We use cookies and other tracking technologies to enhance your browsing experience. If you continue to use our site, you agree to the use of such cookies. For more info, see our privacy policy.
Skip to main content

Hi. We love you. Be our Life Partner.

Support the show to get ad-free listening, bonus content, and our new Greatest Hits Archive.

Learn more
This American Life Partners logo
00:00
00:00
  • Transcript
  • Share
This American Life
  • Life Partners
  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Follow Us
  • Life Partners
171
November 3, 2000

Election

Stories for the eve of the Presidential election, in which we try to evade, sidestep or look beneath the candidates' soundbites.
  • Download
    Control-click (or right-click) Tap and hold to download
  • Subscribe on Spotify Subscribe in Apple Podcasts Subscribe
  • Transcript
Ellen

Prologue

Host Ira Glass talks with Bennett Miller and Matt Futterman about a campaign for student government that changed the way student elections were done in Mamaroneck High School back in 1985. Futterman, in the waning days of his campaign, tried a radical tactic: A TV ad. It led to a wave of television ads for student office at the school, most of which misunderstood what made Futterman's ad so successful. (7 minutes)

By

Ira Glass
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. A report on Jeffrey Fieger, who helped swing his state to McCain during the primaries with several irreverant attack ads against Bush. In this age when we all wish our politicians would shoot from the hip, Fieger delivers, for good and bad. Contributing editor Jack Hitt goes with Fieger to the studio, as Fieger records a new set of anti-Bush spots for the general election. (13 minutes)

By

Jack Hitt
Act Two

What We Talk About When We Talk About The Issues

The 2000 election season was strange in that many of the issues that the candidates debated most heatedly were ones that most of us have no handle on—prescription drug policy, social security solvency...and educational accountability. Producer Alex Blumberg travels to North Carolina, a state where many of the promises both candidates make regarding education are already in place. He finds, not surprisingly, that they work better as soundbite than as policy, and that if the two candidates get their way with education, it'll push it in a direction most North Carolina teachers find alarming. (23 minutes)

By

Alex Blumberg

Song:

“Teacher's Pet” by Doris Day
Act Three

Nepotism: A Beginner's Guide

Reporter Adam Davidson is related to George W. Bush. You might be too. By some freak of genealogy, half of all Americans are, if they just delve back far enough. But Adam has six 17th-century relatives in common with George Bush...and it perplexes him. How did the Bushes become a dynasty, while Adam has to borrow money from his girlfriend for the rent? He consults genealogist Gary Boyd Roberts about what the Bush family did right and where the Davidson family went wrong. Adam's family tree, linking him to George W.—is online here. (11 minutes)

By

Adam Davidson

Related

If you enjoyed this episode, you may like these
658: The Unhappy Deciders
Oct. 5, 2018

Act One: Judge

Zoe Chace gives us a peek at what Senator Jeff Flake was up to in the days before and after deciding to delay Judge Kavanaugh's confirmation vote.
413: Georgia Rambler
July 30, 2010

Act One: Meriwether County

David Kestenbaum finds that the most unforgettable person in this county is a dead guy.
459: What Kind of Country
Mar. 2, 2012

Act Three: Do You Want a Wake Up Call?

After the recession hit, Colorado Springs was in rough shape.

Staff Recommendations

View all
110
Sept. 4, 1998

Mapping

The world redrawn by the five senses.

562
July 31, 2015

The Problem We All Live With - Part One

There’s one thing that has been proven to cut the achievement gap between black and white students by half: integration.

This American Life

This American Life is produced in collaboration with WBEZ Chicago and delivered to stations by PRX The Public Radio Exchange.

  • How to Listen
  • Episodes
  • Recommended
  • About
    • Overview
    • Staff
    • Announcements
    • Fellowships
    • Jobs
    • Music
    • Make Radio
    • On The Road
    • FAQ
    • Submissions
    • Merch
    • Contact Us
    • Our Other Shows
  • Merch
  • Contact
  • Life Partners
  • Serial
  • S-Town
© 1995 - 2025 This American Life Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email

Subscribe

  • on Spotify
  • in Apple Podcasts

Share

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email