Friends & Fellow Citizens

While James Smith did not have nearly the same name recognition as many of his contemporaries, learn how his simple story may reflect a lot about how the signers are remembered and forgotten today. Sherman also shares thoughts and a quick historical excerpt in the spirit of the winter holiday season. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Friends & Fellow Citizens looks forward to welcoming another year in 2025! Music Credits: "Joy to the World" by DIXIDD (AudioJungle) Support the show Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute! JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level! Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy! IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

President Ronald Reagan was known as 'The Great Communicator' who made countless positive relationships with others across the political spectrum. But who has had the opportunity of a lifetime to personally serve him? Peggy Grande, Executive Assistant to President Ronald Reagan 1989-1999 (post-presidency period), shares deeper insight about Reagan and his unique personality, character, values, and charm that made him one of the most memorable and respected Presidents. Check out Peggy's signature book The President Will See You Now! Learn more about Peggy's work at https://peggygrande.com/ Support the show Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute! JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level! Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy! IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

As America was facing the crossroads on the political and moral debates of slavery, one former MA congressman warned of the ideologies and behavior that undermined the American experiment. Learn how Josiah Quincy III, a longtime Jefferson opponent who even attempted to impeach our third president, spoke about the dangers of usurpation, cunning, and arrogance that plagued politics then and plague our politics nowadays in different ways. Link to Quincy's full speech (June 5, 1856) Support the show Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute! JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level! Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy! IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

Hear a statement from Sherman and Friends & Fellow Citizens the day after the 2024 presidential election. Support the show Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute! JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level! Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy! IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

How should we evaluate our Presidents and presidential candidates? In Part II, we continue our conversation with Dr. George C. Edwards III about the Bush School and Presidential Library, the Electoral College, and criteria people should use for evaluating candidate and presidential performance. Finally, hear why Presidents are prisoners of their premises and a preview of some of his many books about the American presidency. ICYMI, listen to Part I of our interview: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1255184/15791663 Amazon.com links to Dr. Edwards' books on the U.S. presidency: The Strategic President: Persuasion and Opportunity in Presidential Leadership On Deaf Ears: The Limits of the Bully Pulpit Prisoners of Their Premises: How Unexamined Assumptions Lead to War and Other Policy Debacles Why the Electoral College is Bad for America Support the show Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute! JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level! Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy! IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

Teddy Roosevelt once coined the term 'bully pulpit' to describe an ideal speaking platform for one's agenda. But this begs many questions. The public can hear the President, but does the public actually listen? Is the Electoral College a democratic system for choosing our national leader? Does civility matter for Presidents? Released on the day before Election Day 2024, this conversation features Sherman speaking with Dr. George C. Edwards III. One of the leading presidential scholars of our time, Dr. Edwards is Texas A&M University Distinguished Professor Emeritus and has authored or edited 27 books. A researcher who enjoys asking and answering the questions no one else has asked, he details the opportunities and limitations of persuasion by American Presidents. Be sure to stay with us and listen to Part 2 of our conversation: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1255184/15791682 Amazon.com links to Dr. Edwards' books on the U.S. presidency: The Strategic President: Persuasion and Opportunity in Presidential Leadership On Deaf Ears: The Limits of the Bully Pulpit Prisoners of Their Premises: How Unexamined Assumptions Lead to War and Other Policy Debacles Why the Electoral College is Bad for America Support the show Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute! JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level! Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy! IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

George Clymer was one of the staunchest supporters of independence who favored more drastic measures than many in the PA delegation. But what makes him a pragmatic signer? Learn how he helped supply the Continental Army when rough conditions and scare resources could have completely jeopardized the patriot cause. Support the show Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute! JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level! Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy! IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

Imagine the ability to solemnly see the Earth and the universe from high above the sky and contributing to the ever-important infrastructure that informs us about outer space. A lifelong Aggie, Col. (Ret.) Michael E. Fossum was a former NASA astronaut who logged nearly 200 days in space, worked over 48 hours of extravehicular activity, and embarked on key missions to the International Space Station. He now serves as a VP of Texas A&M and the Chief Operating Officer of the Galveston campus. Hear Col. Fossum's inspiring story about working to become an astronaut, his service in space, the mission and vision of A&M-Galveston, and much more! A sincere thank you to my mother and father (A&M-Galveston alumnus) for our family's continued support for Texas A&M! Gig 'em! Thumbnail credits: NASA NASA photo of Col. Michael E. Fossum Click here to learn more about Texas A&M University at Galveston! Support the show Visit georgewashingtoninstitute.org to sign up for our e-mail list! The site is the one-stop shop of all things Friends & Fellow Citizens and George Washington Institute! JOIN as a Patreon supporter and receive a FREE Friends & Fellow Citizens mug at the $25 membership level! Check out my UA friend's Engagement Era blog for insight into modern American democracy! IMPORTANT NOTE/DISCLAIMER: All views expressed by the host are presented in his personal capacity and do not officially represent the views of any affiliated organizations. All views by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, and/or Friends & Fellow Citizens.

The introduction and welcome to each Friends & Fellow Citizens episode. Support the show (https://www.patreon.com/friendsfellowcitizens)