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The Other Side is the official podcast of a great comedy club, the DC Improv.

Feb 1, 2016

Our 17th president had a tough act to follow, and let's just say he didn't exactly crush it.

The quest for the funniest POTUS continues with a look at Andrew Johnson, a man who overcame crippling poverty to become ... well, the first impeached president. Did Johnson laugh in the face of adversity? Did his humor (or lack thereof) help or hurt him during his presidency? And should he get credit for one of the funniest ceremonies in American political history?

Our expert is David O. Stewart, the author of "Impeached" (and several other excellent books). A former constitutional lawyer, David has studied the impeachment saga from several angles -- including the ways that Johnson's personality affected his relationships and inspired his enemies.

Music: "Hail Columbia," "Tennessee Twilight" by the Eddie Condon Orchestra, "Johnson Rag" by Glenn Miller and his Orchestra