As the 2020 election approaches, the nation is deeply polarized. Public distrust in politicians, the media and public institutions continues to grow amid ongoing impeachment proceedings and heightened concerns about America’s future.
Against this backdrop, the Presidential Elections Program conference convened academics, political experts and journalists from around the country to explore the state of the 2020 presidential campaign season and the challenges that lie ahead. The event featured a luncheon discussion between the honorary directors of the conference, political consultants Mary Matalin and James Carville, which was moderated by Karen Johnson Rove. Four panels further explored the political and cultural issues surrounding the 2020 election, including political polarization, waning public confidence in social and political institutions, and the complexities of primaries and caucuses.
Watch video of the conference below:
To view the entire conference, please click below:
Panel I
Panel II
Luncheon Armchair
Panel III
Panel IV
Agenda
8:20 am |
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Breakfast and Registration |
8:40 am |
Opening RemarksThe Honorable Edward P. Djerejian |
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8:45 am |
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Panel I — Rising PolarizationModerator: The Honorable Edward Martin Emmett, Former Harris County Judge John D. Arnold Stephen Hawkins Jeffrey B. Lewis, Ph.D. |
10:00 am |
Break |
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10:15 am |
Panel II — Trust and ConfidenceModerator: Lisa Falkenberg, Editor of Opinion, Houston Chronicle Michael Dimock, Ph.D. Jennifer L. Merolla, Ph.D. Daron Shaw, Ph.D. Lynn Vavreck, Ph.D. |
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11:30 am |
Break |
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12:15 pm |
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Luncheon and Discussion with James Carville and Mary MatalinIntroduction: The Honorable James A. Baker, III, Honorary Chair, Baker Institute Moderator: Karen Johnson Rove, President and Founder, Infrastructure Solutions, Inc. |
1:15 pm |
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Break |
1:30 pm |
Panel III — Primaries and CaucusesModerator: Mark P. Jones, Ph.D., Fellow in Political Science, Baker Institute O. Kay Henderson Neil Levesque Josh Putnam, Ph.D. Jon Ralston David Woodard, Ph.D. |
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3:00 pm |
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Break |
3:15 pm |
Panel IV — The 2020 ElectionModerator: Jonathan Karl, Chief White House Correspondent, ABC News John Anzalone Jason Johnson Lisa Lerer Karen Tumulty |
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4:30 pm |
Closing Remarks |
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