Humphrey School Programs

Speech on campus is treacherous. It is scrutinized by universities unnerved by the risk of punishment by the federal government. Speech faces another threat – a left-oriented conformist spirit on many campuses that recognizes certain ideas and rules out others on such topics as Israel and Gaza, “Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” transgender issues, and more. Pamela Paul, a courageous New York Times columnist who bucks the progressive cannon from the left, visits to implore students and faculty to be advocates for debate – and provides support for those willing to take the risks of speaking up.

Description What is Donald Trump's economic policy? Stephen Moore argues that the President's reductions in taxes and regulations will boost economic growth, reduce inflation, and improve the standard of living of all Americans. About this series: Conservative Voices at the Humphrey School is a lecture series that highlights prominent conservative thinkers and public officials from a variety of policy areas and backgrounds. The series is presented by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance whose mission is to generate dialogue across difference by stimulating vigorous and civil debate. Event made possible by the Minnesota Business Partnership.

The inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20th is a critical juncture in American politics. The occasion invites serious conversations about American history, politics, and democracy. We welcome you to join the conversation with four prominent observers: •Tom Edsall (New York Times, Columnist) •Jacob Hacker (Department of Political Science, Yale University) •Mae Ngai (Department of History, Columbia University) •Nadia Urbinati (Department of Political Science, Columbia University) The moderators are Lawrence Jacobs (Humphrey School of Public Affairs, University of Minnesota) and Desmond King (Department of Politics and Nuffield College, Oxford University)

Now that Donald Trump is the president-elect and Republicans will have full control of Congress, President-elect Trump's government appointees and changes in congressional leadership will determine the policy direction of the incoming Congress and administration. Vin Weber and Trent Lefkowitz from Mercury Public Affairs will map out the new power centers in Washington DC in a conversation moderated by Larry Jacobs.

While the spotlight remains on the presidential race, the upcoming congressional elections will play a pivotal role in determining which policies the next president can successfully pass. Majority party control in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate is up for grabs. Join University of Minnesota Associate Professor and congressional scholar, Kathryn Pearson, alongside congressional expert Professor Wendy J. Schiller, director of the Taubman Center for American Politics and Policy at Brown University, as they explore the high-stakes battle for control of Congress and what we can expect in the upcoming elections.

As election day approaches, the presidential contest remains unpredictable. Joe Biden's unexpected decision to drop out of the race and pass the torch to Kamala Harris has energized the Democrats, but will it be enough to lead them to victory, or will Donald Trump make a return to the Oval Office? Democratic campaign strategist Rebecca Pearcey and Republican consultant Kirsten Kukowski analyze the high-stakes strategies and challenges each party faces in the 2024 election.

Support by Black and Latino voters for Democrats has declined somewhat in polls and in recent elections, raising questions about the scale, possible sources, and broader implications for American party politics. How does the current moment compare to the past? Is this part of a general shift away from the Democratic Party and towards Republicans by conservative and working class voters? And to the extent that changes are afoot, what might explain them? Daniel HoSang, Alvin Tillery, and Chloe Thurston, leading experts on political ideology, voter behavior, and racial politics, join the conversation.

Helping low income Americans move up economically remains an important challenge for policy makers. This is especially true in rural America. Robert Doar, President, American Enterprise Institute, visits to discuss today's conservative responses to poverty and limited economic mobility. His visit is part of the Conservative Voices at the Humphrey School series with Vin Weber and Larry Jacobs About this series: "Conservative Voices at the Humphrey School" will highlight prominent conservative thinkers and public officials from a variety of policy areas and backgrounds. The series is presented by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance whose mission is to generate dialogue across difference by stimulating vigorous and civil debate. Prior guests include Ramesh Ponnuru (Senior Editor, National Review); Aimee Guidera (Secretary of Education, Virginia); and Stephen Hadley (National Security Advisor, George W. Bush).

Can the United States continue to conduct free and fair elections? Richard Hasen, the Gary T. Schwartz Endowed Chair in Law and Director of the Safeguarding Democracy Project at UCLA School of Law and Jennifer Morrell, partner at the Elections Group, will consider risks to the fair counting of ballots and the prospect that some voters and candidates may not accept election results as legitimate You can find a list of nonpartisan election information resources from Jennifer Morrell here: https://z.umn.edu/NonpartisanElectionResources

As the Democratic Party gathers in Chicago for its national convention, its prospects in the 2024 elections are dampened by its loss of the working class and the center of the American electorate. Author and editor-at-large at Talking Points Memo John Judis dissects the sources of this abandonment and how Democrats can avoid political disaster in the days ahead.

