Presidential Deathmatch

127: Afterparty: Results vs Reality

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 07:00:00 -0500

It's over! After 196 (or 197, who's counting) Presidential losers the genie curse has been lifted and Aaron and Dennis can talk about whatever they want again. Which is presidential losers, as it turns out.

Before leaving them behind forever Aaron and Dennis consider a list of Also-ran historical rankings and make their own, before re-answering the natural question of who they would have wanted for president anyway.

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126: Socialist Death Match: Worker's Party v Party of Workers

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 31 May 2023 06:00:00 -0500

It's been a long time coming, but at long last Aaron and Dennis have reached the end of the rainbow: the final presidential losers they need to talk about.

What magic wisdom do these final socialist candidates have in store? Only one to find out!

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Ideologies: Left v Right

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 24 May 2023 05:00:00 -0500

The boys manage to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory! Editing is taking a little long this week so Aaron talks about Hyrum and Verlan Lewis' book The Myth of Left and Right which asserts that Left and Right are not only unhelpful labels for political ideas, but are instead post hoc creations to justify a disparate set of beliefs! It's a hoot.

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124: Perennial Candidates: .1% v .10000001%

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 17 May 2023 07:00:00 -0500

In what must be a first for Presidential Death-Match Dennis and Aaron fall into two substantive discussions over the course of the episode. Luckily there's plenty of silliness inbetween as they look at the remains of third parties since the year 2000.

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123: Sophomore Album: Historians v Records

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 10 May 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Aaron and Dennis are back from their respective travails to finish their discussion on failed independent candidates (and successful racists) of the late 1900s!

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Dixiecrats: Hosts v Absence

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 03 May 2023 07:00:00 -0500

Jessica Kelly Garrett guest hosts an episode all about those lovable huggable segregationists: the Dixiecrats!

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121: Indies: Populists v the West

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 07:00:00 -0500

We know that no third party or independent has ever successfully become president- but not for lack of trying! Aaron and Dennis begin to take a look at the 1950s and beyond during a time of fringe candidates fighting for the restoration of segregation (and other melancholy times)!

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120: Doubles: Wallace v Anderson

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 19 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Aaron and Dennis are separated by time, space, and fate. Still, they persevere and tell you the life and times of George Wallace and John B. Anderson.

Dennis does an absolutely hysterical bit, and Aaron does dry history stuff. The world is as it should be.

George Wallace is the last moderately electorally successful third party candidate and John B Anderson pleaded for a centrist lane against the progressive poles of Carter and Reagan.

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119: Pop Quiz!: Dennis v Trivia

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 12 Apr 2023 08:00:00 -0500

Due to a big rock getting rolled away Dennis and Aaron are momentarily reflecting on the last season's episodes and checking in to see how much Dennis retained.

Did Ulysses Grant's horse get any electoral vote? Who wanted a third term? And who was Orval Fauvus? All these questions and little else are answered on this edition of Presidential Death Match!

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118: Party Crashers: Big Ideas v Middle Class

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 06:00:00 -0500

After a rousing bout with Vicky Blood last week Aaron and Dennis return to the business of dressing down some people who history chose to forgot. Did you know the inventor of Jell-O ran for president, and that he is the oldest person to do so? Or that the corrupting influence of politics turned a labor reformer into a white supremicist? It's all inside this episode of Presidential Death Match!

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117: Vicky Blood: Ideals v Popularity

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 29 Mar 2023 09:00:00 -0500

We end up only talking about Victoria Woodhull today! It's a good time.

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Yet More Losers: Establishment v Disruption

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 02:00:00 -0500

Aaron and Dennis jump so quickly into it you'd swear they were already recording!

In-between sloppy jokes and in-depth analysis of early American party politics they talk about the rest of the failed Presidential aspirants from 1824-1852, and in case you were wondering, yes we do talk about Governor John Floyd of the Nullifer party.

So many years people have been crying "when are you going to talk about Governor John Floyd of the Nullifer party?!" "If you don't talk about Governor John Floyd of the Nullifer party I'm cancelling my subscription!" "Give me Governor John Floyd of the Nullifer party or give me death!" Well, we've listened and today, you get to hear our thoughts on the man. I hope the wait was worth it.

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Old Losers: Federalists v Popularity

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 15 Mar 2023 08:00:00 -0500

An episode so chockablock with failures and aspirants they had to break it into two!

In this first part Dennis and Aaron talk about the rest of the people who didn't quite make it to the presidency from our first election to 1820! When life gets you down remember that no matter how much you fail you'll never fail as big as them. Try not to remember that you probably won't ever accomplish as much as they did to get to that failure either.

Samuel Huntington, Charles Pinckney, Rufus King, and so many more people you've never heard of are covered in this week's salute to Old Losers!

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114: Thought Shapers: Clinton v MacArthur

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 08 Mar 2023 05:00:00 -0600

It's a heady episode this week as we examine the success and failures of two real presidents (Wilson and FDR) in shaping public perception of wars that defined their administrations and compare the exploits of two non-presidents (DeWitt Clinton and Douglas MacArthur) and how they attempted to shape reality around them.

Special thanks to Jason Jonathan Rivas who graciously let his thesis, _Scripting Memory: Hollywood, The Federal Government and Public Memory in WWII, be the foundation of this episode.

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113: Fundraising: Tilden v Barker

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 01 Mar 2023 04:00:00 -0600

In this 23rd year of our new Willenium we look at two nineteenth-century titans of the only industries that matter in America: banking and cannabis medicine, and how they'd do at fundraising for their various causes.

Can Samuel Tilden finally notch a win in our topsy-turvey system or will our current model of small-dollar donations leave him as cold as he was all his life?

Also, we had fedualism in America! Who knew?

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112: De Leonism: Socialists v "Socialists"

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 22 Feb 2023 05:00:00 -0600

Another deep dive into a dying political party!

The Socialist Labor Party is America's first socialist party, and it enjoyed (qualified) success in its early years. A series of schisms over proper application of theory drove the membership down and today it is a dessicated corpse of what it once was. How did Socialism express itself in the late 1800s, what did it want, what did it get, and how are they connected to a late 19th century novel about the abolition of prostitution? Find out!

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111: Halftime Show: Socialists vs Military

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Boy howdy is Aaron off his game for this episode, luckily we've got Andrew Stout to carry on the conversation.

Dennis, Aaron, and Andrew talk about the Superbowl Halftime show and what it might look like if socialists of America's yesterday ran it instead. We've got everything from a dancing Jimmy Hoffa to a man drowning in a river (there's no not sad way to introduce that fact.)

