Past Events
SPRING QUARTER 2013
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 - A Conversation with Elie Wiesel
6 p.m. Rockefeller Memorial Chapel | Register »
Called a "messenger to mankind," Nobel Peace Prize winner Elie Wiesel sat down with David Axelrod, director of the UChicago Institute of Politics, for a wide-ranging conversation about the humanitarian’s life, his work, and his views on the world today.
MONDAY, MAY 20 - Poultry & Politics with Alderman Leslie Hairston
6 p.m. IOP House, 5707 S. Woodlawn
At "Poultry & Politics," the Institute of Politics invites a prominent elected official, policymaker, political operative, journalist, lobbyist or organizer to our historic home on South Woodlawn for an informal conversation about their life in politics and the issues of importance to them today. The format is simple: Our invited speaker begins the conversation with 10 to 15 minutes of remarks—and then opens the floor to questions. The goal is to give students a rare, inside glimpse into the political process and the lives of people in public service. The conversations are always off the record, and they're always accompanied by a delicious fried chicken meal. Why the poultry? Well, Harold's Fried Chicken is a South Side institution—and as we all know, politics sometimes can be a messy business. In our second installment of the series, students had an informal, off-the-record chat with Alderman Leslie Hairston, who represents much of UChicago's Hyde Park campus. We heard her take on school closings, Chicago's infrastructure, its budget shortfall and more.
THURSDAY, MAY 16 - Life Inside the White House: Obama Staffers Reflect
6:30 p.m. Quad Club Dining Room
Watch video of the event below.
From "The West Wing" to "House of Cards," TV shows and movies have long attempted to take us inside the White House. But what's life really like working inside 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue? We went behind the scenes with former members of the Obama administration as they gave us their inside take on the culture, intrigue and routines of the world's most famous workplace. Featuring: Jon Favreau, former director of speechwriting for President Obama; Katie McCormick Lelyveld, former press secretary for First Lady Michelle Obama; Chris Lu, Cabinet secretary and former assistant to the President; Elizabeth Jarvis Shean, former White House research director; Kenneth Walsh (moderator), chief White House correspondent, U.S. News and World Report and author of "Prisoners of the White House."
WEDNESDAY, MAY 15 - "The New Digital Age," with Google's Eric Schmidt and Jared Cohen
6 p.m. Booth 104
Presented in partnership with the University of Chicago Booth School of Business
Watch video of the event below.
Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt is one of Silicon Valley’s visionary leaders, having taken Google from a small startup to one of the world’s most influential companies. Jared Cohen is the director of Google Ideas and a former adviser to secretaries of state Condoleezza Rice and Hillary Clinton. With their combined knowledge and experiences, the authors take on some of the toughest questions about our future: Who will be more powerful in the future, the citizen or the state? Will technology make terrorism easier or harder to carry out? What is the relationship between privacy and security, and how much will we have to give up to be part of the new digital age? In their new book, "The New Digital Age: Reshaping the Future of People, Nations & Business," Schmidt and Cohen combine observation and insight give us their widely anticipated, transformational vision of the future: a world where everyone is connected—a world full of challenges and benefits that are ours to meet and to harness. At once pragmatic and inspirational, this is a forward-thinking account of where our world is headed and what this means for people, states and businesses.
MONDAY, MAY 13 - Constitution USA with Peter Sagal
6 p.m., Quadrangle Club, Dining Room
Watch video of the event below.
Does the U.S. Constitution have what it takes to keep up with modern America? Peter Sagal, host of "Wait Wait… Don’t Tell Me!", recently hit the road to find out. In his new four-part PBS series, Sagal travels across the country by motorcycle in search of how the U.S. Constitution works and how it doesn’t; how it unites us as a nation and how it has nearly torn us apart. The University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and WBEZ teamed up to present a deeper discussion of the issues that arise in the series with Peter Sagal and the UChicago Law School’s Todd Henderson. Couldn’t make it to the event? Find out more about "CONSTITUTION USA.”
WEDNESDAY, MAY 8 - Women in Politics
6 p.m., International House Assembly Hall
Co-sponsored by the Harris School of Public Policy Studies and the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality at the University of Chicago.
Watch video of the event below.
