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Past Events
Information about events hosted or sponsored by the Center for Congressional & Presidential Studies in 2024.
Why Aren't the Presidential Candidates Talking Much About Climate Change?
Thursday, October 17, 2024 8:30am-3:00pm
Family Founders' Room, School of International Service
Why is climate change not a bigger issue in the 2024 electoral campaign? The Inflation Reduction Act, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) Act were some of the nation's most successful legislative achievements of the last decade, and they were all initiated also by the executive branch. And yet neither presidential candidate is making these policy achievements, responsible for creating thousands of jobs to spend billions of dollars, prominent topics of their campaigns.
While President Biden and congressional candidates from both parties are likely to address the economic development, job creation, and infrastructure improvements brought by these initiatives, they do not often mention part of the president's motivation for his leadership on these matters, the effort to manage climate change. In the "thick" of the campaign, this conference seeks to take a step back and ask broader questions about political polarization, party politics, and one of the most under-considered campaign issues of our time. Sponsored by American University's School of Public Affairs (SPA), The Center for Environmental Policy (CEP) and the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies (CCPS.) Co-sponsored by The Center for Environment, Community, and Equity (CECE) and the Washington College of Law's Program on Environmental and Energy Law (WCL/PEEL).
Featured panels include:
The Evolution of Climate Politics and Policies in the US featuring:
Dan Fiorino, American UniversityCEP
Dana Fisher, American University CECE
Moderator/Discussant Raul Garcia, EarthJustice and PEEL
Climate Change and Broader US Voter Enthusiasm featuring:
Charlie Cook, The Cook Political Report
Parrish Bergquist, University of Pennsylvania Department of Political Science
Moderator/Discussant Jan Leighley, American UniversitySPA
"Climate Populism": Could Climate Ever Again be Bipartisan? featuring:
Bob Inglis, founding director, republicEn and George Mason University
Joe Bonfiglio, Environmental Defense Fund
Moderator/Discussant Liz Suhay, American University SPA
Roundtable: Making Climate More Salient for More Electoral Constituencies featuring:
John Paul Mejia, American University and Sunrise
Russell Armstrong, US Climate Action Network and PEEL
Todd Eisenstadt, American University SPA
Moderator/Discussant: Ron Elving, American University SPA
90th Anniversary of SPA! Book Talk with Terry Szuplat
Friday, September 20, 2024 at 3:45pm ET
Kerwin Hall, Room T1
CCPS is thrilled to invite you to celebrate the 90th anniversary of the School of Public Affairs at American University. Join us for a series of exciting events, including an SPA Book Talk with Terry Szuplat (SPA/BA '95), author of Say It Well: Find Your Voice, Speak Your Mind, and Inspire Any Audience, on Friday, September 20, from 3:45pm to 4:45pm ET in Kerwin Hall, Room T1.
The celebration will feature an end-of-day reception and book signing with Terry Szuplat. RSVP here.
Recap and Highlights:Global Innovations in Democracy Conference Spring 2024
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
Washington College of Law, American University
The Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies is honored to have hosted and co-sponsored the Global Innovations in Democracy: Parliamentary Exchange (GID) last week, a collaborative endeavor led by the Institute for Democratic Engagement and Accountability (IDEA) at The Ohio State University and the Center for Democracy Innovation (now part of the National Civic League). Established in 2022, GID serves as a pivotal global forum where legislators convene to explore cutting-edge methods and tools for gathering input, overcoming divisions, building trust, and gaining public support for public policy.
The event began with welcome presentations from distinguished scholars, followed by discussions on democracy innovation and the transformative impact of AI on democratic processes. A reflective plenary session examined key implications, followed by informal lunch discussions. Later sessions focused on addressing democratic governance challenges and adapting innovations to varied political contexts. The day concluded with open networking and a reception, fostering collaboration and connections.
For more information on this event and to explore related subjects, visit
2ndSpring Thurber Dialogues on Democracy with Peter Baker and Susan Glasser
Tuesday, April 9, 2024at 6pm
Malsi Doyle and Forman Theater, McKinley Hall
TheCenter for Congressional and Presidential Studies at SPA and the Kennedy Political Unionwelcomed Peter Baker (NYT) and Susan Glasser (The New Yorker) forthe 2nd Spring Thurber Dialogues on Democracy on Tuesday, April 9, 2024at 6pm.
is thechief White House correspondent for The New York Times covering President Biden and his administration. Baker joined The Times in 2008 after 20 years at The Washington Post and hascovered the past five presidents, starting in 1996 with Bill Clinton and continuing through George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald J. Trump and now Joe Biden. He is the author of sevenbooks,most recently “The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021,” with hiswife, Susan B. Glasser.
is a staff writer atThe New Yorker, where she writes a weekly column on life in Washington. Glasser has served as the top editor of several Washington publications, including Politico, where she founded the award-winningPolitico Magazine, andForeign Policy, which won three National Magazine Awards, among other honors, during her tenure as editor in chief. Before that, she worked for a decade at the WashingtonPost, where she was the editor of Outlook and national news.Her most recent bookis“,” a best-selling history of Donald Trump in the White House, which she co-wrote with her husband, Peter Baker.
AU Professor and Senior Editor and Correspondent on the Washington Desk for NPR News Ron Elving moderated this event.
This conversation is part of the Thurber Dialogues on Democracy, an ongoing series of conversations with prominent thought leaders about how to strengthen democracy in the U.S. and abroad, which began in early 2021 with a generous gift from Distinguished University Emeritus Professor Jim Thurber and his wife Claudia Thurber.
1st SpringThurber Dialogues on Democracy with Ted Johnson
Thursday, February 22, 2024at 6pm ET
McDowell Formal Hall
TheCenter for Congressional and Presidential Studies at SPA and the Kennedy Political Union welcomed Ted Johnson forthe 1st Spring Thurber Dialogues on Democracy on Thursday, February 22, 2024at 6pm,moderated by CCPS Director David Barker.
Theodore (Ted) R. Johnsonis a senior advisor, providing counsel on policy and strategy to the Executive Office, and leading New America’s flagship US@250 initiative. Johnson's research explores the role that race plays in electoral politics and its influence on the national narrative and the American identity. A former New America National Fellow, Johnson is a retired U.S. Navy commander following a two-decade career that included service as a White House Fellow and speechwriter to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Prior to New America, Johnson was a senior fellow and senior director of the Fellows Program at the Brennan Center for Justice as well as a research manager at Deloitte. Johnson’s writing has appeared in theNew York Times, Washington Post, National Review, and Atlantic, among other publications. Johnson is a writer forThe Washington Postand author of(Grove Atlantic, 2021). Johnson’s currently working on a book about race and American democracy’s first principles. Johnson is a proud HBCU graduate, holding a BS in mathematics from Hampton University as well as an ALM with a concentration in international relations from Harvard University and a doctorate of law and policy from Northeastern University.
