Election Aftershock: Takeaways & Turning Points

Election Aftershock: Takeaways & Turning Points

What did two of the most insightful strategists have to say about the MAJOR SHIFTS in U.S. politics?

Republican strategist Alex Castellanos described the "painful demise of two old political parties," as the Republican Party transitions into a populist, working-class movement and solidifies the Trump coalition as a lasting force.

Democratic strategist Doug Sosnik highlighted the challenges facing Democrats, noting “It was a well run campaign, so I don't want to  anyway denigrate that. But I think that basically Republicans won for four main reasons. And it wasn't Trump, it's almost in spite of Trump….”  Watch now to hear the rest! 

Here are more takeaways from this insightful discussion, which you can watch below. Stay tuned for more engaging content from The Common Good!

SOME HIGHLIGHTS

What’s going on with the Party system? 

"When you lose the center, you're often just left with the extreme. And that happened to Republicans when we drained all the juice out of the Reagan coalition. I think the Democrats are now in the same spot." -Alex Castellanos

"Right now, the Democratic Party is isolated and considered culturally elite, big spenders, and not in touch with the people in the countryside. Ultimately, the only way we're going to fix that is to run people in America who are from America, who represent in their real lives the center of this country." -Doug Sosnik

How has the 2024 election changed political parties in America?

“What was just a man became a movement. I think this election, what was just Donald Trump, got some breadth and it became something that I think will live after Trump. The Trump coalition, particularly among working-class voters, grew stronger." -Alex Castellanos

"The Democrats no longer have control of their political destiny. Trump’s victory was all-encompassing... 92% of the counties in America, he ran with stronger performance in 2024 compared to 2020…Trump improved his standing in all 50 states." -Doug Sosnik 

What did the strategies of the Republican and Democratic parties tell us in the 2024 election? 

"For nine years now, the Democratic Party has stood for nothing other than beating Trump. That’s been the only organizing principle of the party. When you ask a Democrat who you are, what you're for, the answer is, 'We're against Trump.'” -Doug Sosnik 

What about the voters? How do they feel about American politics today?

"We’re governing ourselves in very old ways. Big old, top-down, industrial-age machine-like government." -Alex Castellanos

"People feel like the system is corrupt, and it is set up to screw them. Trump is not the cause of what’s happening in America; he’s the symptom of it." -Doug Sosnik

About Our Speaker’s

Doug Sosnik is a highly regarded Democratic strategist, “famed in Washington circles for his closely held, big-think memos on the state of American politics.” As one of President Bill Clinton’s closest advisors, Sosnik played a pivotal role in Clinton’s against-the-odds landslide reelection in 1996, serving in key positions including Senior Aide and White House Political Director.

With decades of experience at the nexus of politics, policy, and communication, Sosnik has guided senators, governors, Fortune 100 companies, leading foundations, and universities through complex challenges. Before his impactful tenure in the White House, he served as Chief of Staff to Senator Christopher J. Dodd of Connecticut, cementing his reputation as a go-to strategist and trusted insider in the highest echelons of power.

---

Alex Castellanos is a powerhouse in Republican strategy and media consulting, credited with the discovery of the political “soccer mom,” which “caught on almost overnight” as the iconic prototypical swing voter, and hailed as the “father of the attack ad.” He is famed for shaping seven U.S. presidential campaigns, including Bush-Cheney 2004, Romney for President, and McCain’s Ad Council, and has been a decisive force behind the election of nine U.S. Senators and six Governors.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Castellanos’ journey is as compelling as his career. His family fled Castro’s regime with one suitcase and eleven dollars, forging a new life in America. A fluent Spanish and English speaker and a University of North Carolina scholar, he is a sought-after political speaker and frequent CNN commentator.

Related Articles to Check Out:

“The Road to A Political Realignment in American Politics” (Doug Sosnik, Politico)

OPINION: “The ‘Diploma Divide’ Is the New Fault Line in American Politics” (Doug Sosnik, New York Times)

“Castellanos: Pollsters Are Missing Something, A Massive Shift In Voter Registration And An Enthusiasm Gap” (Ian Schwartz, RealClearPolitics)

2024 AMERICAN SPIRIT AWARDS

The Common Good American Spirit Awards

Thursday, November 21, 6-9:30 pm ET, at The Plaza IN NYC

The Common Good hosted an unforgettable evening filled with captivating conversations and inspiring stories of dedication, innovation, and stellar achievement.

