One day after the final presidential debate, Pulitzer Prize finalist Ron Brownstein will give students an unbiased, fact-based look at the state of American politics.

Brownstein will give a talk, titled “American Politics, Today and Tomorrow,” at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Hendricks Chapel.

The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs combined efforts to bring Brownstein to SU as the second speaker of this year’s University Lectures series. He will address what is next for each political party, give a detailed assessment of the electoral environment and discuss the challenges the winner of the November election will face, according to a release.

Esther Gray, special assistant for academic affairs, said in an email that Brownstein will explore the state of each party today by analyzing history, current polls, voting trends and each party’s brand.

Brownstein will also address the “lack of civility in campaigns, both nationally and on a local level, as well as the campaign fundraising and how much candidates really spend on their attempt to get elected,” she said.

Gray, who helps select the speakers for the University Lectures series, said during election years the university always tries to pick a speaker who can address and explain the electoral process in an unbiased fashion.

“We look for someone who can speak in a bi-partisan way, someone not even perceived to favor one party or the other,” she said in an email.

An additional endorsement for Brownstein to come and speak was the direct recommendation by James Steinberg, dean of the Maxwell School, Gray said.

During his long career in the media field, Brownstein has had a wide variety of experiences and accomplishments.

A two-time finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of both the 1996 and 2004 presidential elections, Brownstein is also the senior political and election analyst for ABC and CNN, and the political director of Atlantic Media Co. He has also written for the Atlantic, National Journal and the Los Angeles Times, and served as chief political correspondent and columnist for U.S. News and World Report, according to an Oct. 16 SU News release.

Both faculty and students are impressed by Brownstein’s credentials and are looking forward to hearing him speak at SU.

Lexi Kroll, a freshman public relations major, wasn’t familiar with Brownstein, but after hearing about his past work, said she wanted to attend the event.

“I don’t really know much about him, but I think it’s great that he’s coming to campus to bring such a professional and experienced perspective,” she said. “I’m excited to hear from someone so successful in the field of media.”

Margaret Susan Thompson, an associate professor of history and political science, said she hopes students will learn from Brownstein’s analytical approach to politics.

“He is very good at what he does,” she said. “It is very difficult to find someone so experienced and still holds to an unbiased way of reporting.”

She said she thinks the talk could help students broaden their minds in terms of the electoral process.

Said Thompson: “It is very difficult to do so, but hopefully Brownstein can teach the students a few things.”

 

Published on October 23, 2012 at 1:40 am

Contact Erin: erkelly@syr.edu