This conversation is part of the Thurber Dialogues on Democracy, an ongoing series of conversations with prominent thought leaders about how to strengthen democracy in the U.S. and abroad, which began in early 2021 with a generous gift from Distinguished University Emeritus Professor Jim Thurber and his wife Claudia Thurber.
2023 Events
2nd Fall Thurber Dialogues on Democracy with David Leonhardt
Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 6pm
Constitution Hall
TheCenter for Congressional and Presidential Studies at SPA welcomed David Leonhardt forthe 2nd Fall Thurber Dialogues on Democracy on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 6pm. Moderated by Ron Elving, Executive in Residence and Professorial Lecturer, AU School of Public Affairs; Sr. Editor & Correspondent, NPR News.
David Leonhardtis a senior writer forThe New York Times, where he pensThe Morningdaily newsletter. AtThe Timessince 1999, he was previously an op-ed columnist, Washington bureau chief, co-host of “The Argument” podcast, founding editor of The Upshot section, and a staff writer forThe New York TimesMagazine. Leonhardt also led a strategy group that helped shape the newsroom’s digital future. Prior to this, he worked forBusiness WeekandThe Washington Post. Leonhardt is the author of the 2013 e-book,Here’s the Deal: How Washington Can Solve the Deficit and Spur Growth. He won the 2011 Pulitzer Prize for commentary for his columns on the financial crisis and its aftermath.In the fall of 2023, Random House will publish his first book,Ours Was the Shining Future.This event featured a book signing and reception afterwards.
This conversation was part of the Thurber Dialogues on Democracy, an ongoing series of conversations with prominent thought leaders about how to strengthen democracy in the U.S. and abroad, which began in early 2021 with a generous gift from Distinguished University Emeritus Professor Jim Thurber and his wife Claudia Thurber.
The 6th Annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture with Prof. Steven S. Smith
Thursday, November 9, 2023 at 6:30pm ET
NT01 (Ceremonial Classroom) at the Washington College of Law
TheCenter for Congressional and Presidential Studies at SPA held the 6th Annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture with Professor Steven S. Smith on Thursday, November 9th.
Steven S. Smith is the Kate M. Gregg Emeritus Professor of Social Sciences and Professor of Political Science at Washington University. He now also is professor of political science at Arizona State University. He was a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and taught at George Washington University, Northwestern University, and the University of Minnesota, where he was the Distinguished McKnight University Professor of Political Science and Law. He was director of the Weidenbaum Center for 20 years.
Through this annual series, CCPS honors the late political scientist Barbara Sinclair, a renowned expert on Congress, by hosting a lecture by a prominent Congressional scholar. Previous hosts have includedin 2022,from Brown University in 2021,from the University of Michigan in 2020,from Princeton University in 2019 andfrom George Washington University in 2018.
1st Fall Thurber Dialogue on Democracy with Lee Drutman
Tuesday, October 24, 2023 at 5pm
Wechsler Theater (Mary Graydon Center 315)
On October 24, 2023, the School of Public Affairs and the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at the American UniversitywelcomedLee Drutmanfor a conversation with AU SPA Chair David Lublin.Lee Drutmanis a senior fellow in the Political Reform program at New America. Drutman is the author of(Oxford University Press, 2020) and(Oxford University Press, 2015), winner of the 2016 American Political Science Association's Robert A. Dahl Award, given for "scholarship of the highest quality on the subject of democracy." Drutman is also the co-host of the podcast, a lecturer at The Johns Hopkins University Center for Advanced Governmental Studies, and writes regularly for. He has also published numerous pieces in theNew York Times,Washington Post,Vox,NBC Think, andForeign Policy, among many other outlets.
This conversation waspart of the Thurber Dialogues on Democracy, an ongoing series of conversations with prominent thought leaders about how to strengthen democracy in the U.S. and abroad, which began in early 2021 with a generous gift from Distinguished University Emeritus Professor Jim Thurber and his wife Claudia Thurber.
Book Launch for Prof. Jordan Tama "Bipartisanship and U.S. Foreign Policy: Cooperation in a Polarized Age"
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 at 4pm-5:30pm
SIS Abramson Family Founders Room
The SIS Office of Research and the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at SPA hosted thelaunch for Jordan Tama’s new book “Bipartisanship and US Foreign Policy: Cooperation in a Polarized Age” on Wednesday, October 11 from 4:00-5:30pm.
The event washeld in the Abramson Family Founders room and featured a conversation withJames Lindsay(Senior Vice President, Director of Studies, and Maurice R. Greenberg Chair, Council on Foreign Relations);Rachel Oswald(Foreign Policy Reporter,CQ Roll Call);Elizabeth Saunders(Associate Professor and Director of the Montara Center for International Studies, Georgetown University); andAlex Ward(National Security Reporter,Politico). It wasmoderated by SPA ProfessorDavid Barker, Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies.
Annual Conference of the Association for Documentary Editing (ADE)
June 22-25, 2023
On June 22–25, the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies (CCPS) hosted the annual conference ofthe Association for Documentary Editing (ADE). This hybrid event, under the theme "Modalities of Text and Editing,” featured presentations about efforts to make historical and literary documents widely accessible. These include CCPS's own Correspondence of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore project.
Sessions included a roundtable with government leaders in the humanities, a panel on first ladies’ papers by the AU-affiliated First Ladies Association for Research and Education (FLARE), and a breakfast talk by Mia Owens on her experience as AU’s inaugural graduate fellow on the History of Slavery and Its Legacies in Washington, DC. The evening of June 22, CCPSco-sponsored an opening reception, along with digital publishing cooperatives at the University of Virginia and the Massachusetts Historical Society, in the Katzen Arts Center.
More information about the schedule of this conference is located.
2023 Madison Prize Awards with Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Former Senator Rob Portman (R-OH)
Monday, May 1, 2023 at6pm
The Observatory at America's Square
CCPS and the School of Public Affairs at American Universityheld an award ceremony to announce this year’s winners of theMadison Prize for Constitutional Excellence: SenatorAmy Klobuchar(D-MN) and former SenatorRob Portman(R-OH).
Initiated by former US Representative David Skaggs (D-CO) and his wife, Laura, The Madison Prize celebrates US lawmakers (one Democrat and one Republican) who are willing to cooperate and compromise for the sake of the common good, instead of folding their arms in obstinate service to partisan interests.
This event took place at 6pmonMay 1, at, with apresentation of the awards and a discussion with the Senators about American democracy, moderated by American University President Sylvia Burwell.
Many thanks to the Selection Committee who fielded nominations and made these selections: Connie Morella, Mickey Edwards, James Thurber, Ron Elving, Sarah Binder, and Gina Adams.
