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 agree on Trump’s removal from office, a Andy Harris censure, Georgia Senate Results and the nomination of Merrick Garland as Joe Biden’s Attorney General.
This video is approximately thirteen minutes in length. To listen to the 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.
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.
Anne Stalfort says
So people out there that still support Trump: what are you thinking? He encouraged insurrection against our country. Do you support that? The scenes of Trumpsters storming the capitol are chilling. The time to stay silent is passed. I hope Republicans will follow Governor Hogan in calling for Trump’s removal. History needs to show that we stood against a president who would not participate in a peaceful transition, who would not accept the results of an election, and who encouraged an insurrection. Trump has to go now!
Mary Bloom says
Enjoyed the discussion. 13 days left of Trump is a frightening thought. I was glad to hear that you thought he should be removed. I hope it happens. Another bonus would be: maybe Jim Jordon wouldn’t get the Medal of Freedom.
James Richardson says
A great interview and analysis from From and Fuller about yesterday’s tragic events in Washington. Before I watched this, I placed 2 phone calls to Andy Harris’s office to register my reaction to his shameful and complete unprofessional actions in the House of Representatives early this morning. My question is this; is there anyway we can help support a censorship of Mr. Harris on the local level? Frankly, I have had it up to here with his political self-serving antics and am fed up with the gerrymandering of our county that keeps him in office.
joyce frigon says
Let us all know if you figure it out. Evil Andy has been forced on us by outside interests.
Stephen Schaare says
Hi James, This “Harris Thing” clearly continues to trouble many. I see two remedies. 1) The Dems must put up a candidate for whom the people can vote. Not some moonbeam proposing rail service to the Eastern Shore. Really? Huh? C’mon.
2) I suppose Harris has a regional office somewhere on the Shore. Find out when he will be there, go visit, and drag him out, kicking and screaming.
Michael Davis says
Thank you for this video. The armed attack on our Capitol was a local event in the sense that a huge number of local people are angry and depressed and shocked by Trump’s mob in DC. We are checking in with each other here in Easton for emotional support.
The Trump Republican party will not censure Harris. The Trump Republican leader in the House, Kevin McCarty, is as much a sycophant to Trump as is Harris.
A recall petition to remove Harris will not work. The Democratic Party of Maryland gerrymandered his District, so Republicans way outnumber Democrats.
The best thing that can be done to Harris is for the leadership of the House to completely isolate Harris for his activity trying to undermine democracy. Senators Cardin and Van Hollin have the staff and power to help the people of the Eastern shore without interacting with Harris. House leadership should ignore any legislation introduced by Harris; not allow Harris to sign on to any bill endorsed by the leadership, don’t invite Harris or any of staff to meetings chaired by Democrats, take away his parking, and much more. A lot can be done to make Harris completely impotent. He deserves nothing less.