How Presidential Campaigns Have Changed
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about the ways presidential campaigns have changed since he was the campaign manager of the Gerald Ford presidential campaign in 1976. "Political candidates have any number of ways to appeal to the vote...
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."
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...
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...
Voter's Challenge, The
Former White House press secretary Mike McCurry talks about the challenge voters face before elections, when they are bombarded with information from the media that is frequently unaccompanied by analysis. In the end, Mr. McCurry explains, the Ameri...
Campaign Finance (Part Two)
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about the role money plays in campaigns. He says there's nothing wrong with candidates having to go out and raise money, arguing that if a candidate is unable to do so, he or she is not really a viable ...
Campaign Finance (Part One)
Former Secretary of State James A. Baker talks about campaign finance reform. Secretary Baker advocates raising the amount one can contribute to a federal race, because doing so would lessen the influence of "soft money" on political campaigns. He a...
Campaign Primaries
Talking about the arduous road to the White House, former Secretary of State James A. Baker suggests a system of regional primaries, "...so that the states don't keep jockeying to be the first...extending the process, making it ever and ever longer."
From Campaign to Governing
Former Secretary of Labor and university professor Robert Reich talks about the rapid and challenging transition that must take place when a successful presidential campaign ends and a new administration takes shape and then begins the process of ac...