This episode of the podcast "Whistle Stop" is a special compilation focusing on midterm elections from 1982 to 2010, analyzing them as public referendums on the sitting president. Host John Dickerson introduces the episode on the eve of the 2018 midterm elections, highlighting the high stakes and record-breaking campaign spending exceeding $5 billion. He notes the pivotal battle for control of the House of Representatives, which Democrats aim to reclaim after losing it in 2010. The latter part of the transcription is a promotional segment urging listeners to subscribe to Slate Plus. This subscription service provides full access to all podcast episodes, ad-free listening across Slate's network, and directly supports the journalists producing this type of in-depth historical and political analysis.
Hello and welcome to Whistle Stop, a podcast of the presidency I'm John Dickerson. Our Whistle Stop today is Election Day, November 2, 487 and 2. In the years 1982, 86, 1994, 2006 and 2010, it's a special, daisy chain episode of Whistle Stop. We're looking at the midterm campaigns in the recent past as a referendum on the incumbent president. Why are we doing this? Well, we're on the eve of an election here in the year of 2018, also known as the year of a future Whistle Stop. Already more than $5 billion has been spent on this selection according to the Center for Responsive Politics, a record twice what was spent on congressional races in 2008. Control of the House hangs in the balance with Democrats trying to regain control after they lost the people's chamber in 2010. If you want to hear the rest of the story, and I know you do, sign up for Slate Plus. Besides getting access to every Whistle Stop episode, Slate Plus members make it possible for Slate journalists to do this kind of work. Patient, deeply reported looks at our history and our present. That freedom is what keeps Whistle Stop and Slate distinct. Join Slate Plus to unlock full access to Whistle Stop and add free listening across all your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe from the Whistle Stop show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify or visit Slate.com Whistle Stop Plus to listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Podcast Summary
Key Points:
The episode is a special compilation examining past midterm elections as referendums on incumbent presidents.
It is released ahead of the 2018 midterms, noting record campaign spending and a closely contested battle for House control.
The host promotes Slate Plus, a subscription service offering ad-free access to full episodes and supporting in-depth journalism.
Summary:
This episode of the podcast "Whistle Stop" is a special compilation focusing on midterm elections from 1982 to 2010, analyzing them as public referendums on the sitting president. Host John Dickerson introduces the episode on the eve of the 2018 midterm elections, highlighting the high stakes and record-breaking campaign spending exceeding $5 billion. He notes the pivotal battle for control of the House of Representatives, which Democrats aim to reclaim after losing it in 2010.
The latter part of the transcription is a promotional segment urging listeners to subscribe to Slate Plus. This subscription service provides full access to all podcast episodes, ad-free listening across Slate's network, and directly supports the journalists producing this type of in-depth historical and political analysis.
FAQs
Whistle Stop is a podcast that explores the presidency and historical political events, focusing on midterm campaigns as referendums on incumbent presidents.
The episode examines midterm campaigns in years like 1982, 1994, and 2010 to analyze them as referendums on the incumbent president, providing historical context for current elections.
Over $5 billion was spent on the 2018 election, which is a record twice the amount spent on congressional races in 2008, as reported by the Center for Responsive Politics.
Control of the House of Representatives is at stake, with Democrats attempting to regain control after losing it in 2010.
Listeners can subscribe to Slate Plus to unlock full access to all Whistle Stop episodes and enjoy ad-free listening across Slate podcasts.
Slate Plus members get access to every Whistle Stop episode, ad-free listening on Slate podcasts, and support in-depth journalism by Slate journalists.
Chat with AI
Loading...
Pro features
Go deeper with this episode
Unlock creator-grade tools that turn any transcript into show notes and subtitle files.
PodcastTranscript AI