Welcome to Talking Fed's one-on-one, deep dive discussions with national figures about the most fascinating

and consequential issues defining our culture and shaping our lives. I'm your host, Harry Littman.

It's a tremendous honor to welcome to talking to San Diego, Bill Crystal, who has been

one of the most influential voices in American political life and thought for the last 35 years.

A wonder came to occupy high-level spots

in two Republican administrations.

After leading government in 1993,

he became, I think, was out of dispute,

the leaning figure in American conservative thought.

Most famously, as the founder and editor-in-chief for 20 years, the influential

weekly standard, the weekly magazine app, entitled The Neocon Bible.

But from this perch of, you know, really high influence within the Republican Party,

Bill was an ardent and early opponent of Donald Trump,

and co-founder of Republicans for the Rule of Law among other organizations.

And he's been perhaps the most visible former Republican opponent of Trump, which took enormous personal courage and integrity

and has made him, you know, not alone, but part of a small group of Republican voices

sounding the alarm against Trump and the current Republican Party.

And I think you've helped buck up the shy voices and the problem I'm calling Dick Cheney.

I'll tell him that you thought you needed my help.

And I'm really proud to say it's become a friend in these last few crazy years.

So please join me. Welcome to Crystal. Welcome. Thank you.

Sorry for the hot weather. We're usually more hospitable. I like the idea of being the Deocon Bible.

...