Government by Committee: Securing the Presidential Nomination
The process of nominating candidates for the nation's highest office has also changed through the years bringing it closer to the people. Today the emphasis is on amassing enough delegates in the primaries to wrap up the nomination long before the R...
Government by Committee: Intense Competition: Campaign for the White House
The intense competition that surrounds the campaign for the White House intensifies as the general election nears. Robert Reich calls it "warfare without blood." It is difficult to predict what will make a presidential campaign successful. Despite t...
Importance of Foreign Policy, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about how the perception of foreign policy has changed for many Americans since the Cold War. "Throughout the years of the Cold War," Mr. McCurry explains, "...Americans instinctively knew that f...
Global Politics: Changing Attitudes Toward World Affairs
The relationship between the United States and the world community, as important as it has been at times in our history, may not be considered as much of a priority today as it was during World War II and the Cold War. Although opinion is divided, t...
Role of the Secretary of State, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the evolution of the role of the Secretary of State, a position he says has declined somewhat since the end of the Cold War. At the same time, Mr. McCurry adds, other Cabinet posts which ar...
Presidential Flaws
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry explains that all Presidents have flaws in one way or another, because every human being is flawed. "The problem," according to Mr. McCurry, "...is that we just in the last part of the 20th century dev...
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."
Party Politics: Politician-Centered Politics
Despite partisan support, political parties are relatively weak in the United States. They still recruit candidates, raise money, and develop policy positions, but they do not control these activities as they once did. Candidates can bypass their pa...