R. William Johnstone and Wyche Fowler in conversation with Joe Crespino

R. William Johnstone examines Wyche Fowler's career in winning election to and serving in the U.S. House and Senate, including his pivotal role in the Nicaragua Contra war and the 1990 budget summit. On the campaign side, the Georgia elections of 1977 (in which Fowler defeated John Lewis to succeed Andrew Young in the U.S. House), 1986 (Fowler's upset win over Republican Mack Mattingly), and 1992 (Fowler's defeat in Georgia's unique General Election runoff) are featured.

Fowler's Congressional career is contextualized via briefer considerations of his early life and years in Atlanta politics and his subsequent work, especially as Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. His legislative accomplishments included updating and improving the nation's historic preservation policy; reforming agricultural, forestry, and rural programs; obtaining federal funding for a large number of infrastructure and other projects throughout Georgia; jump-starting federal support for renewable energy; and promoting American leadership in space. His multi-year effort to strengthen Congressional oversight of covert operations drew attention to the subject and helped to expose the excesses ultimately revealed in the Iran-Contra affair. The Georgian served as a coalition-builder and negotiator, playing important roles in passing such landmark bills as the Social Security Amendments of 1983, the Tax Reform Act of 1986, and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990. Highlighted are examples of Fowler's well-known storytelling, which has been a major part of his efforts to reach out and bond with others, including constituents and colleagues.

R. William Johnstone worked closely with Wyche Fowler throughout Fowler’s Congressional career as his legislative director in the U.S. House, chief of staff in the Senate, and campaign manager in his Senate races. Johnstone also worked for U.S. Senator Max Cleland and was a staff member on the 9/11 Commission. He is the author of 9/11 and the Future of Transportation Security and Bioterror: Anthrax, Influenza, and the Future of Public Health Security.

Joseph Crespino is the Senior Associate Dean of Faculty and Divisional Dean of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Jimmy Carter Professor of History at Emory University. Crespino has published three books, has co-edited a collection of essays, and has written for academic journals as well as for popular forums such as the New York Times, the Washington Post, Politico, and the Wall Street Journal.