Director and librarian at the John Carter Brown Library at Brown University and editor of the Library of America's two-volume American Speeches: Political Oratory from the Revolution to the Civil War; speechwriter for then-President Bill Clinton
Ted Widmer on KCRW
More from KCRW
Trump tests limits of presidential powers with contentious first week
PoliticsAre Trump and Biden setting a dangerous precedent through their use of pardons? Will Congress retake its power to check the White House?
Trump muddies disaster responses with theories of his own
PoliticsDonald Trump bashed DEI policies in response to a tragic plane crash. He’s bucked heads with LA’s mayor over the wildfires. Is now the time to focus on policy?
Why are public health experts wary of RFK Jr. as HHS head?
PoliticsWhat can we expect if RFK Jr. becomes health secretary? Will Trump take action on Dreamers? Plus, KCRW analyzes how progressives influenced the Democratic mandate.
Why does 2025 feel a lot like 1981?
PoliticsWill the Senate defer to Trump on Cabinet nominees? Why does the transition to Trump’s second term feel familiar? KCRW looks at what’s ahead for 2025.
Trump sours on Zelensky amid US talks with Russia
PoliticsDonald Trump points fingers at Volodymyr Zelensky about the war with Russia. Should the president take accountability for the DOJ? Plus, how valuable are political rallies?
UnitedHealthcare CEO assassination exposes divergence of America's justice system
PoliticsThe assassination of Brian Thompson, the former CEO of UnitedHealthcare insurance company, has prompted a national reckoning of how corporate entities commit crimes on a daily basis…
Could new Trump presidency turn OC into a GOP hotbed?
PoliticsDonald Trump has never won Orange County, but new Republican leadership hopes to turn a purple region into a GOP stronghold.
It’s all kicking off with China
PoliticsTariffs, artificial intelligence, semiconductors, electric cars: there is much to be said about the evolving relationship between China and the United States.
Immigrant kids to get stronger protections in OC
Orange CountyAmid the Trump administration’s ramped-up efforts to deport undocumented immigrants, the Orange County Board of Supervisors voted to strengthen protections for children whose parents…