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Episode 110: New Year's Cleanup: Aaron v 83 Losers

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 18 Jan 2023 08:59:37 -0600

In a breathtaking epsiode (mostly because Aaron is having trouble,) Aaron takes a closer look at the five remaining Libertarian and Prohibition Party candidates as he tries to speed this season along to its natural conclusion.

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Episode 109: Speaker of the House: Butler v Establishment

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 09:00:12 -0600

You didn't think we'd let this Speaker drama pass without a trip down ridiculous American history lane? Aaron pokes his head up from the break to talk about a definite villain, possible hero of the 1800's, Benjamin Butler.

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Episode 108: Pitmaster: Coxey v Perot (w/ Cameron McKay)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 10:35:36 -0600

Tragically Aaron-less once more, Dennis welcomes barbecue savant and environmental engineer Cameron McKay to discuss the merits of Texas brisket and its lesser BBQ brethren. Unemployment insurance changemaker Jake Coxey Sr. does his best to weather the undeniably apropos return of Ross Perot for the battle of the best pitmaster. Smokin'!!

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Episode 107: Concessions: Nader v McCain

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 16 Nov 2022 23:10:48 -0600

Sometimes these are the last words we ever care about out of a candidates mouths. We're talking the contrite, the fiery, and the goofy of concession speeches in this week's Presidential Death Match!

Will consumer protection advocate Ralph Nader top long time senator John McCain in a battle for the best second-place words?

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Episode 106: Improviser: Ferguson v Dole

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 09 Nov 2022 08:39:53 -0600

Presidential Death Match finally covers the dryest candidates of them all: Dole vs. teetotaler independant Pa Ferguson! In a topic we're suprised we haven't covered we decide which of them would be the best improviser, bringing our many, many, many poorly spent hours doing that art form to the table.

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Episode 105: Best of the Worst: Losers v Quotes

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 02 Nov 2022 08:41:25 -0500

After a thrilling game of ranking states by electoral votes we return to the final few candidates of 1976 and the silliness therein.

Episode 104: Legitimacy: 1976 v 2004

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 08:46:11 -0500

Sometimes in electoral politics what dominates a campaign is not a candidate or a set of issues, but the infrastructure of our government itself. We take a look at two high-watermark elections for third-party candidates, 1976 and 2004, why they were so contentious, why despite attracting many candidates that didn't translate into votes, and who legitimacy favors.

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Episode 103: Upset: Hale v Democrats

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 09:26:31 -0500

Our newest episode is taking a little longer so have this short story about America's first anti-slavery senator and failed presidential candidate John Parker Hale!

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Episode 102: Monkey's Paw PT II: Mouse v Competency

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 09:16:15 -0500

We end our bender of a 100th episode skidding into 101 with the actual discussion of the mangled presidencies of our chosen martyrs. It's a grand time.

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Episode 101: Monkey's Paw Pt. 1: PDM v Swearing

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 05 Oct 2022 09:12:07 -0500

The hundredth episode so grand it could only fit into 101 episodes! We're celebrating our centenary by mulling over unforeseen consequences as we puzzle the terrible ramifications of making someone president against the universe's will.

Our constant friends Riley Smith and Jacob Godbey join us in this tomfoolery. Join us next week for part 2!

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Episode 100: Dodged Bullet: Cass v Seymour

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 28 Sep 2022 10:01:32 -0500

What's wrong with two Democratic presidents on either side of the civil war? Aaron and Dennis explore what bullets we may have dodged in the non-existent presidencies of Lewis Cass and Horatio Seymour.

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Episode 99: Dynasty: Clinton v Stevenson

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 07:42:01 -0500

Two weeks of Aaron and Dennis in a row?!?! What luxury.

Dynasties are falling left and right these days so the fellows dig into some prominent families who failed to make the presidency, and their disappointing progeny and congeny (which I assume is the antonym of progeny.)

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Episode 98: Gravedigger: Breckinridge v Stein (w/ Jessica Kelly Garrett)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 14 Sep 2022 08:15:01 -0500

With the word "unprecedented" being thrown around with reckless abandon we check-in with our Archival Correspondant, Jessica Kelly Garrett, to talk the Presidential Records Act and why the people own information produced by our government.

Meanwhile, we chat about two candidates who made a little too much trouble for themselves in the forms of national traitor (the Senate's words, not ours) John Breckinridge and the trying-too-hard-for-attention Jill Ellen Stein!

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Episode 97: Long Distance: Wirt v La Follette

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 07:47:20 -0500

Aaron and Dennis are together again, apart! After the usual belly-aching they get down to the business of preserving Aaron's marriage in amber after his wife moved away.

What lessons can be learned from the two stronger-than-normal third party showings of William Wirt and Robert Marion "Fighting Bob" La Follette (Sr.)?

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Episode 96: Zordon: Hancock v Hagelin (w/ Ned Dhonau)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 08:01:19 -0500

After far too long we finally found the sword to transfer our power to emerge from our lunar dumpster and protect you from the machinations of boredom!

Ned Dhonau joins the program to talk the Wizard of Eltar and suffer from technical difficulties on this episode that examines whether Union general Winfield Scott Hancock or transcendental meditator John Hagelin exemplifies the best and worst of Zordon.

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Episode 95: President! (of Hell): Orval v Faubus (w/ Andrew Stout)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 24 Aug 2022 06:50:25 -0500

In a tragically Aaron-less episode, we discuss who would make the best addition to the unusual array of demons described in the medieval Ars Goetia. Dennis argues against guest co-host Andrew Stout.

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Episode 94: Beauvoir: Davis v Katrina

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 17 Aug 2022 19:03:14 -0500

We're on the road and have no good equipment! Learn what little there is to know about Jefferson Davis' final home in real time.

Episode 93: Skullduggery: Pinckney v Nobody

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 07:33:30 -0500

We've been plagued by technical problems! While we work on the once-and-future episode take a break with Aaron to learn about some sneaky things politicans are doing and the story behind the elecction of 1796!

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Episode 92: Libertarian: Paul v Johnson

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 03 Aug 2022 07:51:49 -0500

Our surprising trilogy on the Libertarian Party comes to a close with the battle no one (but Aaron) is clamoring for: Ron Paul v Gary Johnson. Should we look to Populist Passion or Pragmatist Persuasion in this battle of the Also-Rans?!?!?!?!?!?

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Episode 91: Mises: Libertarian v Libertarian

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 07:26:43 -0500

Aaron hijacks the podcast the way Mises Caucus hijacked the Libertarian Party: by showing up and doing the work. We explore the history of America's (currently) largest third party: the Libertarians, who have been going through a bit of change recently.

Hang out on couches in Colorado, see what the Kochs are up to, and learn about America's real revolving door problem: Minor Republicans turning into Libertarians and back again all on this week's Presidential Death Match!

