidential race on July 21st, Donald Trump has frequently mentioned his name and noted that Vice President (and Democratic nominee) Kamala Harris shouldn’t have the party’s nomination because she received no votes. One could argue that she did as the presumptive running mate (no sitting VP has been…

  • A Brief History of Political Conventions

    A Brief History of Political Conventions

    The Republican and Democratic National Conventions have a rich history, evolving from caucuses to TV events. The impact of presidential primaries and historical anecdotes are highlighted, hinting at the potential for a dramatic 2024 Democratic Convention. The new ending suggests a surprise, with President Biden supposedly dropping out of the race.

  • Theodore Roosevelt 1912: History Repeats Itself July 13, 2024

    Theodore Roosevelt 1912: History Repeats Itself July 13, 2024

    In 1912, former President Theodore Roosevelt survived an assassination attempt in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Despite being shot in the chest, his thick coat and other items slowed the bullet, allowing him to give a ninety-minute speech. Like Donald Trump, Roosevelt was born in New York City and faced personal and political challenges.

  • The Summer of 68

    The Summer of 68

    Summer of 69 is a very good Bryan Adams song             After President Biden’s less-than-stellar debate performance on June 27th, some pundits compared the situation to Lyndon Johnson’s withdrawal in 1968. It is NOT similar, look at the calendar.             LBJ shocked the nation when he dropped out of the race during a televised address…

  • Incumbents Never Fare Well Debating

    Incumbents Never Fare Well Debating

    The June 27th debate between President Biden and former President Trump was extraordinary, given it was the earliest in history. Incumbents typically struggle in their first debate due to the dual responsibilities of running the country and campaigning. Historical examples of incumbent debate struggles are provided, indicating that the upcoming debates will be intriguing.

  • Presidential Debates, Part 1

    Presidential Debates, Part 1

    Perhaps the most famous debates are the Lincoln-Douglas debates. They were NOT a presidential debate; they ran for the United States Senate seat from Illinois in 1858. Democrat Douglas was the incumbent seeking a third term. Lincoln, the challenger, and former one-term congressman represented the new Republican party that rose from the ashes of the…

  • Why am I doing this?

    Why am I doing this?

    The writer has had a long fascination with presidency and elections since childhood, from memorizing presidents to playing electoral vote games. Their career as a Social Studies teacher and experience as a coach has led them to study the influence of managers on elections. They are preparing to share a brief history of presidential debates…