Pro Politics with Zac McCrary

Congressman David Price on a Lifetime in Politics

January 24, 2023 Zac McCrary
Pro Politics with Zac McCrary
Congressman David Price on a Lifetime in Politics
Show Notes

Congressman David Price served 34 years representing North Carolina's Research Triangle, leaving the House just this January. Beyond his time as an institution in the House, he's lived a remarkable political life...present on the Washington Mall during the MLK "I Have A Dream" speech...a Senate staffer witnessing key civil rights votes in the mid 1960s...a leading political scientist at Duke University...a Democratic Party leader who helped devise the primary reforms now known as "super delegates"...and an influential House member who's served across parts of five decades in the House and been a witness to - and a part of - some of the most important political moments of the past half century.


IN THIS EPISODE...


Growing up in the unique political culture of small-town East Tennessee...


The Civil Rights Movement inspires an awakening for public service...


Memories of being on The Mall during the March on Washington and the MLK "I Have A Dream" Speech...


His time as a Senate staffer during the critical 1964 vote to break the filibuster on civil rights... 


How he merged teaching Political Science at Duke with activity in real-world politics...


His time in state party leadership and as part of The Hunt Commission reforming the Democratic Presidential Primary process...


The political skill and legacy of North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt...


North Carolina's legacy as a progressive Southern state...


Remembering the 1984 Senate "race of the century" of Jesse Helms vs. Jim Hunt...


His path to running and winning his first race for Congress in 1986...


Memories of his first few terms in the House...


The story of his loss in the 1994 GOP wave and comeback win in 1996...


His thoughts on the legacy of the Newt Gingrich Revolution of the 1990s...


His proudest accomplishments from 30+ years in the House...


The toughest two votes he took...


His analysis on the leadership success of Speaker Nancy Pelosi...


The closest Congressman Price came to a statewide race...


The advice he gives to new House members...


His current work and focuses in his post-House career...


AND Lamar Alexander, Howard Baker, Bob Bartlett, Joe Biden, Jack Brooks, C-Span after hours, cabals, Tom Carper, Chapel Hill, church suppers, Joe Clark, Bill Clinton, Jim Clyburn, committee barons, the Confederate Cause, the Contract with America, Harold Cooley, Thomas Dewey, John Dingell, down-home types, Clair Engle, existential questions, Bill Ford, the Gang of Eight, Albert Gore Sr., Jerry Grinstein, Phil Hart, Helms' proteges, Hope VI, Steny Hoyer, inherited Republicanism, inner clubs, the Iran Nuclear Agreement, Jacob Javits, Warren Magnuson, Mars Hill, Kevin McCarthy, the McGovern Commission, metal aprons, Bob Michel, midterm effects, moral suasion, Morehead Scholarships, Mountain Republicans, Ed Muskie, Bill Nelson, Barack Obama, PLEOs, peer pressure, pep talks, Mike Pertschuk, the Political Science Caucus, Edward Pugh, Ronald Reagan, Dan Rostenkowski, rump conventions, Terry Sanford, the Sanford School of Public Policy, Saul Shorr, shouting matches on the House floor, sit-ins, Sputnik, Freddy St. Germain, super-delegates, talk radio, the Tea Party, Donald Trump, turbulent townhall meetings, turnaround artists, Jamie Whitten, Jim Wright, Yale Divinity School, yeoman farmers & more!