The American Spirit Awards took place at the storied Plaza Hotel on Thursday, November 21, beginning with a warm cocktail reception followed by an elegant dinner. It was truly an inspiring night celebrating and connecting with some of America’s most remarkable heroes.

The evening reaffirmed our shared commitment to a brighter future as we honored extraordinary awardees whose dedication to the common good continues to elevate our nation.

American Spirit Awardees for 2024

Dr. Kimberly Budil, Director of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

DISTINGUISHED SCIENTIFIC ACHIEVEMENT

For Dr. Budil’s groundbreaking work in nuclear fusion and its transformative potential for clean energy and climate change mitigation.

Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson

DISTINGUISHED GUARDIAN OF DEMOCRACY

For Secretary Johnson’s efforts to safeguard democracy as Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Task Force on Public Confidence in Democracy and highlighting his excellent work at the helm of one of the most complicated agencies in the U.S. government.  

Director of National Intelligence James Clapper

DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE

For Director Clapper’s extraordinary contributions to national security over the decades, particularly in the challenging field of intelligence, and for his vital role in the operation that brought down Osama bin Laden.

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta

DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE

For Secretary Panetta’s prodigious record of outstanding leadership at several U.S. agencies with mighty results at each, such as balancing the federal budget - an accomplishment which has yet to be matched in the 21st century - to advancing our military readiness and helping to defeat our terrorist foes.

Alan Schwartz, Executive Chairman, Guggenheim Partners

DISTINGUISHED BUSINESS LEADERSHIP

For Mr. Schwartz’s commitment to issues that extend beyond corporate profits, bringing to business leadership a strong sense of civic purpose by publicly addressing challenges such as income inequality, voting reform, and climate change.

this year’s INCREDIBLE HOST & PRESENTERs

JIM ACOSTA

THIS YEAR’S AMERICAN SPIRIT AWARDS HOST

Anchor of CNN Newsroom with Jim Acosta, airing weekdays at 10aET on CNN. Acosta has served as CNN’s chief White House correspondent, where he covered the Trump administration and the Obama administration from the White House and around the world. He regularly covers presidential press conferences, visits by heads of states, and issues impacting the Executive Branch of the federal government.

CONGRESSWOMAN JANE HARMAN

PRESENTER OF DISTINGUISHED PUBLIC SERVICE AWARD

A nine-term congresswoman from California and former ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee, a position she held for four years after 9/11. She recently completed a decade at the nonpartisan Wilson Center as its first female president and CEO, where she is now president emerita and distinguished fellow. Harman is recognized as a national expert at the nexus of security and public policy issues and has received numerous awards for distinguished service.

THE HONORABLE JUDGE J. MICHAEL LUTTIG

PRESENTER OF DISTINGUISHED GUARDIAN OF DEMOCRACY AWARD

Appointed by President George W. Bush, he is the former Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit. On January 6th, 2021, Judge J. Luttig advised former Vice President Mike Pence that he could not overturn the 2020 election results. He now serves cochair of the American Bar Association Task Force on American Democracy.

PHOTO GALLERY

stream this year’s Awards Below

This year’s awards were nothing short of inspiring. It was an absolute honor to hear the remarks and stories shared by each of the awardees, presenters, and hosts.

From three distinguished former cabinet-level secretaries in national security to a trailblazing scientist and a profoundly civic-minded business leader, every moment was filled with insight and inspiration.

Don’t miss the chance to tune in and experience it for yourself!

Our Mission

---

The Day After: Election Results in Real Time

The Day After: Election Results in Real Time

with

Frank Luntz

Political Pollster & Strategist 

…

Renowned pollster and political strategist Frank Luntz, joined The Common Good the day after Polls closed on November 5th to offer real-time commentary and analysis of the results a day after Election Day. Don’t miss out on Luntz’s insights - watch below now!

About Our Speaker

Frank Luntz is a renowned communications expert and political commentator. Named one of Time’s “50 most promising leaders under 40” and Newsweek’s No. 24 on their Power Elite survey, he has been a trusted voice in understanding public opinion. Luntz is celebrated for his influential “Instant Response” focus groups, which have been profiled on major programs like 60 Minutes and PBS Frontline, and were praised by President Obama.

