Vice Presidents of The United States Podcast

Bruce Carlson

A history of the United States, as told through its vices, the holders of the second-highest office in the land. Bruce Carlson delves into the lives of the individuals who have achieved the second office of American government. Learn history, and hear some great stories. read less

Our Editor's Take

History meets political intrigue on the Vice Presidents of the United States Podcast. The podcast's exploration of America's vice presidents is thorough and well-researched. Host Bruce Carlson presents a blended history and politics podcast. He tells the exciting stories of the second-most powerful people in the United States. Narration mingles with excerpts from interviews, memoirs, diaries, and more. Anyone interested in America's political history may enjoy.

Carlson knows America and American history and politics. He has wide knowledge of everything from Washington, DC to Ohio, from the Declaration of Independence to the Biden years. He both narrates and produces the Vice Presidents of the United States Podcast. This podcast is not Carlson's first foray into history, politics, and society podcasts. He also hosts My History Can Beat Up Your Politics, Activist Radio, and The Abraham Lincoln Logs.

On this podcast, Carlson discusses famous and obscure former vice presidents. His narration is descriptive, keeping listeners engaged from the opening minutes. John Tyler, William A. Wheeler, and Humbert Humphrey are some of the VPs discussed on the show. Listeners learn how John F. Kennedy ran for vice president of the United States. Carlson discusses this little-known fact about the 35th president.

Another podcast episode details the famous shoemaker vice president, Henry Wilson. Carlson shares how America's 18th VP rose from a humble beginning to the White House. From age 10 to age 21, Wilson worked as an indentured servant. During this time, Wilson educated himself on America and world politics. Carlson shares many excerpts of Wilson's writings. The host details his time in Congress and rise to the post of vice president.

The Vice Presidents of the United States Podcast is a beautiful homage to America's VPs. Their stories are inspiring and Carlson does a great job presenting them as they were.

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The Original Adlai E. Stevenson

The Original Adlai E. Stevenson

Adlai Ewing Stevenson, Vice President under Grover Cleveland in his second term, has been eclipsed in history by his famous grandson. This is for reasons of time and memory and TV pictures but not for accomplishment. For the original Adlai had quite the career, and made it to national office as Congressman, Postmaster and then Vice President. He was also a story teller and a master compromiser that could bridge the gap between conservatism and populism to help win an election. We share some of Adlai's stories from his colorful memoirs, and discuss how he could have become President.

Season 2

The Original Adlai E. Stevenson

The Original Adlai E. Stevenson

Adlai Ewing Stevenson, Vice President under Grover Cleveland in his second term, has been eclipsed in history by his famous grandson. This is for reasons of time and memory and TV pictures but not for accomplishment. For the original Adlai had quite the career, and made it to national office as Congressman, Postmaster and then Vice President. He was also a story teller and a master compromiser that could bridge the gap between conservatism and populism to help win an election. We share some of Adlai's stories from his colorful memoirs, and discuss how he could have become President.

Get in The Bronco w/ Joe Biden: Biden's Earlier Years

Get in The Bronco w/ Joe Biden: Biden's Earlier Years

President Biden was Vice President first, and ran for President before that. In this episode, we discuss his first doomed run for President, and his improbable win over a Republican Senator during a Republican landslide election.

Buttermilk Charlie Fairbanks, Teddy Roosevelt's Vice

Buttermilk Charlie Fairbanks, Teddy Roosevelt's Vice

We discuss Charles Fairbanks, Teddy's Roosevelt's Vice President from 1905 to 1909. Not only did they not see eye to eye, but Roosevelt might have given his career a little shove. Or maybe not. And how did a Senator from Indiana get his name on a town in Alaska that he never saw? Chris Novembrino of Don't Worry About the Government podcast joins us to discuss all of this.

John C. Breckinridge Ran

John C. Breckinridge Ran

The story of John C. Breckinridge, the only vice president to take up arms against the country he served. A charismatic and skilled speaker, he knew all of the people he ran against in the 1860 election. He took up the banner of a party associated with disunion, though his own views were far more complicated.

