Ma, Ma, Where’s My Pa?
Slate’s new podcast about campaign history tells the salacious tale of the love child that nearly cost Grover Cleveland the 1884 election.
Listen to Episode 7 of Whistlestop:
Whistlestop is Slate’s new bite-sized podcast about presidential campaign history. Hosted by our chief political correspondent and Political Gabfest panelist John Dickerson, each weekly installment will revisit a memorable (or even a forgotten) moment from America’s quadrennial carnival.
This week’s episode tells the prurient tale of a love child allegedly born to the widow Maria Crofts Halpin and future two-time president of the United States, Grover Cleveland. During the election of 1884, Republicans tried unsuccessfully to discredit Cleveland, a Democrat from New York, with tales of his debauched lifestyle and immoral character.
This week’s show is sponsored by The Great Courses and its series “The Great Presidents.” Get it at 80 percent off the original price by visiting Whistlestop’s page at TheGreatCourses.com.
Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free trial at slate.com/podcastplus.
Email: podcasts@slate.com