Bonus Weekend Podcast: Political Debate and Political Theater

This week, one of our most engaging segments was about presidential debates. We heard from many listeners, who told us that they find presidential debates so dull and boring. So for this week’s Bonus Weekend Podcast, we’ve decided to showcase some of the most notable debaters from past campaigns and presidencies. In 2006, we spoke with James Carville and Paul Begala about some of the best debate tactics they used during presidential campaigns. And in 2008, Leonard spoke with the late Robert Drew about “A President to Remember” his documentary about another great political orator, John F. Kennedy. These interviews reveal that while politicians almost always claim that they want to talk about the issues, so much of political debate is theater. So for our last interview, we highlight that political theater with filmmakers D.A. Pennebaker, Chris Hegedus, and campaign consultant Tad Devine. In 2008 they reviewed four of the most prominent political films.