2023 2ndThurber Dialogue on Democracy with Jonathan Rauch
Tuesday, February 28, 4pm
Ceremonial Classroom (Terrace Level) Washington College of Law, 4300 Nebraska Ave NW, Washington DC 20016
The second Thurber Dialogue on Democracyfeatureda conversation with acclaimed author
Jonathan Rauch is a senior fellow in the Governance Studies program at the Brookings Institution, and the author of eight books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a also contributing writer ofThe Atlanticand recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the magazine industry’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. His most recent book is TheConstitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth(2021),in which he addresses the rise of disinformation and its pernicious effects on democratic culture. He has also authored research on political parties, marijuana legalization, LGBT rights and religious liberty, and more.
Mr. Rauch was interviewed byAndrew Flores, Assistant Professor of Government at American University and Visiting Fellow at UCLA’s Williams Center. The recording of this event will soon be available.
2023 Inaugural Thurber Dialogue on Democracy with Bob Bauer
Wednesday, January 25, 5pm
School of International ServiceFamily Founders' Room, T7
The Inaugural 2023 Thurber Dialogue on Democracy—a conversation with Bob Bauer and AU Professor Silvia Kim took placeon Wednesday, January 25 at 5pm.CCPS and KPU welcomedprofessor of practice and distinguished scholar in residence at NYU School of Law and co-director of NYU Law’s Legislative and Regulatory Process Clinic, Bob Bauer.
Bauer served as White House Counsel to President Obama from 2009 to 2011. In 2013, the President named him to be co-chair of the Presidential Commission on Election Administration. In 2021, President Biden named him to be co-chair of the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States.
Bauer is co-author with Jack Goldsmith ofAfter Trump: Reconstructing the Presidency(2020), books on federal campaign finance and numerous articles on law and politics for legal periodicals. He has co-authored numerous bipartisan reports on policy and legal reform. He is a Contributing Editor of Lawfare and has published opinion pieces on constitutional and political law issues in theNew York Times, theWashington Post, and theAtlantic, among other publications.
In this conversation, he discussed his ideas for electoral, presidential and judicial reform in the United States. This event was sponsored by CCPS and KPU.
2022 Events
Fall 2022 Inaugural Thurber Dialogue on Democracy with Jonah Goldberg
Nov 29| 6:00 p.m. ET
Malsi Doyle and Michael Forman Theater, McKinley Hall
The third year of the Thurber Dialogues on Democracy continues with Jonah Goldberg. The Thurber Dialogues on Democracy, an ongoing series of conversations with prominent thought leaders about how to strengthen democracy in the U.S. and abroad, began in early 2021 with a generous gift from Distinguished University Emeritus Professor Jim Thurber and his wife Claudia Thurber. Jonah Goldberg is the Asness Chair in Applied Liberty at the American Enterprise Institute and a Fellow at the National Review Institute. In 2019, he left a role as Senior Editor of National Review magazine after a 21-year stint with the publicationto start a new venture. He has been a weekly columnist for theLos Angeles Timessince 2005 and a nationally syndicated columnist since 2000. He hosts the popular podcast.
His syndicated column appears regularly in theChicago Tribune,New York Post,Dallas Morning Newsand scores of other papers. His first book,, was a #1New York Timesand Amazon bestseller and was selected as the #1 history book of 2008 by Amazon readers. His second book,, was also an instant bestseller and hailed as perhaps “the best and most fun-to-readprimer on the tenets of conservative politics since P. J. O’Rourke’sParliament of Whores.”
His most recent book,, was also aNew York Timesbestseller in 2018.
Senior Editor and Correspondent on the Washington Desk for NPR News and AU SPA Executive in Residence and Professorial Lecturer Ron Elvingmoderated this event. The recording of this event can be found
The First Annual International Legislators' Forum on Innovations in Democracy
November 16, 2022
The Legislators’ Forum on Innovations in Democracy was organized by the National Conference on Citizenship (NCoC), a nonprofit chartered by Congress in 1953 to strengthen civic life in America, the Institute for Democratic Engagement & Accountability (IDEA) at the Ohio State University and the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies at American University.
On November 16, 2022, The Forum brought together 12 U.S. Members of Congress with senators, members of national parliaments, Members of the EU Parliament, and senior staff from the other countries, which also included France, Greece, Italy, and the U.K. Forum participants shared findings and stories from their work to engage citizens in more productive, civil, and meaningful ways..
The 5th Annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture with Prof. Rodney Hero
Nov 14, 2022| 6:00p.m.ET
McDowell Formal Lounge Room 114
The Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies in partnership with the American Political Science Association, welcomed the Raul Yzaguirre Chair in the School of Politics and Global Studies at Arizona State University ProfessorRodney Hero.
His research and teaching focus on American democracy and politics, especially as viewed through the analytical lenses of Latino Politics, Racial/Ethnic Politics, State and Urban Politics, and Federalism. His book, "Latinos and the U.S. Political System: Two-tiered Pluralism," received the American Political Science Association's [APSA] 1993 Ralph J. Bunche Award. He also authored "Faces of Inequality: Social Diversity in American Politics" (which was selected for the APSA’s Woodrow Wilson Award in 1999), and "Racial Diversity and Social Capital: Equality and Community in America" (2007). He is also co-author of "MultiEthnic Moments: The Politics of Urban Education Reform (2006); Newcomers, Insiders and Outsiders: Immigrants and American Racial Politics in the Early 21st Century" (2009); and "Latino Lives in America: Making it Home" (2010);"Latinos in the New Millennium: An Almanac of Opinion, Behavior, and Policy Preferences"(2012). And his 2013 co-atuhored book, "Black-Latino Relations in U.S. National Politics: Beyond Conflictor Cooperation,"was chosen for the 2014 'Best Book on Latino Politics Award' given by the LatinoCaucus of the APSA. He has also authored and co-authored a number of articles in scholarly journals, and chapters in edited books, and was a co-principal investigator on the Latino National Survey (completed in 2006).He has also served on the editorial board of a number of major political science journals.
He previously held faculty positions as professor of political science and the Haas Chair in Diversity and Democracy at the University of California, Berkeley (2010-17);the Packey J. Dee Professor of American Democracy in the Department of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame (2000-10); at the University of Colorado at Boulder (1989-2000); and at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (1980-87).
"Is US Democracy Endangered? Lessons from Weimar Germany"
Oct 24, 2022| 1:00p.m.- 2:30p.m. ET
Kerwin Hall Room 301
"Is US Democracy Endangered? Lessons from Weimar Germany" took place on October 24, 2022with Professor Chris Edelson and Professor Michael Brenner, moderated by Professor Cynthia Miller-Idriss. Thisevent was inspired by Professor Brenner's new book,In Hitler’s Munich: Jews, The Revolution and the Rise of Nazism,which the panelistsdiscussed in the context of the US today by considering what lessons we might draw and apply from his work. This event is sponsored by the AU History department, PERIL (Polarization & Extremism Research and Innovation Lab) and the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies.
