The American Political Landscape: What Happened to the Center

Thursday, April 14, 2022

5:00 PM 6:00 PM

The American Political Landscape: 

What Happened to the Center?

with

Matt Bennett, Elaine Kamarck, and William A. Galston

Thursday, April 14th, 2022

5:00-6:00 pm ET

 The US has become more splintered along left-right lines than almost any time in its history.  Instead of joining the traditional parties, more voters than ever are opting to become independents - eschewing the parties that no longer fit their views.  

The Republican Party has already seen a hard split with more extreme views entering its mainstream and fewer moderate leaders in office.  Is the same phenomenon occurring in the Democratic Party?  

Are the parties falling to more radical elements - or simply reflecting their most engaged voters who actively demand major change?  Was the election victory of Joe Biden an attempt to return to the middle? 

Join The Common Good for a discussion on “What happened to the Center”  on April 14th to find out.

About the Speaker:

Matt Bennett has journeyed from the campaign trail to the White House, and from the pages of The New York Times to appearances on Meet the Press and 60 Minutes. He worked on both of the presidential campaigns of Bill Clinton, his political hero. He served as Deputy Assistant to the President for Intergovernmental Affairs in the Clinton White House, where he was the principal White House liaison to governors and covered issues ranging from disaster response to Medicaid to immigration. Prior to that, Matt traveled with Vice President Al Gore on his White House staff. He was Director of Communications for Wesley Clark's presidential campaign in 2004, and from 2001-2004 he was Director of Public Affairs for Americans for Gun Safety.

In 2005, Matt joined his three fellow co-founders in establishing the Third Way, believing that there is a tremendous need for fresh thinking and moderate ideas in a time of extreme political immoderation. Matt loves coming to work every day to take on the big questions our country faces with some of the people he respects most in the world. He considers helping to extend marriage equality to gays and lesbians one of Third Way's proudest achievements so far.
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Watch now :

A Conversation with Governor Terry McAuliffe on the Political Landscape

The Common Good hosted former Governor Terry McAuliffe of Virginia, the charismatic “happy warrior” with excellent experience in the art of politics and policy. McAuliffe offered up incredibly insightful information and a rather sunny outlook on the Democratic Party’s chances in the upcoming 2020 election. The former governor also graced TCG members with insights on the handling of voter rights legislation as well as the Charlottesville protests during his time in office.

Terry McAuliffe served as the 72nd Governor of The Commonwealth of Virginia, holding office from 2014-2018. During his time as governor, Mr. McAuliffe was successful in implementing several policy changes including, but not limited to, immigration, voting rights for convicted felons, economic development and healthcare. The governor’s political tenure stretches back to President Jimmy Carter’s administration, where McAuliffe worked on the President’s reelection campaign. Mr. McAuliffe continued his work on the campaign trail with both Hilary and Bill Clinton’s presidential campaigns. He also held a chair at the Democratic National Committee from 2001-2005.