Let’s Find Common Ground

Nichol Whiteman, CEO of the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation and Fall 2021 Fellow at the Center for the Political Future, joins co-directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy to discuss the intersection of sports, politics, and community engagement. Whiteman also highlights the power of diversity in advocating for resources and opportunities for marginalized populations. Featuring: Bob Shrum - Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Mike Murphy - Co-Director, Center for the Political Future; MSNBC Political Analyst Nichol Whiteman - CEO, LA Dodgers Foundation; Fall '21 Fellow, Center for the Political Future This event is part of the National Week of Conversation #ListenFirst.

We learn about two brave and successful attempts to get Americans of differing backgrounds and political convictions to engage in personal face-to-face conversations. America Talks and the National Week of Conversation, both held in mid-June, were part of expanding efforts to push back against deep divides and toxic polarization. In this episode, we discuss lessons learned, insights gained, and the vital difference between talking and listening. Our guests are Kristin Hansen, Executive Director at Civic Health Project and Director at AllSides, and Mizell Stewart, Vice President, News Performance, Talent & Partnerships for Gannett and the USA Today Network. Both were involved in this new initiative.

American democracy is being challenged by hyper-polarization, widespread distrust of competing parties, and extremists who seek to weaken democratic values and institutions.  In a recent poll, only one-in-six Americans said our democratic system is working very well, while nearly two-in-three voters told a Pew Research Center survey that major reforms are needed. "I certainly feel we are more vulnerable than we have ever been in the modern era," says our podcast guest, constitutional law scholar, Rick Pildes, a professor at New York University’s School of Law, and author of the book, “The Law of Democracy: Legal Structure of the Political Process.” In this episode, we discuss proposed changes aimed at strengthening democracy— from ranked-choice voting and reform of political primaries, to limiting gerrymandering, and campaign finance reform. 

Young Americans, aged 18-29, believe that the threat from climate change is real regardless of their ideological leanings, compared to older Americans. Recent polling shows that Republican voters, born after 1980, are much more likely than older Republicans to think that government efforts to reduce climate change have been insufficient (52% vs. 31%).  In this episode, we ask: can the youngest generation of voters put aside partisan differences and agree on policies needed to protect climate and the environment as well as address the needs of businesses and the economy? We discuss the role of government, business, and how to find on common ground.  Our guests are Danielle Butcher, a conservative political executive and a leader of the American Conservation Coalition, and a liberal, Andrew Brennen, who is a National Geographic Explorer and Education Fellow, who co-founded the Kentucky Student Voice Team.     

CPF Director Bob Shrum is joined by Jane Harman, former Congresswoman and author of “Insanity Defense,” to discuss how four presidential administrations have failed to confront some of the toughest national security policy issues. Congresswoman Harman also shares her views on the Democratic Party’s platform and how to make progress in a closely divided Congress. Featuring: Bob Shrum - Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Jane Harman - Distinguished Fellow and President Emerita, Wilson Center, Stanford University; Former Congresswoman (D-CA); Author, “Insanity Defense: Why Our Failure to Confront Hard National Security Problems Makes Us Less Safe"

Elex Michaelson, Fox 11 News co-anchor, is joined by journalist Todd Purdum, strategists Rachel Bitcoffer and Mark Mellman, and Shaniqua McClendon, political director at Crooked Media, to discuss whether Democrats will lose seats and legislative control in the midterms and which candidates are shaping the race for the presidency in 2024. Featuring: Elex Michaelson - Co-Anchor, Fox 11 News and Host, "The Issue Is: With Elex Michaelson" Rachel Bitecofer - Elections Analyst and Strategist; Editor, The Cycle; Founder, Strike PAC Shaniqua McClendon - Political Director, Crooked Media; Spring '21 Fellow, Center for the Political Future Mark Mellman - CEO, Mellman Group; Former President of the American Association of Political Consultants Todd Purdum - Former New York Times Reporter and Staff Writer at The Atlantic; Spring '21 Fellow, Center for the Political Future

Banks & businesses are betting big on sustainable investments. Can they help politicians bridge the gap on climate change? When Joe Biden talks about the challenge of fighting climate change, he mentions jobs: not green jobs or renewable energy jobs, but “millions of good-paying union jobs.” The new administration is working to reframe the conversation about the environment at a time when many of Wall Street’s largest banks and corporations are betting big on sustainable investments — from electric cars and trucks to new kinds of renewable and carbon-free energy. On Let’s Find Common Ground, we interview journalists Stephanie Hanes and Mark Trumbull of The Christian Science Monitor, and learn the latest on the changing landscape in the great debate over the environment and climate. Can business help politicians from both major parties bridge some of their differences? Listen to find out.

CPF Co-Director Mike Murphy is joined by former Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, journalists Robert A. George and Jeremy Peters, and President Trump’s former White House Chief of Staff, Mark Meadows, to discuss how the impact of Republican voter support of the former president translates into influence within GOP leadership. Featuring: Mike Murphy - Co-Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future; NBC Political Analyst Barbara Comstock - Former U.S. Representative (R-VA) , Spring '21 Fellow, Center for the Political Future Robert A. George - Columnist, Bloomberg Opinion Mark Meadows - Former White House Chief of Staff, President Donald Trump and U.S. Representative (R-NC); Senior Partner, The Conservative Partnership Institute Jeremy W. Peters - National Politics Reporter, New York Times; Contributor to MSNBC; Author, "Insurgency: How Republicans Lost Their Party and Got Everything They Ever Wanted"

Michael Beschloss, presidential historian and best-selling author, is joined by Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, Max Boot, national security analyst, USC professor Alison Dundes Renteln, and former Obama administration advisor, Ben Rhodes, to discuss President Biden's foreign policy goals and achievements 100 days into his presidency. Featuring: Michael Beschloss - Historian, Best-Selling Author Anne Applebaum - Pulitzer Prize-Winning Historian; Staff Writer, The Atlantic; Author, "Twilight of Democracy: The Seductive Lure of Authoritarianism" Max Boot - Author, Columnist, and National Security Analyst Alison Dundes Renteln - Professor of Political Science, Anthropology, Public Policy and Law, USC Dornsife Ben Rhodes - Co-Host of “Pod Save the World,” Former Deputy National Security Advisor for Strategic Communications and Speechwriting, Obama Administration; Spring '20 Fellow, Center for the Political Future

CPF Director Bob Shrum is joined by former Congressman Joe Kennedy III and strategists Karen Finney, Ron Christie, and Brian Goldsmith to discuss President Joe Biden's domestic performance for reviving the economy and reforming immigration, police, and gun policies. Featuring: Robert M. Shrum - Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future; Carmen H. & Louis Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics Ron Christie - CEO, Christie Strategies; Political Analyst, BBC; Former Special Assistant to President George W. Bush; Former Deputy Assistant to Vice President Cheney for Domestic Policy; Fall 2019 CPF Fellow Karen Finney - Democratic Strategist; Former Senior Advisor and Spokesperson for Hillary Clinton; Former Senior Advisor to Stacey Abrams Brian Goldsmith - Media Consultant; Political Strategist Joe Kennedy III - Former U.S. Representative (D-MA)