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Episode 90: Kickass Party: Webster v Gore

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 20 Jul 2022 07:46:41 -0500

Politicans love parties and we love watching politicans from afar. But when it comes to the best parties which of these up-all-night ravers is the king: Al "Human Snooze Button" Gore or Daniel "Nosferatu" Webster?

What? It's a different meaning of the word "Party"? Forget what I said then.

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Episode 89: Monument: Phelps v Humphrey

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 13 Jul 2022 09:48:23 -0500

We take a break from all the silliness for more silliness to consider what makes a good monument and what it means to build a statue and/or ridiculous pointy tower in someone's honor.

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Episode 88: Forgotten Fathers: Hancock v Rutledge

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 06 Jul 2022 07:28:20 -0500

It's Independance Day week and we're exploring a few less well-known founding fathers. Too frequently we heap the acheivements of America onto a few men while ignoring the massive work, collaboration, and concessions given by the elected representatives of the time. Let's change that as we look at the presidents of the first two congresses of the United States: John Rutledge and John Hancock.

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Episode 87: Blank v Blank: Spock v McCormack

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 07:33:09 -0500

The news is contentious! Was it contentious in the past? It was. Aaron takes a trip back to the 70’s to look at two fringe candidates on either side of Roe v Wade to explore how we got to where we are. It’s sure to not be controversial! Honestly it’s just two short biographies of two presidential candidates who happened to have strong views on abortion. It’s a great time.

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Episode 86: Wine: Hamblen v Barr

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 22 Jun 2022 07:27:06 -0500

It's Dennis' birthday! He's gone, but Aaron explores the deeper meaning of Dennis and the presidential candidate from his current location. It's a short episode full of rough people- just the way Dennis would like it.

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Episode 85: Watergate: McGovern v Significance

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 07:50:16 -0500

We weren't gonna let the 50th anniversary of Watergate pass without comment! Why would you suspect such a thing?

Today on the program Dennis is roaming the Earth so Aaron does a solo show on George McGovern the man destined for overwhelming defeat that Nixon still thought he had to spy on.

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Episode 84: Diplomacy: Clinton, Landon, Serete, & Wilkie v Inevitability (w/ Andrew Stout and Ty Budde)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 07:17:10 -0500

Dennis and Aaron spent the last few weeks losing the classic board game Diplomacy! They invite on fellow players Andrew Stout and Ty Budde to discuss how the game mirrors real life Diplomacy, and the opportunties squandered by past Presidential candidates.

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Episode 83: 31: Commoner v Queso

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 25 May 2022 08:00:11 -0500

It's Aaron's birthday! We celebrate in tradtionally somber PDM fashion by exploring the life of the ecological Paul Revere, Barry Commoner. A successful man who preached ecological totalism, America broadly didn't listen to him then, and aren't showing signs of doing it now.

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Episode 82: Hickman: Wallace v Moderation

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 18 May 2022 07:48:19 -0500

We're not all better but we all are back! A still raspy Aaron and still magnificent Dennis bumble their way through the crazy story of Henry Wallace the Democrat's once (and future?) standard bearer.

They dive into the life of a person who couldn't wait for politics or soviets and ended up losing his political power because of it. This is one of the more interesting vice presidents (not saying much,) so we hope you enjoy it!

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Episode 81: Free Agency: Palmer v Loyalty

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 07:39:18 -0500

Oh these lonely days and nights with nary a Budde to hold close. When desondant such as I am I like to think back to the story of ol' John Palmer, party crasher extradionaire.

Oh these lonely days and nights with nary a Budde to hold close. When despondent such as I am I like to think back to the story of ol' John Palmer, party crasher extraordinaire.

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Episode 80: Taxpayer: Georgists v Nominee

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 20 Apr 2022 07:36:13 -0500

For the first time Aaron can't find anything about a candidate! Who was Robert Colvin Macauley? The world may never know, but what we do know is what he stood for, and that's something Aaron accidentally knew about before he started an impromptu recording!

We also throw Howard Phillips of the US Taxpayer (now Constitution) Party in there for good measure.

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Episode 79: Comeback: Hughes v Retirement

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 07:57:57 -0500

Still in the midst of our not-quite-a-break comes the story of what may be the greatest political comeback in American history. The story of Charles Evans Hughes as inspired by Sarah Palin's decision to jump into the open Alaskan house seat race.

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Episode 78: Supremo: Ellsworth v Notoriety

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 20:49:40 -0500

Aaron wishes he had a team of friends like the Supreme Court as he flies solo again this week. Taking inspiration from the recent Court Vacancy he talks about the guy who started it all: Oliver Ellsworth, the founding father behind the scenes doing the difficult work of actually writing the laws that formed the judicary of these United States.

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Episode 77: Broad Gaugers: Prohibitionists v Prohibitionists

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 30 Mar 2022 21:13:51 -0500

This episode has it all- except Dennis, so it basically has nothing.

We revisit the Prohibition Party for a look at death theft, historically black colleges, and too much violence against women. It's not a particularly cheery episode this time around, but it is terribly interesting (and I do mean terribly.)

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Episode 76: Journalist: Birney v Mondale

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 23 Mar 2022 09:06:00 -0500

This episode gets a little punchy, but what else would you expect when discussing a cut-up like Walter Mondale?

The fellows talk about being a journalist, the value of being disliked, and whether Alabama or Ohio is more hostile to anti-slavery rhetoric. Also everyone in America sounds like a Dickensian lord for inscrutable reasons. It's very much what you've come to expect.

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com, or support the show at paypal.me/Pronoiatheater or venmo @Pronoia

Episode 75: Job Seeker: Romney v. V. Debs (w/ Aaron Butler)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 16 Mar 2022 07:31:28 -0500

Dennis and Aaron are both in the midst of looking for new occupations and so they convene to discuss which presidential candidate they think would handle the rigors of selling themselves the best. Will it be the man who would later reincarnate into Bernie Sanders Eugene V. Debs or the marzipan-smooth lovable gadfly Mitt Romney?

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com

Support the show at Pronoiatheater.com/store, paypal,me/pronoiatheater, or venmo @pronoia!

Episode 74: Strategic Pause: John Walker

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 17 Feb 2022 08:34:39 -0600

Presidential Death Match is going to skulk around the edges for a few weeks as we take a strategic pause on fully produced episodes. Still, we hope to bring you a few shorter stories from history like today's about John Walker a man so unknown that there is no confirmed picture of him I could find.

John Walker was the second presidential nominee of the rebirth of the Anti-masonic party and through him we question changing values and the human desire to pin blame on the secretive other!