With a career spanning over 2,500 surveys and focus groups across more than 20 countries, Luntz has shaped U.S. presidential campaigns, advised Fortune 500 CEOs, and accurately forecasted events like Brexit. He has appeared on numerous top talk shows, served as an Election Night commentator, and earned an Emmy for his MSNBC/CNBC series 100 Days, 1000 Voices.

A New York Times bestselling author, Luntz has written Words that Work, What Americans Really Want…Really, and WIN, which reached No. 2 on Amazon and No. 3 on The New York Times Business Best Seller list. His expertise continues to be sought globally in politics, media, and business.

How Propaganda is Used to Destroy Democracy with Mary Wald & Keys to the White House: 2024 Election Prediction with Allan Lichtman

How Propaganda is Used to Destroy Democracy

with

Mary Wald

author, Founder & President of the community

followed by

Keys to the White House: 2024 Election Prediction 

with

Allan Lichtman

Presidential Historian & Distinguished Professor 

The Common Good hosted a compelling two-part discussion featuring two distinguished speakers: Mary Wald, author of Sowing Hate and Chaos: How Propaganda is Used to Destroy Democracy, and Allan Lichtman, the presidential historian famously known as the “Nostradamus of U.S. elections.”

From 5:30 to 6:00 pm ET, Mary Wald explored how propaganda has been used to incite division and violence across nations—highlighting cases from Germany, Indonesia, Rwanda, and Myanmar—that ultimately led to mass violence and the installation of authoritarian regimes under the guise of restoring "order." Wald, who has worked with Nobel Peace Prize laureates for over two decades, also discussed how similar strategies were being deployed in the United States to sow division and hate.

From 6:00 to 6:30 pm ET, Allan Lichtman shared his latest analysis of the 2024 election using his revolutionary system, the “Keys to the White House.” Drawing on this highly accurate predictive system, he revealed his forecast for the race and explained the reasoning behind it. With a proven track record of accurately predicting 9 out of 10 presidential elections since 1984, Lichtman offered insights no political enthusiast could afford to miss.

About Our Speaker’s

Mary Wald has been working closely with Nobel Peace Prize laureates for more than 22 years. She has written, edited, placed media, and organized the Nobel laureates into collective actions on crucial social issues, including the use of torture by the U.S., the execution of dissidents by the Saudis, and the treatment of the Dalai Lama by China. Her work has been published or profiled by the New York Times, Associated Press, Washington Post, Hong Kong Morning Post, on CNN, NPR, and more. 

In 2000 Mary founded TheCommunity.com, an online portal for peace and human rights, with José Ramos-Horta, the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize winner, and currect President of Timor-Leste, formerly East Timor. Archbishop Desmond Tutu was the active human rights advisor for the site for 14 years. 27 Nobel Peace Prize laureates have participated in actions on the site. 

Mary was a consultant to Peter Gabriel and Richard Branson on the founding of The Elders, an independent group of global leaders working for peace, justice, and human rights, founded by Nelson Mandela in 2007. For five years she was the Public Relations partner on the World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates, founded by Mayor of Rome Walter Veltroni and former President of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev. In this capacity she handled all logistics and coordinated international PR for the presentation of the Summit’s peace award by Mayor Veltroni and President Gorbachev.

In November, 2022, Mary initiated a letter in support of 2021 Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa who was facing legal persecution  for her online news site in the Philippines. The letter was signed by her fellow Nobel laureate, Russian journalist Dmitri Muratov, who also taped a video in support, and all of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize laureates, with the wife of political prisoner Ales Bialiatski signing on his behalf. The letter received front page coverage in the New York Times. Ressa was subsequently acquitted of all charges. Mary continues to service as the international public relations representative for President Ramos-Horta. 

---

Allan Lichtman is a presidential historian and Distinguished Professor at American University. Lichtman's prediction system, the Keys to the White House, has correctly predicted the outcomes of all US presidential elections since 1984. He has lectured in the US and internationally and provided commentary for major US and foreign networks and leading newspapers and magazines across the world. He has been an expert witness in some 100 civil and voting rights cases.  