According to many political observers, 2012 should be considered “The Year of the Woman." Not only did voters send a record number of women to the U.S. Senate, they helped elect a Democratic caucus that is majority non-white male for the first time in the history of the House of Representatives. Female voters have routinely outnumbered male voters in presidential elections since 1984—and the gap is widening. Not surprisingly, women—and issues that directly affect women, from economic opportunity and education to health care reform and reproductive rights—emerged as driving forces in the 2012 campaign. So what impact are women having on our politics and public policy? And from the debate over Sheryl Sandberg’s "Lean In" to Anne Marie Slaughter’s "Why Women Can’t Have It All," what effect are these trends having on the challenges, opportunities and expectations facing women leaders? Panelists included Republican political strategist Christine Dudley; Democratic political consultant Mandy Grunwald; Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan; former North Carolina Gov. Bev Perdue; and moderator Monica Davey, Chicago bureau chief for The New York Times.
TUESDAY, MAY 7 - In Conversation with Neil Steinberg & Keith Koeneman with Steve Edwards
6 p.m. International House Home Room
Co-sponsored by the Seminary Co-op Bookstores, International House, and the Institute of Politics
Keith Koeneman, author of "First Son: The Biography of Richard M. Daley," and Neil Steinberg, author of "You Were Never in Chicago," discussed Chicago and Chicago politics in a conversation moderated by Steve Edwards. Koeneman's "First Son" is an in-depth biography of the longest-serving mayor in Chicago's history. "You Were Never in Chicago" weaves the story of Steinberg's coming-of-age as a young outsider who made his way into the inner circles of Chicago journalism with a nuanced portrait of the city that will surprise even lifelong residents.
TUESDAY, MAY 7 - Lunch with Keith Koeneman, Author of "First Son: The Biography of Richard M. Daley"
12 p.m. IOP House, 5707 S. Woodlawn
In his new biography, "First Son," Chicago writer Keith Koeneman chronicles the sometimes Shakespearean, sometimes Machiavellian life and career of Richard M. Daley, the longest-serving, most powerful mayor in the history of Chicago—and, arguably, America. Making deft use of unprecedented access to key players in the Daley administration, as well as Chicago's business and cultural leaders, Koeneman draws on more than one hundred interviews to tell an up-close, insider story of political triumph and personal evolution. Koeneman joined us for lunch at the Institute of Politics to reflect on his book, his subject and Daley's impact on American politics.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30
Restoring Justice: The Legacy of Edward Levi—featuring Eric Holder and John Ashcroft
6 p.m., Logan Center for the Arts Performance Hall
Presented in cooperation with the University of Chicago Law School
Watch video of the event below.
When President Gerald Ford nominated renowned lawyer and legal scholar Edward Levi to be United States Attorney General, Levi took over an office that had been marred by the corruption of the Watergate scandal. Levi's efforts to bring transparency, independence and integrity back to the Justice Department restored public confidence at a pivotal stage in U.S. history, and in so doing, established a standard by which future Attorneys General would be measured. To mark the publication of the new book, "Restoring Justice: The Speeches of Attorney General Edward Levi" by Jack Fuller, a distinguished panel joined us to discuss his impact on the office and its evolution. Formal remarks by U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder were followed by a panel discussion featuring John Ashcroft, former AG and U.S. senator; Jack Fuller, author of "Restoring Justice: The Speeches of Attorney General Edward Levi" and former special assistant at the U.S. Department of Justice; and moderator Geoffrey Stone, the Edward H. Levi Distinguished Service Professor at the University of Chicago Law School.
TUESDAY, APRIL 23
Climate Change: A Policy Forecast
6 p.m., International House Assembly Hall
Watch video fo the event below.
In his State of the Union address, President Obama called on Congress to pass legislation this year to limit greenhouse gas emissions and reduce the effects of climate change. But what are the prospects for legislative action—or executive action from the White House—this year? If so, what might it look like? And what effect, if any, will the resulting policies have on reducing carbon emissions and improving the environment? We explored those questions—and the policy climate in Washington—with a panel of leading experts.