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com or support the show at venmo: @pronoia or paypal.me/Pronoiatheater

Episode 73: Kolache: Bell v. Badnarik (w/ Lauren Hainley)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 09 Feb 2022 08:46:09 -0600

In an episode that's coming to you live from whenever and whereever you listen to it we decide to talk about a distinctly Texan culinary treat: the kolache. Along the way learn about silent film stars, The Libertarian party of 2004, and one of the many Bells that make up American life.

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com

Support the show at pronoiatheater.com/store, paypal.me/pronoia, or venmo: @pronoia.

Episode 72: Antihero: Benson v. Davis (w/ Riley Smith)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 02 Feb 2022 08:21:57 -0600

Riley Smith manages to make it through an episode without swearing! Has she been replaced by a doppelganger or merely sold out for commercial success? Either way we're happy to have her.

The merry trio nominally discuss antiheroes while also miring themselves in apologizing, loony tunes, and a scofflaws. "A Feast for the Senses"! A person could say of it, probably.

Riley's written a book! Cadinal (book 1/20 of the Citadel series) available now at Amazon, share and enjoy.

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater, support the show at pronoiatheater.com/store, venmo: @pronoia, or paypal.me/pronoiatheater.

Episode 71: Wikihow: Parker v. Cox

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 09:21:55 -0600

After a quick topic refocus Aaron and Dennis dive into discussing the useful and not-useful aspects of the charm of politicians. Why do we like it, where is it necessary, and who would we pick to lead us if we focused on principles and heurestics instead of the personal touch?

Buy shirts and things at pronoiatheater.com/store

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com

Support the show at paypal.me/pronoiatheater or venmo: @pronoia

Episode 70: Pirates!: Frémont v. Blaine

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 08:34:50 -0600

If Congress is the Spanish Armada of American politics: too large to be nimble and mostly irrelevant today, then the presidency is certainly the pirates of American politics: we like them even though they're riddled with scurvy.

Dennis and Aaron compare the romantic western explorer John Frémont and the luxoriating, big spender James G. Blaine in which failed Republican candidate would be the most likely to plunder booty should they be given the chance.

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com

Support the show at pronoiatheater.com/store, paypal.me/Pronoiatheater, or venmo @Pronoia

Episode 69: Irrelevance Then Decline: The American Prohibition Party

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 12 Jan 2022 07:23:26 -0600

The Prohibition Party is America’s oldest non-major party fielding a candidate every year without fail since 1876. The party lived to see their main goal be enacted into law, then rescinded as its unintended consequences wrecked the law, order, and stability the party ostensibly fought for, and it did this all without ever gaining major electoral success.

Dennis and Aaron dive into the history of the Prohibition Party and a number of its presidential candidates through 2020.

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com

Support the show at pronoiatheater.com/store, paypal.me/pronoiatheater, or venmo @Pronoia

Episode 68: New Years Poppers

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 05 Jan 2022 08:04:07 -0600

We had so many mediocre presidential candidates they had to spill over into the new year!

As we take a bit of time off from research please enjoy the lifes and travails of Pat Paulsen, James Iredell, and Henry Krajeski, truly the three amigos of people who ran for president faceitiously and weren't ever in the same room together.

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com

Support the show at pronoiatheater.com/store, paypal.me/Pronoiatheater, or venmo @Pronoia

Episode 67: Stocking Stuffers: Parley Christensen, James Broom, Evan McMullin

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Mon, 27 Dec 2021 14:06:12 -0600

Dennis is back and he's Dennisier than ever! We're taking things a little easy this week and bringing you a few short profiles on lesser known Presidential Candidates through history.

Episode 66: Dennis (w/Al & Nancy Budde)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 21 Dec 2021 23:30:08 -0600

In which we discover exactly how little Aaron brings to the table.

Dennis is still on his honeymoon which means it’s time to plot his eventual removal from the program and which failed candidate would best replace him. After a longwinded retractions segment Aaron tucks in for a discussion of Dennis’ childhood with Al and Nancy Budde, then Aaron takes the time to lay out a little bit more than we conventionally do for his chosen candidate.

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com

Support the show at pronoiatheater.com/Store, paypal.me/pronoiatheater, or venmo: @pronoia

Episode 65: Robocalypse: Scott v Dukakis

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 14 Dec 2021 22:26:32 -0600

My grandma always used to say "When there's a Dennis sized hole in your heart, only a Jacob Godbey can fill it," and never is that more true than today's very special episode.

While Dennis is away on his honeymoon the only debates that matter continue as Jacob and Aaron ponder who would lead better during the Robocalypse: the last of the Whigs Winfield Scott, or noted tank-fancier Michael Dukakis.

Support the show at pronoiatheater.com/store, paypal.me/Pronoiatheater or venmo: @pronoia.

Episode 64: Wedding Planner: Burr v Dewey (w/ Jessica Kelly Garrett & Carolyn Cooper)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 08:07:34 -0600

We bring in some big guns because Aaron has lost his voice: Jessica and Carolyn rejoin the program to talk about wedding planning and whether it's better to lead with the stick or the carrot as we muse on whether the charismatic militant Aaron Burr or the aloof, but organized Thomas Dewey would serve better in that role.

You can support the show at pronoiatheater.com/store, paypal.me/pronoiatheater or venmo: @pronoia.

Reach out at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 63: Interlude: Parker v. Memory

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 22:25:11 -0600

We ran out of time and bachelorhood this week, so you're in for a short profile of the most obscure man to run for president: Alton Parker.

Episode 62: Scout: Jay v Goldwater

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 08:07:25 -0600

This holiday we're giving thanks for disillusionment!

Ideally we'd celebrate people for updating their beliefs and opinons based on new information, but our human biases often get in the way. This goes doubly for politicians who can be seen as spurning the voters who got them into office or not being team players.

Julia Galef's book The Scout Mindset offers a compelling argument for why we'd not only be healthier, but also happier if we make truth-finding our central goal instead of view-defending. Aaron and Dennis discuss this as well go deeper (too deep) on the Scopes Monkey Trial and Presidential Musicals.

You can vote for the best scout at: https://www.strawpoll.me/45862919

Reach out to Contact @pronoiatheater.com

Support the show at Pronoiatheater.com/store or give directly to paypal.me/pronoiatheater or venmo: @pronoia.

Episode 61: Card Collector: Clay v Bryan (w/ Aubrey Langston)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 17 Nov 2021 16:32:41 -0600

It’s a battle of the hat trick losers as Henry “The American” Clay takes on William “The Silver Bullet” Bryan in the most sedate debate yet!

Aubrey Langston joins us to talk about card collecting and why you sometimes get a rooster in your baseball cards.

