Campaign '68

Fifty years ago, the country was rocked by a historic presidential campaign. The Democratic party crumbled, a new Republican era began, and the country threatened to split in two. Campaign '68 traces the twists, turns and tragic violence that followed Americans all the way to the voting booths. What began in '68 is still roiling American politics today.

Episodes

"A fundamentally divided society"

October 29, 2018 • 32 min

Historian Rick Perlstein traces the country's ideological divisions from John F. Kennedy's assassination through Richard Nixon's campaign to modern politics.

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The gender gap

October 22, 2018 • 38 min

Political scientist Lori Cox Han traces the growing role of women in politics from 1968 to now: "Women are not a monolithic voting bloc, and I think that's one of the biggest misconceptions out there."

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Art of the spectacle

October 15, 2018 • 27 min

Roger Ailes helped Republicans use television to get elected for decades. He was more politically influential than many politicians themselves. In 1968, Ailes helped Richard Nixon win the White House -- and he was only getting started. Gabriel Sherman, author of a biography on Ailes, traces how the master manipulator shaped elections from Nixon to Trump.

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The politics of race

October 8, 2018 • 44 min

Historian Peniel Joseph explores how racial anxiety and resentment among white voters shaped the 1968 campaign -- and still shapes politics today.

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4: Fault lines

October 2, 2018 • 13 min

Nixon uses a powerful weapon in new ways: television. Politics will never be the same.

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3: A figure of destiny

October 2, 2018 • 11 min

Richard Nixon campaigns on law and order, while George Wallace rises on racist rhetoric. The run for the White House intensifies.

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2: Long odds

October 2, 2018 • 21 min

The list of Democratic candidates grows. The campaign continues in the shadow of national grief.

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1: A perilous course

October 2, 2018 • 9 min

1968 rolls in, the Vietnam war rages on, and early presidential primaries show a country beginning to splinter.

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Coming soon: Campaign '68

September 18, 2018 • 3 min

1968 brought tragedy, violence and an unforgettable run for power. Campaign '68, coming Oct. 2, captures the chaos of an American presidential election.

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