Every president leaves their mark on the office of the presidency.

The office of the presidency also leaves its mark on every person who holds it.

This week, we broadcast from the Presidential Ideas Festival, hosted by the University of Virginia’s Miller Center in Charlottesville. It’s a three-day festival attended by presidential scholars, journalists, political junkies, as well as politicians and administration officials.

We spent our time here talking to people who have worked closely with former presidents, on both sides of the aisle, to get their perspective on how the office changes those who serve, and on how those who served have changed the office. 

Guests:

Barbara Perry, Professor and Director of Presidential Studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center

Andy Card, White House Chief of Staff during the George W. Bush administration

Kathleen Sebelius, United States Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Barack Obama administration

Karl Rove, Senior Advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff during the George W. Bush administration

Susan Rice, U.S. National Security Advisor during the Barack Obama administration