He has published eleven books and several hundred popular and scholarly articles. His book, The Case for Impeachment was a national independent bookstore bestseller. His book, White Protestant Nation: The Rise of the American Conservative Movement was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in nonfiction. He co-authored book with Richard Breitman, FDR and the Jews, won the National Jewish Book Award Prize in American Jewish History and was a finalist for the Los Angeles Times book prize in history. He was listed rise.global as # 85 among 100 most influential geopolitical experts in the world and received the lifetime achievement award from Who's Who.

Allan received his PhD from Harvard University in 1973 with a specialty in modern American history and quantitative methods. He became an Assistant Professor of History at American University in 1973 and a Full Professor in 1980, and a Distinguished Professor in 2011. He was the recipient of the Scholar/Teacher of the year award for 1992-93.

October 7th Attack: One Year Later

October 7th Attack: One Year Later 

with

Ambassador Thomas Nides

Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel & Vice Chairman of Blackstone 

Moderated by 

Richard Salomon

Harvard-trained lawyer & CEO 

On the one-year anniversary of the harrowing October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel and Vice Chairman of Blackstone, Thomas Nides, joined The Common Good for a critical discussion with Harvard-trained lawyer and CEO Richard Salomon. Together, they examined the state of Israel and the broader Middle East one year after the attack.

They reflected on key questions: What progress had been made in bringing home hostages and addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza? What missteps had occurred? Could escalations by Israel in Lebanon spark a wider war? What did the future hold for Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu and the upcoming Israeli elections? Was Saudi Arabian recognition of Israel still possible, and could the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine be resurrected? Watch below now!

Drawing from his extensive expertise, Ambassador Nides provided a profound analysis of the aftermath of October 7th and the challenges ahead for Israel.

About Our Speaker’s

Thomas R. Nides has extensive experience in government and foreign affairs having served as the U.S. Ambassador to Israel from 2021 to 2023, prior to which he was appointed by President Barack Obama and served as Deputy Secretary of State and Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. State Department. For his service as Deputy of Secretary of State and CEO of the U.S. State Department, Amb. Nides was awarded the nation’s highest diplomatic honor, the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award, by then Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.

Currently, Ambassador Nides, is Vice Chairman of Blackstone. Before joining Blackstone, and serving as U.S. Ambassador to Israel, he spent over a decade at Morgan Stanley in various capacities, including Chief Operating Officer and Vice Chairman. He has also previously been a senior leader at Credit Suisse, Fannie Mae, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and on Capitol Hill. 

Nides currently serves on the boards of the Partnership for Public Service, the International Rescue Committee, and the Center for Strategic and International Studies. He formerly served as chairman of the board of the Woodrow Wilson Center. He received his BA from the University of Minnesota.

---

Richard A. Salomon is a Harvard-trained lawyer and the founder and CEO of Vantage Point Consultants. Vantage Point advises corporations on ways to optimize the expenditure of legal dollars and has worked with over 400 of the Fortune 500 throughout the world. He is a frequent keynote speaker to groups, including the GC100 (the Chief Legal Officers of the FTSE 100 in London), the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and an occasional lecturer at Harvard Law School. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Corporate Counsel’s Guide to Law Department Management and Corporate Counsel’s Guide to Litigation Management. He is also a co-author of Managing the Corporate Legal Function (2nd ed. 1995, Matthew Bender).

Mr. Salomon is a co-founder, member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center; and a member of the Advisory Board for the Visas for Life Foundation (relating to Consul General Chiune Sugihara, who rescued his father and uncle during the Holocaust). He is a graduate of Carleton College and Harvard Law School.

“The Return of Great Powers”

“The Return of Great Powers”

with

Jim Sciutto

CNN’s chief national security analyst, and former chief of staff & senior advisor to U.S. Ambassador to China, Gary Locke
…

Followed by intimate, post-event dinner

As the world’s leaders gathered in New York for the 79th UN General Assembly, the spotlight intensified on the escalating power dynamics among the U.S., Russia, and China. In a timely and exclusive appearance, CNN’s Chief National Security Analyst Jim Sciutto joined The Common Good to dissect this high-stakes geopolitical chess match. Drawing insights from his bestselling book, The Return of Great Powers, Sciutto explored the precarious balance of power and its potential implications for a new global order. Watch below Now!

