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 damning testimony of former Trump White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson earlier this week to the House’s select committee of the January 6th attack on the capitol building. Al and Craig also highlight the possible political fallout of the Supreme Court’s decision to strike down Roe v. Wade.
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.
Stephen Schaare says
Gentlemen, Neither one of you mentioned that the testimony of Cassidy was hearsay. She was not present at any of these events. You simply assume she is being truthful, without corroboration. The very same thing was seen with the main accuser Blasi-Ford against Justice Kavanaugh. No witnesses no nothing.
The Secret Service agents with Trump at these alleged events have denied these accounts of Cassidy. They have offered to testify (in public).
So, when press spokesperson Karine Jean Pierre continues to state that the southern border is closed, she is lying.
Neither one of you question the voracity of Cassidy.
Let me close with this; Mr. Fuller mentioned automatic weapons once again, this time with Trump supporters at the Capitol. Sir, there are no automatic weapons available. Why do you keep doing this?Very troubling.
Thank you-Steve
Bob Parker says
Mr. Schaare,
You are correct in stating that Ms Hutchinson was not present for the reported event in the Presidential Limo, and sh clearly stated that she was only recounting what she was told, but was present when the event in the limo was retold in the presence of those who were present and not comments indicating that the event wwas not properly recointed were made. Yes, some Secret Serc=vice agents had denied the story, but until they deny it is public, undoer oath their comments are no stronger than “hearsay”. Regarding no “AUTOMATIC WEAPONS”, YES AR-15’s are semi-automatic, but can be made fully automatic realatively easily. Your criticiss of the discussion delve on picky points that do not change the importance of her testimony.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi Bob, Yes, my Point exactly. The Secret Service agents must testify in public. No closed back room secretive stuff. This only leads to Adam Schiff leaking a fictional account to MSNBC.
The greatest disinfectant is sunlight, out in the open. Unfortunately, the Cheney woman claims she has no interest in hearing from the agents.
Do you know if this Cassidy appearance was the witness Jamie Raskin claimed would ” blow the roof off the Capitol”
Stephen Schaare says
Bob, Forgot. Yes you can alter some guns to auto. You can also convert a can of hairspray into a flame thrower.
My concern is that too many people still be lieve you can stroll into a “Dick’sporting goods” or a local gun dealer and simply purchase a fully automatic weapon. This is not true.
To hear Mr. Fuller once again make such a presumption is simply irresponsible. A lifelong political pundit without knowledge of basic gun laws, I don’t believe it.
Be well-Steve
Charles Barranco says
Learned Schaare,
Hearsay only attaches in a trial. As you know, this is not a trial, it’s a hearing. The veracity of Ms Hutchinson’s statements seem to be only questioned by trump et al and bolstered by many of her colleagues.
Less we forget she was part of the GOP and in fact a trusted, Mark Meadows Aide. Her credibility has already been established.
I am sure she will be an important witness at Donald’s trial where her testimony will be corroborated.
Stephen Schaare says
Charles, You oppose public testimony from the agents?
Bolstered by her colleagues? Would this include Adam “Schiff for brains? Three years of fictional Russian Collusion?
Adam Kinzinger? The troubled Ms. Cheney? And of course the ringleader, Queen Pelosi.
Funny, you say Cassidy is trustworthy because she worked as a junior, junior aide to a REPUBLICAN? I thought Meadows is a despised fellow conspirator of “orange man”.
Thank you-Learned Schaare ( still guided by common sense and the truth)
Craig Fuller says
I take your point. I’ve actually fired both and know the difference. I also know both are designed to be extremely deadly and the thought of these weapons being carried on the Washington Mall by people marching to the Capitol should be the focus of concern. But, in the future, I’ll put a “semi” before “automatic.”
Here’s a good explanation:
The semi-automatic civilian AR-15 was introduced by Colt in 1963. The primary distinction between civilian semi-automatic rifles and military assault rifles is select fire. Military models were produced with firing modes, semi-automatic fire and either fully automatic fire mode or burst fire mode, in which the rifle fires several rounds in succession when the trigger is depressed. Most components are interchangeable between semi-auto and select fire rifles including magazines, sights, upper receiver, barrels and accessories.[70][71] The military M4 carbine typically uses a 14.5-inch (37 cm) barrel. Civilian rifles commonly have 16-inch (41 cm) or longer barrels to comply with the National Firearms Act.[72]