Historians Bernadette Meyler and David Pietrusza and former Solicitor General Paul Clement talked about the life and career of 1916 Republican presidential nominee Charles Evans Hughes (1862-1948) and responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from in front of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Mr. Hughes served two Supreme Court terms, the second as chief justice, and was a two-term governor and the secretary of state. Video clips included Mr. Patryk showing artifacts in Mr. Hughes' former New York City law offices, Mr. Hughes speaking on December 31, 1940, and swearing in President Roosevelt, and Chief Justice Roberts discussing his legacy. Newsreels from 1937 showed the justices and a fireside chat from President Roosevelt about packing the Supreme Court.
"The Contenders: They Lost the Election But Changed Political History" is a C-SPAN series of live programs about 14 presidential candidates before 1996 who lost the election but who had a lasting effect on U.S. politics.
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Historians Ernest Freeberg and Lisa Phillips talked about the political career of Eugene V. Debs (1855-1926), who founded several labor unions and represented the Socialist Party of America as candidate for president. He ran five times, the last time from prison in 1920 when he received almost a million votes, and even though he lost he changed political history. Silent film ...clips of Mr. Debs were shown and a video clip of Senator Bernie Sanders being interviewed about Mr. Debs. The historians responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from the home that Eugene Debs had built in 1890 and lived in until his death. "The Contenders: They Lost the Election But Changed Political History" is a C-SPAN series of live programs about 14 presidential candidates before 1996 who lost the election but who had a lasting effect on U.S. politics.
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Historians discussed the role of William Jennings Bryan as an enterprising figure in American politics. He was a former U.S. representative, secretary of state under President Woodrow Wilson, and one of the best orators of his time, and the Democratic Party presidential nominee three times. The discussion focused on the election of 1896, his religious convictions, progressive ...politics, the Scopes Trial, and the current political climate. Audio clips of Bryan's oratory, most notably his "Cross of Gold" speech from the 1896 campaign were featured and 1908 presidential candidate Taft. Historians also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from "Fairview," the former Bryan residence which serves as a museum as well as part of a medical facility. "The Contenders: They Lost the Election But Changed Political History" is a C-SPAN series of live programs about 14 presidential candidates before 1996 who lost the election but who had a lasting effect on U.S. politics.
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Historians discussed the role of James Blaine (1830-1893) in changing politics. One of the most colorful, and divisive figures in post-Reconstruction U.S. politics, James Blaine was the 1884 Republican presidential nominee, and served as speaker of the House, a U.S. senator from Maine, and secretary of state under three presidents. He lost the 1884 election by 1,047 votes in ...New York State in what has been called "the dirtiest campaign in American history." Maine Governor Paul LePage (R) also commented on Blaine's relevance today. The historians also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from his former home, Blaine House, which is now the official residence of the governors of Maine. "The Contenders: They Lost the Election But Changed Political History" is a C-SPAN series of live programs about 14 presidential candidates before 1996 who lost the election but who had a lasting effect on U.S. politics.
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Historians discussed the role of Henry Clay (1777-1852) in changing politics. Known as the "Great Compromiser" but also as "The Dictator," Henry Clay was perhaps the most powerful politician of his time. He served as speaker of the House, senator, and secretary of state. Topics included his relevancy today, his almost 50 years in politics, his support for both slavery and ...keeping the Union together, and five unsuccessful presidential campaigns. Video clips were shown of House Speaker John Boehner, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Kentucky Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul talking about Clay and his relevancy. The historians also responded to telephone calls and electronic communications from Ashlands, The Henry Clay Estate, in Lexington, Kentucky. "The Contenders: They Lost the Election But Changed Political History" is a C-SPAN series of live programs about 14 presidential candidates before 1996 who lost the election but who had a lasting effect on U.S. politics.
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Richard Norton Smith, Carl Cannon, and Jean Baker participated in a roundtable discussion as a preview to C-SPAN's upcoming series, "The Contenders: They Lost the Election But Changed Political History."

"The Contenders" is a C-SPAN 14-week series of live programs about presidential contenders before 1996 who lost the election but who had a lasting effect on U.S. politics. They talked about the concept of the series and each of the 14 candidates chosen for the series.
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