Presidential debates – and the national debt

Is it possible to use one word to remember or describe the 2024 presidential campaign? If so, that one word might start with the letter S. This year on the campaign trail, the S word seemed to be everywhere. What were candidates talking about that required foul language? How did the crowds react to all the cussing and cursing? And did the candidates express any regrets about using vulgarity and profanity? Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly.” It’s our first-ever podcast that might be rated R – because it’s brought to you by the letter S. Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting ready for election night 2024? Excited to hear presidential candidates give victory and concession speeches? First, refresh your memory with top lines from speeches in years past! Like Democrat Jimmy Carter losing in 1980 … “I promised you four years ago that I would never lie to you. So, I can't stand here tonight and say it doesn't hurt. The people of the United States have made their choice, and, of course, I accept that decision but, I have to admit, not with the same enthusiasm that I accepted the decision four years ago.” And Republican George Bush winning in 1988 … “A campaign is a disagreement, and disagreements divide, but an election is a decision, and decisions clear the way for harmony and peace, and I mean to be a president of all the people, and I want to work for the hopes and interests, not only of my supporters, but of the governor's and of those who didn't vote at all.” • What are the top lines or phrases presidential candidates have said in their victory and concession speeches? • When was the last time those speeches were given on the day America voted? • What was the only time both candidates spoke in the same city – and where was that? • And … what year did both candidates speak outdoors? Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly” It’s the top moments from presidential candidate victory and concession speeches – since1980! Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting ready for Halloween? Well, while you're digging out the old costumes and candy … here's one more Halloween staple you need to brace yourself for: Scary Halloween rhetoric on the presidential campaign trail. “It’s good to be in Tampa. And of course, today is Halloween. All the kids are dressing up, doing scary things. That’s the way it is in the White House every day.” That was Republican Bob Dole in 1996. And here's Democrat Michael Dukakis in 1988: “You're going to see ads about crime again. It's trick or treat time, isn't it.” What's the scariest Halloween language heard from presidential candidates? What's the silliest? And which Senate candidate had to tell voters – a few weeks before Halloween – that she was not a witch? Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." You’ll hear many politicians talk about Halloween– which makes this episode spook-tacular. Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The date: September 20th, 2024… The place: The White House Rose Garden…. The speaker: actor Martin Sheen.. “You know, the Irish tell the story of a man who arrives at the gates of heaven and asks to be let in. Saint Peter says, ‘Of course. Just show us your scars.’ The man says, ‘I have no scars.’ Saint Peter says ‘What a pity. Was there nothing worth fighting for?’ We are rightly called to find something in our lives worth fighting for Something that can unite the will of the spirit with the work of the flesh And when we find that, we will discover fire for the second time.” What was Martin Sheen doing at the White House? Which of his many acting roles was he recreating? And what did he say next – which, by the way, he has said on C-SPAN several times before? Find out by listening to this week’s episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." As the "The Weekly" marks the 25th anniversary of the hit television show “The West Wing.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s time for the big event with presidential candidates held every four years. The presidential election? Nope. The Al Smith dinner. - “This evening does have a special meaning. The story of Al Smith's historic run for the presidency is truly inspiring. It gives me hope that in America it's still not possible for a fellow named Al to be the commander-in-chief.” - “Now it is an honor to share the dais with a descendant of Al Smith. And Al, your great grandfather was my favorite kind of governor. The kind who ran for president and lost.” That was the Al Smith dinner in 2000 … George W. Bush followed by Al Gore. - What are the funniest jokes presidential candidates told at the Al Smith dinner? - What have presidential candidates said about each other at the Al Smith dinner? - And what is the Al Smith dinner? All those answers – and a whole lot funny more – in the latest episode of C-SPAN’s podcast “The Weekly.” As the “The Weekly” puts on formal wear and heads to the Al Smith dinner— to hear the funniest jokes ever told. So, throw your head back and roar in laughter – and find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel. Three days later, House chaplain Margaret Grun Kibben gave the opening prayer in Congress … It was the first meeting of Congress – either the House or Senate -- following the Hamas attack "This morning, O God, keenly aware of the violence and turmoil in Israel and throughout the Middle East, we