Henry Wallace and the World that Wasn't with Benn Steil

Donald Trump wasn't the first presidential candidate to be groomed by the KGB to advance Russian interests. That dubious honor belongs to Henry A. Wallace, who ran for president in 1948.

Dave interviews Benn Steil, an economist and historian from the Council on Foreign Relations. They discuss his latest book, 'The World That Wasn't, Henry Wallace and the Fate of the American Century.' The conversation explores Wallace's intriguing political and personal life, his contributions as Agriculture Secretary under FDR, his mystical beliefs, and his controversial political career. The discussion includes the impact of Wallace's policies, his interactions with and influence from historical figures like Nicholas Roerich, and his eventual fall from political grace leading up to the 1944 Democratic Convention. The guest also draws parallels between Wallace's complex legacy and contemporary political narratives, including potential influences on modern American politics.

Links:

https://america2.news/donald-trump-isnt-the-first-presidential-candidate-groomed-by-the-kgb/

https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/genuine-case-collusion?ref=america2.news

https://www.cfr.org/expert/benn-steil

https://x.com/bennsteil

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/14/nyregion/nyc-911-calls-riverside-drive.html

https://www.roerich.org/

Interview begins at 02:47.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

00:20 Henry Wallace: A Counterfactual History

02:27 Henry Wallace's Early Life and Agricultural Innovations

06:39 Wallace's Mystical Pursuits and Political Controversies