Every Thursday, the Spy hosts a conversation with Al From and Craig Fuller on the most topical political news of the week.

This week, Al and Craig discuss the political impact of the “No Kings” protests last weekend and the prospects of becoming a force in the 2026 midterm elections.

To listen to the audio podcast version, please use this link:

Background

While the Spy’s public affairs mission has always been hyper-local, it has never limited us from covering national, or even international issues, that impact the communities we serve. With that in mind, we were delighted that Al From and Craig Fuller, both highly respected Washington insiders, have agreed to a new Spy video project called “The Analysis of From and Fuller” over the next year.

The Spy and our region are very lucky to have such an accomplished duo volunteer for this experiment. While one is a devoted Democrat and the other a lifelong Republican, both had long careers seeking the middle ground of the American political spectrum.

Al From, the genius behind the Democratic Leadership Council’s moderate agenda which would eventually lead to the election of Bill Clinton, has never compromised from this middle-of-the-road philosophy. This did not go unnoticed in a party that was moving quickly to the left in the 1980s. Including progressive Howard Dean saying that From’s DLC was the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.

From’s boss, Bill Clinton, had a different perspective. He said it would be hard to think of a single American citizen who, as a private citizen, has had a more positive impact on the progress of American life in the last 25 years than Al From.”

Al now lives in Annapolis and spends his semi-retirement as a board member of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (his alma mater) and authoring New Democrats and the Return to Power. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School and recently agreed to serve on the Annapolis Spy’s Board of Visitors. He is the author of “New Democrats and the Return to Power.”

For Craig Fuller, his moderation in the Republican party was a rare phenomenon. With deep roots in California’s GOP culture of centralism, Fuller, starting with a long history with Ronald Reagan, leading to his appointment as Reagan’s cabinet secretary at the White House, and later as George Bush’s chief-of-staff and presidential campaign manager was known for his instincts to find the middle ground. Even more noted was his reputation of being a nice guy in Washington, a rare characteristic for a successful tenure in the White House.

Craig has called Easton his permanent home for the last eight years, where he now chairs the board of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and is a former board member of the Academy Art Museum and Benedictine.  He also serves on the Spy’s Board of Visitors and writes an e-newsletter available by clicking on DECADE SEVEN.

With their rich experience and long history of friendship, now joined by their love of the Chesapeake Bay, they have agreed through the magic of Zoom to talk inside politics and policy with the Spy every Thursday.

Every Wednesday, Maryland political analysts Len Foxwell and Clayton Mitchell discuss the politics and personalities of the State and region.

This week, Len and Clayton break down the Baltimore Banner’s latest poll, which finds that while most Marylanders approve of Gov. Wes Moore’s performance, many remain unclear about his accomplishments. They also share their “hot takes of the week” — both of which, fittingly, come with a strong baseball flavor.

This video is approximately 14 minutes in length.

Rev. Mark Tooley’s journey began in Owensboro, Kentucky, where he was raised as the youngest of six in a large Catholic family. Surrounded by cousins, music, and small-town gatherings, he was well prepared for the close-knit communities he now serves as pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Easton. His intellectual curiosity led him across several denominations before he discovered that Lutheran theology offered, as he puts it, “the place of the most grace.”

That insight guided him to seminary, ordination, and ministry as a family pastor, and in 2022, he accepted the call to Emmanuel, where he now serves his congregation with warmth, intellect, and a touch of humor.

As part of our ongoing Profiles in Spirituality series, The Spy spoke with Rev. Tooley about the Lutheran Church’s deep connection to the Reformation and why Immanuel will celebrate it at the Talbot Agriculture and Education Center next Sunday.

This video is approximately eight minutes in length.

Reformation Celebration
Date: Sunday, October 26, 2025
Location: Talbot Agriculture and Education Center, Easton, Maryland
Time: 10:30 a.m. – Divine Service, followed by family activities, a free bluegrass concert by Flatland Drive, and concluding with a Vesper service and free chicken dinner. Contact: Immanuel Lutheran Church 315 North College Avenue, Easton, MD 21601 Phone: (410) 822-5665 Email: [email protected] Website: www.immanueleaston.org

Every Wednesday, Maryland political analysts Len Foxwell and Clayton Mitchell discuss the politics and personalities of the State and region.

