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US politics & elections: videos Hacker News recommends
US politics: elections, presidents, Congress, campaigns, debates, polling, Trump, Obama, Democrats and Republicans, political speeches, C-SPAN clips, political commentary. Below: every video in this topic that at least three HN users linked with real commentary, in at least three different months (23 commentarys, 21 explainers, 14 talks), best-scored first, with the comments on each video page.
- 3 HN recommenders 12 months 2016–2024HN commenters repeatedly say it changed how they hear political speech and recommend it for understanding why opponents are not simply stupid.
- 11 HN recommenders 11 months 2020–2026HN treats it as the go-to layperson-friendly argument against e-voting and links it in nearly every voting-technology thread.
- 10 HN recommenders 11 months 2011–2017A perennial HN recommendation whenever lobbying, SOPA, taxes or political corruption come up, with several commenters saying it changed their views.
- 12 HN recommenders 11 months 2019–2025A AmericanRhetoric.com · talkRecommended often as a clear explanation of why the US system is built to be slow and why gridlock protects minorities.
- 9 HN recommenders 10 months 2014–2025C CRI · lectureHN commenters recommend it as a long, evidence-backed theory for what changed in the 1970s and why Congress is broken, even when they are unsure they agree.
- 10 HN recommenders 10 months 2008–2022HN cites it often in debates on inequality, cost disease and stagnant middle-class income, praising its data-driven approach.
- 8 HN recommenders 9 months 2013–2026HN cites it repeatedly as the root-cause argument that money in politics must be fixed before other issues, and as background for his Mayday PAC.
- 10 HN recommenders 10 months 2015–2025HN's go-to explainer for why FPTP leads to a two-party system, linked in countless voting-reform and US politics threads.
- 9 HN recommenders 8 months 2015–2026R Road Less Marveled · videoHN commenters hold it up as a model of persuasive public speaking and as the go-to reminder of why public broadcasting deserves funding.
- 7 HN recommenders 7 months 2012–2021HN's go-to link whenever ranked-choice voting or voting reform comes up, because it explains the mechanics quickly and entertainingly.
- 7 HN recommenders 7 months 2015–2021HN's default link for explaining STV in any thread on voting reform, ranked choice or gerrymandering.
- 7 HN recommenders 6 months 2015–2025It is the go-to short explainer HN commenters link whenever e-voting, voting machines or online voting come up.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2009–2025A Alex Felker · interviewHN returns to it constantly as the definitive critique of adversarial TV punditry, still seen as relevant to polarized media and online discourse.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2016–2024T The Riverbends Channel · lectureRecommended for Baldwin's riveting delivery and as an example of serious debate between opposing worldviews.
- Our democracy no longer represents the people. Here's how we fix it | Larry Lessig | TEDxMidAtlantic4 HN recommenders 5 months 2017–2024It is HN's go-to link in threads on lobbying, campaign finance and political dysfunction, as a clear statement of Lessig's root-cause argument.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2016–2024HN commenters point to it in election-security threads as an accessible explainer of how a vote can be verifiable but not sellable.
- 5 HN recommenders 5 months 2012–2026It is the go-to short explainer HN links when voting system alternatives, MMP or German-style elections come up.
- 3 HN recommenders 4 months 2018–2022U Unify The Vote · explainerHN commenters cite it in voting-reform threads as a visual argument that cardinal systems (STAR, approval) beat plurality and ranked-choice voting.
- 3 HN recommenders 4 months 2016–2019W Watson School of International and Public Affairs · lectureHN recommends it as a concise, chart-backed explanation of the economics behind anti-establishment politics.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2017–2025HN recommends the series for explaining the tactics and mentality of bad-faith online arguments.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2025–2026T The Ezra Klein Show · interviewHN commenters recommend it as a data-driven explanation of the 2024 election and voter trends.
- 4 HN recommenders 4 months 2021–2026HN commenters use it as proof that the climate problem was clearly explained decades ago, and as a model of clear communication to a broad audience.
