Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Make a sustaining gift today to support local journalism!
0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8d8c0001Click on a photo to find stories by candidate:0000017a-15d9-d736-a57f-17ff8d8c0002More Content:Our Voters Guide provides an overview of all you need to know about the 2016 N.H. Presidential Primary.Click here to explore a calendar of candidate visits and other Primary campaign events.Click here for our Money in Politics stories and data interactives.Visit our Where They Stand series for an overview of the candidates' positions on key policy questions.Visit our series Primary Backstage to learn about the people and places that make the N.H. Primary tick.To see NHPR photos from the campaign trail, visit our Primary 2016 album on Flickr.

11.04.15: What to Watch For in the Debates & The Importance of Movie Musicals

Jeff Myers via Flickr CC
/
https://flic.kr/p/5UcE7V

When it comes to stump speeches, presidential contenders want their words to resonate with as many voters as possible – which may explain why Donald Trump speaks to the public at a 4th grade reading level. Today, the strategy of simplicity. Then, from speech to song…later in the show we go behind the glimmering façades and dance numbers to examine how movie musicals reflect American culture.

Listen to the full show. 

Are the Candidates Smarter Than a 4th Grader?

According to a recent review by the Boston Globe, Donald Trump’s speeches operate at the fourth-grade level. To some, Trump’s simplistic rhetoric and bombastic swipes at rivals reveal that he’s too crude to hold high office…but it’s working on a broad level. Matt Viser wrote about the results for the Globe. 

WOM11042015A.mp3
Are the Candidates Smarter Than a 4th Grader?

What the Wonks Don't Want You to Hear

Darren Samuelsohn is senior policy reporter at Politico – he recently wrote about how policy experts, lobbyists, and lawmakers watch the presidential debates differently than the rest of us

WOM11042015B.mp3
What the Wonks Don't Want You to Hear

Pulling the Real Strings

If you’re tired of lobbyists pulling the metaphorical strings, head to Banff, Canada for a look at the real thing - the careful art of modern puppetry.  This story was produced by Brian Cauley in association with the Banff Centre

You can listen to this story again at PRX.org.

Dangerous Rhythm

Richard Barrios joins us to discuss his new book Dangerous Rhythm: Why Movie Musicals Matter which is full of razzly-dazzly hits, dismal flops, sharp criticism, and enough insider gossip to make the case for the movie musical. 

WOM11042015D.mp3
Dangerous Rhythm

Dangerous Rhythm is now available in paperback

Related Content

You make NHPR possible.

NHPR is nonprofit and independent. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Your support makes this news available to everyone.

Give today. A monthly donation of $5 makes a real difference.