Arc of Power: Inside Nancy Pelosi's Speakership 2005-2010” with John Lawrence
Oct 12, 2022| 12:00p.m.ET
McDowell Formal Lounge Room 114
Drawing from his thousands of pages of notes written while serving as chief of staff to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, John Lawrence has writtenArc of Power: Inside Nancy Pelosi’s Speakership from 2005-2010documenting his insider perspective. These momentous years included furious political and legislative battles over the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the economic recession, the 2008 presidential election, the productive first two years of Barack Obama’s presidency, as well as many key legislative products, such as the Troubled Assets Relief Program, the Affordable Care Act, and Wall Street reform.
John A. Lawrenceserved for 38 years as a senior staff member in the U.S. House of Representatives, the last eight as Chief of Staff to Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). He also served as staff director of the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Natural Resources, as well as chief of staff and legislative director to Congressman George Miller (D-Calif.). Upon his retirement in February 2013, Speakers John A. Boehner and Nancy Pelosi recognized his dedication to the House and to bipartisanship by conferring on him the John W. McCormack Award for Excellence. He currently is a visiting professor at the University of California (Washington Campus), and also teaches at the McCourt School for Public Policy at Georgetown University. He has lectured at Princeton’s Wilson School of Public Policy, the Eagleton Institute for Public Policy at Rutgers, Columbia University, Oberlin College and other institutions. He blogs on Congress and public affairs atDOMEocracy.
The Crisis in Democracy
May 10, 2022| 1:00p.m.- 2:00p.m. ET
Via Zoom
The endangered state of American democracy is the dominant theme of Democracy’s Rebirth: The View From Chicago. Political scientist Dick Simpson argues the problems we face are a complex, multi-faceted, and inter-tangled web of political, social and economic challenges. Panelists offered their perspective on specific crises and challenges including income and racial inequality, money in politics, polarization, nonparticipation, corruption, and structural problems. Panelists also discussed the ways to create a more participatory and deliberative democracy. Along with Dick Simpson, additional panelists included Angelique Power, President & CEO, The Skillman Foundation and Elizabeth C. Matto, Dir., Center for Youth Political Participation, the Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University. This event wasmoderated byScott Simon, National Public Radio, Weekend Edition Host. This event wassponsored byUniversity of Illinois-Chicago's Institute of Government and Public Affairs, American University’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, The Eagleton Institute of Politics, Rutgers University and the American Political Science Association.
3rd Thurber Dialogues: A Conversation withProfessors Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt
May 5, 2022| 6:00p.m. ET
Via Zoom
The third and final Thurber Dialogue of Democracy took place onThursday, May 5that 6:00pmvia Zoom and featured Harvard University political scientists Professor Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. They discussed their 2018New York TimesBest Seller,How Democracies Die, and broader themes of their work in recent events. This event was moderated by American University Professor Laura Paler and the recording of the event is available
Steven Levitsky is a David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government at Harvard University. He is also Director of the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard.
Daniel Ziblatt is Eaton Professor of Government at Harvard University and is director of the Transformations of Democracy research unit at the WZB Berlin Social Science Center in Berlin, Germany.
2nd Thurber Dialogues with Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
April 19, 2022| 7p.m. ET
Via Zoom
The secondThurber Dialogue on Democracyfeatured Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for a conversation with Professor Liz Suhay onTuesday, April 19that 7:00pm.This event, co-hosted by CCPS and KPU,was held via Zoom and the recording is
Hakeem Jeffries represents the diverse Eighth Congressional District of New York, an area that encompasses large parts of Brooklyn and a section of Queens. Serving his fifth term in the United States Congress, Rep. Jeffries is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and House Budget Committee. He is also Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, having been elected to that position by his colleagues in November 2018. In that capacity, he is the fifth highest-ranking Democrat in the House of Representatives. He is also the former Whip of the Congressional Black Caucus and previously co-chaired the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee where he helped develop the For The People agenda.
Thurber Dialogues on Democracy with Rep. Adam Schiff
March 31, 2022| 7:30p.m. ET
Via Zoom
The inauguralThurber Dialogueon Democracyof 2022 featured Rep.Adam Schiff in a conversation with Professor Emeritus JamesThurber onThursday, March 31stat 7:30pm.This event, co-hosted by CCPS and KPU,was held via Zoom. The recording is
Congressman Adam Schiff represents California’s 28thCongressional District. In his 11thterm in the House of Representatives, Schiff currently serves as the Chair of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which oversees the nation’s intelligence agencies. Schiff is on a leave of absence from the House Appropriations Committee, where he remains anex officiomember. He is also the author ofMidnight in Washington: How We Almost Lost Our Democracy and Still Could.
2021 Events
Fourth Annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture
November 16, 2021| 6p.m. ET
Via Zoom
This event wasthe fourth annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture.The American Political Science Association's inauguralcommemorates the life and scholarship of renowned scholar of legislative politics, Barbara Sinclair.Speaker selection recognizes achievement in promoting understanding of the U.S. Congress and legislative politics. The lecture was co-sponsored by theAU School of Public Affairs' Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies.
The speaker at this year's lecture wasat Brown University.
The recording of this event is available.
Hail to the Chiefs of Staff
October 13, 2021| 12p.m. ET
Via Zoom
In this webinar, the Sine Institute of Policy & Politics, AU's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies and AU's School of Communicationbrought together two former Presidential Chiefs of Staff to lead a conversation on consensus building and policy solutions and how each tackled these challenges in their important roles. We explored both Chief of Staff perspectives from their experience inside the oval office and highlight key policy areas for creative consensus and policy solutions for the future. This event featuredtwo former chiefs of staff, Joshua Bolten & Jacob J. Lew, & moderator Tara Palmeri.
A Conversation with James E. Clyburn: The Decline in Congressional Capacity & Prospects for Reform
April 8, 2021| 6p.m. ET
Via Zoom
A Conversation with James E. Clyburn, U.S. House Majority Whip (D-SC), was held on April 8, 2021 at 6pm ET. He reflected on his experience and offeredhis perspective on the Biden administration, the prospects for racial progress, and the state of U.S. democracy.
James A. Thurber Dialogues on American Democracy with Robert Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Garrett
March 24,2021 | 6p.m. ET
Via Zoom
To celebrate the illustrious career of Distinguished University Professor James A. Thurber, American University hostedtheJames A.Thurber Dialogues on American Democracy.In these public conversations, Professor Thurberpartnered with leading experts/authorities on democratic vitality to examine the grave dangers that threaten the American Experiment, andexamined the precarious-yet-possible pathways to achieving a “more perfect union.”
The third and final conversationon Wednesday, March 24 featuredRobert Putnam(renowned political scientist, author ofand)andShaylyn Romney Garrett(co-author with Robert Putnam of The Upswing).
This event series wassponsored by American University’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, theKennedy Political Union, and the
James A. Thurber Dialogues on American Democracy with Anne Applebaum
February 24,2021 | 6p.m. ET
Via Zoom
To celebrate the illustrious career of Distinguished University Professor James A. Thurber, American University hosted theJames A.Thurber Dialogues on American Democracy.In these public conversations, Professor Thurberpartnered with leading experts/authorities on democratic vitality to examine the grave dangers that threaten the American Experiment, andexamined the precarious-yet-possible pathways to achieving a “more perfect union.”
