Stories of political idealists, stories designed to provide some small sense of hope about American politics. Most of these were first broadcast during the 1996 Presidential race.
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Act One
Upside Down World
A campaign diary from writer Michael Lewis from four years ago, about a politician you've heard a lot about: John McCain...and the story of a moment when the opposite of normal politics became normal politics. Lewis's campaign diaries are collected in his book Trail Fever: Spin Doctors, Rented Strangers, and Thumb Wrestlers on the Road to the White House. (15 minutes)
Song:
“I Don't Want to Be President” by Percy Mayfield
Act Two
Kiss And Tell
A Walter Mondale-voting, gay-rights-supporting unrepentant liberal signs up as a Republican party member—and ends up a party functionary—a delegate to the state Republican convention...where he wreaks havoc. Dan Savage tells the story. (16 minutes)
Act Three
Pete And Repeat
How California Governor Pete Wilson's anti-immigrant policies found some supporters among immigrants themselves. We hear an explanation of the profoundly idealistic notion of "self-deportation" from its main proponent, Daniel D. Portado. (6 minutes)
Act Four
Throwing Money At The Problem
A few years back Alex Kotlowitz wrote a book called There Are No Children Here, about two boys growing up in Chicago's Henry Horner public housing projects. Those projects were across the street from the site of the 1996 Democratic Convention in Chicago, and when the convention came to town, money poured in for a makeover. One of the kids from the book, Pharoah Walton—now grown up—gave a tour, showing us what got fixed up, and how the real improvements in the neighborhood all happened underneath the normal political radar. (10 minutes)
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Act Three: On A Quiet Street in Richmond
We bring you this very matter-of-fact article from 1853, about something profoundly troubling: a slave auction in Virginia.
Act Two: Fan Dance
Barbara Adams, a former member of the Whitewater trial jury, showed up for jury duty wearing a full-scale costume from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Ira dissects a discussion on an Internet mailing list about fandom, inspired by Adams' celebrity.
Act One: Fools Rush In
A Michigan millionaire tries to swing his swing state, using only his voice, his millions, and major market radio ad time.
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