Featuring:
Carol Browner, former administrator, Environmental Protection Agency
Coral Davenport, Energy & Environment Correspondent, National Journal
Mark Templeton, Director, Abrams Environmental Law Clinic; assistant clinical professor of law, the University of Chicago Law School
Michael Hawthorne (moderator), environment reporter, Chicago Tribune
SATURDAY, APRIL 20
Beyond Borders: The Politics of Immigration Policy
1-4 p.m. School of Social Service Administration Lobby
Watch video of the symposium below. Part 1:
Part 2:
In the wake of the 2012 elections, comprehensive immigration reform has emerged as a key priority for the White House and for many leading members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. With nearly 11 million undocumented immigrants currently living in the U.S., the outcome of this debate promises to have a significant impact on individuals and communities, as well as the U.S. economy and national security. The Institute of Politics, in collaboration with the Human Rights Program, the Roosevelt Institute, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA), the Young Center for Immigrant Children's Rights, the Harris School's Minorities in Public Policy Studies (MiPPS), and UChicago Coalition for Immigrant Rights (UCCIR), convened a symposium to examine the politics of immigration policy—past, present and future—with some of the leading voices on immigration policy in Washington and the Midwest.
Featuring:
Cindy Agustin, ICIRR, Youth Civic Leadership Trainer - Uniting America
Tom Balanoff, President, SEIU Local 1 and the SEIU Illinois State Council
Otts Bolisay, Communication Specialist, One America
Oscar Chacón, National Association of Latin American & Caribbean Communities
Roberto Gonzales, Assistant Professor at the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration
Susan Gzesh, Director, Human Rights Program, UChicago
Wade Henderson, President/CEO, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Helen Krieble, Founder/President, Vernon K. Kreible Foundation/Red Card Solution
Sylvia Puente, Executive Director, Latino Policy Forum
John Rowe, Chairman-Emeritus, Exelon Corporation
Rep. Jan Schakowsky, U.S. Representative (D-Ill.)
THURSDAY, APRIL 18
The New York Times' Matt Bai on the Past, Present & Future of Political Journalism
12:00 p.m. IOP House, 5707 S. Woodlawn | Register »
Matt Bai is the chief political correspondent for the New York Times Magazine, and also writes the “Political Times” column for the Times political blog, the Caucus. Twice honored in The Best American Political Writing, Bai often explores issues of generational change in American politics and society. He is the author of The Argument: Inside the Battle to Remake Democratic Politics, which chronicles the rise of the first Internet-age political movement and the people who built it. Before joining the Times Magazine in 2002, Bai spent five years as a national correspondent for Newsweek. In 2001, he was a fellow at Harvard’s Institute of Politics. He is currently at work on a new book and joined us to reflect on the changing face of political journalism.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10
Poultry & Politics: Lt. Gov. Sheila Simon
6 p.m. IOP House, 5707 S. Woodlawn
Each week, the Institute of Politics invites a prominent elected official, policymaker, political operative, journalist, lobbyist or organizer to our historic home on South Woodlawn for an informal conversation about their life in politics and the issues of importance to them today. The format is simple: Our invited speaker begins the conversation with 10-15 minutes of remarks—and then opens the floor to questions. The goal is to give students a rare, inside glimpse into the political process and the lives of people in public service. The conversations are always off the record, and they're always accompanied by a delicious fried chicken meal. Why the poultry? Well, Harold's Fried Chicken is a South Side institution—and as we all know, politics sometimes can be a messy business.
TUESDAY, APRIL 9
Race & Chicago Politics: 30 Years After the Election of Mayor Harold Washington
6 p.m., International House Assembly Hall
Watch video of the event below.
Presented in collaboration with the Chicago Studies Program of the College and the University Community Service Center (UCSC), the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (OMSA), and the International House Global Voices Lecture Series. Commemorating the 30th anniversary of the election of Harold Washington, Chicago’s first African-American mayor, our panel explored the historic election and mayoralty of the late Harold Washington; examined the impact of race in what is distinctly “Chicago Politics”; and considered the future of racial politics in 2013. Panelists included David Axelrod, Michael Dawson, and Jacky Grimshaw. The discussion was moderated by Laura Washington.
MONDAY, APRIL 8
What's Next for the Republican Party?
6 p.m., International House Assembly Hall
Watch video of the event below.
