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Strategist Al From visited the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library in Ann Arbor, MI on May 20, 2015 and the Museum in Grand Rapids, MI on May 21, 2015. In this recording, Al From participates in a conversation on “What’s Missing from Presidential Politics?” with Foundation Chairman Red Cavaney at the Museum. He also spoke about his book “The New Democrats and the Return to Power”.

Al From has been a leading political strategist for decades, even before his founding the Democratic Leadership Council (DLC) in 1985. The internationally-known DLC has produced several key political party and communication strategies that has propelled the return of the Democratic party winning numerous elections, including Gov. Bill Clinton’s victory over incumbent President George H.W. Bush in 1992. From has also served as the Executive Director of the U.S. House of Representatives Democratic Caucus, for the Jimmy Carter White House and Staff Director of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Intergovernmental Relations.

Al From warmly opened his remarks remembering when he was working in the U.S. House of Representatives and Gerald R. Ford was President of the United States. From believed the period when Ford served in Washington, D.C. as a glorious time because that is when politicians worked together and comprised to help the country. From stated how he believes Gerald R. Ford is an under-appreciated President, focusing on how Ford was able to bring the country back together again following the troubling times of Watergate.

From discussed his time with President Bill Clinton, including their preparation prior to the 1992 Campaign which saw Clinton beat President George H.W. Bush. From recalls that his working with Clinton began because of the Democratic Party’s 1980’s substantial defeats at the hands of the Republican Party. Those defeats led to the creation of the Democratic Leadership Council and its mission to halt the political losses. It was at that time From met with and persauded then-Governor Bill Clinton to join the DLC as Chairman in order to start rebuilding the message of the Democratic Party.

Together, From and Clinton traveled the country to develop an agenda by talking to groups, small and large. It was on that tour that several of their ideas came to light, such as charter schools and Welfare reform. Another idea was national service, which was the belief that the country should invest in young people, but that young people who receive college scholarships should also give something back to the country. That program is now called Americorps and through 2015, tens of thousands of young Americans have participated. Community policing was yet another idea which became part of their agenda, with New York City’s transformation to a safer metropolitan was made possible.

It was because of the numerous ideas such as those added with the ability of the DLC and Democratic Party to get their message out to the American public that led to the surprising 1992 victory and since then, the Democrats have won five of the six Presidential popular votes.

From also provided his three thoughts on “What’s Missing in Politics” which were a sense of history, new ideas and political courage. Following his remarks, From and Cavaney answered several questions from the audience.

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