This episode of Whistlestop revisits an era of mischievous accounting by first lady Mary Todd Lincoln and the work of a leaker who helped distract the press.Whistlestop is Slate's podcast about presidential history. Hosted by political correspondent and <a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/podcasts/gabfest/2015/02/political_gabfest_on_the_supreme_court_s_obamacare_case_israeli_prime_minister.html">Political Gabfest</a> panelist <a href="http://www.slate.com/authors.john_dickerson.html">John Dickerson</a>, each installment will revisit memorable (or even forgotten) moments from America's Presidential carnival.Podcast production and edit by Jocelyn Frank. Research by Brian Rosenwald.Love Slate podcasts? Listen longer with Slate Plus! Members get bonus segments, ad-free versions, exclusive podcasts and more. Start your two-week free trial at <a href="http://slate.me/1ENza1a">slate.com/podcastplus</a>.Email: <a href="mailto:whistlestop@slate.com">whistlestop@slate.com</a> Learn more about your ad choices. Visit <a href="https://megaphone.fm/adchoices">megaphone.fm/adchoices</a>

Foreign Collusion and the Dragon Lady

John Dickerson of Slate’s Political Gabfest revisits a moment from the American carnival of politics. Hear about the grand speeches, emergency strategies, baby kissing, and backstabbing that make each presidential cycle so fascinating.