Summary of "This Guy Sucked" Episode: Spiro Agnew with Dr. Kevin Schultz (Patreon Preview)
Release Date: July 17, 2025
Hosts: Dr. Claire Aubin
Guest: Dr. Kevin Schultz, Professor of History at the University of Illinois, Chicago
Introduction
In this Patreon-exclusive preview of the "This Guy Sucked" podcast, historian Dr. Claire Aubin welcomes Dr. Kevin Schultz to discuss Spiro Agnew, the often-overlooked Vice President under Richard Nixon. This episode delves into Agnew's political strategies, legacy, and his lasting impact on American politics. Dr. Schultz also introduces his new book, Why Everyone Hates White Liberals, Including White Liberals, setting the stage for a rich and engaging conversation.
Guest Introduction and Book Discussion
Dr. Claire Aubin begins by introducing Dr. Kevin Schultz, highlighting his expertise in American intellectual and cultural life. She praises his latest book, Why Everyone Hates White Liberals, Including White Liberals, noting both its content and aesthetic design.
Dr. Aubin [00:43]: "He has a brand spanking new book out called why Everyone Hates White Liberals, Including White Liberals. And it's very, very good."
Dr. Schultz humorously credits his wife for the book's catchy title and explains the concept behind it. He emphasizes the introspective nature of the book's cover design, which reflects the book's theme of self-critique within the white liberal community.
Dr. Schultz [02:10]: "It's about why everyone hates white liberals, including white liberals. 100-year history, basically."
He shares his excitement about having excerpts of his book featured in Harper's Magazine, placing his work alongside that of James Baldwin, which he finds both an honor and a testament to the relevance of his research.
James Baldwin and Literary Influences
A significant portion of the conversation touches on James Baldwin, a recurring figure in the episode. Both hosts express admiration for Baldwin's work, with Dr. Aubin recommending Baldwin's Cross of Redemption.
Dr. Aubin [04:57]: "Everybody at home, go buy the Cross of Redemption. It's a collection of writings. They're very, very good."
Dr. Schultz acknowledges Baldwin's profound influence, even surpassing his own literary contributions.
Dr. Schultz [05:14]: "Everyone on the podcast, I like Baldwin better than you."
Deep Dive into Spiro Agnew
The core of the episode focuses on Spiro Agnew's political career and his unique role in shaping modern American politics. Dr. Schultz provides an in-depth analysis of Agnew's rise from a PTA president to the Vice Presidency, highlighting his status as the first suburban politician to achieve such high office.
Dr. Schultz [06:26]: "Spiro Agnew... is a pretty interesting guy, and he sort of came out of middle America and he thought of... the first suburban dad to be at higher office."
Agnew's rhetorical prowess, particularly his use of alliteration, is discussed as a tool that helped him energize the Republican base during a time of significant political realignment—the breakdown of the New Deal coalition.
Dr. Schultz [07:32]: "He was very famous for his alliteration."
Comparisons to Modern Politics
Dr. Aubin and Dr. Schultz draw parallels between Agnew's political strategies and contemporary figures, suggesting that Agnew set a precedent for the partisan, attack-driven rhetoric seen in today's political landscape.
Dr. Aubin [11:16]: "People like Spiro Agnew actually are, who make that possible, who make that sort of, like, intense partisan rhetoric more palatable."
Dr. Schultz [12:40]: "Spiro Agnew really does kind of accidentally, in a way, craft this position."
They discuss how Agnew's approach to attacking opponents and media has influenced current vice presidential roles and political communication strategies.
Cultural Wars and Agnew's Legacy
The conversation extends to the broader context of cultural wars in America, with Dr. Schultz positioning Agnew as a pivotal figure who brought cultural conflicts into mainstream politics. He contrasts the issues of Agnew's time with today's debates, noting the evolution of hot-button topics.
Dr. Schultz [19:56]: "Spiro Agnew sort of came up with this list in the late 1960s."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Dr. Schultz [02:34]: "You are the person who hates white liberals."
- Dr. Schultz [05:46]: "I actually appear higher up on the table of contents in a Harper's magazine than James Baldwin."
- Dr. Aubin [12:40]: "Spiro Agnew actually are, who make that possible, who make that sort of, like, intense partisan rhetoric more palatable."
- Dr. Schultz [14:53]: "They're doing prolonged culture wars, and I'm saying, you know, it's interesting because we have currently the opposite of that."
Conclusion
The preview concludes with a tease of why Spiro Agnew is a significant figure worthy of critique, promising listeners a deeper exploration into his political maneuvers and their enduring effects. Dr. Schultz hints at multiple reasons why Agnew's legacy is problematic, setting the stage for a comprehensive analysis in the full Patreon episode.
Dr. Schultz [20:55]: "This guy sucked for at least two reasons."
Final Notes
Listeners are encouraged to subscribe to the Patreon for the full episode to gain complete insights into Dr. Schultz's critique of Spiro Agnew and to explore the nuanced discussions that "This Guy Sucked" consistently delivers.
This detailed summary encapsulates the key discussions, insights, and notable quotes from the preview episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened to the podcast.