Vote with your fingers at: www.strawpoll.me/45853629

Support the show through Pronoiatheater.com/store or through donation at paypal.me/Pronoiatheater or Venmo: @pronoia

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 60: Host: Adams v Douglas (w/ Andrew Stout)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 19:42:38 -0600

Andrew Stout is in studio (his apartment) to regale us with stories of his power trips in high school. We talk scolds, arts, crafts, behrs, bayers, and Bexars in this strangely careening episode of Presidential Death Match!

Episode 59: Rubber Mask: Thurmond v Kerry

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Fri, 05 Nov 2021 07:32:52 -0500

In the spookiest month (November) Dennis and Aaron gather round a bubbling cauldron to talk which candidate's face you'd want to affix to your own. The fellows punt on Hawaii, talk about ruining their friend's business, and the many dualties of John Kerry.

Episode 58: Shoulda Been: Greeley v Lockwood (w/Riley Smith)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 28 Oct 2021 08:00:35 -0500

We're back for season 3! Aaron and Dennis start things off the way you love: by lamenting that they're no longer funny, talking Hawaii, diving into historical minutia.

Riley Smith is on this week so, you know, there's a lot of swearing.

We begin our exploration of failed presidential candidates by asking who of the hundreds of people who failed to get the office really should have had a shot: newspaper magnate Horace Greeley or suffragette Belva Ann Lockwood?

You can vote in the poll here: https://www.strawpoll.me/45821719

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.com

Support the show at paypal.me/Pronoiatheater or venmo @Pronoia

Episode 57: What We Did On Our Summer Vacation

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 19 Oct 2021 12:03:13 -0500

We haven't been gone a long time, you have. Who's even talking about intermissions? What do you mean our podcast has been listed as "cancelled due to inactivity," I don't even know you anymore!

Dennis and Aaron are back in another delaying tactic for season three of Presidential Death-Match! This week they talk about the presidential antics they got up to over the summer including: a decidely un-Coolidge-esque 5k, the pumpkin eating tendancies of the eternally mortal Pierce family, and skimming alternate histories of Hamilton becoming presidents.

Enjoying easing back into the historical pool with this episode of Presidential Death Match!

Episode 56: CSPAN 2021 President Rankings: Buchanan vs. Expectations

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 11:10:59 -0500

We're back with more interregnum material (we really should just start this darn thing.)

CSPAN released their fourth survey of historians to rate our presidents: Dennis and Aaron comb through it to find where Trump debuted, where Obama is settling in, and who is the best at having administrative skills.

Reach out at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 55: Grovcle Pt II (NY Mayor): Varick v. LaGuardia

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 15:46:33 -0500

Presidential Deathmatch is back with another season two interstitial! In celebration of Dennis’ birthday and Aaron’s wedding anniversary New York city decided to have its mayoral primary today! Thank you New York for moving it up by several weeks to give us this wonderful gift.

Aaron and Dennis discuss the current state of the mayoral race, nerdy voting practices, and two mayors of New York City’s past: the long-forgotten Fiorello LaGuardia, and the man whom every politician is compared to Richard Varick.

Don’t forget to vote for the winner here: https://www.strawpoll.me/45421728

Episode 54: Four Presidents Walk into a War

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 14:05:51 -0500

If you like your presidential history with a little more acting behind it stay tuned!

While season three continues to bake Aaron and Dennis pop in for a special episode of historical notes on the upcoming Pronoia production of God Kings III: Four Presidents Walk Into a War!

An original play of sketches covering the four presidents precedeing the civil war Four Presidents Walk into a War is the kind of humor you've come to expect from Presidential Death Match, but now there are more people besides Dennis and Aaron saying it!

You can watch it at Pronoiatheater.com on June 10th at 8 P.M. CDT.

Episode 53: Biden: Horror or Romcom?

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 10:32:06 -0500

We end season two by taking a look at the president who wasn’t here when we started: Joe Biden. What’s he like, how would we use him in a debate, and what’s the deal with Scranton anyway? We also take a brief look at why people care about the first one hundred days and find out where our vice presidents come from (obscurity.)

We’re taking May off but we’ll be back in June with more stories of America Past!

If you’d like to vote in the poll you can do so here: https://www.strawpoll.me/45205894

Reach out at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 52: Quarantine: Polk v. McKinley

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 21 Apr 2021 09:21:18 -0500

Dennis and Aaron get a little punchy in the morning as they discuss isloation in the presidency, the gilded cage of the White House, and the unwisely named Salary Grab act!

You can vote for the winner here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42971884

Support the show at paypal.me/Pronoiatheater or Venmo: @pronoia

Reach out to contact@pronoiatheater.comm

Episode 51: Shasn: Arthur v. Wilson (w/ Zain Memon)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 14 Apr 2021 08:17:02 -0500

Politics encourages a level of skullduggery and short-term thinking, and politicians are incentivized to sort people into camps that argue about emblems instead of trying to solve problems. In his new board game, Shasn, designer Zain Memon tries to encourage political conversation by using the player's political opinion as the main resource generator in the game. He joins us today to discuss the origins of Shasn, the characters of politics, and the film the game was inspired from, An Insignificant Man.

Dennis and Aaron make jokes.

You can learn more about Shasn at: Playshasn.com

You can watch An Insignificant Man here.

Vote for the winner of the debate at: https://www.strawpoll.me/42940944

Reach out to us at Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 50: Window Washer: Lincoln v. Truman (w/ Jake White)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 07 Apr 2021 12:06:01 -0500

From a young age Jake White knew he wanted to poke the eye of God and sought higher and higher places to stand. This eventually led him to window washing the famous(?) Austin skyline, and he talks to Dennis and Aaron about falling from his line, suction cupping around the building, and whether people would recognize Lincoln without his hat.

Vote for the winner of this week's debate here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42897366 and tell them Harry Truman sent ya!

If you want to support this show you can do so at paypal.me/Pronoiatheater or venmo: @Pronoia

Episode 49: Montanan: Pierce v. Hayes (w/ Jacob & Alex of Ginger on Ginger)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 13:45:19 -0500

It's a battle of the one-termers this week as Jacob and Alex from the Ginger on Ginger podcast join us to talk Montanans, being from Montana, how cold Montana is, and whether North Dakot is just Montana acting out. Sadly a ten minute conversation about Ninja Turtles was cut for time. We hope you understand.

You can throw your lot in with us by voting on who you think won here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42877198

Support our guest over at their patreon: https://www.patreon.com/gingeronginger

Support us at paypal.me/pronoiatheater or Venmo: @pronoia.

Reach out: contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 48: Pet Owner: Grant v. Nixon (w/ Nicholas Mandrell-Anderson)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 25 Mar 2021 04:45:00 -0500

We thought last week’s episodes foray into modern politics was contentious, but then we started slinging opinions about dogs! Dog trainer Nicholas Mandrell-Anderson joins us for discussion of training techniques, over-rated dogs, and the various animals named Pete in the White House. In the grand tradition of major parties everywhere Dennis poaches a third party candidate and hopes no one notices. It’s a grand old time this week on Presidential Death-Match!