- 2 HN recommenders 3 months 2018–2025T Timothy Snyder · lectureRecommended as a short, clear introduction to these two concepts for making sense of current politics.
- 5 HN recommenders 4 months 2014–2023T The Center for Election Science · explainerThe standard link in ranked-choice voting threads to show IRV does not eliminate the spoiler effect.
- 2 HN recommenders 3 months 2015–2025Commenters call it a favorite Daily Show clip and link it as a ready answer to climate-skeptic arguments.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2021S Sam Harris · podcast episodeHN commenters recommend it as a data-oriented discussion of race and police shootings.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2022J Jim Jefferies · comedy videoRecommended as a funny but surprisingly persuasive outsider take on gun control, mainly in gun-related threads.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2011–2022L lessig · talkHN people point to it as a starting place for understanding how money corrupts American government.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2021Y YaleCourses · courseHN recommends the lecture series as a foundational, wide-ranging grounding in modern global politics.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2020J Jonathan Pie · commentaryShared after the 2016 election and later as a pithy account of why Trump won and why political division needs to be moved past.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2014–2016C canadarm2 · news clipHN points to it as an entertaining and informative look at the SpaceX versus ULA rivalry.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2013–2022HN commenters cite it whenever a thread touches on tax complexity, loopholes, or why companies like Intuit benefit from a convoluted tax system.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2020–2025D Deadspin · commentaryHN cites it as a vivid example of media consolidation and coordinated messaging.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2025Cited as a thoughtful video essay and for its model of in-group hierarchy in political threads.
- 4 HN recommenders 3 months 2017–2026C Concordia · talkHN points to it as the company's own pitch, used in debates about data-driven manipulation and extrapolated to today's AI.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2015–2020Linked in electoral-system discussions as a quick, clear argument against the electoral college.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2010–2018Cited in tuition-cost threads for the argument that easy government-backed loans enable high prices.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2023–2025HN recommends it as an entertaining demonstration of how powerful algorithmic gerrymandering can be.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2019–2021H Hoover Institution · interviewHN points to it as a primer on Thiel's thinking and as an example of Peter Robinson's skill as an interviewer.
- 2 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2021R RepresentUs · explainerHN commenters cite it as a brief summary of the problem and the proposed Anti-Corruption Act solution when arguing for getting money out of politics.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2015–2022HN recommends it as a short, clear illustration of how first-past-the-post misrepresents voters.
- 3 HN recommenders 3 months 2016–2018HN recommends it as an accessible way to understand why people across the political spectrum disagree and to better understand opposing views.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2014–2020I ipyramid · talkQuoted in economics threads about growth, work and basic income as a classic critique of GDP.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2013–2023F F2C2012 · talkHN shares it as an inspiring account of citizens changing Washington, especially after Swartz's death.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2016–2021M MasterpieceConCen7 · documentaryRecommended as a revealing look at how politicians and news anchors behave off camera and how packaged news feeds were produced.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2020–2023K Kraut · commentaryCommenters point to it as a well-researched explainer of the history and culture behind China's current position, despite the political title.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2015–2022R RepresentUs · explainerFrequently linked as a compact summary of the Princeton study when commenters argue Congress ignores public opinion.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2023–2025T Timothy Snyder · lectureLinked in political threads as a short, accessible companion to Snyder's book and as a reminder not to obey in advance.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2015–2019HN people use it as a quick, entertaining primer on territory status, citizenship versus nationality, and voting rights.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2018–2023E Ewafa · videoHN commenters link it as the primary source for the phrase 'military-industrial complex' and urge people to hear the full speech rather than the soundbite.
- 1 HN recommenders 2 months 2018–2026T TIME · news clipRepeatedly posted in immigration threads to contrast 1980 Republican rhetoric with modern positions.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2019–2020S Some More News · commentaryOccasionally recommended as an in-depth critical take on Shapiro, though mentions are sparse and partisan.