The Martyr: Thomas A. Hendricks

The Martyr: Thomas A. Hendricks

Grover Cleveland's first vice president barely spoke with him, did not agree on politics and was in office for political reasons. Hendricks was the bottom half of a ticket that lost the disputed election of 1876. His position on the martyred ticket that lost after a congressional commission decided for Rutherford B. Hayes would earn him a spot in the hearts of partisan Democrats. It would also earn him a second shot at the vice presidency, after an attempt to reach the the first office. Then VP Hendricks would become a martyr again, dying in office. In this episode we look at Hendricks, the fighter, the partisan, the martyr, his place on the currency and his limited relationship with the younger President he served under. Music by Lee Rosevere and Chris Novembrino (theme song) Research conducted by Brian Stolk

The Smiler: Schuyler Colfax, Vice President

The Smiler: Schuyler Colfax, Vice President

A look at Schuyler Colfax, Grant's first Vice President lived a full life but died in obscurity and some shame. We examine the smiling vice president, former Speaker and friend to Lincoln.

Warm Bucket: John Nance Garmer

Warm Bucket: John Nance Garmer

We look at the Vice President who - maybe - described the office as a "bucket of warm spit." That's a bit more questionable than some accounts, even my own podcast, makes it out to be. (He never said it directly to any reporter). The sometimes supporter of the New Deal and sometimes not VP may have been its most powerful VP occupant up to his time. And he's responsible in a little way for making two President's careers. He's also the first Vice President to campaign against the President, though since the President wasn't officially campaigning at the time, perhaps it doesn't count.

Breaking the Gavel: Nixon's Time as Vice President

Breaking the Gavel: Nixon's Time as Vice President

Though Richard Nixon's presidency would get most of the attention of history, his time as Vice President was formative. He was one of several veeps that helped modernize the office. He was more active on foreign trips than his predecessors. He even came under attack and was heralded for his calm nerves. He acted as floor leader for the GOP on civil rights legislation, up agains Lyndon Johnson. And in a late night session, there was that time he broke the gavel.

Best Rabbit: Dan Quayle

Best Rabbit: Dan Quayle

Dan Quayle's name conjures up images of late-night comedian jokes and verbal gaffes, but he may have offered a little-known service to the President he served. In this episode, we discuss George H.W. Bush's vice president, including his ups and downs, and even his recent role in advising Mike Pence during the Jan 6, 2021 events.

Walk in the Sunshine - Hubert H. Humphrey

Walk in the Sunshine - Hubert H. Humphrey

If he wasn't ever Lyndon Johnson's Vice President, HHH might have been remembered as a pretty good Senator. And a well-regarded mayor. But Hubert wanted more. We take a look at the man who was almost President, his bumpy relationship with the President he served under, and the choice he was forced to make in the waning days of the election. We also look at a mayor who took on crime and a Senator who passed many things we take for granted today.

The Forlorn Hope: Richard Mentor Johnson

The Forlorn Hope: Richard Mentor Johnson

War Hero, Congressman, State Leader, and Senator. Kentucky's Richard Mentor Johnson was considered for the Presidency and might have obtained it in the case of his friend Andrew Jackson not seeking a second term. But timing is everything: Jackson did seek a second term, and in that term, politics changed. Johnson did become Vice President in the shuffle, and like most 19th Century Vice Presidents, spoke very little to Martin Van Buren, the President he served. Johnson is known for a few things. One is, many said of him that he killed the Indian warrior Tecumseh. He never made the claim directly, but it was said of him. The second, was that he took a wife among one of this slaves. While this was not uncommon as a secret practice, Johnson made it public and took care of his wife's daughters. For this, he earned the distinction of being the only Vice President not receiving enough electoral college votes, and needing the Senate to sign off on his Vice Presidency. Johnson also spoke for debt relief and set up an academy for Indian children. We discuss all these facts in this episode.

Season 1

Who Is William Wheeler?

Who Is William Wheeler?

