Originally published on February 26, 2016 (Episode 48)
Introduction
If you’ve been living anywhere but under a rock, you know we’re in the middle of a strange political season. In recent years, historians seem to be called upon by TV hosts predominantly to rate presidents, compare presidents, or explain how a bill becomes a law. While we at Historically Thinking obviously believe that historians can do a lot more than that, from time to time we like to do that whole Doris Kearns Goodwin/Michael Beschloss thing. (The old-fashioned verb for this was “slumming.”)
Michael Connolly joins me to explain presidential campaigns past, why primaries are nowhere in the Constitution, and what history can teach us about how Americans choose presidents.
About the Guest
Michael Connolly is Professor of History at Purdue University Northwest. He specializes in 19th-century political culture and the presidency.
For Further Investigation
Related Episodes
Michael Connolly on “Presidential History”
Michael Connolly on “Victorian Jacobites”
Further Reading
Sean Wilentz, The Rise of American Democracy
Sidney Milkis and Michael Nelson, The American Presidency: Origins and Development
Listen & Discuss
How different—or how similar—are our elections today compared to those of the 19th century? Comment below and share this episode with someone who’s following the 2024 race closely.
