Friends & Fellow Citizens

As many Americans and non-Americans strongly debate the future American foreign policy, there has been too much misunderstanding of U.S. foreign policy history and principles. Learn how one of America's greatest presidents Theodore Roosevelt can teach us about the realities of foreign affairs 120+ years after his 1904 Annual Address to Congress. 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! 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 presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

The Tea Party may feel like a long time ago, but was it really just a movement? Or was it a much larger phenomenon? Dr. Rachel Blum, Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Oklahoma and the Carl Albert Center, previews her book about the Tea Party's takeover of the Republican Party and shares how the Tea Party became one of the most disruptively consequential political movements in recent U.S. political history. Check out Dr. Blum's website rachelmblum.com and her book available on Amazon! 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! 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 presented by guests are solely those of the interviewees themselves and may or may not reflect the views of their affiliated organizations, the host, Friends & Fellow Citizens, and/or The George Washington Institute.

Almost 30 years ago, Texas A&M University's Bush School of Government and Public Service was dedicated to continue the legacy of the late President George H.W. Bush. For this year's inaugural F&FC Presidents' Day Interview, founding Director of the Bush School Dr. Charles Hermann shares some insight and principles of the institution and its role in shaping public service in America. Check out Dr. Hermann's books below! When Things Go Wrong: Foreign Policy Decision Making under Adverse Feedback Called to Serve: The Bush School of Government and Public Service 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.

Living in the Pennsylvania countryside, George Taylor worked with iron furnaces before his arrival in the Continental Congress. Learn how Taylor's background can and should inform people nowadays about the value of blue-collar professions in our civics today. 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.

Lincoln, the Republicans, and the Union Army fought and won to preserve the country during the Civil War. But what larger battle brewed during the bloodiest conflict in American history? Dr. Forrest Nabors, Associate Professor and Chair of Political Science at the University of Alaska Anchorage, shares deeper insight into the larger political and spiritual conflict that determined the fate of the Founders' pillars of American republicanism. If you wish to learn more and purchase Dr. Nabors' book From Oligarchy to Republicanism: The Great Task of Reconstruction on Amazon, check out this link! 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.

One can argue every presidential election is a rejection of the losing candidate and party. But what if that rejection is so significant and may be a repudiation? Hear Sherman's five criteria for a 'repudiation election' using Andrew Jackson's victory of the Election of 1828 as a starting point. 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 can Americans from both sides of the aisle prevent a 1/6 from ever happening again? Hear Jen's thoughts and advice on how voters can contribute to our states' election processes and remember the lessons from the infamous day in America's history. ICYMI, check out Part I HERE! Watch the documentary 'January 6th' on Discovery+ (link to trailer) Learn more about the Congressional Management Foundation on its website and X! Hear Sherman's first-hand account in #73: One Year After 1/6 - A Personal Reflection From a Former Congressional Intern 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.

Exactly four years ago, Jen Daulby was on the House floor and evacuated with Members of Congress as rioters amassed and wreaked havoc on our nation's Capitol. Just a few hundred feet away, Sherman was in the Cannon House Office Building and was twice evacuated by U.S. Capitol Police due to a bomb threat and reports of intruders. The real heroes that day were and always will be the brave police officers who risked their lives to defend the Capitol and American democracy. With the upcoming certification of the 2024 election amid the years of mass politicization and attempts to rewrite 1/6 history, it is important for Americans to hear the stories of those who upheld the fragile democratic process in 2021 that made this year's peaceful transfer of power (and those of future years) possible. Having never met each other in-person (yet), Jen and Sherman reflect together with a frank and emotional conversation about the January 6th insurrection as an unforgettably challenging day. Hear Jen's first-hand experiences as a House Administration Committee Republican staffer and the operational, electoral, and constitutional lessons that can heal a divided America moving forward. Listen to Part II HERE! Watch the HBO Max documentary 'January 6th' feat. Jen Learn more about the Congressional Management Foundation on its website and X! Hear Sherman's first-hand account in #73: One Year After 1/6 - A Personal Reflection From a Former Congressional Intern 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.

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)