Episode 15: Leaving The Field

April 21, 2021

As The Words That Made Us prepares to take the stage with its release, the founders leave their own stage – with one memorable death after another.

In the wake of the imminent release of The Words That Made Us, Akhil takes us to the end of the story – or was it?  The deaths of America’s founders were all memorable in ways that reflected the character of each.  This can’t be a coincidence, he maintains, and if it wasn’t, then what was it?  The founders managed to leave their mark on the stage as they left it, and in so doing, and in some sense, they didn’t leave.

Episode 14: Ending Catch-22

April 14, 2021

John Fabian Witt joins Akhil and Andy as we discuss all things Filibuster, including how the Senate can eliminate it on any day.

10 years after Professor Amar wrote, with Gary Hart, on how the Senate can put an end to the filibuster, it remains (mostly) in place.  Akhil and Andy take you through the long history of this notorious practice, from the pre-Constitutional theories and practices, through the many misdeeds of the post-Civil War and 20th century periods, to today where the filibuster looms large but also is threatened with extinction.  Professor John Fabian Witt joins the conversation with unique insights into the origins of the “modern” filibuster, how it was employed to thwart anti-lynching as well as major civil rights legislation. What is now rule 22 (“catch-22”) is not so entrenched, not so consistent with the Senate’s mission, as many have thought.  Thanks again to EverScholar (everscholar.org) for sponsoring “Amarica’s Constitution.”

Episode 13: The Purpose of the Truth

April 7, 2021

The immortal Bob Woodward takes time out from taking down a President for the second time for a wide-ranging discussion of the Presidency, the Supreme Court, and the truth.

Akhil and Andy welcome “the greatest reporter of all time” – Bob Woodward – to Amarica’s Constitution.  Fresh off his 19th book and 14th number one best-seller, “Fear” – having reported on nine presidents – a discussion of the Presidency would seem to be in order.  Anecdotes and insights flow, and Akhil even gets in some queries on the Supreme Court.

Episode 12: Advise and Impeach

March 31, 2021

Professor Michael Gerhardt joins Akhil and Andy for a post-mortem on impeachment, fresh off his role as counsel to Senator Leahy, presiding officer for the Senate trial, and tells us of his new book, “Lincoln’s Mentors.”

“Amarica’s Constitution” welcomes our guest, Professor Michael Gerhardt, who pulls himself away from his work as Congress’ go-to expert on the impeachment to share a postmortem with us from the inside. He should know – he was retained by the presiding officer, Senator Leahy, as counsel for the impeachment. His new book, “Lincoln’s Mentors,” is out, and we can’t ever resist a Lincoln discussion. Andy and Akhil have been teasing about EverScholar – today they let us know what all the fuss is about; see for yourself at everscholar.org.

Episode 11: Nullification Nullity

March 24, 2021

In the fourth set of readings from “The Words that Made Us,” Akhil and Andy discuss Andrew Jackson, who mirrored the Constitution: a powerful champion of Union, a disgraceful enabler of slavery.

Andrew Jackson takes the stage in this, the fourth of four sets of readings from Akhil’s forthcoming (May) book, “The Words That Made Us.”  Jackson’s complex makeup, combining qualities from Washington and Jefferson, is revealed, and his status as America’s first truly Western president is explained, as is the shadow that his utter failure on slavery casts. Still, his championing of Union is one of the great Constitutional episodes of the early Republic, and Akhil gives a vivid description of this, the Nullification Crisis.  Somehow this leads to the insight that The Crown is like The Godfather.  Go figure.  The podcast is sponsored by EverScholar (everscholar.org), where a few spots remain for an amazing, immersive learning experience in Greece this August.

Episode 10: Jefferson Ben Amar

March 17, 2021

Thomas Jefferson takes the stage as we preview “The Words That Made Us;” he winds up sharing the stage with his cousin, just as he did in the nineteenth century.

As “The Words That Made Us” approaches its May release, we continue to explore new perspectives on the early Presidents.  Akhil’s disillusionment with Jefferson is explained, and the rise of the third President’s cousin and near-usurper makes for some surprising moments.  We return to the visual for examples of particularly blatant painting propaganda, and a future guest makes a cameo.