A history of the United States, as told through its vices, the holders of the second-highest office in the land. Bruce Carlson delves into the lives of the individuals who have achieved the second office of American government. Learn history, and hear some great stories.
Latest episodes
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37 min
We Cannot Surrender Our Institutions: Calhoun
Defender of his view of Southern rights, Vice President John Calhoun was the only VP to serve under Two Presidents. Both of those Presidents would come to dislike him strongly, as…
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38 min
Theodore Roosevelt's Four Days
That's all TR had as Vice President, technically. His official duties were just four days in March. From there he spoke, wrote letters and travelled and to at least one person, com…
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45 min
Make It Big: Nelson Rockefeller
Nelson Rockefeller was already a household name and a figure of some stature when Gerald Ford asked Congress to approve him as Vice President. True to form, he attempted to make th…
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1 h 07
Liberal, with No Apologies - Walter Mondale
A one-term Vice President known for being liberal on issues and associated with Hubert Humphrey, Carter's Vice President Walter Mondale changed the office more than anyone else. He…
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1 h 00
Partisan-Statesman: Chester Arthur
Those that know the full story of Chester Arthur know he became President and instituted controls on replacing workers in the civil service. That's largely because a tragic shootin…
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44 min
Great Goliath - George Clinton
Large in his time, mostly passed over in history, George Clinton's ascention to the vice presidency would not have surprised contemporaries. If anything, he was a contender for the…
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36 min
Disinterested Friend - Elbridge Gerry
Elbridge Gerry was never a speaker with "thunder in his voice," per one contemporary description, and he was hard to pin down in terms of his politics, yet that may have made him p…
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36 min
The Forlorn Hope: Richard Mentor Johnson
War Hero, Congressman, State Leader, and Senator. Kentucky's Richard Mentor Johnson was considered for the Presidency and might have obtained it in the case of his friend Andrew Ja…
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44 min
The Shoemaker: Henry Wilson
Henry Wilson's experience as a workingman would have a double benefit in his political career. Not only could he identify with average people, but he could demonstrate that unlike…
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59 min
Walk in the Sunshine - Hubert H. Humphrey
If he wasn't ever Lyndon Johnson's Vice President, HHH might have been remembered as a pretty good Senator. And a well-regarded mayor. But Hubert wanted more. We take a look at the…
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39 min
Best Rabbit: Dan Quayle
Dan Quayle's name conjures up images of late-night comedian jokes and verbal gaffes, but he may have offered a little-known service to the President he served. In this episode, we…
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58 min
Breaking the Gavel: Nixon's Time as Vice President
Though Richard Nixon's presidency would get most of the attention of history, his time as Vice President was formative. He was one of several veeps that helped modernize the office…
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39 min
Warm Bucket: John Nance Garmer
We look at the Vice President who - maybe - described the office as a "bucket of warm spit." That's a bit more questionable than some accounts, even my own podcast, makes it out to…
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51 min
The Smiler: Schuyler Colfax, Vice President
A look at Schuyler Colfax, Grant's first Vice President lived a full life but died in obscurity and some shame. We examine the smiling vice president, former Speaker and friend to…
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52 min
The Martyr: Thomas A. Hendricks
Grover Cleveland's first vice president barely spoke with him, did not agree on politics and was in office for political reasons. Hendricks was the bottom half of a ticket that los…
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35 min
John C. Breckinridge Ran
The story of John C. Breckinridge, the only vice president to take up arms against the country he served. A charismatic and skilled speaker, he knew all of the people he ran agains…
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30 min
Buttermilk Charlie Fairbanks, Teddy Roosevelt's Vice
We discuss Charles Fairbanks, Teddy's Roosevelt's Vice President from 1905 to 1909. Not only did they not see eye to eye, but Roosevelt might have given his career a little shove.…
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52 min
Get in The Bronco w/ Joe Biden: Biden's Earlier Years
President Biden was Vice President first, and ran for President before that. In this episode, we discuss his first doomed run for President, and his improbable win over a Republica…
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45 min
The Original Adlai E. Stevenson
Adlai Ewing Stevenson, Vice President under Grover Cleveland in his second term, has been eclipsed in history by his famous grandson. This is for reasons of time and memory and TV…
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31 min
"Don't Call Me Willie" - Alben Barkley, Truman's Vice President
Hog caller and stump speaker Alben Barkley defied all expectations. The son of a tobacco farmer with little money to spare became Vice President and sometimes, a contender for Pres…