In this episode of Slate's podcast about presidential campaign history, chief political correspondent John Dickerson examines George McGovern's hasty selection of a vice-presidential running mate during the 1972 campaign.
Dickerson describes how McGovern tapped Missouri Sen. Tom Eagleton for the ticket with minimal vetting. Then, after Eagleton was compelled to reveal his history of hospitalizations and electroconvulsive therapy. 
McGovern vowed to back his running mate "one thousand percent," but Eagleton withdrew after just 18 days. Described by McGovern strategist Bob Shrum as "one of the great train wrecks of all time," the so-called Eagleton Affair left its mark on liberal politics for generations to come. 
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Email: whistlestop@slate.com
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One of the Great Train Wrecks of All Time

John Dickerson of Slate’s Political Gabfest revisits a moment from the American carnival of politics. Hear about the grand speeches, emergency strategies, baby kissing, and backstabbing that make each presidential cycle so fascinating.

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This episode of Whistlestop travels to October 19, 2016 as Florida Republican Senator Marco Rubio, the defeated GOP aspirant for the presidency, is asking his party not to play by the modern rules of politics.
Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival.
Love Slate podcasts?Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free trial at slate.com/podcastplus.
Email: whistlestop@slate.com. 
Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. 
Research by Brian Rosenwald and Elizabeth Hinson. 
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The Presidency as a Consumer Experience (Part 2)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to October 12, 2012 when Democratic candidate Barack Obama was declared the loser at the first Presidential debate against Mitt Romney and Twitter won.
Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival.
Love Slate podcasts? 
Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free trial at slate.com/podcastplus.
Email: whistlestop@slate.com. 
Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. 
Research by Brian Rosenwald and Elizabeth Hinson. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Presidency as a Consumer Experience (Part 1)

This episode of Whistlestop travels to March 12, 2008 as President George W. Bush goes over the text of his speech to address the financial crisis in the housing market and Treasury Secretary Paulson makes a warning that becomes an unfortunately accurate prediction.
Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival.
Love Slate podcasts? 
Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free trial at slate.com/podcastplus.
Email: whistlestop@slate.com. 
Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research by Brian Rosenwald and Elizabeth Hinson. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Avoiding A Great Re-Recession

For two and a half years, Emily Bazelon has been following people through a special court in New York designed to be a speedy machine for the harsh punishment of illegal gun possession. Along the way, a strange thing happened — the politics outside the courtroom started to change when a new generation of activists and insiders began challenging the old system the gun court was part of. Season 1 of Slate Presents brought you the story of Ruby Ridge, and Season 2 brings you a fight to transform one big-city justice system.
Subscribe to Charged via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, TuneIn, Overcast, RadioPublic, or wherever you listen. 
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Introducing Charged: A True Punishment Story

This episode of Whistlestop travels to December 23, 1783 when the commander in chief of the Continental Army sat before the president of the Confederation Congress and prepared to step away from the job.  
Whistlestop is Slate’s podcast about presidential history. Hosted by Political Gabfest host John Dickerson, each installment will revisit memorable moments from America's presidential carnival.
Love Slate podcasts? 
Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free trial at slate.com/podcastplus.
Email: whistlestop@slate.com. 
Podcast production by Jocelyn Frank. Research by Brian Rosenwald and Elizabeth Hinson. 
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One of the Great Train Wrecks of All Time

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