Every Thursday, the Spy hosts a conversation with Al From and Craig Fuller on the most topical political news of the moment.
This week, From and Fuller discuss the winners and losers of the House Select Committee of the January 6th Capitol riot as it reaches the halfway mark in its deliberations. Al and Craig also talk about the previously unknown meeting between former President Trump and key conservative members of Congress, including Rep. Andy Harris from the 1st District of Maryland.
This video podcast is approximately eighteen minutes in length.
To listen to the audio podcast version, please use this link:
Background
While the Spy’s public affairs mission has always been hyper-local, it has never limited us from covering national, or even international issues, that impact the communities we serve. With that in mind, we were delighted that Al From and Craig Fuller, both highly respected Washington insiders, have agreed to a new Spy video project called “The Analysis of From and Fuller” over the next year.
The Spy and our region are very lucky to have such an accomplished duo volunteer for this experiment. While one is a devoted Democrat and the other a lifetime Republican, both had long careers that sought out the middle ground of the American political spectrum.
Al From, the genius behind the Democratic Leadership Council’s moderate agenda which would eventually lead to the election of Bill Clinton, has never compromised from this middle-of-the-road philosophy. This did not go unnoticed in a party that was moving quickly to the left in the 1980s. Including progressive Howard Dean saying that From’s DLC was the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.
From’s boss, Bill Clinton, had a different perspective. He said it would be hard to think of a single American citizen who, as a private citizen, has had a more positive impact on the progress of American life in the last 25 years than Al From.”
Al now lives in Annapolis and spends his semi-retirement as a board member of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (his alma mater) and authoring New Democrats and the Return to Power. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School and recently agreed to serve on the Annapolis Spy’s Board of Visitors. He is the author of “New Democrats and the Return to Power.”
For Craig Fuller, his moderation in the Republican party was a rare phenomenon. With deep roots in California’s GOP culture of centralism, Fuller, starting with a long history with Ronald Reagan, leading to his appointment as Reagan’s cabinet secretary at the White House, and later as George Bush’s chief-of-staff and presidential campaign manager was known for his instincts to find the middle ground. Even more noted was his reputation of being a nice guy in Washington, a rare characteristic for a successful tenure in the White House.
Craig has called Easton his permanent home for the last five years, where now serves on the boards of the Academy Art Museum, the Benedictine School, and Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. He also serves on the Spy’s Board of Visitors.
With their rich experience and long history of friendship, now joined by their love of the Chesapeake Bay, they have agreed through the magic of Zoom, to talk inside politics and policy with the Spy every Thursday.
Chris Roberts says
Ugh. The 1/6 committee is pure theatre to appease the hardcore Dem constituency and to provide a grandstanding platform for the carefully curated committee members. Or, is this an objective, honest effort to ‘save our democracy?’
Nothing new that is actionable is coming out in the hearings. All of the important facts have been known for well over a year. If they could charge Trump with anything related to 1/6, they would have already.
Jerry McConnell says
All the facts known for over a year? Yes, by Republican congressmen who designed and assisted in the 1/6 takeover attempt, like Andy “Top Gun” Harris. And of course Agent Orange’s staff who cheered it on. Some of us now know that there’ll be indictments for some of your GOP heroes.
Please, no posting during happy hour.
Deirdre LaMotte says
Wrong on every count, sorry. This hearing displays former Trump GOP officials testifying that Trump was not
only a buffoon, more importantly, he is a callous monster who was deadly serious about overthrowing the government.
He and his Congressional side kicks, like Harris, were involved in intentionally destroying American democracy.
Charles Barranco says
Mr Roberts,
The evidence presented in these hearings unequivocally implicates trump et al in conspiracy, felony murder, some will call it manslaughter and treason for starters.
Did you miss Congresswoman Cheney’s comment that there is enough evidence to indite trump? She has been saying this for at least a month.
Rest assured the inditements will be forthcoming. Don’t you think she’s a little closer to the evidence than you?
You might reread Mr Terrone’s comments and his analysis of trump and his allies wrongdoings. It’s worth the read. In particular he asks the question; How is it Republican Governors, Congressman and Senators were elected on the same ticket as trump?
So Yes, most of us have known trump attempted an overthrow of Democracy, propagated The Steal, The Big Lie, wouldn’t transfer power peacefully and as Atty Gen Barr stated, It’s Bullshit, there shouldn’t be any doubt In anybody’s mind that trump is guilty unless you are in denial.
The evidence and facts are there!
Stay Tuned!
Al DiCenso says
Harris is as much a traitor as Trump and his minions are. He does NOT deserve re-election, but I think the red-neck segment of the Eastern Shore’s population believe otherwise.
Michael Davis says
I could not agree more with Al. Harris violated his oath of office to defend the Constitution and that makes him unfit to serve. If he were in the Executive Branch of the government, they would fire him. Unfortunately, too many people in our congressional district will elect a traitor..