In the wake of the 2012 elections, many political analysts and, indeed, many Republicans, are wondering: What's next for the Grand Old Party? After all, the GOP has lost the popular vote for president in five out of the last six elections, and Republicans also missed key opportunities to pick up seats in the Senate in 2012. Add to that national demographic trends, and some are beginning to question the long-term viability of the GOP. Is the party at a crossroads? What will it take for the GOP to win back the White House? And what's needed when it comes to tactics, candidates, strategies and policies? We convened a panel of leading Republican thinkers to weigh in on the debate—and explore the future direction for the party.
Featuring:
Haley Barbour, former Republican governor of Mississippi
Bill Kristol, founder and editor of The Weekly Standard
Mike Murphy, Republican political consultant
Beth Myers, former senior advisor to Gov. Mitt Romney
Ramesh Ponnuru, conservative columnist and senior editor at National Review
Chris Wallace (moderator), host of Fox News Sunday
* * *
WINTER QUARTER 2013—FULL ACCESS: INSIDE THE OBAMA & ROMNEY CAMPAIGNS
This Winter Quarter, we dove deep into the 2012 presidential campaigns and election. Students were able to engage directly with the leading advisors and practitioners from the Obama and Romney campaigns as we explored everything from media strategy to mobilization.
THURSDAY, MARCH 7
A Conversation with Jon Huntsman
6 p.m., Logan Arts Center Performance Hall
Watch video of the program below.
Former Republican presidential candidate, governor of Utah, and U.S. Ambassador to China, Jon Huntsman, sat down with Fox News' Juan Williams for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of politics in the United States—and the future of U.S.-China relations.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6
Looking Back & Looking Forward: Lessons of the 2012 Campaign
6 p.m., International House Assembly Hall
Watch video of the event below.
By many measures, the 2012 presidential election was historic and groundbreaking. We concluded our analysis by taking a big-picture look at what happened last November, and what it might suggest for the future—for the president, for Congress, for campaigns and for the political parties.
Featuring:
Ronald Brownstein, Editorial Director, National Journal Group; Visiting Fellow, Institute of Politics
Julianna Goldman, White House Correspondent, Bloomberg News, Bloomberg Television
Jonathan Martin, senior political reporter at POLITICO
Jeff Zeleny, National Political Correspondent, The New York Times
TUESDAY, MARCH 5
Inside the World of Campaign Fundraising
UPDATED: 6 p.m., IOP House, 5707 S. Woodlawn
Once again the major party presidential campaigns set new records for raising and spending money, shattering previous marks with more than $2 billion in all. What were the strategies the campaigns employed to fuel their efforts? What impact has the Citizens United decision had on their approach to campaign cash? And what impact is all of this having on quality of the political process? Free and open to the public.
Featuring:
Julianna Smoot, deputy campaign manager, Obama for America
Spencer Zwick, co-founder, Solamere Capital, and advisor for Romney for President
Jonathan Alter (moderator), analyst, NBC News/MSNBC
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 28
The Role of Super PACs in 2012 & Beyond
6 p.m., Dining Room, Quadrangle Club
Watch video of the program below.
For the first time since the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark Citizens United decision, Super PACs were able to put their mark on a presidential election with hundreds of millions of dollars in spending and a flurry of negative ads from such groups as Priorities USA and Crossroads GPS. What impact did these Super PACs have on the course of the campaign? How did they perceive their role vis-à-vis the campaigns, the parties and other interest groups? And now that this campaign is over, where do the Super PACs go next?
Featuring:
Steven Law, CEO of Crossroads GPS
Saul Shorr, media consultant, Priorities USA Action
Charlie Spies, co-founder, Restore Our Future
Sean Sweeney, co-founder, Priorities USA Action
Will Howell (moderator), professor, Harris School of Public Policy
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27
Media Relations in the Digital Age
6 p.m., Library, Quadrangle Club
Watch video of the event below.
From the explosion of Facebook and Twitter to round-the-clock cable news coverage, the 2012 presidential election took place in a media landscape like no other. So, how did the Obama and Romney campaigns respond to these new trends and channels? What impact did they have on their messaging and communication – with the public and the press? And what is the relationship really like between “the flacks and the hacks” on the campaign trail? Free and open to the public.