Vote for the debate winner here: strawpoll.me/42841374

Reach out at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 47: Amendments Pt II: Clinton v. Life, Liberty, and Property

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 06:15:00 -0500

We're back in three time periods to discuss currently pending amendments to the constituion: will your favorite make it in this time? Probably not, none of them do.

We also check in on our split presidential debate looking at what America might have looked like without Newt Gingrich, or without 9/11, both supremely disastrous events.

Vote on the winner of the debate here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42770057

Reach out at Contact@Pronoiatheater.com

Episode 46: Amendments Pt. 1: Van Buren v. Inflation

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 04:30:00 -0600

When time has lost its meaning it’s high season for presidents! With a game that became an episode that became two episodes Dennis and Aaron dive into the amendments to the constitution currently pending in congressional committees. We hear part one of that conversation and why Van Buren would be better remembered if he had backed Davy Crockett instead of Andrew Jackson.

No link this week as you need to wait to hear the rest of the debate! Part II comes later.

Reach out at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 45: Meet Cute: Hayes v. Johnsons

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 05:15:00 -0600

Dennis and Aaron are feeling a little silly on this the most romantic day of the year: March 4th! After solid assurance that their valentines plans were not delayed they launch into some of the love stories between love stories and their wives (love stories between presidents and their mistresses will have to wait until later.)

It's a genteel debate this week, but if you're so inclined please cast your vote for the winner of best meet cute: https://www.strawpoll.me/42732511

Episode 44: Pole-dancing: Monroe v. Coolidge (w/ Autumn Clack & Ruth McCleskey)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 06:00:00 -0600

We finally get ahold of this podcasting thing and use visual aids properly!

After a little bit of forgetfulness Aaron and Dennis talk with Boiling Point Players Autumn Clack And Ruth McCleskey about pole-dancing, why one does it, and how a person can be good at it!

Learn more about our guests at: http://boilingpointplayers.com/

Vote on the winner here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42693415

Episode 43: Interlude: Winter Storm Edition

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 10:28:59 -0600

Dennis and I haven't had power for many days, so no new episode! As penance I tell a few lesser known President stories which may not have come up before.

Episode 42: Anime Voice Actor: Adams v Reagan (w/ Meaghan Avocato)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 04:30:00 -0600

Shout out to Mr. V! After some light Buddemandering we get down to talking with Meaghan Avocato about voice acting and which presidents would be cast as alien commanders. It’s an exciting episode with some solid sighing and exasperation from our guest!

You can see Meaghan’s work on Girls Und Panzer on Netflix, and surely many more places.

Please do your duty for democracy by voting here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42605559

contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 41: Retirement: Nixon v. Carter (w/ Al & Nancy Budde)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 05:00:00 -0600

Mistaking tenures, three-legged stools, and marshalling children against parents is the PDM way this week as Dennis' parents, Al and Nancy, join us to discuss retirement, giving back, and why Nixon had the best group of friends.

As always you can vote on the winner here: www.strawpoll.me/42561945

Contact@pronoiatheater.com

You can support the podcast at paypal.me/Pronoiatheater

Episode 40: Right to be Forgotten: Madison v. Buchanan (w/ Jessica Kelly Garrett)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 05:45:00 -0600

Growing digital storage capability and instanteous global connection mean that we're forgetting less and less and blaming more and more. Recently there is a movement to recongize a right for all people to "oblivion" or to be "forgotten" that is to say, the ability of people to remove or delist information which they believe no longer accurately represents who they are and which may impede their ability to lead a normal life.

Jessica Kelly Garrett joins us to discuss this movement, it's pros and cons, how it applies to public figures, and which presidents may have taken advantage of this if it were offered to them.

Also we talk about a toddler's language skills and views on color theory.

It's a jam packed episode of Presidential Death-Match that we hope you enjoy!

Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42525646

contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 39: Inaugurations: Johnson v. Reagan

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 06:00:00 -0600

We talk inaugurations! Which turns out to be less fun than we thought. Still though, it's a great night.

Recorded before Biden's Inauguration (so we're cautiosuly optimistic of the events of that day,) we spend quite a lot of time wrapping up the discussion of the last two episodes before diving into the bland ceremony that is inauguration.

Dennis pulls some underperforming states out of his hat and we have a special visit from our Obama Inauguration correspondent, Carolyn Cooper (She's very fancy, you know.)

As always vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42473243 or contact us at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 38: Underrated: Taylor v. Ford (w/ Emily Glankler)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 06:00:00 -0600

After a disruptive week we return to the halycon days of very-early January 2021 to finish our discussion on Presidential rankings with Emily Glankler.

You can vote in our poll here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42426603

We parse the difference between defense and security, tell ghost stories, and try to remember what John Tyler did for the country.

We discuss Ivan Eland's book Recarving Rushmore at length.

You can find more Glanktastic-views and opinons on the Anti-Social Studies podcast and youtube channel. Get Glanked!

Reach out at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 37: Rankings: Glankler v. History Dudes (w/ Emily Glankler)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 07 Jan 2021 06:00:00 -0600

Bon vivant and Dorothy Parker turned history teacher Emily Glankler joins us for a two point discussion on methods we've used for our national pastime: ranking presidents!

In this first part we cover many of the common ways opinion polls seek to order presidents and end by talking about history dude and bad party interlocutor Alvin Felzenberg's The Leaders We Deserved.

You can find more Emily on the Anti-Social Studies podcast and youtube channel.

Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 36: 2021: Cleveland v Roosevelt

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 31 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0600

We had so much more 2020 in us we had to give you an extra quarter-hour! (you can thank us at contact@pronoiatheater.com)

The fellows discuss the curious, potentially maddening, but ultimately hopeful period between a new president's election and taking office.

Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42362233

Episode 35: Christmas Party: Eisenhowers v. Kennedys (w/ Carolyn Cooper & Jessica Kelly Garrett)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 24 Dec 2020 05:00:00 -0600

Aaron and Dennis are joined by two spirits of Christmas present as Carolyn and Jessica stop by to talk to us about Christmas at the White House!

Make sure to vote at: https://www.strawpoll.me/42330053

Episode 34: Shakespeare: Q. Adams v. Pierce (w/ Susannah Eig-Gonzalez)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0600

This week we're joined by international pop-sensation SEIG as we talk Shakespeare, what matters in a global pandemic, and whether daddy issues make the man.

As always you can vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42289550

Email us at Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 33: Affordable Housing: Polk v. Fillmore (w/ Marcel Merwin)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0600

Never before was so much derailed by so few podcast hosts.

