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The history of American presidential humor and likeability

Four Presidents; Nixon, Reagan, Ford and Carter 1981
Wikimedia Commons

The nation observed President's Day Monday, February 18th. We talk with presidential historian and author H.W. Brands who recently visited Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies presenting Comedian-in-Chief: What Presidents' Humor Says About Them, and About Us.

Brands explores the importance of humor and likeability among American leaders beginning with the seriousness of President George Washington to President Donald Trump.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.