The momentous 2024 elections will be awash with reporting on existential questions about our democracy as well as relentless polling numbers and campaign intrigue. Minnesota native James Hohmann, a respected editorial writer and columnist at the Washington Post, joins us to help break down the inside stories of the 2024 elections.

Stephen Hadley, former National Security Advisor to President George W. Bush, discusses China, Russia/Ukraine, and the Middle East in a conversation moderated by former Congressman Vin Weber and Professor Larry Jacobs.

Women will be a driving force in the epic elections in 2024 for president and congress. Anna Greenberg, one of the premier political consultants in the country, joins Professor Kathryn Pearson to pinpoint the critical issues and dynamics at play. Anna Greenberg has worked on numerous prominent Democratic campaigns including those of Minnesota Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar. She won the “Pollster of the Year” award from the American Association of Political Consultants and has served on the boards of two premier survey research organizations - the Roper Center for Public Opinion Research and the American National Election Study. Greenberg received a BA in Government from Cornell University and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Chicago.

Finding common ground in Washington is rare and urgent. Rob Portman has a record of passing more than 200 bills that were signed into law by Presidents Obama, Trump, and Biden. His leadership is exemplified by the 2021 infrastructure bill that builds an economic lifeline to the future, support to defend Ukraine's freedom in the face of growing Republican resistance, and courageous defense of his son's decision to come out as gay. In conversation with moderator Larry Jacobs, Rob Portman will draw on his three decades of experience working for two Republican Presidents and serving in Congress as a Republican Representative and US Senator to identify his approaches to achieving bipartisan progress. About the Series: The Nakasaka Dialogues stimulate conversations about the state of public life and encourage progress toward our shared bonds. This event series is made possible by a generous contribution from Humphrey School of Public Affairs alumnus Kiyoshi Nakasaka.

Many Americans are on fire about the stakes in the 2024 elections. But what about those in the "other America" who are not interested? Who are they and why are they sitting out elections? We are joined by Professors Yanna Krupnikov who studies Americans who are less involved in day-to-day political outcomes and Markus Prior who investigates the sources and impacts of political interest. Professor Taylor Carlson moderates.

Science has been thrust into elections and political fights among lawmakers. Vaccinations against Covid, measles, and other contagious illnesses have provoked protests on the left and, especially, the right. Have Americans lost trust in science and the hope it once offered to bring progress? Why has science become another casualty of the fights between Democrats and Republicans? Join us for a discussion of these issues with the University of Rochester's Jamie Druckman and Cary Funk, past research director at Pew Research Center.

How does representative democracy in practice hold up to academic theories of how democratic representation should work? Lisa Disch is a professor of democratic theory who has crossed over to serve in government as a City Council member in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a middle-sized bright blue college town in a purplish state. Councilmember Disch reports on what the academy is missing or just gets wrong.

Animosity toward Joe Biden is at record highs among Republicans as they were among Democrats toward Donald Trump when he was in the White House. In the 2024 presidential election, we are likely to see more than 9 out of 10 voters who identify with the Democrat and Republican parties vote for their party's candidate. Why are Americans so polarized? Will voters defect from their Democratic or Republican party affiliations to support "the other" presidential candidate or a candidate representing the Green Party or No Labels party?

Joe Biden joined the United Auto Workers on a Detroit picket line, a historic first for a sitting President. Thousands of workers have voted in favor of unions at Amazon and Starbucks, and public support for unions approaches an all-time high. But the share of workers represented by a union declined last year. Why isn't unionization growing? Minnesota AFL-CIO President Bernie Burnham, University of Minnesota Law School Professor Charlotte Garden, and Kathy Megarry, the Vice President of Human Resources & Labor Relations, discuss in a conversation moderated by University of Minnesota History Professor Will Jones.

Does American democracy face dire ongoing challenges that threaten honest elections and effective government responsive to the majority? While the 2020 and 2022 elections were fair, doubters continue to spread unfounded charges of massive election fraud, restrict voter access, and subvert honest election administration and tabulations. What responses are appropriate and feasible? Join us for a lively conversation with a panel of political scientists on the future of American democracy.