Marcel Merwin joins PDM to discuss Affordable Housing and living in the 19th century. We don't do a game, because we're so very ashamed at our choices.

Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/42252732

Share and enjoy!

Episode 32: Emerging Contaminants: Tyler v. Wilson (w/ Carolyn Cooper)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 06:00:00 -0600

Is there something wrong with Aaron's voice? Sometimes! We hope you'll listen anyway.

We're joined by Carolyn Cooper to discuss emerging contaminants of concern and what's in your drinking water, how presidents died, and whether you're part John Tyler.

Vote in the poll here: https://www.strawpoll.me/39009695

Episode 31: Turkey Pardoning (Carter v. Clinton)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600

At long last we get to the real meat of the American Presidency: ceremonial showing off. Dennis talks Turkey Pardoning and Aaron talks human pardoning in an exploration of the silly traditionins and unchecked power of America's number one guy.

Vote for who should win the debate here: https://www.strawpoll.me/35199991

If you want to read more about posthumous pardoning, you can do so here

Episode 30: Comedy Duo: Hayes/Taft v Coolidge/Truman (w/ Ginger on Ginger Podcast)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 08:50:07 -0600

This is such a jam-packed episode we had to cut most of it out! Johnson failing to campaign, Richard Nixon laughing like a lunatic, and Taft making sassy comments at White House maids are all in store in what is surely the most important episode of your life.

Jacob and Alex of the Ginger on Ginger podcast join us to talk comedy duos. You can hear more of them wherever you get podcasts, but also right here!

Vote on the next Fish and Cushion here: https://www.strawpoll.me/32176104

Get in touch at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 29: Social Media Manager: Van Buren v. Kennedy (w/ Riley Smith)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600

Riley Smith joins us to discuss the day-to-day drudgery of being a social media manager, and all the fun and money(lessness) that comes along with it!

Vote on who you want to win here: https://www.strawpoll.me/21252742

See more of Riley at www.makegoodcreativenetwork.com/

Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 28: Children's Playwright: Buchanan v. Cleveland

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 06:00:00 -0600

The fellows talk judicial restraint and theater for young audiences in this episode of Presidential Death-Match!

Vote here: www.strawpoll.me/21211815

We are joined by Finnegan Kruckemeyer, his work can be found here: finegankruckemeyer.com/

Episode 27: 23rd President Special: Chase v Hughes (w/ Christine Weems)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Turns out there are people in history worth remembering BESIDES presidents! Who knew?

We argue which Chief Justice of the Supreme Court deserves to take Benjamin Harrison's place as our 23rd president, put in your vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/21171097

Judge Christine Weems of the 281st Civil District Court joins us to talk about being a judge, electing judges, and why she never wants to see us.

If you want to know more about Christine sue somebody until your randomly sorted into her court or check her theater company out at Conemanrunning.com

Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 26: 2020: W. Harrison v. F. Roosevelt

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 22 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0500

We begin season two with a clash of the tenures as William Harrison and Frankie Roosevelt stare each other down as you always wanted them too!

You can vote on that match-up here: https://www.strawpoll.me/21133727

contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 25: Presidential Death-Draft: Garrett v. Common Sense (w/ Andrew Stout)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0500

The draft continues (or really, begins,) as the fellows put their political parties together for the upcoming season of Presidential Death-Match.

All remaining forty-two presidents are drafted over fourteen rounds in the seven most presidential categories: Buckeyes, Coastal Elites, Warrior Kings, Slaveholders, Chokers, Good Stewards, and Dicks to Congress.

Episode 24: Presidential Death-Draft: Veep v. Creep (w/Andrew Stout)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 06:00:00 -0500

We return to prep for season two of Presidential Death-Match with the first part of our Presidential Death Draft! Andrew Stout joins us to pick names for the upcoming season of PDM. Before we can get to drafting though we need to determine whether Dennis or Andrew has the better knowledge of our second-best men with the game: Veep or Creep!

Episode 23: Innkeeper: Van Buren v. Trump

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Van Buren or Trump? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20870453

In our season finale we talk about journalistic integrity, final words, and horses!

We'll be back soon.

Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 22: Final Girl: Buchanan v. Clinton (w/ Jessica Kelly Garrett)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Buchanan or Clinton? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20835392

We start off firing on all cylinders and we don't stop until every topic of conversation is plucked off with tension extracting timing. Sadly one of the casualties of editing was Dennis statement of "only war and Rihanna" but it lives on here, in the description.

Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 21: God Kings: Presidents v. Self

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 20 Aug 2020 03:00:00 -0500

Dennis and Aaron take a break from the hardscrabble life of fighting each other with words to dive into some of the historical jokes and attitudes behind Pronoia Theater's latest show God Kings: Thou Shalt Have No Other Preisdents Before Me!

This show will premiere August 27th and can be seen at Pronoiatheater.com/live or on Facebook Live.

Email us at Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 20: Heaton's Whig: Harrison v. Fillmore (w/Andrew Heaton)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Harrison or Fillmore? Vote Here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20756766

Podcaster and Comedian Andrew Heaton (Political Orphanage, Alienating the Audience) joins us to discuss his work, views on partisanship, and fealty to Betty White. Along the way we put his (serious) run for Whig Vice President 2020 into historical context. Surprisingly: starting three months away from the general election date and running only in one state is a tried and true method for the ol' Whigs.

You can listen to more of Andrew Heaton on his own podcasts, the Political Orphange and Alienating the Audience, or support him directly at Patreon.com/AndrewHeaton.

You can email us at Contact@Pronoiatheater.com or visit us at Pronoiatheater.com

Episode 19: Administrative Assistant: Harrison v. Bush

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Harrison or Bush? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20721655

Dennis and Aaron recap Taylor Swift in addition to discussing the gentler and more organizational aspects of the presidency, before struggling to find anything of interest in Benjamin Harrison.

Email: Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 18: (M)Ad Man: Polk v. Kennedy (w/ Ty Budde)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0500

"Advertising is about meeting a person at the point of making a decision"- Ty Budde

Polk or Kennedy? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20675778

Greatest showman Ty Budde joins us to talk about why being an ad man is important for the presidency. We talk five pairs of words and the Washington Football team in this thirlling episode full of black magic!

Episode 17: Ghostiest: Taylor v. Garfield

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 23 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Who has more unfinished business Taylor or Garfield? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20646940

Kind of a low energy episode, for low energy supernatural beings. If you want to know more about the 1995 film Casper, you've come to the right place.

