Working With Congress
Former Secretary of Labor and university professor Robert Reich explains that any Cabinet secretary must answer not only to the President, but to any of the five hundred and thirty-five members of Congress who wish to meet or ask for help about some...
2000 Presidential Election, The
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about the 2000 presidential election, and the impact the state of Florida had on that election. He reveals that a number of foreign ministers he once worked with as Secretary of State asked him what was...
Succeeding in Washington
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker explains that the people who succeed in Washington, "...are the people who are secure enough with themselves to surround themselves with really, really capable associates."
Successful Campaigns: Image or Reality?
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry debunks the idea that the images of candidates are manufactured by behind-the-scenes image consultants. "This is really about the qualities of the individual who's running and...the camera doesn't lie....
White House Staff, The
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen talks about the evolution of the White House staff. He notes that the staff was very small and not especially important back in the time of Lincoln. But beginning with the...
White House Chief of Staff: Challenges (Part Two)
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker describes the challenges he faced as President Reagan's Chief of Staff, when the nation was dealing with double digit inflation in the early 1980's. He also talks about the very long hours the White House Chi...
White House Chief of Staff: Challenges (Part One)
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker notes that he held the position of White House Chief of Staff longer than most, and managed to complete his tenure, "...with my dignity and credibility somewhat intact. And that was a major accomplishment."
American Economy During the Clinton Administration, The
Director of the National Economic Council and former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers talks about the mostly positive economic record of the Clinton administration, which included decreasing unemployment and inflation and an increase in jo...
The Justification of the State
Philosopher John Searle rejects the idea of having to justify "the state" because he says we are not only biological "beasts" but social beasts as well, and can't live without some kind of institutional structure. He does say that there is nothing w...
American People and Foreign Affairs, The
Television news correspondent, presidential advisor and university professor Marvin Kalb refutes the notion that the American people have no interest in foreign affairs. Mr. Kalb explains that when politicians and the media only focus on domestic is...