About Our Speaker

Jim Sciutto is CNN’s chief national security analyst and anchor of CNN Newsroom with Jim Sciutto weekdays from 3-4pm ET on CNN Max and CNN International. Sciutto reports and provides analysis on all aspects of U.S. national security including foreign policy, the military, intelligence community and the State Department. 

With reporting from over 50 countries, Sciutto has covered key conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan, Iran, Ukraine, and the Middle East. He is the author of four books, including the 2024 New York Times bestseller The Return of Great Powers: Russia, China and the Next World War. His other works include The Shadow War (2019), The Madman Theory (2020), and Against Us (2008).

Sciutto’s accolades include the duPont-Columbia Award, Emmy Awards, the Edward R. Murrow Award, and the George Polk Award. Before CNN, he was ABC News’ senior foreign correspondent and served as chief of staff to U.S. Ambassador to China Gary Locke.

2024 Election Watch Post Democratic National Convention

2024 Election Watch

Post Democratic National Convention

with

Brenda Gianiny 

Pollster for Fmr. Congresswoman Liz Cheney and Senator Mitch McConnell 

AND

Doug Schoen

Pollster for Fmr. President Bill Clinton and Fmr. Mayor Mike Bloomberg

Following the second convention of this pivotal election year, The Common Good hosted two of the most prominent pollster-political strategists to evaluate the potential terrain gained or lost in the process of finalizing the Democratic Party nomination for Kamala Harris. They assessed voter sentiment and the pressing issues driving the ballot in November. Attendees were invited to listen in and bring their questions to Republican pollster/strategist Brenda Gianiny and Democratic pollster/strategist Doug Schoen.

Both guest speakers had played pivotal roles in numerous successful campaigns at the highest levels of office. Covering everything from the leanings of key battleground states, the weaknesses of either party’s ticket, to topics like abortion and immigration, Gianiny and Schoen provided expert insights into the 2024 election landscape.

About Out Speakers

Brenda Gianiny, founding principal of Axis Research, is a nationally recognized expert in public opinion research with over two decades of experience in corporate America and Republican political campaigns. A seasoned pollster, she has advised presidential campaigns, U.S. Senate races, and local elections, including serving as the primary pollster for Bush-Cheney '04 and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Brenda’s expertise extends to corporate strategy, providing public policy and market insights for companies like Walmart, Anheuser-Busch, and ExxonMobil. Known for her client-focused approach, she integrates into teams to deliver data-driven strategies that maximize results.

In 2022, she worked on campaigns ranging from Senate Minority Whip John Thune to outgoing Congresswoman Liz Cheney. Brenda is also a frequent guest lecturer at institutions like Harvard, Yale, and Northwestern, sharing her insights on research and strategy.

---

Douglas E. Schoen is a veteran Democratic campaign consultant with over 40 years of experience and a founding partner of Penn, Schoen & Berland. Recognized as a co-inventor of overnight polling, he was named Pollster of the Year in 1996 for his role in President Bill Clinton’s re-election campaign.

Schoen has advised prominent political figures, including NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Indiana Governor Evan Bayh, as well as international leaders like British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. His corporate clients include AOL Time Warner, Procter & Gamble, and AT&T.

An author of several books, Schoen regularly contributes to outlets like The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post and appears frequently as a Fox News contributor. A magna cum laude graduate of Harvard, he also holds a Harvard Law degree and a doctorate in philosophy from Oxford.

2024 Democratic National Convention Luncheon with Jefrey Pollock & Celinda Lake

2024 Democratic National Convention Luncheon

with

Jefrey Pollock

Pollster, Democratic Strategist, Founding Partner and President of Global Strategy Group

and

Celinda Lake

Pollster, Democratic Strategist, Founding Partner and President Lake Research Center

…

Tuesday, August 20,  12:30 - 2pm CDT, In-Person, Chicago IL 

University Club of Chicago

The 2024 election brought a whole new race, and The Common Good was in Chicago for the 2024 Democratic National Convention to take a deep dive into it.

