Episode #265: Bern Baby Bern

Chris Edelson, a professor at American University who has written the definitive book about the history of the use of presidential emergency powers, looks at Donald Trump’s decision to bypass Congress to pay for the border wall and calls it an unprecedented overuse of power. Vermont Public Radio’s Bob Kinzel, whom Bernie Sanders spoke with as he declared his candidacy, outlines Sanders’ strengths and weaknesses as he plots a second bid for the White House. The investigation into North Carolina’s disputed election in the 9th Congressional District appears to be over.  The state Board of Elections has decided to call for a new election, throwing out last year’s results that showed Republican Mark Harris with a 905-vote lead over Democrat Dan McCready.  Jeff Tiberii of station WUNC says that suspicious absentee ballot operations on behalf of Harris are what led to Thursday’s action. And Chicago votes for a new mayor on Tuesday, ending the Rahm Emanuel reign of eight years.  A.D. Quig of The Daily Line reviews the 14-candidate field. Music used in this podcast: Close But No Cigar by Thomas Dolby The Entertainer by Scott Joplin Disco Inferno by The Trammps Major Tom (Coming Home) by Peter Schilling Gimme Some Truth by John Lennon Chicago by Sufjan Stevens