Language of International Diplomacy, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the need to speak "an entirely different language" as a State Department spokesperson. "While you're doing the briefing in English," Mr. McCurry explains, "...it's a peculiar variant called...
Politics of Extremism, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the tendency to be, "...provocative, or angry, or loud, or shrill..." as perhaps the only way to cut through the enormous amount of information that is cluttering the political landscape at...
Politics of Diplomacy, The
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker recounts his experience joining with the Foreign Minister of the Soviet Union to condemn the Iraq invasion of Kuwait in 1990.
Negotiating With Congress
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker explains that his first major negotiation as Secretary of State was not with a foreign power but with the Congress of the United States. Secretary Baker recounts the process of convincing ultra liberal and ul...
Of Presidents and Saints
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry argues that America would be better off if it recognized that Presidents are not saints. "I think sometimes we shackle our presidents by not understanding that they are human beings in addition to bein...
Press Secretaries and the Press
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the inherently adversarial relationship between White House press secretaries and the press, but notes that, "...it (can) also be an amicable relationship, a professional relationship."
Press Secretary Jobs
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry recalls his two press secretary jobs during the Clinton administration, and says that he greatly preferred his stint as State Department spokesman over his job as White House press secretary. "It was i...
Making A Difference
Former Secretary of Labor and university professor Robert Reich talks about the satisfaction of being part of the process that alters public policy with regard to issues like minimum wage and worker safety. "There is no greater satisfaction than kno...
Managing or Being Managed?
Former Secretary of Labor and university professor Robert Reich talks about the tendency of competent people in Cabinet departments to over-manage the time of the individual who heads the department. "You have got to assert yourself...you are in cha...
Cynicism and Politics
Former Secretary of Labor Robert Reich talks about what he terms the greatest evils in a democracy: indifference, escapism and resignation.