Polls show Biden and Trump in a toss up, if both run again. Both candidates showcase weakness: Biden's disapproval ratings are high for the economy and inflation and his age remains an issue while Trump is likely to be campaigning from a courtroom and may struggle among swing voters. Third-party candidates are lining up who may drain votes from both sides. Meanwhile, will the chronic chaos in the House hurt GOP prospects to hold its majority or derail the Party's advantages in US Senate contests? Prominent national campaign consultants Rebecca Pearcey and Kirsten Kukowski break down the strategies and odds facing each party in the 2024 elections. *Due to an error in recording, at 42:23 approximately 30 seconds is missing from the audio, we apologize for the inconvenience.

Vice President Walter Mondale was a pioneer in US housing policy. He championed the Fair Housing Act (1968) to outlaw discrimination based on race, religion, national origin, sex, and family status. How has this landmark law for fair housing impacted our challenges today with affordability and access? How does the Fair Housing Act empower communities today? This extraordinary program brings together national and state leaders in housing - Greg Squires (George Washington University) and Ingrid Gould Ellen (New York University) join Minnesota experts Edward Goetz (University of Minnesota, Humphrey School), Myron Orfield (University of Minnesota, Law School), Shannon Smith Jones (Greater Twin Cities United Way), and Maureen Michalski (Ryan Companies). About this Series: The Mondale Dialogues are a series of events that project the decency and fairness that guided the public life of Walter F. Mondale and the principles he long fought for. They feature prominent local, national, and international luminaries working on pressing issues of our time. Students, faculty, community members, as well as our online global audience, will find the Mondale Dialogues engaging, informative and thought-provoking. Event made possible by Penny and Bill George and the George Family Foundation

Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin has made excellence in education a top priority and his Secretary of Education, Aimee Rogstad Guidera, is responsible for making this vision a reality in the state's schools. The foundation of their work is the conviction that parents matter in all decisions impacting a child's health, education, and well being. Congressman Vin Weber and Professor Larry Jacobs moderate the conversation with Secretary Guidera.

The lack of right-of-center professors on University campuses limits the range of ideas explored, stifles debate, and may discourage students from articulating and pursuing conservative ideas. One promising approach to restoring balance is to build within universities programs and centers devoted to exploring the key questions of social and political life without ruling out conservative answers. Their purpose is to intentionally create places for wide-ranging debate. Join us for a discussion with Ramesh Ponnuru, editor of the National Review, as he makes the case for restoring intellectual diversity on University campuses. Former Congressman Vin Weber and Professor Larry Jacobs will moderate. This event was rescheduled from June due to an illness. About this series: Conservative Voices at the Humphrey School will highlight prominent conservative thinkers and public officials from a variety of policy areas and backgrounds. The series is presented by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance whose mission is to generate dialogue across difference by stimulating vigorous and civil debate.

In the inaugural Nakasaka Dialogue, Thomas Friedman and Professor Larry Jacobs discuss the major issues facing the U.S. and the world. The Nakasaka Dialogues stimulate conversations about the state of public life and encourage progress toward our shared bonds.

From the 1800s through the middle of the 2Oth century, federated fraternal orders based in regularly meeting local lodges and supralocal headquarters and conventions allowed Americans of all backgrounds to combine for mutual aid and civic assertion. African Americans were super-organizers and joiners within this fraternal world. Forming federations that spanned states, regions, and often the nation as a whole, Blacks created some orders paralleling major white orders but also large numbers of their own distinctively named orders. Through these orders, they built economic security, worked for social advancement, and pushed back against the social exclusions, cultural insults, and political restrictions of Jim Crow segregation. Women played a much stronger role in African American “fraternalism” than in white variants, and Black orders had an unusually strong focus on community service, while also serving as an organizational sphere where individual male and female leaders could develop and display business and civic talent. Professor Theda Skocpol presents original research - including membership badges from Black fraternal orders - connecting mutual-aid associations in the South with the Civil Rights movement. This talk includes personal stories of amazing discoveries, along with a larger explanation of why these associations, most of them no longer with us, are an inspiring part of U.S. and African American history that must not be lost.

