Fiasco

Host Leon Neyfakh transports listeners into the day-to-day reality of our country’s most pivotal historical events, bringing to life the forgotten twists and turns of the past while shedding light on the present.  Fiasco: Iran-Contra exposes a secret war, a secret deal, and a scandal that threatened to destroy Ronald Reagan’s presidency—until it didn’t. Fiasco: Iran-Contra is available wherever you get your podcasts. Pushkin+ subscribers can hear the entire season, ad-free, now. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm. Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plusSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The late Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens talks about his memories of Bush v. Gore, and why the ruling’s legacy, years after the fact, looks even worse than he thought it would.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Attorneys David Boies and Ted Olsen, who represented the Gore and Bush sides, respectively, talk about the unique challenges that came with representing their clients before the Supreme Court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An interview with Ralph Nader on his role as a “spoiler” in the 2000 election, and historian Mary Frances Berry, who led the 2001 commission looking into the impact that ballot box irregularities involving Black voters may have had on the outcome in Florida.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Craig Waters, former public information officer for the Florida Supreme Court during the pivotal 2000 recount, shares his unique perspective on navigating chaos. He discusses the intense pressure of transforming from a private citizen to a public figure amid a politically charged atmosphere. The conversation highlights the critical role of communication and trust during the recount, shedding light on how misinformation shaped public perception. Craig also reflects on the emotional toll and media dynamics involved in managing such a historic moment.

Conversations with Florida’s former Secretary of State Katherine Harris, the Bush supporter who presided over the 2000 recount, and self-described Republican operative and “Bush liege” who embedded in Harris’s office during the recount and helped her bring the election “in for a landing.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Brian Noyes, a key staffer from the 2000 Bush campaign, shares riveting insights from the chaotic Florida recount. He discusses the emotional rollercoaster of feeling an election was being stolen and the importance of documenting those experiences through oral histories. Noyes highlights how individual narratives from lesser-known campaign members offer vital perspectives on the historical dynamics of Bush v. Gore. His reflections underscore the unpredictability of voter sentiment and the strategic maneuvers employed during this pivotal moment in American politics.

In the season finale: How the 2000 presidential election was distilled and decided in a case called Bush v. Gore. For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Democrats and Republicans hope for the best and plan for the worst. For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How public relations battles yielded big legal wins for the Bush team. For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.