Although not a topic associated with traditional civics, the concept of the Full Ginsburg has captivated national media since its accidental creation. The phenomenon usually coincides with American politics and government.
What is the Full Ginsburg?
In short, the term refers to a person who appears on all five American major Sunday morning talk shows on the same day. The shows consist of This Week on ABC, Fox News Sunday on Fox, Face the Nation on CBS, Meet the Press on NBC, and State of the Union on CNN. State of the Union replaced Late Edition, also on CNN, in 2009. For the sake of qualification for a Full Ginsburg, the same show applies.
The term is named for William H. Ginsburg, Monica Lewsinky’s lawyer who rose to prominence during the sexual conduct scandal between her and then-President Bill Clinton (D-AR). Ginsburg appeared on all five Sunday morning talk shows on February 1, 1998, thus creating an American media phenomenon that has only been completed on thirty-seven other occasions, with four individuals completing two, and just one completing three.
Long Island’s Association with the Full Ginsburg
Long Island, namely Suffolk County, has a unique relationship to the Full Ginsburg. Former Congressman Rick Lazio (R-Amityville) (pictured below) was elected to represent NY-02 in 1992. He served in that position until 2001. Prior to his stint in Washington, Lazio represented the Eleventh District in the Suffolk County Legislature for just two years. He was succeeded immediately by now-Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter (R-West Islip). The seat is now held by Deputy Presiding Officer Steve Flotteron (R-Brightwaters).
Lazio had defeated eighteen-year incumbent Thomas Downey (D), who had, interestingly, also preceded Lazio in the County Legislature from the same district. Lazio quickly built a reputation as one of the most powerful moderates in Congress, which, after his 1994 re-election, became controlled by Republicans under the gavels of Bob Michel (R, IL-18), Newt Gingrich (R, GA-06), and Dennis Hastert (R, IL-14).
Lazio served as Deputy Majority Whip, Assistant Majority Leader, and Chairman of the House Banking Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity.
Lazio earned his Full Ginsburg and put Long Island in the national spotlight when he assumed the Republican nomination in the 2000 Senate election to succeed the legendary Daniel Patrick Moynihan (D). New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani (R) had soared in popularity due to his revitalization of the Big Apple and appeared to be the favorite over then-First Lady Hillary Clinton (D) (pictured below), who was accused of carpetbagging to New York to run for the powerful seat.
Giuliani’s personal life kneecapped his campaign, causing him to withdraw from the race in May. With just a five-month runway, Lazio was quickly thrust into the national spotlight. His debate conduct against Clinton earned him negative attention for his condescending attitude, causing him to lose the Senate race by twelve points, a relatively thin margin for a solidly-blue state. Lazio carried both Nassau and Suffolk counties, the last time a Republican would do so until Joe Pinion (R) in 2022.
Notable Full Ginsburg Performers
Former Secretary of Defense Dick Cheney (R-WY) would be the next to complete a Full Ginsburg after the 2000 Republican National Convention, the election after which he would become Vice President. Senator John Edwards (D-NC) would complete the next feat in 2004 for his widely-revered presidential campaign, followed by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in 2005 in response to Hurricane Katrina.
Hillary Clinton would then complete her first and only Full Ginsburg in 2007 in response to her 2008 presidential campaign.
The H1N1 Swine Flu pandemic would see three Full Ginsburgs in just one day: May 3, 2009. Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano (D-AZ), HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius (D-KS), and acting CDC Director Richard Besser would all complete the rounds on that day.
The Haiti earthquakes saw four Ginsburgs performed in one day: January 17, 2010, by former President Clinton, then-President George Bush (R-TX), and two other top national officials.
The Last Decade
The last decade saw some now-familiar names make their Sunday morning rounds in response to political roles. Then-House Speaker Paul Ryan (R, WI-01) discussed his new role as Speaker in 2015, while Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) discussed their presidential bids in February 2016. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) would complete a Full Ginsburg in September 2016 discussing his vice presidential bid.
Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani would also complete the rounds in October 2016 on behalf of Donald Trump (R-NY).
Now-Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg (D-IN) would complete a Full Ginsburg in 2020 in response to his captivating presidential bid, followed by a March 2020 Full Ginsburg with Dr. Anthony Fauci (pictured above) in response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The most recent Full Ginsburg was completed by John Kirby, the White House National Security Communications Advisor, discussing the 2024 Iranian strikes in Israel. This round was completed on April 14, 2024.
The Record-Holder
The record for the most Full Ginsburgs performed by one person is three, held by Senator Marco Rubio. His April 2013 appearances saw him discuss immigration reform, while his two February 2016 rounds saw him discuss his meteoric rise in the GOP nominating field for president. At the time, Rubio was seen as perhaps the most electable candidate out of the near-twenty Republicans looking to take on Hillary Clinton. Rubio suspended his campaign in March after losing his home state of Florida in a landslide to Donald Trump.
Two Ginsburgs
Four people have completed two Full Ginsburgs: Jack Lew, John Kerry (D-MA), Denis McDonough, and Mike Pompeo (R-KS).
Jack Lew served as White House Chief of Staff in 2013, when he discussed the 2012 federal budget, and as Treasury Secretary discussing the 2013 U.S. government shutdown.
Former Senator John Kerry discussed possible military aid to Syria in 2013 in his role as Secretary of State. He would complete the rounds again in 2014 discussing Malaysia Airlines Flight 17, a commercial passenger flight that was shot down over Ukraine by a Russian missile.
Denis McDonough completed his first Full Ginsburg in 2013 as White House Chief of Staff discussing military aid to Syria, and his second in 2015 as a follow-up to the 2015 State of the Union Address.
Finally, Mike Pompeo, as Secretary of State, completed a 2019 Full Ginsburg regarding President Trump canceling secret talks with the Taliban, and a 2020 round discussing Trump’s order to kill Qasem Soleimani, the highest military commander in Iran.
Variations
Some variations of the Full Ginsburg are sometimes considered by pundits. President Barack Obama (D-IL) appeared on five morning talk shows to promote health care reform, opting for Univision’s Al Punto Spanish program instead of Fox News Sunday.
The first person to appear on all six news shows – CNN’s The Situation Room, ABC World News, NBC Nightly News, CBS Evening News, Fox’s Special Report with Bret Baier, and PBS NewsHour – was Florida Governor Jeb Bush (R) in 2013. He appeared on all shows in just one week.
The record-holder for a “variation” Full Ginsburg is, oddly enough, Senator Rubio (pictured above). On April 14, 2013, he became the first person to appear on seven Sunday talk shows on the same day. In addition to the five staple programs, Rubio also appeared on Univision’s Al Punto and Telemundo’s Enfoque, both of which are Spanish-language programs.