This week, Len and Clayton discuss whether former Lieutenant Governor Boyd Rutherford’s lawsuit to create an open primary election could actually change Maryland’s closed primary system. They also share their “hot takes” on all things good and bad in the State.

This video is approximately 16 minutes in length.

Every Thursday, the Spy hosts a conversation with Al From and Craig Fuller on the most topical political news.

This week, Al and Craig discuss the ongoing polarization in the United States and the growing fear among some that the country is heading toward a political civil war. They also trade thoughts on Attorney General Pam Bondi’s defiant congressional testimony on Tuesday.

This video podcast is approximately sixteen minutes in length.

To listen to the audio podcast version, please use this link:

Background

While the Spy’s public affairs mission has always been hyper-local, it has never limited us from covering national, or even international issues, that impact the communities we serve. With that in mind, we were delighted that Al From and Craig Fuller, both highly respected Washington insiders, have agreed to a new Spy video project called “The Analysis of From and Fuller” over the next year.

The Spy and our region are very lucky to have such an accomplished duo volunteer for this experiment. While one is a devoted Democrat and the other a lifelong Republican, both had long careers that sought out the middle ground of the American political spectrum.

Al From, the genius behind the Democratic Leadership Council’s moderate agenda, which would eventually lead to the election of Bill Clinton, has never compromised from this middle-of-the-road philosophy. This did not go unnoticed in a party that was moving quickly to the left in the 1980s. Including progressive Howard Dean saying that From’s DLC was the Republican wing of the Democratic Party.

From’s boss, Bill Clinton, had a different perspective. He said it would be hard to think of a single American citizen who, as a private citizen, has had a more positive impact on the progress of American life in the last 25 years than Al From.”

Al now lives in Annapolis and spends his semi-retirement as a board member of the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University (his alma mater) and authoring New Democrats and the Return to Power. He also is an adjunct faculty member at Johns Hopkins’ Krieger School and recently agreed to serve on the Annapolis Spy’s Board of Visitors. He is the author of “New Democrats and the Return to Power.”

For Craig Fuller, his moderation in the Republican party was a rare phenomenon. With deep roots in California’s GOP culture of centralism, Fuller, starting with a long history with Ronald Reagan, leading to his appointment as Reagan’s cabinet secretary at the White House, and later as George Bush’s chief-of-staff and presidential campaign manager was known for his instincts to find the middle ground. Even more noted was his reputation of being a nice guy in Washington, a rare characteristic for a successful tenure in the White House.

Craig has called Easton his permanent home for the last eight years, where he now chairs the board of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum and is a former board member of the Academy Art Museum and Benedictine.  He also serves on the Spy’s Board of Visitors and writes an e-newsletter available by clicking on DECADE SEVEN.

With their rich experience and long history of friendship, now joined by their love of the Chesapeake Bay, they have agreed through the magic of Zoom, to talk inside politics and policy with the Spy every Thursday.

Every Wednesday, Maryland political analysts Len Foxwell and Clayton Mitchell discuss the politics and personalities of the state and region.

This week, Len and Clayton discuss and solve the puzzle of whose money is behind a social media campaign targeting Governor Wes Moore using AI-generated images that many consider to be racist content. They also discuss why it has been so hard to identify the Super PAC funding it. The team also shares their “Hot Takes” for the week.

This podcast is approximately 12 minutes in length.

In 2022, at the tail end of the pandemic, the American University Museum invited curator Rebecca Cross to organize a show on contemporary ceramics. The exhibition—an ambitious collaboration among seven artists—opened under limited hours, but its impact was significant.

Recognizing the artists’ extraordinary effort, Becca began reaching out to other institutions. The show caught the eye of the Academy Art Museum’s Lee Glazer, who had seen it in Washington and imagined how beautifully it would fit the AAM.. From that spark came this second installation—slightly re-imagined but still carrying the same creative spirit—before traveling next to the Fuller Craft Museum in Boston.

This video is approximately four minutes in length. For more information about the Academy Art Museum and this exhibition, please go here.