Email us at Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 16: Pottersville: Hayes v. Bush

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 16 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Would Rutherford Hayes or George W. Bush rather have not been president if'n given the choice? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20588525

Dennis and Aaron dig into the actually pretty common downsides to being president and ask whether Nixon would have been crazier if denied his shot at the presidency. It's all pretty fun, and also no one knows what George's middle name is, because we're charlatans.

Email us as always at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 15: Children's TV: Madison v. Carter (w/ Steven Saltsman)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 09 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Jimmy or James? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20510607

Dennis and Aaron are joined by Steven to discuss the lasting effects of leadership through the medium of children's television.

Email us at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 14: Bugs Bunny: Tyler v. Johnson (w/ Riley Smith)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 02 Jul 2020 06:00:00 -0500

July 2nd watch Space Train live! Pronoiatheater.com/live.

Who do you want to see lose to everyone's favorite violent rabbit? Vote Tyler or Johnson: https://www.strawpoll.me/20466077

In a surprisingly political episode of Presidential Death-Match we invite Riley Smith to tell us about the vaudevillian origins of cartoons, anarchist ducks, Bugs' constant fight against middle management.

Email us at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 13: Venture Capitalist: Monroe v Reagan

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 25 Jun 2020 06:00:00 -0500

Does Monroe or Reagan have the better portfolio? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20419838 Dennis and Aaron discuss the skills that make a good venture capitalist and the insidiousness of ice cream parlors in turn of the century America.

Email us at Contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 12: HOA: Jackson v Nixon

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 16 Jun 2020 09:20:16 -0500

Jackson or Nixon? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20360885

You can still vote on Cardioball Captain: https://www.strawpoll.me/20319102

You don't want to love your HOA president, you want your HOA president to get results and stretch the rules. Dennis and Aaron talk broad use of presidential power and land grabs through American history.

Episode 11: Cardioball: Washington v. Lincoln

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 22:40:08 -0500

Washington or Lincoln? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20319102

You can still vote for Contemporary Artist here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20240445/r

Dennis and Aaron discuss the great American sport of Cardioball, or rather they begin to discuss it then go on wild tangents about the origin of the Whig party. It's a time not to be missed.

Find more of the same at Pronoiatheater.com or email us at contact@pronoiatheater.com

Episode 10: Contemporary Artist: Pierce v. Grant

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 02 Jun 2020 10:16:15 -0500

Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20240445

You can still vote for Best man here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20173114

Our friend Christine Cooper joins us to discuss art, artists, and who makes her father seethe.

We had some audio problems at the end of her recording, but she recommends that people check out the book What Are You Looking At?: The Surprising, Shocking, and Sometimes Strange Story of 150 Years of Modern Art

Questions? Desire for ballot access? Email us at Contact@Pronoiatheater.com

Episode 9: Best Man: Arthur v McKinley

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 26 May 2020 11:29:39 -0500

Arthur or McKinley? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20173114. Polls open June 7th.

Missed last week's episode? There's still time to vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20099682

Dennis and Aaron talk about which President you'd want to stand by you on your wedding day and stand over you as you throw up the day after your bachelor party.

Questions? Concerns? Ballot Access? Contact us at Contact@PronoiaTheater.com

Episode 8: Tastiest: Roosevelt v. Ford (w/Andrew Stout)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 19 May 2020 07:57:47 -0500

Who do you wanna eat? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20099682

In our most vital episode ever Andrew Stout joins Dennis and Aaron to discuss what makes meat taste good and what that can tell us of the deliciousness of our commanders-in-chief.

May 23rd, 2020 Pronoia will host a worldwide Magical Lying Hour at 9 A.M. central! Look to our website or Facebook page for more information.

Episode 7: Supernatural Horror: Wilson vs. Hoover (feat. Craig Budde)

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Tue, 12 May 2020 13:42:27 -0500

Wilson or Hoover? Vote here: https://www.strawpoll.me/20028701/r

Dennis and Aaron are joined by guest moderator (and evil Dennis,) Craig Budde to discuss horror movies and which president would make the best supernatural horror.

Have a question or topic to be discussed? Email us at Contact@Pronoiatheater.com

Episode 6: SNL Host: Coolidge v John Quincy Adams

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 06 May 2020 11:28:29 -0500

Dennis and Aaron debate which president is the best at the only thing they care about: comedy.

On May 7th you can hear Dennis and Aaron (and their friends,) NOT talk about presidents in Magical Lying Hour: Online and On-Schedule. More information here: https://www.facebook.com/events/602750577254782/

Vote for the winner of the debate here: http://www.strawpoll.me/19964964/r

Have a good debate topic? Email us at PronoiaTheater@gmail.com

Episode 5: Millinery: Harding v Eisenhower

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 29 Apr 2020 08:39:14 -0500

Presidents wade into artistic craftsmen fields as Aaron and Dennis debate which of them would feel most at home in a millinery.

Remember to vote on Pronoia Theater's Facebook page for who you thought won the debate!

Cut from this week's episode:

-Local Theater kerfuffles

-Do men like wearing helmets?

-Origin of wristwatches

-Provenance of Hitler's mustache

-Star Wars Episode 3.5: Phantom Power

-Taylor the Tailor

-William Henry Harrison: Retro Fashionista

Episode 4: Biden's Veep: Truman v Cleveland

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 20:01:10 -0500

Surprisingly little Martin Van Buren in this week's Presidential Death-Match as Dennis and Aaron search through President's of Democrats past to find a suitable VP for the upcoming election.

Vote on the winner here: http://www.strawpoll.me/19845487/r

Email: PronoiaTheater@gmail.com

Episode 3: Baristas: Jefferson v Adams!

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Wed, 15 Apr 2020 10:21:07 -0500

We are resolved that that a proper leader should be capable and enthusiastic in establishing a cordial relationship with a local barista, one that may even blossom into true friendship.

We had to cut out a section of Rodgers and Hammerstein finding each other and writing Oklahoma on a boat. I'm sorry you missed it.

Vote for the winner here: https://www.strawpoll.me/19789174

Next week: Which former Democratic President should Joe Biden pick for his VP nominee?

Episode 2: Three-legged Race: LBJ/HHH v Obama/Biden

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Thu, 09 Apr 2020 08:07:01 -0500

The mittens come off as Dennis and Aaron conclusively determine which President/VP combo would best weather the rigors of a three-legged race.

Episode 1: Cocktails: Taft v FDR

garrett.aaron@gmail.com (Pronoia Theater) — Sun, 05 Apr 2020 14:50:58 -0500

In our inaugural debate Dennis and Aaron address a truly important question of our time: Which president is most capable of crafting his own signature cocktail and naming it after himself?

Too many men do not possess the culinary expertise to lead America in this way, and fewer still contain within themselves the ability to market it to the people to make the next Cosmo or Penicillin. Dennis and Aaron leave no stone unturned in their quest for truth.