The History and character of the speakership / Ronald M. Peters -- Choosing the speaker / Lynne P. Brown and Robert L. Peabody -- The Speaker as party leader / Barbara Sinclair -- The Speaker: a Republican perspective / John J. Pitney and William F. Connelly -- The Speaker and the budget / Daniel J. Palazzolo -- The Speaker and foreign policy / Steven S. Smith and Mark Watts -- The Speaker and the media / Joe S. Foote -- The Speaker and institutional change / Roger H. Davidson -- The Speakership in my time / Carl Albert -- Rules for speakers / Tip O'Neill -- Challenges that speakers face / Jim Wright -- The Speakership today / Ronald M. Peters