- 4 HN recommenders 2 months 2020–2021HN commenters cite it as a clear debunking of election-fraud statistics and as a warning against comparing percentages without context.
- 3 HN recommenders 2 months 2017–2019U Undefined Behavior · explainerHN commenters link it in voting-reform discussions as a concise explanation of range voting versus other systems.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2020–2024Commenters cite it as a visual debunking of Benford-based election fraud claims and as a guide to when Benford's Law does and does not apply.
- 1 HN recommenders 2 months 2015–2020P pxi · explainerHN users share it as a brief, good introduction whenever liquid or delegative democracy comes up.
- 2 HN recommenders 2 months 2020–2026P Primer · explainerHN commenters link it to explain why plurality voting produces two-party systems and how ranked-choice voting suffers spoiler effects.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2021–2024W Wimble Don · talkHN quotes it whenever debating GDP and metrics of success beyond money.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2017–2020HN cites it as an entertaining, fact-based explainer of gerrymandering tactics, though one commenter criticizes it as inconsistent.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2013–2021S School Sucks · commentaryCited as a critique of libertarianism, including as a reply to the 'you can always leave' argument.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2013–2020R Rhymesayers Entertainment · music videoShared in surveillance and civil-liberties threads as a powerful rap critique of the US.
- 2 HN recommenders 1 months 2021–2025HN people recommend it as an unfiltered way to understand Bannon's worldview and the populist movement, and praise PBS for releasing full interviews.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2013–2024T TheGreatWorker · music videoCited as a classic, catchy explainer of the US legislative process, and half-jokingly as many people's whole civics education.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2018–2025HN links it as the source for the claim that every post-war president would be indictable under Nuremberg standards.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2013–2024HN commenters point to it as a humorous but pointed look at gun control and at learning from other countries' policies.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2020–2026HN cites it as the source of the line that reality has a liberal bias and as a performance people still find phenomenal.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2018–2023E eon3 · lectureCited in threads on American decline, civil unrest and economic crisis as a classic statement of the imperial-decay thesis.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2018–2020G Gravitahn · interviewHN cites it in threads on college admissions and affirmative action as Sowell's argument about unintended consequences.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2016–2022HN uses it as a go-to overview of the congressional fundraising and lobbying problem whenever money in politics comes up.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2022–2023Recommended for historically grounded analysis of Putin, and praised as an example of releasing full-length interviews.
- 2 HN recommenders 1 months 2021–2024Brought up in housing and zoning threads as a mainstream outlet making the case that progressive NIMBYism contradicts stated values.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2008–2018HN commenters point to it as an easy-to-grasp introduction to Chomsky's ideas on universal grammar and the language faculty.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2020–2023Cited in election security threads as a watchable overview of voting machine problems.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2018–2026T tpratt441 · videoPosted in threads on US costs and institutions as a famous fictional rebuttal to American exceptionalism.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2019–2022F Fox News · commentaryCited in voting-related threads as a favorite example of street interviews on voter ID, though it is a partisan satirical piece.
- 1 HN recommenders 1 months 2021–2025Referenced to describe an argument style that rejects incremental improvements, and in discussions of differing liberal and conservative views of society.
- cited 4× 0 months 2017–2018HN mostly links it as background in political arguments or for a memorable moment, rather than as a recommendation.
- cited 3× 0 months 2017Cited as an example of how cable news turns politics into sports-style controversy, not recommended much as a watch.
- cited 3× 0 months 2017–2022P peoplefor · news clipHN cites it as a primary-source quote in discussions of voter suppression.
- cited 6× 0 months 2013–2017R RobUniv · news clipCited as a reference whenever threads turn to the NSA, drones, defense contractors or whistleblowers.
- cited 3× 0 months 2017–2020S StopProgressivism · news clipHN commenters cite it as the canonical example of an intelligence official lying to Congress under oath without consequence.
- cited 7× 0 months 2017–2026W wonkmonk · news clipHN commenters use it as a primary-source clip for the argument that a currency-issuing government cannot go bankrupt in its own currency.