Partisan gridlock in the U.S. Senate, exemplified by the present day, “no-effort” filibuster, has made it difficult for the Senate to pass meaningful legislation and respond to the needs of the country. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon) favors the "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" solution - talk. Senators who want to filibuster should need to stand up on the floor of the Senate to hold up action on bills they object to. Restoring the "talking filibuster," Senator Merkley argues, would bring the Senate back to the deliberative body it was designed to be, restore the incentives for both parties to seek compromise, and, in the process, help renew and strengthen our democracy. Join us for a conversation with Senator Jeff Merkley and Professor Larry Jacobs as they explore the history and debates of the filibuster.

The Democrats' success in the 2022 elections gave them full control of Minnesota state government for the first time since 2014 and a long list of priorities to act on. So far, this legislative session has been one of the busiest in recent history. Join us for a conversation with political reporters Briana Bierschbach of the Star Tribune and Brian Bakst of MPR on what the Minnesota Legislature is working on, successes so far, potential pitfalls coming, and projections of how the session may wind up. Prof. Larry Jacobs will moderate.

Access to Health Care After the Pandemic Emergency by Dialogue Across Difference Podcast by Center for the Study of Politics and Governance

A New Congress is sworn in on January 3, 2023 with a profound change: Republicans are in the majority in the US House of Representatives. What will be the consequences for domestic and foreign policy and politics? A terrific panel featuring Sarah Binder, Kathryn Pearson, and Michael Minta will explore.

Hateful conflict permeates our politics and, too often, our private lives. It infects our ability to think clearly and consumes our time and energy. Amanda Ripley's groundbreaking journalism and books are being taken up by citizens and legislators to chart a new way forward. In this conversation with the award-winning Krista Tippett - a collaboration between On Being and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs - they explore why we get trapped in conflicts and how we can break the spiral.

How will the headwinds facing Democrats play out in the state's legislative races this fall? Will Republicans be able to win back the Minnesota House and the Governorship? Star Tribune political reporter Briana Bierschbach and political science professor Kathryn Pearson discuss the latest news and predictions of Minnesota's state elections.

Latinx voters are the fastest growing voting block of the US. electorate. How will they influence the outcome of the upcoming 2022 midterm elections? Mark Hugo Lopez of the Pew Research Center will examine the attitudes and voting patterns of this diverse group of voters.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, Chairwoman of the Senate Rules Committee, is leading efforts to secure voting rights and protect our democracy. Join us to hear her speak about the state of American democracy, its future, and what we as citizens can do to protect it.

Voting in the midterm elections is under way. Will Democrats hold control over Congress or will a "wave" election sweep Republicans to House and Senate majorities? Prominent national campaign consultants Rebecca Pearcey and Kirsten Kukowski break down the strategies and odds facing each party in the 2022 elections.

Election officials are facing threats from people who work in or around election systems. This “Insider Threat” poses new challenges to address. Colorado's experience dealing with an Insider Threat led to legislation earlier this year both to protect election systems and those who do the protecting. Dr. Judd Choate, Colorado's Election Director and Humphrey School CEA faculty member, will lay out Colorado's legislative response to the insider threat and the threats facing election officials.

Keith Ellison and Norm Ornstein discuss how to integrate mental health awareness into public safety moving forward. *The first minute of audio did not record, so the audio will begin with the conversation already in progress

Minnesota can reduce incarceration and improve police performance by taking mental health seriously. Sound far-fetched? It's happening in Miami-Dade County where Judge Steve Leifman has transformed the way the criminal justice system and police respond to people with serious mental illness. A remarkable conversation will identify how Minnesota can join the revolution in public safety-- saving lives and money. The panel is made up of: Sen. Rich Draheim (R), Minnesota Senate Daniel H. Gillison Jr., National CEO, NAMI Mindy Greiling, Author, “Fix What You Can: A Lawmaker's Fight for Her Son” Sen. Ron Latz (DFL), Minnesota Senate Judge Steve Leifman, Eleventh Judicial Circuit of Florida Chief Kelly McCarthy, Mendota Heights Police Department & Chair, Minnesota POST Board Norm Ornstein, Emeritus Scholar, American Enterprise Institute Moderated by: Larry Jacobs

New Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Dr. Cedric Alexander sits down with Professor Larry Jacobs and Norm Ornstein to discuss the future of Public Safety in Minneapolis and how to integrate mental health awareness.

Minnesota Congressman Tom Emmer (6th CD) chairs the National Republican Campaign Committee. Congressman Emmer is leading the GOP effort to retake the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives. He discusses his work in Congress and the NRCC with Professor Larry Jacobs.

