In this episode of Slate's podcast about presidential campaign history, chief political correspondent John Dickerson remembers when Ted Kennedy challenged incumbent President Jimmy Carter for the Democratic nomination in 1980.

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Email: whistlestop@slate.com

Thumbing his nose at both courtesy and convention, Ronald Reagan challenged incumbent Gerald Ford for the GOP presidential nomination in 1976. But why would Reagan run against a sitting president of his own party? On this episode of Whistlestop, Slate's political correspondent John Dickerson gives the background of the Gipper's ascendency to hero status in the conservative movement.

For more episodes, visit the Whistlestop page. 

In this episode of Slate's bite-sized podcast about presidential campaign history, chief political correspondent John Dickerson brings us a disturbingly familiar story of personal correspondence coming back to haunt the early favorite. No, he's not talking about Hillary Clinton's emails. The year is 1884, the candidate is James G. Blaine, and the correspondence became known as The Mulligan Letters. 

Recommended for fans of Slate's Political Gabfest and American political history.

This week's show is sponsored by The Great Courses and its series The Great Presidents. Get up to 80% off the original price by visiting thegreatcourses.com/whistlestop.

Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts, and more. Start your 2-week free trial at slate.com/podcastplus.

In the inaugural episode of Slate's bite-sized podcast about presidential campaign history, chief political correspondent John Dickerson returns to the New Hampshire debate that electrified Ronald Reagan's race for the White House in 1980. Recommended for fans of Slate's Political Gabfest and American political history. 

This week's show is sponsored by The Great Courses and its series "Turning Points in American History." Order it at 80% off the original price by visiting thegreatcourses.com/whistlestop

Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts, and more. Start your 2-week free trial at slate.com/podcastplus

In this bite-sized podcast for fans of presidential campaign history, John Dickerson of Slate’s Political Gabfest revisits a moment from the American quadrennial carnival. Hear about the grand speeches, emergency strategies, baby kissing, and backstabbing that make each presidential election cycle so fascinating.