Thesecond conversation on Wednesday, February 24featuredAnne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist, Historian, author ofand.
This event series was sponsored by American University’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, theKennedy Political Union, and the
The Future of the GOP
February 3, 2021| 4:30p.m. ET
Via Zoom
Where does the Republican Party go now that Trump has lost? Does it reclaim the mantle of conservatism? Does it continue its populist march? Does it remain in Trump’s grip? CCPS Director David Barkerexploredthese questions with three prominent thought leaders within the GOP:
- Sara Fagen (CEO of Deep Root Analytics, contributor to ABC News and former White House Political Director)
- Henry Olsen (Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and columnist for the Washington Post)
- Tevi Troy (Presidential historian, former Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, former Senior White House aide)
Recording of the event is availableor above.
Congress Overwhelmed: The Decline in Congressional Capacity & Prospects for Reform
February 2, 2021| 12p.m. ET
Via Zoom
Congress Overwhelmed, an important new book edited by Timothy M. LaPira, Lee Drutman, and Kevin R. Kosar, presentsthe provocative thesis that a decline in congressional capacity is responsible for much of our contemporary political dysfunction. The book's essays explore topics such as the role of congressional pay in developing expertise and why the efficacy of the legislature has lagged behind other branches of government. Perhaps most importantly,Congress Overwhelmedhighlights the many ways in which our political outcomes could be improved by fundamental structural reforms.
Professor Bettina Poirier, Director of AU'sProgram on Legislative Negotiationand former Congressional staffer sat down with LaPira, Drutman, and Kosar and discussed their ideas for fixing the problems that currently ail Congress.
This event was sponsored by theCenter for Congressional and Presidential Studies, theProgram on Legislative Negotiation, theSine Institute of Policy & Politics, and the
James A. Thurber Dialogues on American Democracy
January 29,2021 | 6p.m. ET
Via Zoom
To celebrate the illustrious career of Distinguished University Professor James A. Thurber, American University hostedtheJames A.Thurber Dialogues on American Democracy.In these public conversations, Professor Thurberpartnered with leading experts/authorities on democratic vitality to examine the grave dangers that threaten the American Experiment, andexamined the precarious-yet-possible pathways to achieving a “more perfect union.”
Thefirst conversation on Friday, January 29featuredU.S. Senator Cory Booker, who is also the author ofUnited: Thoughts on Finding Common Ground and Advancing the Common Good.
This event series was sponsored by American University’s Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, theKennedy Political Union, and the.
2020 Events
Third Annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture
November 17, 2020 | 6p.m. ET
Via Zoom
This event wasthe third annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture.The American Political Science Association's inauguralcommemorates the life and scholarship of renowned scholar of legislative politics, Barbara Sinclair.Speaker selection recognizes achievement in promoting understanding of the U.S. Congress and legislative politics. The lecture was co-sponsored by theAU School of Public Affairs' Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies.
The speaker at this year's Lecture wasfrom the University of Michigan.
View a recording of this event
Presidential Pre-Election Event
November 2, 2020 | 12 p.m. ET
Via Zoom
This event wasa partnership between CCPS, theSine Institute for Policy & Politics, theWomen & Politics Instituteand theto discuss the2020 election.
Panelists included:
, Professor of Practice &Distinguished Scholar in Residence, NYU Law
, Political Law Advocate
, Policy Counsel for the Public Policy Project, Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights under Law
This event was moderated by, Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Law, WCL.
Perspectives on the U.S. 2020 Presidential Election
Friday, October 30, 2020 | 3p.m. ET - 5 p.m. ET
Via Zoom
This event wasa partnership between CCPS and the. With only a few days left before the 2020 US election, the Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship has invited a group of academic experts to comment and reflect upon the main issues at stake on November 3 based on their current research. The panel centeredaround five important themes in addition to addressing how close the presidential election and Senate races will be. First, panelists addressed race and ethnicity in the US presidential election, the changing electorate as well as how the protests against police violence and racial injustice related to this election. Second, the gender gap in vote choice and masculinity in the US Presidency also played a role in our panel, as well as the challenges and benefits of the possibility of a female VP, and women's representation as candidates in congressional races. Third, the panel consideredhow the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the state of the race. Fourth, our experts looked at the accelerating political realignment that is taking place around intellectualism and anti-intellectualism in the US. Finally, panelists also considered the US presidential election from a Canadian perspective.
The panel featured:
David Barker(American University)
(University of North Carolina)
(University of Virginia)
(Purdue University)
(McGill)
The panel was moderated by(CSDC, McGill).
The roundtable wasfollowed by a Q&A.
View a recording of this event
African American "Swing" Voters: 2020 and Beyond
September 29, 2020 | 12 p.m. ET
Via Zoom
This event featured speakers Prof. David Barker, Sam Fullwood, and Leonard Steinhorn discussing the results of theBlack Swing Voter Study, which were released in July 2020.
This event was co-sponsored by the Sine Institute and the AU School of Communication.
View the recording of this event.
View the American University Black Swing Voter Study Summary report
Interpersonal Relationships and Legislative Action in the U.S. Congress
September 21, 2020 | 1p.m. ET
Via Zoom
Does the nature of interpersonal relationships among and between representatives of senators affect legislative action in the contemporary Congress? Predominant scholarship on Congress largely ignores the interpersonal dimensions of life on Capitol Hill, but research in other fields, including psychology, finds that relationships are crucially important to success within organizations and in the workplace. James Curry (University of Utah) and Jason Roberts (University of North Carolina) present research explaining when, how, and under what circumstances the nature of interpersonal relationships among lawmakers can affect legislative behavior and action. Their work draws on interviews with high-level congressional staff and data on CODEL trips taken by members of Congress.
This event is part of the GOVT Seminar Series and is sponsored by the School of Public Affairs, the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, and the Program on Legislative Negotiation.
View the recording of this event
2019 Events
Second Annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture
November 18, 2019| 6 p.m.
Warren Building, Terrace Level, Room NT01
The American Political Science Association and the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies invite you to the second annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture. Awarded to a prominent congressional scholar, this lecture is given in honor of Dr. Sinclair’s significant and lasting contributions to the study of Congress. Professor Frances Lee of Princeton University delivered this year’s lecture.
Impeachment: The Constitutional Remedy of Last Resort
November 6, 2019| Lunch Served: 12 p.m. | Panel: 12:15 - 1:30 p.m.
Stephen S. Weinstein Courtroom, Washington College of Law
Distinguished Adjunct Professor of Law Louis Caldera and two attorneys — Daniel Freeman and Alan Baron — who worked for the House Judiciary Committee on every impeachment inquiry in the past 40 yearsdiscussed the impeachment process including the House’s role in an impeachment investigation and its adoption of articles of impeachment, as well as the Senate’s role in the subsequent trials. Theyalso discussed the philosophy behind the creation of the impeachment remedy contained in the constitution and how effective that philosophy has been. Panel hosted by David Barker.