- cited 3× 0 months 2018–2022N Nightbound · videoHN commenters cite it as an example of the film's satire of militarism and fascist propaganda delivered deadpan.
- cited 3× 0 months 2015–2017A Ali · news clipHN commenters cite it as the source of the known/unknown unknowns framing, sometimes noting he was unfairly ridiculed for it.
- cited 3× 0 months 2019–2026HN links it as the original footage of the famous framing of knowledge and ignorance.
- Madeleine Albright - The deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children was worth it for Iraq's non existent WMD'scited 12× 0 months 2013–20239 91177info · news clipHN commenters cite the clip critically as evidence of US sanctions policy and its human cost.
- cited 3× 0 months 2017–2021A AbuWadee3 · videoCited as a quick reference to that Newsroom monologue when a thread touches on American decline.
- cited 6× 0 months 2015–2024J Joe Grand · videoCited as a historical reference when HN discusses L0pht, Mudge or Joe Grand, rather than recommended as a watch.
- cited 3× 0 months 2012–2019J Jon B · videoCited as a parable that leaders must absorb criticism and do the unpleasant work nobody else will.
- cited 3× 0 months 2017–2022T The Nation · interviewHN commenters cite it as a primary source for the Southern Strategy and coded racial language, in Atwater's own words.
- cited 4× 0 months 2019–2025Used mainly as a reference for how contemporaries viewed Reagan's presidency, and occasionally as a joke.
- cited 4× 0 months 2009–2018G godsroundtable · comedy videoPosted as a joke when a story involves being tricked or repeated mistakes.
- cited 5× 0 months 2017–2023Used as a cited example in threads criticizing the direction of competitive school and college debate.
- cited 3× 0 months 2013–2019W weedipikia · comedy videoUsed as a joke or aside about bubble sort and as evidence that Obama was tech savvy, not as something recommended for its content.
- cited 3× 0 months 2012–2017Cited as the standard example of algorithmic redistricting when gerrymandering and electoral reform come up.
- cited 3× 0 months 2019–2026Used as a source for the argument that US support for Israel is systematic and strategic, and for Chomsky's view of Palestine as resistance to colonialism.
- cited 3× 0 months 2008–2016Referenced for his answers on technology policy and the famous bubble sort question, and for comparing politics then and later.
- cited 14× 0 months 2020–2025Cited repeatedly in threads on wokeness, cancel culture and outrage as an authoritative voice from the left criticizing call-outs.
- cited 6× 0 months 2024–2026Linked when someone needs a quick accessible source for the claim that every voting method has flaws.
- cited 3× 0 months 2020–2023C Christopher F. Rufo · documentaryHN uses it as one of many clips documenting San Francisco's decline, and some commenters criticize it as pushing a point of view.
Showing the 100 best-scored of 106. Use search to find the rest.
Questions
What is the most recommended us politics & elections video on Hacker News?
George Lakoff: Moral Politics by University of California Television (UCTV): HN commenters repeatedly say it changed how they hear political speech and recommend it for understanding why opponents are not simply stupid.
How is this us politics & elections list ranked?
By HackerTube's score: the number of distinct months in which an HN comment recommended the video, plus half a point for every month with a strong recommendation. One viral thread counts less than steady recommendations over years.
Where do the videos come from?
From every Hacker News comment between 2007 and 2026 that linked a YouTube video, labeled by an AI model as a recommendation, a citation, a joke or a criticism. The list is published by HackerTube under ODC-By 1.0; this edition adds indexable pages and the comment context.
Video list and Hacker News comment labels from HackerTube (prompted by @karpathy), released under ODC-By 1.0, built on the open-index/hacker-news archive. Hacker News data is provided by Y Combinator; comments remain the work of their authors. Video titles, channel names and thumbnails belong to their creators and are shown via YouTube. HackerTube Watch is an unofficial edition. Data export of 2026-10-31.