We hosted a top-level conversation over lunch with two of the most important Democratic pollster-campaign strategists in the business: Jefrey Pollock and Celinda Lake, both of whom have served as pollsters for Joe Biden and top elected officials across the nation. Watch below now!

Celinda Lake, one of the foremost experts on electing women candidates and understanding women voters, shared her insights. Jefrey Pollock, who has worked with many Democratic governors and other elected officials—including Governors Kathy Hochul (NY), Ned Lamont (CT), JB Pritzker (IL), Josh Shapiro (PA), and Senator Joe Manchin (WV)—provided his expertise on campaign strategy. Don’t miss insights from two of the top pollsters in the business!

About Our Speaker’s

Celinda Lake is one of the Democratic Party’s leading political strategists and a top pollster for the Biden 2020 campaign, the Democratic National Committee, and numerous Democratic candidates. As president of Lake Research Partners, she specializes in cutting-edge research on issues like the economy, health care, and education, serving major organizations such as AFL-CIO, Planned Parenthood, and NRDC. Her international work spans Liberia, Ukraine, and South Africa.

An expert on electing women candidates and framing issues for women voters, Celinda has helped elect prominent figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Janet Napolitano, and Carol Moseley-Braun, the first African-American woman in the U.S. Senate. Widely regarded as a "super-strategist," she is renowned for her research on single women voters and her collaborations with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other trailblazing women leaders.

Her insights are frequently featured in top publications like The Washington Post and The New York Times, and she is a regular commentator on networks including CNN, MSNBC, and NPR.

---

Jefrey Pollock is the founding Partner and President of Global Strategy Group (GSG) and a pollster for the Biden re-election campaign. Twice named “Pollster of the Year” by the American Association of Political Consultants, he has worked with governors, senators, and members of Congress, including Governor Kathy Hochul, Governor JB Pritzker, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Joe Manchin, and many others.

Pollock’s clients include national organizations like the DCCC, DSCC, EMILY’s List, and Senate Majority PAC. He has also conducted research and branding for major entities such as Bloomberg Philanthropies, the Gates Foundation, and Everytown for Gun Safety. His work has earned recognition from The New York Times as one of the country’s leading pollsters.

Power and Precedent: The Conservative Supreme Court's Radical Rulings with Larry Tribe and Ali Velshi

Power and Precedent: The Conservative Supreme Court's Radical Rulings

with

Laurence Tribe

American Legal Scholar & Constitutional Law Expert

Moderated by

Ali Velshi

award-winning journalist, host of "Velshi" and Chief Correspondent for MSNBC

…

6:00-7:00 PM EST

Wednesday, July 31st On Zoom

We are honored to welcome again one of the nation’s most respected and renowned legal scholars and constitutional law experts, Professor Laurence Tribe. Tribe joined The Common Good to explore the far-reaching implications of the recent decisions by the Supreme Court’s conservative majority to create presidential immunity and abandon Chevron deference. 

How will the new presidential immunity redefine presidential power? What does the abandonment of Chevron deference mean for regulations legislated by Congress and federal implementation of these rules? What were the Court’s arguments for shifting the law in such historically unprecedented ways? Watch now!

Watch Now:

About Our Speakers:

Dr. Laurence H. Tribe is the Carl M. Loeb University Professor of Constitutional Law Emeritus at Harvard University. The title “University Professor” is Harvard’s highest academic honor, awarded to fewer than 75 professors in the University’s history. Tribe taught at Harvard Law School since 1968; received tenure at 30; and was voted the best professor by the graduating class of 2000. 

Born in China to Russian Jewish parents, Tribe entered Harvard at 16; graduated magna cum laude with a summa cum laude in Mathematics (1962) and magna cum laude in Law (1966); clerked for the California and U.S. Supreme Courts(1966-68); was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1979 and to the American Philosophical Society in 2010; helped write the constitutions of South Africa, the Czech Republic, and the Marshall Islands; has received eleven honorary degrees, most recently a degree honoris causa from the Government of Mexico in 2011 that was never before awarded to an American and D, Litt. degree from Columbia University in 2013; has prevailed in three-fifths of the many appellate cases he has argued (including 35 in the U.S. Supreme Court); was appointed in 2010 by President Barack Obama to serve as the first Senior Counselor for Access to Justice and in 2021 by President Joseph R. Biden to serve on the Presidential Commission on the Supreme Court of the United States; and has written 115 books and articles, including his treatise, American Constitutional Law, cited more than any other legal text since 1950.  

