Democracy Dies in Darkness
Sign in
Advertisement
Facebook
Twitter
MailSolid
Home
Print
ChevronLeftAll Post podcasts
“Can He Do That?” is The Washington Post’s politics podcast, exploring presidential power in the face of weakened institutions, a divided electorate and eroded political norms.
What makes a president a good (or bad) leader?

As Americans celebrates the country's founding, we examine the presidency. How is a president’s leadership measured over time, and how do cultural moments change our historical perception? We offer insight from C-SPAN's Presidential Historians Survey.

Thursday, July 1, 2021
Loading...
It’s almost the Fourth of Julyweekend in the United States, which inspires reflection about the nation’s founding and the evolution of its highest office — the American presidency.

The team behind the“Can He Do That?” podcast, often finds itself asking questions like: How will a president’s performance be viewed in the eyes of history? And how do social and cultural moments affect the lens through which we assess our former chief executives?

It turns out, that the team at C-SPAN also ponders questions like this. And they’ve asked 142 historians and presidential experts to help answer those questions.

On Wednesday, C-SPAN released its fourth Historians Survey of Presidential Leadership. The survey asks experts to rank the country’s 44 former presidents on 10 leadership qualities, including things like public persuasion skills, crisis leadership and moral authority.

This is the first year that the rankings include former president Donald Trump. And the findings — about him and other presidents — are at times unexpected. On this holiday episode of the podcast, we dive into those survey results.
  • 'The Framers would not recognize the modern presidency.’
  • Promises made. Promises kept?
  • C-SPAN’s Presidential Historians Survey 2021
Add to a podcast app
Listen to new episodes on your smartphone or other device.
Apple PodcastApple Podcasts
SpotifySpotify
Google PodcastsGoogle Podcasts
Amazon MusicAmazon Music
StitcherStitcher
RSSRSS
What makes a president a good (or bad) leader?

As Americans celebrates the country's founding, we examine the presidency. How is a president’s leadership measured over time, and how do cultural moments change our historical perception? We offer insight from C-SPAN's Presidential Historians Survey.

Thursday, July 1, 2021
Loading...
It’s almost the Fourth of Julyweekend in the United States, which inspires reflection about the nation’s founding and the evolution of its highest office — the American presidency.

The team behind the“Can He Do That?” podcast, often finds itself asking questions like: How will a president’s performance be viewed in the eyes of history? And how do social and cultural moments affect the lens through which we assess our former chief executives?

It turns out, that the team at C-SPAN also ponders questions like this. And they’ve asked 142 historians and presidential experts to help answer those questions.

On Wednesday, C-SPAN released its fourth Historians Survey of Presidential Leadership. The survey asks experts to rank the country’s 44 former presidents on 10 leadership qualities, including things like public persuasion skills, crisis leadership and moral authority.

This is the first year that the rankings include former president Donald Trump. And the findings — about him and other presidents — are at times unexpected. On this holiday episode of the podcast, we dive into those survey results.
  • 'The Framers would not recognize the modern presidency.’
  • Promises made. Promises kept?
  • C-SPAN’s Presidential Historians Survey 2021
Previous Episode

Biden’s evolution on criminal justice

The Biden administration is supporting a bill that would end the sentencing disparity in crack and powder cocaine offenses. But that disparity exists largely because of bills President Biden spearheaded in 80s and 90s. How much has Biden evolved?

Thursday, June 24, 2021
Next Episode

Inside the Trump White House during the pandemic response

On this episode, Post Reports host Martine Powers talks to two Post reporters who reported on chaos in the early days of the pandemic including details about how sick President Trump was and his proposal to send infected Americans to Guantánamo.

Thursday, July 8, 2021
Press Enter to skip to end of carousel
More podcasts
Unparalleled reporting, insight and analysis. Every weekday afternoon.
A seven-part investigative series telling the stories of two women, separated by decades and united by a shared refusal to stay silent.
Special episodes of "Presidential" highlight moments in American and presidential history that are worth revisiting today.
A series exploring the Constitution and the people who framed and reframed it.
“Truer, but also darker.” This is the real origin story behind America’s decision to go to the moon.
Narrative stories that bring to life some of The Washington Post's most compelling reporting.
Columnist James Hohmann talks every Friday with the author of a thought-provoking op-ed in The Washington Post.
End of carousel
Company
  • About The Post
  • Newsroom Policies & Standards
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Careers
  • Media & Community Relations
  • WP Creative Group
  • Accessibility Statement
Get The Post
  • Gift Subscriptions
  • Mobile & Apps
  • Newsletters & Alerts
  • Washington Post Live
  • Reprints & Permissions
  • Post Store
  • Books & E-Books
  • Newspaper in Education
  • Print Archives (Subscribers Only)
  • Today’s Paper
  • Public Notices
Contact Us
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Contact the Opinions team
  • Advertise
  • Licensing & Syndication
  • Request a Correction
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
Terms of Use
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Print Products Terms of Sale
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices
washingtonpost.com © 1996-2023 The Washington Post
  • washingtonpost.com
  • © 1996-2023 The Washington Post
  • About The Post
  • Contact the Newsroom
  • Contact Customer Care
  • Request a Correction
  • Send a News Tip
  • Report a Vulnerability
  • Download the Washington Post App
  • Policies & Standards
  • Terms of Service
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Settings
  • Print Products Terms of Sale
  • Digital Products Terms of Sale
  • Submissions & Discussion Policy
  • RSS Terms of Service
  • Ad Choices