Featuring:
Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager, Obama for America
Ben LaBolt, national press secretary, Obama for America, and former deputy White House Press Secretary
Kevin Madden, senior advisor, Romney for President
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Ads, Messaging and Media Buying in 2012
6 p.m., International House Assembly Hall
The leading media consultants joined us in conversation about the messaging they created to move voters and define candidates and opponents in 2012, from campaign ads to social media. What were the overarching media strategies employed? How did various campaigns use media effectively, from creative execution to ad-buying strategies? What worked? What didn’t? What impact is social media having on campaigns messaging—and vice-versa? How much has the practiced evolved in the last decade? In addition to those questions, we also shared and dissected a few key TV commercials from the campaign just ended.
Featuring:
Larry Grisolano, director of paid media, Obama for America
Jim Margolis, media consultant, Obama for America
Ashley O’Connor, director of advertising, Romney for President
Jim Rutenberg (moderator), political correspondent for The New York Times
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 23
High-Tech and Highly Targeted: Inside the Obama Campaign's Digital War Room
Noon-3:30 p.m., Booth School of Business Room 104
Watch video of the event below, in two parts.
We took a look at the role technology is playing in the execution of the modern day political campaign and in the 2012 elections specifically, from micro-targeting to fundraising, social media to rapid response. David Plouffe delivered a keynote speech, and The New Yorker's Ryan Lizza moderated panel discussions on using research and technology to target voters, as well as on social media and mobilization in the digital age.
Featuring:
Jeremy Bird, National Field Director, Obama for America
Teddy Goff, Digital Director, Obama for America
Ryan Lizza, (Moderator) Washington Correspondent, The New Yorker
David Plouffe, Former Senior White House Advisor; Campaign Manager, Obama 2008
Harper Reed, Chief Technology Officer, Obama for America
Joe Rospars, Chief Digital Strategist, Obama for America
Dan Wagner, Chief Analytics Officer, Obama for America
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Mobilizing Coalitions: Understanding the Emerging Electorate
7 p.m., Booth School of Business Room 104
In many ways, the story of the 2012 presidential election can be told through the changing demographics of the United States. The votes of women, Latinos and younger Americans were especially coveted by both campaigns. And each devoted significant attention to mobilizing core supporters among whites and African Americans. As the U.S. becomes increasingly “majority minority,” what are we learning about the demographic trends and issue priorities of these vital constituencies? And what do they mean for the future of politics? Four of the nation’s leading researchers joined us to shed light on those questions, in a panel moderated by Cathy Cohen, professor of political science and director of the Center for the Study of Race, Politics and Culture at the University of Chicago.
Featuring:
Whit Ayres, NorthStar Opinion Research
Cornell Belcher, Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies
Sergio Bendixen, Bendixen & Amandi International
Diane Feldman, The Feldman Group
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19
A Conversation with Newt Gingrich
6 p.m., Mandel Hall, Reynolds Club
Watch video of the event below.
Former Republican presidential candidate and former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Newt Gingrich sat down with David Axelrod for a wide-ranging conversation about his career, his views and the future of politics today.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Perceiving a Presidency: How Voters Viewed Obama 2006-2012
7 p.m., Booth School of Business Room 104
While much attention is paid to political polls, often the most useful insights for candidates and their campaigns come from talking with voters directly, through focus groups, dial-testing and other methodologies. One of the principal Obama campaign focus group researchers, David Binder, joined us to give us a behind-the-scenes look into the methodologies used and the insights unearthed to track voter impressions of Barack Obama—from his earliest flirtation with a presidential run in 2006 to his re-election bid in 2012. Binder was interviewed by our very own, Steve Edwards, Deputy Director of Programming, and former host of WBEZ's "The Afternoon Shift" and "Eight Forty-Eight."
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13
Political Pollsters: The Art & Science of Public Opinion
12 p.m., International House Assembly Hall
Watch the program below, and check out photos from the event.