As a Vice President serving under an obscure President, Wheeler is not a common name in history. In fact, his own President Rutherford B. Hayes had to ask the question "Who is William Wheeler?" when his name was in consideration. But as we discuss, perhaps he should be known more. His frankness, disdain for corruption, and love of nature made him a unique and well-liked politician. We speak with Herb C. Hallas, author of William A. Wheeler, Political Star of the North Country on this episode. And we enjoy music from Lee Rosevere and Chris Novembrino. Remember to sign up for the podcast, and give us a review if you would.

Spiro Agnew's Fear

Spiro Agnew's Fear

The only Vice President to resign the office voluntarily is a much more interesting character than just that fact. From a local politico to second-highest office in the land in five years, Agnew took an important role as Nixon's Nixon, attacking the news media and the so called hippie culture of the sixties. Opponents pushed back, and he doubled down. But his resignation was due to his own actions, and to some degree, the President he served.

Why Lyndon Johnson Became Vice President

Why Lyndon Johnson Became Vice President

Lyndon Johnson was a powerful man - a mover and shaker in Washington who had his own car phone. He worked directly with the President of The United States, and many people thought he could be President next. But then he took the job of VP under a junior senator John Kennedy. Why? To solve the mystery of why, we speak with Tom Oliphant of the Boston Globe and author of Road to Camelot, about JFK's rise to the Presidency (an interview that aired on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics in 2017).

The Miserable Daniel D. Tompkins?

The Miserable Daniel D. Tompkins?

Monroe's Vice President is known for maybe two things. A park in the East Village of New York City, and that he was a drunk. Yet, as we discuss with Tim Pearson, the author of Second Fiddle, The Strange, Sick, Silly Sad and Soused Men We Elected Vice President a book about Vice Presidents (highly recommended), there's much more to Daniel D. Tompkins than that. He was also a democratic superstar who defeated older aristocrats, prepared New York's defense in the War of 1812, and ended slavery in New York. Music from Lee Rosevere in this episode and Chris Novembrino.

Henry Wallace, Harry Truman and the Axe That Changed History

Henry Wallace, Harry Truman and the Axe That Changed History

Henry Wallace was Vice President and wanted to stay Vice President. But the bosses wanted Harry. Even though, Harry didn't know he was up for the job. And even though, no one knew who FDR truly wanted. It's the story of the 1944 DNC Convention and the battle between two veeps. Yes, at some point, it does involve an axe. This episode previously aired on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics. Music by Chris Novembrino.

Sunny Jim: James Schoolcraft Sherman

Sunny Jim: James Schoolcraft Sherman

Years before Dick Cheney, a VP with his own politics and power base would emerge. A brake to Taft's progressive tendencies and a token to conservative Old Guard Republicans, James Schoolcraft Sherman may have had more influence over the inexperienced and reluctant President Taft than has been widely known. He helped pull the Taft Administration away from Rough Riderism. And in one political battle he took on Ex-President Roosevelt himself, years before his boss would have to. He's known in history for his optimism and changing the Electoral College records forever. Music by Lee Rosevere and Chris Zabriskie

45 Days-William Rufus King's Short Vice Presidency and Impactful Life

45 Days-William Rufus King's Short Vice Presidency and Impactful Life

Franklin Pierce's Vice President died in office before he reached Washington D.C. to serve. But his prior career had been one of a respected moderate Southerner willing to compromise. That didn't stop him from challenging Henry Clay to a duel once. We discuss rumors and speculation that he may have been the first gay vice President, and how the US may have been robbed of a needed compromiser at the wrong time.

Gerald Ford's Wait and See Vice Presidency

Gerald Ford's Wait and See Vice Presidency

A bit about Gerald Ford's brief Vice Presidency, where he took over from Spiro Agnew. He spent his time balancing between supporting Nixon during the Watergate crisis and supporting Watergate critics. He also kept him self busy, and away from the White House as much as he could. We also get a bit into Ford's resulting Presidency, and his underestimated impact on history. Music by Chris Novembrino and Lee Rosevere.

Poor George M. Dallas. Not only did he have to see his rival James Buchanan rise to the Presidency, but he also may really not lay true claim to the thing he's known for, the naming of the Texas city that shares his surprisingly common name. Polk's Vice President on this episode.