All Past Events

How will President Biden proceed administratively and legislatively to build on the ACA? Will advocates for the Public Option prevail and, if they fail, will they be pragmatic or stop any reform? How will health care providers and the larger health care industry respond? And, by the way, the Supreme Court will be deciding a lawsuit aimed at declaring the ACA unconstitutional—again. One of Washington’s shrewdest health policy observers, Len Nichols, joins the Center for the Policy and Governance in this virtual event.

This webinar covers key changes in absentee and mail voting last year, as well as in-person voting options like early voting and vote centers. How are states responding this year—staying the course, returning to previous norms, or fine-tuning their processes? The event is co-hosted by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and the Humphrey School's Certificate in Election Administration (CEA) program.

Black Lives Matter spurred protests around the US and the globe, mobilizing a rainbow coalition against police violence and racial disparities. But will it matter? And, if so, how? In this virtual event hosted by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, Daniel Gillion makes the case that demonstrations do affect elected officials, shape policy, increase engagement, and motivate voter turnout.

Steve Schmidt first came to national prominence by working on Republican political campaigns, including those of President George W. Bush and Arizona Senator John McCain's 2008 run for president. Donald Trump's election as president prompted Schmidt to leave the Republican Party in 2018 and to found the Lincoln Project, which ran attack ads on Trump and Republican allies. Democratic strategist Justin Buoen and Professor Larry Jacobs join for this conversation with Schmidt.

The 2020 election demonstrated the durability of law, the courage of the free press, and the civic determination of Americans who organized and voted in record numbers. One of America's iconic observers of American public life—Kathleen Hall Jamieson—joins CSPG to talk about the state of American democracy and its future.

President Joe Biden entered the White House with dire news blasting around him. The coronavirus continues its rampage across America, and the economy is on its knees. The President's much-promised "unity" is being tested by opposition from Republicans and Democrats, who either want more progressive or moderate policies. What are President Biden's prospects? Washington sage Norm Ornstein joins us, as well as Former Vice President Walter Mondale; Professor Larry Jacobs moderates.

James Hohmann joins us the day before Joe Biden's inauguration to preview its organization and significance. Drawing on his experiences in Washington, he also discusses Donald Trump's likely impact on the Biden administration and Republican Party and previews the new president's prospects to advance his policy agenda.

The path to empowering Black people lies in the growth of Black equity, wealth, and capital. A growing number of feasible strategies offer a tangible path forward to create financial systems and structures that work equally well for everyone.

Prof. Larry Jacobs moderates a conversation with Gary Cunningham, President and CEO of Prosperity Now.

Kate DiCamillo, writer of stories for children, visits to read from her work and talk about the solace and hope that literature offers. The two-time Newbery Award winner is joined by John Schumacher, part-time lecturer at Rutgers University and the Ambassador of School Libraries for Scholastic, who will moderate this special event.

Now’s the time for a look back on the 2020 elections processes, from the presidential primaries through the state primaries and on to the general election. What changed, what issues came to the forefront because of those changes, and what can state legislators and election officials glean from 2020 to make elections in 2022 and beyond even better? Join CSPG and NCSL as we explore these questions with a panel of policymakers and election administrators.

Nationally renowned writer Charles Baxter reads and discusses his just-released novel, The Sun Collective, which introduces us to compelling characters who struggle to make sense of a disorienting world and—against the backdrop of the Twin Cities—to form meaningful relationships and communities. U of M English professor and novelist Julie Schumacher moderates a reading and conversation with Baxter.

Join us for a discussion of U.S. foreign policy with Jake Sullivan, a policy advisor for the Biden campaign and a former deputy chief of staff for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Former Vice President Walter Mondale joins the conversation; Professor Larry Jacobs moderates.

The 2020 elections whipped up animosity toward pollsters. What did pollsters get wrong? What did they get right? And, why aren't pollsters more accurate? Prof. Larry Jacobs is joined by two national stars: prominent survey researcher Columbia University's Robert Y. Shapiro and Kathy Frankovic, the former polling chief for CBS. 

"Democracy is dying" has become a watchword in America today. The reality is that American democracy has endured recurrent crises since the 1790s. Suzanne Mettler joins us to reveal the unique threat today—the worst features of past decay and disruption are all present today. 

Globalization can be both good and bad, but it is not something that individuals or countries can opt out of. The next president will face enormous challenges on numerous fronts. How can American interests be realistically advanced? Join Richard Haass, President of the Council on Foreign Relations, and former Vice President Walter Mondale for a discussion of America's future in the world. 

Republican strategist Vin Weber and Democratic strategist Justin Buoen discuss the election results that are reported on Election Day and anticipate the coming battles over the counting of ballots. Professor Larry Jacobs moderates.

Republican strategist Vin Weber and Democratic strategist Justin Buoen break down the final week of the 2020 national elections. The conversation will be moderated by Professor Larry Jacobs.

Donald Trump promised to "Make America Great Again," and yet disarray and decline abound. Award-winning author and New York Times columnist Tom Friedman joins Professor Larry Jacobs to discuss this and other issues.

Now that voting is underway, what are the problems and successes of front-line election administrators? Wendy Underhill, with the National Conference of State Legislatures, moderates a panel of experts on election security and administration.

University of Virginia Politics Professor Jennifer Lawless, who has published extensive research on women and politics, discusses gender dynamics in the 2020 elections and women's underrepresentation. University of Minnesota Political Science Associate Professor Kathryn Pearson moderates the discussion.

Former Senator Al Franken joins us to talk about the approaching elections and what the coronavirus reveals about America.

Latino voters have had enormous, untapped electoral power: they are the fastest growing portion of the US. electorate, and yet they have also stood out for the lowest turnout among the largest racial or ethnic groups. 2020 may be different. Mark Hugo Lopez of Pew Research Center joins Professor Michael Minta for this conversation.

The Washington Post's Tom Hamburger reports on new investigations into Attorney General Barr and the implications for the 2020 election.

Matthew Weil moderates a distinguished panel of election officials as they discuss the challenges of in-person voting in the 2020 election.