pray with the psalmist who wrote: Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: May those who love You be secure. May there be peace within Your walls and security within Your citadels. For the sake of our families and friends, we will say, Peace be within you. For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, we will seek Your good. Lord, in Your mercy, for the people of Israel, for the people in Gaza." There has been a mention of the Middle East conflict in a prayer opening Congress almost every month since the October 7th, 2023, attack. To mark the one-year anniversary of the attack- C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" looks back at the year in Congress prayers. One per month. • What have the Congress chaplains and guest chaplains said about Israel in their prayers? • What have they said about the war in Gaza? • And when did hostages start getting mentioned – and which hostages have been mentioned specifically? Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly." Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In October 2024, James Carville turns 80 years old. Also in October: a new documentary debuts on CNN – “Carville: Winning Is Everything, Stupid.” The longtime Democratic strategist has been involved in national politics since the early days of the Clinton campaign – and even before. So, in the latest C-SPAN podcast "The Weekly," we mark both events with a best-of episode – the best-of – and most colorful moments with -- James Carville on C-SPAN. Like his 1996 speech to students at American University. Most other people in life suffer their failures in private. Make no mistake about it. I ain’t apologizing to no one for what I did for a living or what I want to do for a living. And you shouldn’t either if you want to go into politics. But they will come at you in a lot of different ways to kill your spirit. They will come at you in a lot of different ways to destroy your resolve. They will come at you in a lot of different ways to take you and tell you don’t want to be involved. That it's just a dirty business. What are some of the most colorful things James Carville has said on C-SPAN? What are some of the most colorful things others have said about James Carville on C-SPAN? And what are James Carville's favorite Cajun jokes? Find out in this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" from C-SPAN Radio, where we like to say, it's the podcast, stupid. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Gearing up for the Vice-Presidential debate – Tim Walz versus JD Vance? Then you might want to remember the first time running mates debated in a formal, nationally televised setting: Good evening, I'm James Hoge, editor of the Chicago Sun Times, and moderator of this third of the historic debates of the 1976 campaign. Tonight we have the vice-presidential candidates: for the Democrats, Senator Walter Mondale of Minnesota; for the Republicans, Senator Robert Dole of Kansas. Thank you, Senator Mondale, and thank you, Senator Dole, for being with us this evening. This debate is taking place before an audience in the Alley Theater in Houston, Texas. It is also being broadcast by radio and television to an audience estimated at some eighty-five million persons in this nation and overseas. That’s how the debate opened on October 15, 1976 … Walter Mondale versus Bob Dole … Two Senators …On October 1st, 2024, it will be Tim Walz versus JD Vance -- and the 12th time running mates have debated over nearly half a century. What were the top, most famous, most newsworthy, most notable, funniest, legendary, and otherwise best-of moments, phrases, and zingers from the first 11 Vice Presidential debates? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You might have heard Oprah Winfrey speak on behalf of Kamala Harris at the 2024 Democratic Convention in Chicago. You may also remember Oprah Winfrey endorsing Barack Obama in his 2008 presidential campaign. "I have found the answer. It is the same question that our nation is asking. Are you the one? Are you the one? I’m here to tell you, Iowa: he is the one, He is the one. Barack Obama!” Fact is—Oprah Winfrey has been on the political scene for some time – and on C-SPAN going back to 1991 when she testified in the Senate. In the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly," hear about Oprah Winfrey's over-three-decades association with politicians. How is she connected to Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Kamala Harris, Joe Biden, Wes Moore – and even Donald Trump? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Getting ready for the next presidential debate – Donald Trump versus Kamala Harris – on September 10? Here's a type of question which, is history is any guide, probably won't be asked "How can you or any president, whoever is elected next time, keep that pledge without running this country deeper into debt and passing on more of the bills that we're running up to our children?" That was Bob Schieffer of CBS News… a question for Democrat John Kerry when he debated Republican President George W. Bush 20 years ago. How frequently – or, actually, infrequently -- have debate moderators asked presidential candidates about the national debt? What have the candidates themselves said about the debt? And how much was the national debt when it was first mentioned in a debate – and how much is it today? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices