The Best-Of James Traficant Speeches – Annotated by Nick Gillespie of Reason Magazine
At some point, close listeners to C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" might have wondered: Why have we never done an episode featuring the best-of James Traficant?
Well – wonder no more.
Because – it's this week's episode!
Why now?
Two reasons:
1. This podcast is running on May 8th - That's right – Congressman James Traficant's birthday … he was born on May 8th, 1941;
2. We have a very special guest for this podcast … We're joined by one of America's foremost James Traficant experts – he's the editor at large of Reason magazine – Nick Gillespie
We mark what would have been James Traficant's 84th birthday by playing best-of clips from his House floor speeches … spanning his 15 and a half years as a Democratic Congressman from Ohio -- then we'll hear Nick Gillespie react to each of them.
Which James Traficant clips will you hear? Here's a hint: They all have one thing in common. They all include his iconic catch phrase, "Beam me up."
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-------- Â
46:12
Ronald Reagan and Brian Mulroney: A U.S.-Canada Friendship
Can you imagine a time when a U.S. President and a Canadian Prime Minister were friends? ... And said nice things about each other in public? ... And the nice things they said about each other in public were neither remarkable nor newsworthy?
Well, here's proof that such a time once existed:
"The fact that we go on, we got along, President Reagan and Prime Minister Mulroney, two some said Irish, we were Irish, now that I think of it, and we became friends. But more to the point. We recognized the importance of getting along. It sent a positive message not only to our senior officials and our governments to work together, but to the people of Canada and the United States."
That was the Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, Prime Minister of Canada ... April 5th 1993 ... At a tribute in his honor ... Hosted by Ronald Reagan ...The event was held in Simi Valley California at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum.
Not used to hearing such language?
Want to hear Brian Mulroney say more lovely things about Ronald Reagan — and hear Ronald Reagan say lovely things about Brian Mulroney?
Then listen to the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."
Remembering when Canada and the United States were partners in trade — and partners in friendship.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-------- Â
24:57
The Washington Hilton Is 60 — And Still Hosting the WHCA Dinner
It's time for the annual White House Correspondents Association Dinner at the Washington Hilton.
But this year: No comedian.
Which means: No jokes about C-SPAN … or about the Washington Hilton.
In the past, at every dinner, there seemed to be at least one joke made about one or the other ... or sometimes both in the same joke — Like Conan O'Brien pulled off in 2013...
Congratulations to C-SPAN for winning the bid to broadcast this event. They narrowly beat out HGTVQ, TV South America and the Hilton hotel how to check out channel.
C-SPAN doesn't mind the ribbing.
In fact, we did a podcast two years ago with the best-of jokes comedians told at the dinner ... about C-SPAN.
We imagine the Washington Hilton can take a joke, too.
So, in tribute to the hotel being a long-time central gathering spot for the political and media community — a true DC institution — and as a public service to those who still want to hear dinner jokes — this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" is equal parts history and loving roast ... We celebrate the hotel's 60th anniversary by presenting jokes told about it - by a group of people you won't hear at this year's dinner: professional comedians.
Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-------- Â
13:10
Four Former WHCA Presidents Tell Us Their Favorite Big Media Dinner Moments and Inside Stories
The White House Correspondents Association dinner is just a week away.
The big annual media black tie shindig in the basement of the Washington Hilton typically has several surprises.
Like this film shown during 2000 dinner.
"I want to thank the Academy for this tremendous honor. This may be the greatest moment of my life. I mean, hear since i was a little boy I wanted to be a real actor"
That was Bill Clinton, his final dinner as president…. Holding a real-life Oscar and, in front of a mirror, practicing his Academy Award acceptance speech – that is, before Kevin Spacey shows up to snatch it back.
Just like the dinner has surprises – this week's episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" has its own surprise.
We play best-of moments from four dinners – then hear four former presidents of the White House Correspondents Association talk about them.
The former WHCA presidents who join us:
• Carl Cannon
• Ann Compton
• Tamara Keith
• and Susan Page
What memories do they share?
What tidbits do we learn about presiding over the big event?
And what's it like eating dinner next to the president in front of thousands of people in person and a nationwide C-SPAN audience?
Find out directly from these top White House correspondents in the new episode of "The Weekly."
Find C-SPAN's "The Weekly" wherever you get podcasts.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
-------- Â
1:10:22
How did a 1996 Senate Whitewater Hearing Seen on C-SPAN Inspire the Hit 2025 Netflix Series "The Residence"?
Thirty years ago, C-SPAN showed the Senate Whitewater Committee hearings. The Special Committee to Investigate Whitewater Development Corporation and Related Matters was created in May 1995. Hearings ran for 300 hours over 60 sessions across 13 months.
Did anything concrete come out of those hearings seen on C-SPAN?
Well – at least one thing.
A hit murder mystery now streaming on Netflix called "The Residence."
How do you get from a 1996 Whitewater hearing about possible corruption in politics to a 2025 Netflix series – created by Shondaland -- about possible murder in the White House?
Find out in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly" – directly from "The Residence" creator Paul William Davies.
Other than the biggest murder mystery of all – whodunnit – what secrets of creating "The Residence" can political and White House history junkies learn from the show's creator?
Hear directly from Paul William Davies in the latest episode of C-SPAN's podcast "The Weekly."
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Connecting today's political discourse with the past 40 years of politics. Using audio taken from C-SPAN's vast Video Library, each episode focuses on a theme tied to current events providing a unique perspective on today's news.
UK