View the video recording of this event
What will Determine the Democratic Presidential Nomination?
October 23, 2019 | Lunch Served: 1 p.m. | Panel: 1:15-2:30 p.m.
Mary Graydon Center, Rooms 3 & 4
Who will capture the Democratic nomination? What are the factors that will determine it? What will it mean for the Democrats’ chances in 2020, the future of the Democratic party, and the most important issues of the day? Our panel of expertsdiscussed and debated these questions.
View the recording of this event
Fact-checking in the 'fake news' era
October 22, 2019| 10 - 11:30 a.m.
AEI, Auditorium | 1789 Massachusetts Avenue, NW | Washington, DC 20036
Rising political polarization and declining trust have created an American “marketplace of realities,” where politicians feel less constrained by verifiable facts. Media fact-checking has been a way to ensure accountability and provide factual information in this environment. However, increasing polarization and declining trust in news organizations have muddied the waters in which journalists present and verify factual information. Despite fact-checking’s growing ubiquity, many challenges remain: How can fact-checking efforts leverage new technology, respond to shifts in the political and cultural landscape, and prepare us to be well-informed citizens leading up to the 2020 election and beyond?
Please join AEI for a presentation by David Barker, author of “One Nation, Two Realities: Dueling Facts in American Democracy” (Oxford University Press, 2019), followed by a panel discussion on the current state of fact-checking and challenges faced by those working in this industry.
Georgia Governor's Race
Voter Suppression, Electoral Fraud, Voter Intimidation, or Malpractice?
Contested elections decided by narrow margins bring forth the fault lines of election administration and politics. Last November, the Georgia Governor’s race was decided by approximately 50,000 votes out of 3.9 million votes cast. A five-year voter registration report collided with the Georgia election administration political bureaucracy. There are lawsuits and congressional investigations underway to determine if all the citizens of Georgia were treated fairly and if all their votes counted. The campaigns of both Stacey Abrams and Brian Kemp turned a Governor’s race into the equivalent of a presidential election. SPA Distinguished Practitioner in Residence, Bill Sweeney walked us through the details of registering, voting and counting in Georgia.
2018 Georgia Governor Race Presentation
The Christian Right in the Trump and Post-Trump Eras
Wednesday, May 1, 2019 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
American Enterprise Institute (AEI), Auditorium
1789 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036
Donald Trump was not the first choice of many conservative Christian voters for the 2016 Republican nomination. However, they strongly backed Trump in the 2016 presidential election, and they remain among Trump’s most ardent supporters. Are conservative Christians, in backing Trump, wagering that his policies are worth the baggage? Or have their priorities fundamentally changed? More broadly, the percentage of Republicans who attend church regularly and who identify as Christian traditionalists is dropping, and the issues that animate Trump’s GOP appear different than those of the 1990s and 2000s. At a time of growing secularization, rising religious pluralism, and identity-based political polarization, has the role of Christianity in the Republican Party fundamentally changed?
Polarization and Political Discourse in the U.S.
March 21, 2019
4:00—6:00PM EST
Thomas Jefferson Building, Room LJ-119
David C. Barker, Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies and Professor of Government at American University as well as the author of One Nation, Two Realities with Morgan Marietta (forthcoming 2019), and Lilliana Mason, Professor of Government at the University of Maryland and author of Uncivil Agreement (2018), are nationally recognized experts on the roots and manifestations of political polarization. They will take part in a discussion moderated by Kluge Center Director John Haskell on how political discourse has become so degraded, and what to look for in the future. A reception with refreshments will follow.
For More Information contact Andrew Breiner(202) 707-9219
Request ADA accommodations 5 days in advance at 202-707-6362 or ADA@loc.gov.
EPAAI Information Session
March 7, 2019
5PM EST
Kerwin 237
Are you interested in Lobbying & the EU? The European Public Affairs and Advocacy Institute (EPAAI) invites you to learn more!
EPAAI is a week-long course abroad focusing on the strategies & tactics of policy advocacy within the EU. Scholarships available!
Getting Congress Beyond Gridlock
With David Barker, Professor of Government and Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies
Sunday, January 27, 2019
6 PM EST
The Bier Baron Tavern
1523 22nd Street NW, Washington DC
2018 Events
Barbara Sinclair Lecture
November 27, 2018
6:00pm EST
Constitution Hall
The American Political Science Association and the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies hosted the first annual Barbara Sinclair Lecture. Awarded to a prominent congressional scholar, this lecture was given in honor of Dr. Sinclair’s significant and lasting contributions to the study of Congress. Professor Sarah Binder of George Washington University and the Brookings Institution delivered this inaugural lecture.
Trade Relations with the European Union
November 20, 2018
6:30pm - 8:30pm EST
2175 K Street NW, Washington DC
Join YPFP and the EU delegation to the US for a discussion about trade relations between the EU and the US. Given the President's announcement of a potential trade deal, come hear European Union experts talk about their perspective of trade relations as they stand and what might be in the future.
Congress and the Separation of Powers
Noontime Lecture
Join Us Monday, November 19, 2018
noon - 1 p.m., Congressional Meeting Room North
Calling It Quits! Voluntary Departures from the U.S. Senate, 1919-2018
Marvin Overby, fellow at the Library of Congress' Kluge Center, explores the rise of the voluntary departures as the primary source of Senate turnover. This talk, which compliments the exhibit, Congress and the Separation of Powers, is presented in partnership with the U.S. Capitol Historical Society.
President Carter: The White House Years\
Friday, November 16, 2018
Presented by Stuart E. Eizenstat
The definitive history of the Carter Administration from the man who participated in its surprising number of accomplishments—drawing on his extensive and never-before-seen notes. Join Stuart Eizenstat as he discusses his book and reflects on his long career in public service, including his time as chief White House domestic policy adviser to President Jimmy Carter (1977-1981). His book has won wide praise from publications from The New York Times and Washington Post to The National Review, National Interest, and Moment Magazine. Lunch included!
C-SPAN Q and A
David Barker and Molly Reynolds on President Trump and a Divided Congress
American University’s David Barker and Brookings' Molly Reynolds talked about how President Trump might work with a divided Congress. They also spoke about the history of presidents who have worked with Congresses of the opposition party.
Post-Midterm Election Panel Discussion
Thursday, November 8th
12:00PMLunch
12:30PM Panel Discussion
Kerwin Hall, Room 301
Find out What Just Happened? Breaking Down the 2018 Midterm Elections with our panelists Dr. David Barker of theCenter for Congressional & Presidential Studies, Amna Mawaz of PBS Newshour, Dr. Jan Leighley of the School of Public Affairs, and Jonathan Martin of The New York Times. Panel discussion moderated by Betsy Fischer Martin of WPI.
The Dynamics of the 2018 Midterm Elections
October 11, 2018
A discussion with leading political and government experts as they discuss the dynamics and repercussions of the 2018 elections.