Former Solicitor General Erwin Griswold wrote: “[N]o book, and no lawyer not on the [Supreme] Court, has ever had a greater influence on the development of American constitutional law,” and former U.S. Court of Appeals Judge J. Michael Luttig tweeted in January 2023, “Laurence H. Tribe has been the Nation’s preeminent constitutional scholar for the past half-century.”

---

Ali Velshi is an award-winning journalist, host of "Velshi" and Chief Correspondent for MSNBC, and a weekly economics contributor to NPR's "Here And Now." He has reported extensively from Ukraine and across Central and Eastern Europe during the Russian invasion. In the US, he has covered the COVID-19 pandemic, the killing of George Floyd and the protests which followed it in Minneapolis, during which he was shot with a rubber bullet fired by authorities while reporting live.

Velshi is known for his immersive on-the-ground reporting and his interactive discussions with small groups, which form part of his ongoing series, Velshi Across America. He hosts the "Velshi Banned Book Club on MSNBC, and the "Velshi Banned Book Club" podcast.  

Prior to joining NBC News and MSNBC in 2016, he hosted “Ali Velshi On Target,” a nightly primetime show on Al Jazeera America. Before that, he served as CNN’s chief business correspondent, anchor of CNN International’s “World Business Today,” and host of CNN’s weekly business roundtable “Your Money.” Velshi also co-hosted CNN’s morning show, “American Morning.” He is the author of “Small Acts of Courage”, “Gimme My Money “ Back and co-author with  “Christine Romans of How to Speak Money”, and of the forthcoming “Small Acts of Courage: A Legacy Of Endurance And The Fight For Democracy” (St. Martin’s Press, 2024), and “Open Space: How The Second Great Space Race Will Shape Our Future” (Knopf, 2025). 

Velshi is also the editor of “The Trump Indictments” (Mariner Books, 2023), and the author of the foreword to the compendium “Great Muslim Leaders: Lessons For Education” (IAP 2023). Born in Nairobi and raised in Toronto, he graduated from Canada’s Queen’s University with a degree in Religion, and was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Laws from his Alma Mater in 2016. Velshi splits his time between New York City and Philadelphia. 

He has been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards, and is the recipient of two National Headliner Awards and a Society of Professional Journalists Sigma Delta Chi Award.

Turbulent Times: Latest Election Analysis with Jim McLaughlin and Matthew Bennett

Turbulent Times: Latest Election Analysis 

with

Jim McLaughlin 

Pollster, Republican Strategist, Partner and President of McLaughlin & Associates

and

Matthew Bennett

Democratic strategist, co-founder and executive vice president for public affairs of third way

Tuesday, July 23,  6:00 - 7pm ET, On Zoom

Top Democratic and Republican campaign experts, Matthew Bennett and Jim McLaughlin joined The Common Good to check the pulse of the 2024 election. From the Trump nomination, his new running mate Senator J.D. Vance, Joe Biden's surprising withdrawal, the push for Kamala Harris, and other seismic shifts in the 2024 election dynamics, these top veteran political strategists offered their expert insights into what might lie ahead.  Will Vice President Harris clinch the Democratic nomination? Who will be on the new ticket? Watch now!

Watch Now:

About Our Speakers:

Jim McLaughlin is President and Partner of Mclaughlin & Associates, a nationally recognized public opinion expert, strategic consultant and political strategist who has helped to elect a US President, Prime Ministers, a Senate Majority Leader and a Speaker of the House. Jim has worked for over 70 members of Congress, 14 U.S. Senators, 10 Governors, numerous Mayors and scores of other elected officials. He also serves as a consultant and market research strategist to Fortune 500 companies.

McLaughlin has a wide range of political experience, having personally managed political campaigns as well as business and marketing campaigns. His expertise as a former campaign manager gives him special insights on political survey research and how it can best be applied into a key element of a winning campaign. He has worked on campaigns at virtually every level of American politics, and was recognized by Campaigns and Elections magazine as one the “Rising Stars” in American politics.

