Experts in the News | Miller Center

The Presidency

Transparency about the president's health is rare

Throughout American history, Presidents who have suffered health crises, even in the mass media era, have tended to conceal what’s occurring

Time

Trump's COVID-19 Diagnosis Recalls History Of Secrecy On Presidential Health

"This is one precedent this president is following," says Barbara Perry, director of Presidential Studies at the University of Virginia's Miller Center. Perry says the American public has a right to know the health of their presidents, especially now, given that voters are also just weeks away from deciding at the ballot box who is most fit to inhabit the Oval Office.

Barbara Perry

A new challenge for transition planners: Building a government over Zoom

"When you’re trying to evaluate personnel, there’s no substitute for sitting across the table from somebody,” said Chris Lu, executive director of Barack Obama’s 2008 transition. He noted, however, that the Biden team already has experience hiring staff during the pandemic, having recently been through it during the vice presidential selection process.

Chris Lu

Truth Gap Emerges as White House Attempts to Conceal President Trump's Full Medical Picture

While most American's healthcare issues are protected by federal privacy laws like HIPPA, questions remain about how much privacy should be afforded to the president, who remains ill days after announcing he had the virus. Joining The Takeaway to discuss are Professor Barbara Perry, director of Presidential Studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center and Dr. Dhruv Khullar, a physician and assistant professor of medicine and health-care policy at Weill Cornell Medical College.

Barbara Perry

High Anticipation for Vice Presidential Debate

Republican Vice President Mike Pence and Democratic Senator Kamala Harris are to meet Wednesday in a debate that for many reasons may make it more interesting – and watchable – than the typical presidential or vice-presidential debate. VOA’s Steve Redisch takes a look.

Mary Kate Cary

Trump Tests Positive for Coronavirus

"Particularly before the advent of antibiotics, any illness suffered by a president - who was probably in the final stage of his life - was a matter of concern for the political system," said Russell Riley, co-director of the oral history program at the University of Virginia Miller Center.

Russell Riley