John T. Shaw

New York Gov. Franklin D. Roosevelt relaxes by the fireside at his home on Nov. 6, 1932, following the end of several arduous months of campaigning as the Democratic presidential candidate. Roosevelt would go on to give fireside chats to the nation after becoming president. (AP)

John T. Shaw: Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower were models of statesmanship

August 31, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Franklin D. Roosevelt and Dwight D. Eisenhower each represented the best of his party’s governing philosophy and leadership tradition.

Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering attends Highland Park's annual Day of Service in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on Jan. 19, 2026. (Karie Angell Luc/Pioneer Press)

John T. Shaw: Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering knows how to meet the moment

July 27, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Nancy Rotering is a pillar of Highland Park and met her statesmanship moment four years ago in the aftermath of the Fourth of July mass shooting.

The European Union's top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, talks to journalists as she arrives for the EU summit in Brussels on June 18, 2026. (Marius Burgelman/AP)

John T. Shaw: EU’s new ‘Iron Lady’ offers moral clarity in her unflinching support of Ukraine

June 29, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

If some Europeans are focused on placating the Trump administration, Kaja Kallas is more than willing to challenge it.

Cardinal Blase Cupich places ashes on the forehead of a worshipper during an outdoor Ash Wednesday Mass followed by a procession around Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Melrose Park on Feb. 18, 2026. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

John T. Shaw: Cardinal Blase Cupich provides spiritual statesmanship in a turbulent world

May 25, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The cardinal speaks passionately about the importance of prayer and the Gospels. He also believes there are critical moral considerations to many political issues.

Sen. Philip A. Hart, D-Mich., is in Washington on March 19, 1971. (AP)

John T. Shaw: Former US Sen. Philip Hart modeled leadership that Capitol Hill sorely needs

April 27, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Former U.S. Sen. Philip Hart's career is a case study in quiet and effective statesmanship. He combined goodness and greatness.

Steve Kerr, center, is greeted during the Chicago Bulls inaugural Ring of Honor gala red carpet event at the United Center on Jan. 11, 2024, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

John T. Shaw: Former Bulls star Steve Kerr’s statesmanship as a coach nurtures a culture of excellence

March 30, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

The Warriors coach's work to create a culture of excellence has had an impact that far transcends basketball arenas.

International Crisis Group President and CEO Comfort Ero speaks during a briefing for reporters in Washington, DC, on February 7, 2024. In an interview with AFP, Ero spoke of a world in crisis, but maintained that there was "still a glimmer of hope." (Photo by Bastien Inzaurralde/AFP)

John T. Shaw: Comfort Ero is tireless in her work to prevent tensions from exploding into international crises

February 23, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Conflict prevention is not abstract. Rather, it is the practice of identifying tensions and developing creative solutions to head off suffering.

U.S. Sen. Everett Dirksen, of Illinois, the Republican leader, sits on a desk in the Senate Press Gallery at the Capitol in Washington on May 5, 1964, to discuss efforts at ironing out differences among supporters of the House-passed civil rights bill. He and other leaders reported progress after a conference. (Henry Griffin/AP)

John T. Shaw: Two iconic US senators from Illinois demonstrated different dimensions of statesmanship

January 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

U.S. senators from Illinois, Democrat Paul Douglas and Republican Everett Dirksen, made consequential contributions to civil rights.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is greeted by staff after she announced that she would step down from her leadership position, on Capitol Hill in Washington on Nov. 17, 2022. The first and only woman to be speaker of the House also was the most powerful and prominent woman in Washington to effectively confront President Donald Trump. (Erin Schaff/The New York Times)

John T. Shaw: Nancy Pelosi has distinguished herself as a history-making stateswoman

December 29, 2025 at 5:00 a.m.

Nancy Pelosi has inhabited the rarefied worlds of both formidable politician and history-making stateswoman.

Democratic Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, left, and Republican Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah speak about reaching across party lines and the need to end divisive rhetoric at the National Press Club on Sept. 4, 2025, in Washington. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty)

John T. Shaw: Utah Gov. Spencer Cox makes a plea for American architects, not arsonists

November 24, 2025 at 9:36 a.m.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox is convinced that the central issue confronting leaders is to restore a culture of civility to American life.

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