National Conversation, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry blames the press for failing to provide the American people with the context or the information needed to understand the important issues confronting the United States. "There's just basic, fundamental...
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...
Open Markets
Director of the National Economic Council and former Secretary of the Treasury Lawrence Summers argues that open markets are in America's best interest as an exporter, as well as in the best interests of the American consumer. "I don't think the eco...
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...
Presidential Leadership Qualities
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about the qualities that he believes make a president a good leader. Chief among them is commitment to values and principles, the ability to be decisive, and knowing when to compromise.
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...
Aristotle on the State
Philosopher Charles Taylor talks about Aristotle's focus on free political society and self-rule. It was Aristotle who originated the concept of politics as a moral activity, a means by which people can act together not because they are ordered to d...