From daily tracking polls to online trading exchanges, public opinion in 2012 was on display like never before, making this the most measured campaign cycle in history. But the flurry of numbers often produced confusing storylines and contradictory results. Our panel of leading pollsters and public opinion researchers helped sort through the noise to understand what’s driving the proliferation of polls; what role methodology plays in shaping results; and, in the end, what worked (and what didn’t) for pollsters and the public. Register now »
Featuring:
Mark Blumenthal, senior polling editor of the Huffington Post and the founding editor of Pollster.com
Anna Greenberg, Democratic pollster
Mark Mellman, Democratic pollster
Bill McInturff, Republican pollster
Joel Benenson (Moderator), President & CEO, The Benenson Group
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11
Presidential Pollsters: Tracking Public Opinion
6 p.m. International House Assembly Hall
Watch video of the event below, and check out photos from the event.
During the 2012 election, presidential campaigns used a sophisticated mix of quantitative and qualitative data to understand voter concerns, to test ideas, and to create the most compelling messaging for their candidates. We got a behind-the-scenes look at this process in a panel discussion with top researchers in the Obama and Romney campaigns. Register now »
Featuring:
Joel Benenson, chief pollster, Obama for America
Neil Newhouse, lead pollster, Romney for President
John Harwood (Moderator), Chief Washington Correspondent for CNBC and political writer for the New York Times
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 7
Inside the Presidential Debates: Preparing the Candidates
7 p.m. Dining Room, Quadrangle Club
Watch video of this event below.
During the last 50 years, televised presidential debates have become one of the most anticipated and consequential encounters on the road to the White House. 2012 was no exception. How did the campaigns approach debate preparation this cycle? What were the strategies, the techniques, the strengths and the weaknesses? And what really happened after that first debate at the University of Denver?
Featuring:
David Axelrod, senior strategist, Obama for America
Karen Dunn, advisor and debate coach, Obama for America
Beth Myers, advisor and debate coach, Romney for President
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 5
Campaign Strategists: 2012 Explained
7 p.m. International House Assembly Hall, 1414 East 59th Street
Watch video of this event below. PLUS: Check out moderator Chuck Todd's take on the event on MSNBC's Daily Rundown.
Long before Election Day, Hurricane Sandy, the presidential debates, Libya, the 47 percent, the conventions or even the Iowa Caucuses, candidates and their strategists toiled away behind the scenes, mapping a path to victory. For some, the long hours and hard work paid off. For others, the efforts came up short. We kicked off our Winter Quarter series by convening the lead strategists and managers from the Obama and Romney camps, in a freewheeling panel discussion about what went right, what went wrong, and what we learned in the process.
Featuring:
David Axelrod, senior strategist, Obama for America
Eric Fehrnstrom, strategist, Romney for President
Larry Grisolano, director of paid media, Obama for America
Jim Messina, campaign manager, Obama for America
Beth Myers, advisor, Romney for President
Jen O’Malley Dillon, deputy campaign manager, Obama for America
Matthew Rhoades, campaign manager, Romney for President
Stuart Stevens, strategist, Romney for President
Chuck Todd (Moderator), chief White House correspondent for NBC News
JANUARY 15, 2013
The Politics of Guns in America
Watch the program below, and check out photos from the event.
The recent shooting spree at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Conn., has reignited a national conversation about guns and gun violence. Advocates for gun control say the tragedy this year—and others like it in Aurora, CO and Oak Creek, WI—underscore the need to toughen restrictions on gun availability and gun ownership. But the National Rifle Association says that won’t solve the problem—and argues that the way to prevent such tragedies in the future is through self-defense. They’ve called for armed security guards to be placed in every school in the nation.
So what should be done to reduce gun violence and prevent such tragedies? And why is the question of gun policy such a divisive, polarizing one in American politics? The University of Chicago’s non-partisan Institute of Politics took up those and other questions with leading voices on all sides of the issues. The conversation examined the complicated politics of gun policy in America – and where it may be heading.
Featuring:
Mayor Rahm Emanuel, City of Chicago
Rep. Steve Latourette, R-Ohio, Retired
Jens Ludwig, Director, UChicago Crime Lab
Steve Chapman, Columnist and Editorial Writer, Chicago Tribune
Moderated by: Tom Brokaw, Tom Brokaw Reports
JANUARY 2-3, 2013
Springfield Trip
The Institute of Politics staff members Darren, Dillan, and Shengxiao took seven undergraduate students to Springfield January 2-3 to attend the Lame Duck sessions, meet with state senators, and to see politics in action. Click here to see photos.
