Fiasco
Pushkin Industries
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.
Benghazi unpacks the 2012 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Chris Stevens—and the ensuing political storm, which raised questions about America’s role in the world, established a playbook to weaponize attention in the social media age, and ultimately changed the course of U.S. history.
Iran-Contra exposes a secret war, a secret deal, and a scandal that threatened to destroy Ronald Reagan’s presidency—until it didn’t.
Bush v. Gore recounts what happened during the contested 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush, and the extraordinary legal battle that unfolded in Florida.
Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm.
Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus
Benghazi unpacks the 2012 attack in Libya that left four Americans dead, including Ambassador Chris Stevens—and the ensuing political storm, which raised questions about America’s role in the world, established a playbook to weaponize attention in the social media age, and ultimately changed the course of U.S. history.
Iran-Contra exposes a secret war, a secret deal, and a scandal that threatened to destroy Ronald Reagan’s presidency—until it didn’t.
Bush v. Gore recounts what happened during the contested 2000 election between Al Gore and George W. Bush, and the extraordinary legal battle that unfolded in Florida.
Subscribe to Pushkin+ to hear the entire season of Fiasco: Benghazi, ad-free. Find Pushkin+ on the Fiasco show page in Apple Podcasts or at Pushkin.fm.
Subscribe on Apple: apple.co/pushkinSubscribe on Pushkin: pushkin.fm/plus
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 9, 2024 • 24min
Bush v. Gore: Bonus - What If…
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.
Dec 2, 2024 • 23min
Bush v. Gore: Bonus - Information Wars
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.
Nov 25, 2024 • 39min
Bush v. Gore: Bonus - Inside the Florida Secretary of State’s Office During the 2000 Recount
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.
Nov 18, 2024 • 27min
Bush v. Gore: Bonus - A Mile In Their Shoes
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.
Nov 13, 2024 • 53min
Bush v. Gore: Episode 6 – No Precedent
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.
Nov 6, 2024 • 46min
Bush v. Gore: Episode 5 – Contingencies
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.
Oct 30, 2024 • 53min
Bush v. Gore: Episode 4 – Spin-Off
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.
Oct 23, 2024 • 56min
Bush v. Gore: Episode 3 – Ballot With Butterfly Wings
What happened in Palm Beach County when a bitterly-contested national election came to town–and who paid the price? For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 16, 2024 • 51min
Bush v. Gore: Episode 2 – Real Numbers
On election night 2000 an ad hoc network of statisticians, news producers, TV anchors, and political operatives tried to figure out what the hell was going on in Florida–and failed spectacularly. For a full list of sources, check out the Fiasco website.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Oct 16, 2024 • 52min
Bush v. Gore: Episode 1 – Homestead
Al Gore, the former U.S. Vice President, shares insights from the tumultuous 2000 presidential election recount against George W. Bush. He discusses the vital role Florida played long before the infamous hanging chad. The podcast delves into the complex political landscape, including tensions over the Elian Gonzalez custody case and Gore's struggle to connect with Cuban-American voters. Key moments, like the proposed airport at Homestead Air Force Base, showcase the intersection of environmental concerns and electoral strategy, shaping the future of U.S. politics.
