Panel, Conference Presentation
Hail to the Chief: A Conversation With Presidential Insiders
Milken InstituteRichard Sandler, Stuart Eizenstat, Stewart McLaurin, David Brooks, Mark Shields, William Brangham
- Jimmy Carter is expected to have evolved significantly in the public mind due to his significant post-presidency work, while the system of presidential libraries will continue to define modern presidents and serve as civics education outposts.
- Historical assessments suggest Lyndon B. Johnson lost power due to the Vietnam War and Ronald Reagan remains popular despite flaws like Iran-Contra, whereas Bill Clinton is viewed as having dissipated power through the Monica Lewinsky affair.
- The hostage release negotiated before the transition is predicted to have been delayed until one minute after Reagan's oath because Khomeini intended to "rub it in," resulting in Ham Jordan being forced from the office with deactivated clearance.
- The modern press is characterized by an expectation for immediate responses, contrasting with the slower cycles of the 1980s, and is predicted to function as an entertainment medium prioritizing audience preferences over informational needs.
- Due to constant action and reaction within the press, the full truth about current events is predicted to take years to be sorted out by historians.
- Investigations are warned to be disastrous if they exceed impeachment boundaries without extraordinary circumstances, as they can damage the launching party, with surveys indicating approximately 60% of the public opposes impeaching Trump.
- Hyper-partisanship is identified as a risk to American democracy that could cause a loss of U.S. influence if the trend continues, requiring an educated electorate and leadership that urges respect for differences.
- Concerns exist that history is not being adequately taught or applied to candidates, that education is difficult to decentralize, and that students lacking early childhood socialization regarding the value of education will struggle to learn.