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 Compromise: The Art of the Possible
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen explains that "...politics remains the art of the possible. Compromise is not a dirty word, despite the ideologues on both sides who insist that it is."
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."
Liberal and Communitarian Theories of Government
Philosopher Michael Sandel says he recognizes the power of the liberal theory of government, because its neutral position regarding morality is based on a certain conception of freedom. Despite this, however, Professor Sandel believes the liberal po...
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 ...
Government Response to Global Epidemics
Professor of Sociology and History Craig Calhoun observes that one of the biggest challenges in dealing with infectious diseases on a global scale is convincing governments to acknowledge that there is a problem and that they need to make a concerte...
Moving to Extremes
Presidential advisor, political analyst and university professor David Gergen explains that both major political parties today are embracing more extreme agendas than they have in the past. As a result, Mr. Gergen notes, more Americans than ever say...
National Conventions and Presidential Elections
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about some of the changes that have occurred since he served as the campaign manager of the Ford campaign in 1976. He points out that the Reagan challenge to Gerald Ford that year was the last closely c...