As a Vice President serving under an obscure President, Wheeler is not a common name in history.  In fact, his own President Rutherford B. Hayes had to ask the question "Who is William Wheeler?" when his name was in consideration.  But as we discuss, perhaps he should be known more.  His frankness, disdain for corruption, and love of nature made him a unique and well-liked politician. 

We speak with Herb C. Hallas, author of William A. Wheeler, Political Star of the North Country on this episode.  And we enjoy music from Lee Rosevere and Chris Novembrino.  Remember to sign up for the podcast, and give us a review if you would. 

The only Vice President to resign the office voluntarily is a much more interesting character than just that fact.  From a local politico to second-highest office in the land in five years, Agnew took an important role as Nixon's Nixon, attacking the news media and the so called hippie culture of the sixties.  Opponents pushed back, and he doubled down.  But his resignation was due to his own actions, and to some degree, the President he served.  

Lyndon Johnson was a powerful man - a mover and shaker in Washington who had his own car phone.  He worked directly with the President of The United States, and many people thought he could be President next.  But then he took the job of VP under a junior senator John Kennedy.  Why?

To solve the mystery of why, we speak with Tom Oliphant of the Boston Globe and author of Road to Camelot, about JFK's rise to the Presidency (an interview that aired on My History Can Beat Up Your Politics in 2017).