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...
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.
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...
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...
First Days As Press Secretary
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about his first experiences as White House press secretary. Mr. McCurry recalls the apprehension and nervousness he felt initially, but says the break-in period was relatively easy because of his...
United States and Russia During the Cold War, The
Television news correspondent, presidential advisor and university professor Marvin Kalb talks about U.S. attitudes towards Russia during the Cold War. "Did we give the Russians a fair shake? Yes, in a strategic sense but, in a cultural sense, not a...