Presidency and the State Department, The
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker recalls how he made a conscious decision during his tenure as Secretary of State to be the President's man at the State Department, rather than the State Department's man at the White House.
Public Opinion Polls and Politics
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry explains that public opinion polls are very useful tools. "On the other hand," Mr. McCurry adds, "anybody who just operates solely based on public opinion polls doesn't get very far in politics, becaus...
Presidential Campaigns
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the presidential campaigns with which he's been involved. "If it's someone you would really want to see as President," Mr. McCurry says, "...then it's worth...giving your heart and soul int...
Primary System, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the primary system, likening it to a marathon in which, "...only those who are fittest and sharpest and most determined make it to the end."
Politics and Negotiation
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker explains that being Secretary of State is a political job. "It's international politics," Secretary Baker states. "A lot of (the) job is understanding what the fellow across the table can and can't do...what ...
Political Parties in the Age of Television
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the decline in influence of the political parties, beginning in the 1970's, when television shifted the focus of campaigns to the candidates rather than their parties. "People began to conc...
Paying Down the National Debt
Director of the National Economic Council and former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers talks about the importance of paying down the debt, particularly because the United States is, "...a country that chronically undersaves."
Monica Lewinsky Episode, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the disappointment felt by White House staff members when the details of the Monica Lewinsky episode came out in the Starr Report. "And I think the President understood that, " Mr. McCurry ...
Most Significant Events Covered
Television news correspondent, presidential advisor and university professor Marvin Kalb looks back over his years as a network news correspondent and talks about the most significant events and people that he covered. The Cuban Missile Crisis is fi...
Job of Press Secretary, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry explains that he spent most of his time as press secretary researching issues he knew he'd be asked about in press briefings, as well as trying to make sure he knew exactly what the President thought a...