Are you ready for the 2022 Elections? Prominent political consultants from the Democratic and Republican parties preview the upcoming midterm elections and how both parties are strategizing for them.

Why has the unequal economic status of Black Americans persisted into the 21st century? Glenn C. Loury, Merton P. Stolt Professor of the Social Sciences at Brown University and host of The Glenn Show, proposes we need to specify the right "model" for thinking as economists about the long-term persistence of racial economic disparities. An advocate for a united approach to addressing racial disparities, Loury says, “Changing the definition of the American 'we' is the only real solution for the racial inequality problem that afflicts our society." Following Loury's presentation, CLA Economics Professor Christopher Phelen will facilitate a discussion on persistent racial inequalities in the US. Questions from the audience will be welcomed. This event is co-sponsored by the Public Life Project, Department of Economics, and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs Center for the Study of Politics and Governance under the direction of Larry Jacobs.

Join us for a conversation with USA TODAY Washington Bureau chief Susan Page on her new book, Madam Speaker: Nancy Pelosi and the Lessons of Power. Page focuses on the rise of Nancy Pelosi into congressional politics and her ability to maneuver into the position of Speaker of the House, the first woman to hold the gavel. Professor Kathryn Pearson will moderate.

The US spends more on health care than other countries and yet Americans stand out for poorer health – as measured by life expectancy, chronic heart disease, and the rates of death among mothers and babies. The Biden administration is pursuing an ambitious response: deliver greater value for our health care dollars and improve the care and health of black, indigenous, and populations of color. Liz Fowler, a leader of the Biden Administration's strategy, visits to discuss a new generation of collaborative care and incentives to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities among diverse Americans throughout the country and in Minnesota.

In the aftermath of the 2020 elections, election audits have taken center stage. They have been used to demonstrate the integrity of an election and, conversely, used in an attempt to demonstrate an election was flawed. Jennifer Morrell, an expert in election audits, will moderate a conversation with election officials that will explore the changing landscape of election audits - best practices, challenges, and opportunities.

Judge Steve Leifman of Miami-Dade County, Florida, has transformed the way the criminal justice system and police in this huge county deal with those with serious mental illness, saving lives and saving money at the same time. The best practices he and his team have crafted, embodied in a film called Definition of Insanity (www.doifilm.com), can be adapted to the needs and resources of every community. Judge Leifman moderates a conversation with Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Norman Ornstein, whose family foundation spearheaded the documentary, about criminal justice reform, police reform and mental illness.

Joe Biden is walking a tightrope. He was elected on promises of effectiveness, empathy, and unity. Yet, his unpopularity now rivals Donald Trump's after the public backlash against his handling of the bloody Afghan withdrawal, persistence of Covid surges, threats of inflation, and Democratic infighting over his ambitious legislative agenda. Prominent Republican conservatives Rich Lowry and Vin Weber stop by.

Health reform is a big part of President Biden's Build Back Better plan. Sweeping proposals have been negotiated carefully among Democratic leaders and party factions. Join us to hear how these changes may impact access, the cost of health care, and state and federal budgets. This program brings together keen observers of health reform in Washington DC, Jim Capretta from the American Enterprise Institute and Sabrina Corlette from Georgetown University to dissect what is happening.

Organizing communities of color, working people, the disaffected, and politicos on the left and right has lit up our politics - from protests around George Floyd to the January 6th mobilization. What separates these different forms of organizing and are they improving public life or threatening it? A leading progressive organizer - Marshall Ganz - reflects on the high points of success, disappointments, and disasters. Damon Shoholm will discuss community organizing in Minnesota.

Rent stabilization is on the ballot in both Minneapolis and St. Paul next month. How does rent stabilization work? What are advocates hoping to see come from the ballot initiatives and are those hopes realistic? And, how are groups in the two cities organizing to influence the outcome? Professor Edward Goetz of the Humphrey School, and the lead author of the report to the Minneapolis City Council on rent stabilization will be speaking with Jennifer Arnold, director of Inquilinxs Unidxs por Justicia and a leader of the campaign in favor of the Minneapolis ballot initiative.

Dr. Alvin Tillery, Dr. Michael Minta and Dr. Jamil Scott discuss the growing power of Black and Latinos in Congress in relation to the BLM protest movement and if Congress and more mainstream Black and Latino civil rights organizations are addressing the priorities of the BLM movement.