Congress and the Separation of Powers
September 25, 2018
Join us for a discussion at the Capitol Visitor Center that will bring together an ideologically diverse group of academics and experts to take a closer look at the relationship between the three branches of government, and especially Congress’s role in shaping the Executive and Judicial branches over time.
Panel Videos
The Politics of Truth Conference
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Perceptions of factual reality now come in partisan shades of red and blue, rendering large swaths of the American citizenry stubbornly misinformed and ever more disdainful of inter-partisan cooperation. What are the factors, specifically, that drive such dueling fact perceptions? What are the ensuing consequences? And how effective are the correctives to misinformation that reformers have proposed?
March 28, 2018
American University's Constitution Hall
8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Moderated by
David C. Barker, Director of SPA's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies
Liz Suhay, American University
Betsy Fischer Martin, American University
Arthur Lupia, University of Michigan
Diana C. Mutz, University of Pennsylvania
Ron Elving, National Public Radio and American University
Progressives, Conservatives, and Bipartisan Cooperation?
Tuesday, February 13, 2018
Please join us for a conversation with U.S. Rep. David Brat (R-VA) and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD) about their respective political philosophies and opportunities for finding common ground.
February 13, 2018, at American University
AU Constitution Hall
2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Featured Speakers
David Brat (R-VA)
Jamie Raskin (D-MD)
Moderated by
Professor Jan Leighley, Department of Government
Foreign Lobbying in Congress
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Please join SPA's Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies to celebrate and discuss the publication of Congress and Diaspora Politics: The Influence of Ethnic and Foreign Lobbying by SUNY Press.
January 30, 2018, at American University
SIS Founders Room
12:00 pm to 1:45 pm
Lunch will be provided
Featured Speakers
Colton C. Campbell, National War College
David A. Dulio, Oakland University
Gregory C. McCarthy, Former Congressional Staffer
Eric Lipton, New York Times
Moderated by
James Thurber, American University
2017 Events
David Barker, Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies invites you to:
Trump is (Un)Doing More Than You Think
A Conversation About the Short and Long Term Impacts the Trump Presidency is Having
Wednesday, November 29 at American University
Mary Graydon Center Room 3
12:00 pm to 1:45 pm
(Lunch served at noon. Program starts at 12:15 pm)
Panel Included:
Eric Lipton, The New York Times
Chris Edelson, American University
Moderated by David Barker, American University
Please RSVP to ccps@american.edu or 202-885-3491
Why The Senate Is Broken
Monday, October 30 at American University
Mary Graydon Center Room 2
12:00 pm to 1:30 pm
(Lunch served at noon. Program starts at 12:15 pm)
Panel Included:
Molly Reynolds, The Brookings Institution
Jennifer Victor, George Mason University
Donald Wolfensberger, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars and the Bipartisan Policy Center
James A. Thurber, American University
Moderated by David Barker, American University
Please RSVP to ccps@american.edu or 202-885-3491
Rivals for Power
Rivals for Power: Presidential Congressional Relations
An Assessment of President Trump's Relationship with Congress
Monday, September 18
American University
Mary Graydon Center
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Room 203-205
Upon the publication of Rivals for Power: Presidential Congressional Relations and President Trump's nine months in office, this forum assessed his accomplishments and failures working with Congress
Panel Included:
Professor James A. Thurber, American University*
Professor Jordan Tama, American University *
Professor Patrick Griffin, American University*
Professor David Karol, University of Maryland
*Contributors to Rivals for Power
The Speeches of President Kennedy
CCPS and the Kennedy Political Union invite you to:
The Speeches of President Kennedy
Wednesday, March 8
6:30-8:30 PM
Ward Circle Building, Room 1
Join author Anders Agner and actor Caspar Phillipson (Jackie) as they share stories of JFK and presents speeches given by the 35th President.
Co-sponsored by Kongressen.com, The Embassy of Denmark, and Real Clear Politics.
Limits on Presidential Power
The Challenge of Setting Limits on Presidential Power Under the Trump Administration
Please join CCPS on February 1 at 12:30 in Mary Graydon Center Room 245.
Panel to include:
Amanda Terkel, Politics Managing Editor/Senior Political Reporter-The Huffington Post
Joe Gaeta, Senior Advisor and Director of Oversight for U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI)
Ian Millhiser, Senior Fellow, Center for American Progress & Justice Editor, ThinkProgress
Moderated by Chris Edelson, Assistant Professor of Government in American University's School of Public Affairs
Lunch will be served
Please RSVP to ccps@american.edu or 202-885-3491
The Transition and the First 100 Days of the Trump Presidency
Join CCPS on Tuesday, January 24th
American University
Mary Graydon Center Room 5
Noon- 1:45pm
Panel to include:
Daniel J. Fiorino, Distinguished Executive in Residence and Director of the Center for Environmental Policy in the School of Public Affairs at American University
Neil Kerwin, President of American University
Martha Joynt Kumar, Director of the White House Transition Project
Janice Lachance, President-elect of ASPA - American Society for Public Administration
Howard McCurdy, Professor of Public Affairs in the Public Administration and Policy Department at American University
Moderated by James A. Thurber, Distinguished Professor, Department of Government and Founding Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies
Lunch will be served
Please RSVP to ccps@american.edu or 202-885-3491
2016 Events
What Happened and Why? AU Experts Analyze the 2016 Election
Thursday, November 10th
American University
Mary Graydon Center, Rooms 3 and 4
12:00pm-2:00pm
Panel to include:
Sam Garrett, Specialist in American National Government, Congressional Research Service, Adjunct Professorial Lecturer, Department of Government
Eric Hershberg, Professor, Department of Government, Director, Center for Latin American and Latino Studies
Jennifer Lawless, Professor, Department of Government , Director, Women & Politics Institute
Jan Leighley, Professor, Department of Government
Betsy Fischer Martin, Executive in Residence, School of Public Affairs
Molly O'Rourke,Executive in Residence, School of Communication
Moderated by Candice Nelson, Professor, Department of Government and Interim Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies
Lunch will be served
Please RSVP to ccps@american.edu or 202-885-3491
Tales from the Trail: AU Alumni Share Their Experiences in the 2016 Elections
Tuesday, November 15th
American University
Mary Graydon Center, Room 5
10:00am-Noon
Panel to include:
Anne Caprara, Executive Director, Priorities USA Action
Rick Davis, CNN Executive Vice President of News Standards and Practices
Scott Goodstein, Founder and CEO of Revolution Messaging, the digital firm of the Sanders for President Campaign
Noah Gray, CNN Producer embedded with the Trump Campaign
Polson Kanneth, Senior Editorial Producer, CNN's State of the Union with Jake Tapper
Ed O'Keefe, Political Reporter, The Washington Post
Moderated by Candice Nelson, Professor, Department of Government and Interim Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies
Refreshments will be served
Please RSVP to ccps@american.edu or 202-885-3491
SPA Latino Scholars Speakers Series
Professor Francisco Pedraza, University of California, Riverside
"Latinos, Elections, and the Making of Cautious Citizenship"
Friday, November 18
11am-12:45pm
Mary Graydon Center, Room 2
Professor Aileen Cardona-Arroyo, Southern Methodist University
"Persuasive News Coverage: Examining the Role of Media in Shaping Policy Opinions on Immigration"
Monday, November 28
12:00-2:00pm
Mary Graydon Center, Room 5
Moderated by Candice Nelson, Professor, Department of Government and Interim Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies
Lunch will be served
Please RSVP to ccps@american.edu or 202-885-3491
Join WPI and CCPS at our upcoming election forum
Wednesday, September 28th
5:30 PM
Kreeger Lobby
Katzen Arts Center
"Can the 2016 elections get any crazier, more exciting, or more unpredictable?"
