Professor of lauper he served in all three branches of the federal government to the Justice Department office of legal counsel, and the Senate Judiciary committee and Justice Clarence thomas prayed the previous books include crisis and command a history of executive power from George Washington to george w. Bush. His newest book the subject of todays discussion is titled defend her in chief, Donald Trumps fight for president ial power. John thanks for joining us today. Spivey entrance. Guest thanks adam and thank you its hard to believe ive been a scholar here for almost 20 years. I think im one of the oldest people on the staff. Its great to be here again to talk about a book and it would not be possible without having relationships like those i have aei. So terrific lets jump into the book. The end of the books introduction you summarize the overall argument and theme of the book. You say that President Trump has returned to the framers original vision of the presidency as an office
Signs of vitality. Of live. Not that movement that is cracking up or than its on its last leg. People are fighting and debating and arguing so strenuously it is something of value is concern here. And that is conservative movement which is still a major actor in american politics. At the same time, we have an opportunity to accept change. Leg is part of what it means to be a conservative today it not to be so resistant they wont allow anything to happen. Even edmund burr says that change is inevitable. It is just a question of being printed change. Thats would i a sneak traditional conservative looking forward to the right kind of leadership and debate and discussion, so i will come all that is going on right now. All the various strands and strains of conservatism. That is good. And coming out of that, and to be a bigger and better and i think more relevant conservative movement in the years ahead. I want to redo a quote. Mary would just go absolutely crazy if he will watching this to
Russell kirk one day he woke up and said i want to write a book about all the conservatives that have lived and worked and made a difference in our history. No one had done that before. They express in irritable mental gestures. That was the disdain or contempt the liberals had were conservatives. Russell kirk said, i dont think thats right. He put together this book called the conservative mind which liberals said the words impossible. When they began reading the book there was and had been a conservative tradition in america since the founding. [indiscernible]. When he got through and published the conservative mind. Liberal said, wow. Wasnt a hit right away . It was. For depleting if you will. Deep reading if you will. It made russell kirk really the most important conservative intellectual in america. In many of your book, you indicate that 1946 was a key year in the modern conservative movement. Why is that . 1944 and in 1945. The Readers Digest picked it up and did a digest of ex
People are fighting and debating and arguing so strenuously because manager of value is something of value is concerned here, and that is the conservative movement which is still a a major actor in american politics. At the same time, we have an opportunity to accept change. I think thats apartment of what it means to be a conservative part of what it means to be a conservative today. Not to be so resistant that we wont allow anything to happen. Even edmund burke said that change is inevitable. The its the question of prudent change. Thats what i, as a traditional conservative, am looking for, the right kind of leadership, the right kind of debate is and discussion. So i welcome all thats going on right now, all the various strands, all the various straebss strains of conservativism. Thats good. Coming out of that is going to be a bigger, better and, i think, more relevant conservative movement in the years ahead. Host want to read you a quote. Barry would just go absolutely crazy if h
It is an exciting time. Also more worried that we are fighting too much, arguing too much. Screaming too much like hatfield and mccoys. I say thats great because that means these are signs of vitality and of life. That its on its last leg that people are fighting and debating so something of value is concerned and that is the conservative movement which is still a major actor in american politics. At the same time we have an opportunity to accept change. Thats part of what it means to be a conservative today not to be so resistant not to allow anything to happen is inevitable as long as it is prudent change and i is a traditional conservative looking for the right kind of leadership so i welcome all thats going on right now all the various strains of conservativism that is good. Coming out of that will be a bigger and better and more relevant conservative movement in the years ahead. Very would go absently crazy if he were watching this today yelling at the television and think its emb