Bill Britt examines how the push for voting rights challenged the limits of what politicians considered possible. From Lyndon B. Johnson’s caution to the marchers on Selma’s Edmund Pettus Bridge, the lesson is about the power of ordinary people to force change. When leaders say “not now,” what are we willing to make possible?

In 1977, Richard Nixon told David Frost that an act wasn’t illegal if the president did it. Bill Britt revisits that claim through Alexander Hamilton’s writings and the Supreme Court’s 2024 presidential immunity ruling. In this episode of “This Matters,” he examines the limits of accountability and what happens when Congress fails to act. The ruling’s consequences extend to every president who follows—someone you trust or someone you fear.

Alexander Hamilton helped shape a nation. Eliza Hamilton spent another 50 years raising their children, preserving his legacy and helping build a future for children in need. In this episode of “This Matters,” Bill Britt reflects on their lives and the consequences of power that endure long after a leader’s term ends. Who benefits, who bears the burden and what will those who govern us leave behind?

What happens when the campaign never ends? Bill Britt traces the logic of the permanent campaign from Jimmy Carter’s presidential transition to a political culture where maintaining support can overshadow getting things done. In this edition of “This Matters,” he examines how politicians and voters punish compromise—and asks one plain question: What will you finish?---ABOUT THIS MATTERSThis Matters with Bill Britt is a podcast from Alabama Political Reporter exploring how power works, why accountability fails, and what democracy asks of each of us. Through commentary and conversation, Britt examines the ideas and decisions shaping public life in Alabama and across the country.---FOLLOW THE PODCASTSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/43JJjGiyRCkL87Eai1Ysx6Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-matters-with-bill-britt/id1883499941Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fd121f3d-b081-497d-b852-4aef602165e0/this-matters-with-bill-brittWatch more episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2pE7TxOJHnSuSLahIw1Pefz6UJqv6SV5---MORE FROM ALABAMA POLITICAL REPORTERRead our reporting, analysis and opinion:https://www.alreporter.com/Get The Day’s Scoop newsletter:https://www.alreporter.com/newsletter/---Subscribe to the channel and share this episode with someone who would value the conversation.This matters to me. Does it matter to you?

Winning an election brings more than a victory celebration—it brings an obligation to govern. Bill Britt looks back at the bitter election of 1800 and Thomas Jefferson’s inaugural message to explore the responsibility that comes with political power. In this edition of “This Matters,” he asks what voters should demand when campaigning ends and governing begins.---ABOUT THIS MATTERSThis Matters with Bill Britt is a podcast from Alabama Political Reporter exploring how power works, why accountability fails, and what democracy asks of each of us. Through commentary and conversation, Britt examines the ideas and decisions shaping public life in Alabama and across the country.---FOLLOW THE PODCASTSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/43JJjGiyRCkL87Eai1Ysx6Apple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-matters-with-bill-britt/id1883499941Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fd121f3d-b081-497d-b852-4aef602165e0/this-matters-with-bill-brittWatch more episodes on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2pE7TxOJHnSuSLahIw1Pefz6UJqv6SV5---MORE FROM ALABAMA POLITICAL REPORTERRead our reporting, analysis and opinion:https://www.alreporter.com/Get The Day’s Scoop newsletter:https://www.alreporter.com/newsletter/---Subscribe to the channel and share this episode with someone who would value the conversation.This matters to me. Does it matter to you?

In 1950, Republican Senator Margaret Chase Smith challenged Joseph McCarthy while most of her colleagues stayed silent. Bill Britt reflects on her warning against fear, bigotry and smear—and the years it took the Senate to act. Her story raises a question for voters today: Do we reward leaders who speak up or those who stay seated?

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ABOUT THIS MATTERS

This Matters with Bill Britt is a podcast from Alabama Political Reporter exploring how power works, why accountability fails, and what democracy asks of each of us. Through commentary and conversation, Britt examines the ideas and decisions shaping public life in Alabama and across the country.

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FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/43JJjGiyRCkL87Eai1Ysx6

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-matters-with-bill-britt/id1883499941

Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fd121f3d-b081-497d-b852-4aef602165e0/this-matters-with-bill-britt

Watch more episodes on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2pE7TxOJHnSuSLahIw1Pefz6UJqv6SV5

---

MORE FROM ALABAMA POLITICAL REPORTER

Read our reporting, analysis and opinion:
https://www.alreporter.com/

Get The Day’s Scoop newsletter:
https://www.alreporter.com/newsletter/

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Bill Britt explores “timshel,” the Hebrew word John Steinbeck interpreted as “thou mayest” in East of Eden. From the story of Cain and Abel to the choices we make in public life, Britt reflects on our responsibility to reject dishonesty, confront hatred and repair the harm we cause. We cannot choose the history we inherit, but we can choose what we pass on.

ABOUT THIS MATTERS

This Matters with Bill Britt is a podcast from Alabama Political Reporter exploring how power works, why accountability fails, and what democracy asks of each of us. Through commentary and conversation, Britt examines the ideas and decisions shaping public life in Alabama and across the country.

---

FOLLOW THE PODCAST

Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/show/43JJjGiyRCkL87Eai1Ysx6

Apple Podcasts:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-matters-with-bill-britt/id1883499941

Amazon Music:
https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/fd121f3d-b081-497d-b852-4aef602165e0/this-matters-with-bill-britt

Watch more episodes on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2pE7TxOJHnSuSLahIw1Pefz6UJqv6SV5

---

MORE FROM ALABAMA POLITICAL REPORTER

Read our reporting, analysis and opinion:
https://www.alreporter.com/

Get The Day’s Scoop newsletter:
https://www.alreporter.com/newsletter/

---

Subscribe to the channel and share this episode with someone who would value the conversation.

This matters to me. Does it matter to you?

Bill Britt discusses election security, access to the ballot, and public trust in election results. He outlines the role of audits, recounts, and courts in addressing legitimate challenges. In this episode of This Matters, Britt argues that the integrity of the process should matter more than which candidate wins.

About This Matters

This Matters with Bill Britt is a podcast fromAlabama Political Reporter exploring how power works, why accountability fails, and what democracy asks of each of us. Through commentary and conversation, Britt examines the ideas and decisions shaping public life in Alabama and across the country.

Follow the podcast

• Spotify
• Apple Podcasts
• Amazon Music
• Watch more episodes on YouTube

More from Alabama Political Reporter

• Read our reporting, analysis and opinion
• Get The Day’s Scoop newsletter
• Contact APR

Follow the podcast and share this episode with someone who would value the conversation.

This matters to me. Does it matter to you?