My name is karen. Thank you for joining us here at the center on National Security. We are delighted to be bringing you this afternoons conversation. With me today is awardwinning author, journalist, documentary maker. His new book is the spymasters how the cia director shaped the future and we are going to talk about this book today but first i want to say welcome and thank you for joining us. Its a pleasure to be here thanks for having me. So this is a wonderful read. When i started it i was like this is going to be too much information i wont be able to take it in but its fantastic. Its based on your own knowledge and research over 70 interviews and among those the directors of the cia except for the current ones and its not so much about the cia directors of their relationshitherelationship to te and the president would you agree with that . Thanks for the kind words about the book because what i try to do may be above all else is humanize these directors. I was lucky because as a
Mac will john, thank you for taking this opportunity to discuss your new book. I am delighted by the opportunity to have some questions about it. I reddit a few days ago. Had a little bit of time to prepare for this interview. I want to start because he wrote a peace in 2017 that unloaded pretty strong on President Trump for various overreaches for the exercise of executive powers. Now youre presenting him as a defender of the traditional Constitution Order regarding president ial powers. I want to ask you what changed your view . How did you move from where you were before to what you have presented in your new book . Guest thanks for inviting me to it come on with you. And really looking forward to this conversation. As you know ive been an admirer of your work on executive privilege, this should be a lot of fun. I started out wary of President Trump. I was not a supporter of his and the 2016 election. And the thing that worried me as he was a populist. In the constitution seems desi
Book demagogue but senator joe mccarthy and larry will appear long side john nichols who many ourself know from his various roles at the Capital Times, associate editor, the nation magazine, and progressive. We couldnt be more delighted to be hosting these events for you all spring and summer long here on our crowdcast channel and i want to take moment to say thank you to maddison Public Library and the foundation. Theyre support for online cultural events has been absolutely unwaiverring, they are my gosh, im so excited so see john nichols. Their support for these events has been sluicely unwavering and they have been so dedicated to bringing author events to all of you whether youre watching watn your home or across the country or across the globe. We have seen an incredible uptick in our audience of people from all over and it has just absolutely wonderful to see the response. So thank you to everyone who is here tonight. Everyone who has come to one and to all the sponsors who made
One cia director, george h. W. Bush, later became president himself. The Smithsonian Associates hosted this program. Good evening, everyone. My name is ruth robbins. Its a pleasure to welcome you here tonight for our program. A couple of quick things first. One is, if you could, please put away your cell phones, turn them off, silence them, any electronic devices, we would appreciate it. If youre wondering why bright lights in here, because youre all going to be on tv. Cspan is taping tonight. Im kidding, youre not going to be on cspan, the speaker will be on cspan. When we get to the q a, they usually want to bring a mic down so they can record it. So if you have a question, just try to wait until they bring the mic to you so we dont have to repeat it. The speaker will repeat the questions so you can hear, but this is so they can hear it or however they work it. Our speaker tonight is david robarge, received a phd at columbia university. After teaching at columbia, working for banker
Of the relationship between president and cia director and how it is influenced by the president s needs and interests. One cia director george w. H. Bush later became president himself. Good evening, everyone. My name is ruth robins and its a pleasure to welcome you here tonight for our program. A couple quick things first, one is, if you could please put away your cellphones, turn them off, silence them, any electronic devices, wed appreciate it. If you wonder why theres such bright lights in here, youre all going to be on tv, cspan is taking, kidding, youre not going to be on tv, the speaker is going to be on cspan. When we get to the q a they usually want to bring a mic down so they can record it. If you have a question try to wait until they bring the mic to you, the speaker will repeat the question so you can hear, but this is so they can hear it, however they work it. Our speaker tonight is David Robarge who received phd in American History from columbia university. After teachi