Find out from out experts:
Anna Greenberg, Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner
Jim Hobart, Public Opinion Strategies
Hans Noel, Georgetown University
Panel discussion moderated by Jennifer Lawless
Light refreshments will be served.
RSVP by September 22nd to Lauren Reeves at wpi@american.edu or 202.885.2903
What Gridlock and Polarization Mean for American Democracy
WHEN: Friday, May 6, 2016 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET
WHERE: Bipartisan Policy Center, 1225 Eye St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC, 20005
Partisan polarization has deep roots in and a large impact on our political system. As polarization has worsened, Congress and the administration have been less willing and able to confront some of the largest public policy questions facing the country. Is the status quo sustainable?
Join us, along with the National Capital-Area Political Science Association, on May 6 as a panel of contributors to the new book weigh in on polarization in the public, national institutions, states, and media and the implications for the future of functioning American democracy.
Join the discussion on Twitter: #BPClive
Featuring:
David Karol, Associate Professor of Government and Politics, University of Maryland
Jennifer L. Lawless, Professor of Government, American University
James A. Thurber, Director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, American University
Moderated by: , Director of the Democracy Project, BPC
Barack Obama and Executive Power: Has the President Exceeded His Bounds?
The Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies (CCPS) and the National Capital-Area Political Science Association (NCAPSA) invite you to this lunchtime panel:
Wednesday, April 6
American University
Kay Spiritual Life Center Lounge
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Panel to Include:
Louis Fisher, Scholar in Residence at The Constitution Project
Shirley Anne Warshaw, Professor of Political Science at Gettysburg College
Jeffrey Crouch, Assistant Professor at American University
Moderated by Professor James A. Thurber: Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies and Distinguished University Professor
Assessing the Bush and Obama Post 9/11 Presidencies: Continuity, Change and the Future of National Security Power
Thursday, March 3rd
American University
Mary Graydon Center Room 200
12:30pm-2:00pm
Panel to Include:
Chris Edelson, Assistant Professor of Government, School of Public Affairs at American University
Mary B. DeRosa, Distinguished Visitor from Practice Co-Director, Global Law Scholars Program at Georgetown Law School
Scott Roehm, Vice President of Programs and Policy at The Constitution Project
Jordan Tama, Assistant Professor in the School of International Service at American University
Moderated by Professor James A. Thurber, Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies and Distinguished University Professor
Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum
Latinos represent the fastest growing population in the United States, increasing 43% between 2000 and 2010, and they are the leading edge of a demographic change transforming the U.S. into a "majority minority" country. As of 2012, 17% of the U.S. population, or 53 million people, identified as Latino. Their influence upon the direction of national politics, culture, economic trends, and a broad range of other issues, will only increase.
Recognizing the dynamic role of Latinos in U.S. public life, American University's Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum (ALPAF) seeks to convene academics, community advocates, policy experts, journalists, students, and other stakeholders, to address key questions and topics of concern for Latinos. Each year the Forum will focus on a significant public policy domain that is both impacted by and important to Latino communities in the U.S. ALPAF is also intended to better connect the findings of academic research with the efforts of different stakeholders and important policy and political debates around these topics.
CLALS and the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies will jointly sponsor the second Annual Latino Public Affairs Forum, to take place on Monday, February 29, 2016, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the SIS Abramson Family Founders Room. This forum will consider the impact of the Latino vote on the current presidential election cycle.
AU Experts Forecast the 2016 Election
Panel to Include:
Glen Bolger, Partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies and CCPS Research Fellow
Anna Greenberg, Senior Vice President of Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner and CCPS Research Fellow
Jennifer L. Lawless, Professor of Government and Director of the Women & Politics Institute
Allan Lichtman, Distinguished Professor of History and author of The Keys to the White House, (forthcoming early 2016, Rowman & Littlefield)
David N. Wasserman, U.S. House Editor, Cook Political Report
Moderated by James A. Thurber, Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies and Distinguished University Professor at American University
CCPS Sponsored the Election Assistance Commission conference on August 12 and 13 held at the School of Public Affairs at American University.
2015 Events
AU Experts Forecast the 2016 Election
Tuesday, November 17th
11:30 AM Lunch
12:00 PM Discussion begins
SIS Founders Room, American University
Panel to include:
Glen Bolger, Partner and co-founder of Public Opinion Strategies and CCPS Research Fellow
Anna Greenberg, Senior Vice President of Greenberg, Quinlan, Rosner and CCPS Research Fellow
Jennifer L. Lawless, Professor of Government and Director of the Women & Politics Institute
Allan Lichtman, Distinguished Professor of History and author of The Keys to the White House, (forthcoming early 2016, Rowman & Littlefield)
David N. Wasserman, U.S. House Editor, Cook Political Report
Moderated by James A. Thurber, Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies and Distinguished University Professor at American University
Lunch will be provided
Please RSVP to wpi@american.edu or 202-885-2901
CCPS Alumni Reception: Your Success is Our Success!
October 8, 2015
6:00 PM
Mary Graydon Center 2-5
You are invited to join the Campaign Management, Public Affairs & Advocacy, and European Public Affairs & Advocacy Institutes in celebration of three decades of success! Mingle with former classmates and hear from CCPS faculty and AU notables. RSVP to ccps@american.edu.
Please click here for parking information, maps, and directions to the University.
The Obama Administration: Legal Issues Involving the Use of Military Force
Thursday, April 23
American University
Kay Spiritual Life Center Lounge
12:00pm-2:00pm
Panel to Include:
Chris Edelson, Assistant Professor of Government, School of Public Affairs at American University
Lou Fisher, Scholar in Residence, The Constitution Project
Shoon Murray, Associate Professor, School of International Service at American University
Moderated by Professor James A. Thurber, Director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies and Distinguished University Professor.
Please RSVP to ccps@american.edu or 202-885-3491
Keynote Address by Gary King to Honor Distinguished Alumnus Jeff Gill
Professor Gary King, Albert J. Weatherhead III University Professor, Institute for Quantitative Social Sciences at Harvard University presented his research on the Chinese censorship apparatus, at a keynote given on January 30th.