NOVEMBER 26, 2012
A Conversation with David Axelrod: The President’s Chief Strategist and Director of Institute of Politics Reflects on the 2012 Campaign
A look behind the scenes into the 2012 Election with David Axelrod—a conversation moderated by Steve Edwards
C-Span aired the event. The Daily Beast and WBEZ also published pieces on the program. See event photos here and the recording of the livestream video here.
NOVEMBER 10, 2012
What's Next? How the 2012 Elections Will Impact Policy from the Beltway to the Midway
In partnership with the Roosevelt Institute Campus Network Midwestern Regional Conference, the UChicago Institute of Politics hosted a panel discussion on "What's Next? How the 2012 Elections Will Impact Policy from the Beltway to the Midway" on how the 2012 results will influence policy at all levels of government, from Federal to local. See photos...
Panelists included:
Will Burns - Chicago 4th Ward Alderman (D-Hyde Park)
Heather Steans - IL State Senator (D-Chicago)
Kirk Dillard - IL State Senator (R-Westmont)
Moderated by:
Paris Schutz - Political Correspondent for WTTW (PBS)
NOVEMBER 6, 2012
Election Night Watch Party
The Institute of Politics, along with campus partners, hosted Election Night Watch Parties at two locations, the Reynolds Club and the School of Social Service Administration, with screens tuned into PBS (nonpartisan), Fox News (Right-wing), and CNN (Left-wing) channels. Read news story... and student blog pieces here and here. Plus: See photos of the event
OCTOBER 26, 2012
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Talks with University Students and Staff
On Friday, October 26, students and staff gathered in the Quadrangle Club to hear from U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan speak about his career trajectory, Department of Education initiatives, the current state of public education, and the significance of an education professions and pre-professional program in undergraduate education. Read more...
OCTOBER 23, 2012
Institute Staff and Students Participate in Chicago Tribune Editorial Board Meeting
After equipping themselves with Starbucks to battle morning drowsiness, several members of the Transitional Student Advisory Council—along with Senior Associate Director for Internships and Student Civic Engagement Dillan Siegler, Deputy Director for Programming Steve Edwards, and Programming and Marketing Coordinator Shengxiao "Sunshine" Yu—sat in on the Chicago Tribune’s editorial board meeting on Tuesday October 23. Read more...
OCTOBER 22, 2012
College Houses and Reynolds Club Host DebateWatch Events
The Institute of Politics, in partnership with Office of Reynolds Club and Student Activities, Campus and Student Life, Office of Undergraduate Housing, as well as Student Government, hosted DebateWatch events across the UChicago campus on October 22, the night of the final Presidential Debate of the 2012 Election. Read more...
OCTOBER 18, 2012
First Institute of Politics event of the year opens to packed house
Hundreds of University of Chicago students helped the Institute of Politics kick off its inaugural event of the academic year, an evening organized to mark the first U.S. presidential debate of the 2012 election season. Read more...
JULY 18, 2012
University of Chicago Institute of Politics sends students to RNC, DNC with Politico
The University of Chicago Institute of Politics, the UChicago Careers in Journalism, and the UChicago Careers in Public and Social Service sponsored three student internships at both the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina and the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida with POLITICO, the first news website to be nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Read more...
MAY 29, 2012
Institute of Politics appoints inaugural executive director
The University of Chicago’s new Institute of Politics has selected education policy leader and administrator Darren R. Reisberg to be its first executive director. Read more...
JUNE 5, 2012
Institute of Politics hosts 'halftime update' on 2012 election
David Gregory moderates political commentators from print and television. Read more...
JANUARY 23, 2012
Spirited election panel previews new Institute of Politics
On an afternoon when the University of Chicago announced the creation of the new Institute of Politics, a panel of prominent political figures also marked the occasion with informed analysis, humor, and spirited disagreements over the 2012 presidential election. Read more...
JANUARY 19, 2012
University creates new Institute of Politics
Alumnus David Axelrod, AB’76, to lead programs intended to harness students’ passion for careers in public service. Read more...