Mr. McLaughlin has been called a “Big Winner” by a leading political magazine for his work on some of the top races in the country. McLaughlin was one of only two Republican pollsters named as a part of Roll Call Newspapers’ Fabulous Fifty for his work and was also profiled as a “Mover and Shaker” by Campaigns and Elections Magazine. Mr. McLaughlin has worked on some of the top races in the country. During this past election cycle, he helped to elect President Donald J. Trump and McLaughlin & Associates helped win 5 of the 10 toughest congressional races in the country according to one respected publication. McLaughlin & Associates has also been widely accredited for its accurate polling in predicting a Donald Trump victory.

---

As a 23-year-old campaign staffer, Matt Bennett helped stage the infamous “Dukakis in a tank" photo-op that helped sink Michael Dukakis' 1988 presidential campaign. Matt would never again put a candidate in a tank (other than a think tank), but now he's a long-serving veteran of many political wars.

His pursuit of center-left politics has taken Matt 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 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.

The Common Good Town Hall “Bridging America’s Divides”

The Common Good Town Hall

“Bridging America’s Divides”

with

Steven Brill, Frank Bruni, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Former Congressmen David Jolly (R-FL), George Packer, Heather Cox Richardson, Former Congressman Tim Ryan (D-OH), and Andrew Yang

MODERATED BY

John Heilemann

JUNE 4TH FROM 6-8PM

NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Enough with squabbling. We want solutions. 

National division continues to pose a growing threat to U.S. democracy. And it’s not just those of us at The Common Good who are troubled by this. According to The Common Good Survey on Division, a staggering 72% of Americans share this concern. It thwarts our nation’s progress and obstructs our ability to grapple with crucial issues head-on. We may be divided, but this is an urgent challenge that affects us all. 

To tackle division and forge a brighter, more united future, two burning questions must be answered: What are the underlying causes of our nation's division? And, more importantly, what actionable solutions hold the promise of healing it? 

We’ve gathered some of the nation's foremost minds who have given these issues a great deal of thought for a very important and special Town Hall. They’ll offer their insights on what’s driving toxic partisanship in politics, igniting culture wars, and fomenting anger, hate, and eroding trust in our institutions, truth, and each other.  Even better, they'll propose solutions for bridging America’s divides.

Scroll down to stream the Town Hall now. 

---

WATCH NOW

---

PHOTO GALLERY

---

MEET OUR PANELISTS

Steven Brill, described as a “brilliant, award-winning reporter and bestselling author,” wears many hats: lawyer, entrepreneur, and journalist. Brill has a knack for diving deep into the pressing issues of our time. His upcoming book, The Death of Truth, explores how the erosion of shared truths and facts is fueling the rise of conspiracy theories and hoaxes, undermining our trust in leaders, institutions, and experts. But Brill doesn’t just diagnose the problem; he also offers a path forward to rebuild our collective faith in truth. Brill has a history of tackling complex topics with insightful analysis. His groundbreaking TIME special report, “Bitter Pill: How Medical Bills Are Killing Us,” earned a National Magazine Award in 2014 and laid the groundwork for his 2015 bestseller, America’s Bitter Pill, which delves into fixing our broken healthcare system. His other notable works include Class Warfare: Inside the Fight to Fix America’s Schools (2011) and After: The Rebuilding and Defending of America in the September 12th Era (2003). Brill’s latest bestseller, Tailspin: The People and Forces Behind America’s Fifty-Year Fall–and Those Fighting to Reverse It, continues his tradition of addressing critical societal issues. In 2018, Brill co-founded NewsGuard Technologies with Gordon Crovitz, a service dedicated to evaluating the credibility of news websites. The duo had previously collaborated on Journalism Online. Brill also founded and managed Court TV, The American Lawyer Magazine, and Brill’s Content magazine, solidifying his reputation as a pioneer in both legal and journalistic fields.

Frank Bruni “has not written about just one thing, but seemingly about all things.” With an impressive three-decade career, including over 25 years at The New York Times, Bruni has become a nationally renowned op-ed columnist, celebrated journalist, and bestselling author. His diverse body of work includes deep dives into American politics, food, family, war, vision loss, religion, and LGBTQ issues. At the Times, Bruni served as the Rome bureau chief and White House correspondent, where he was the lead reporter covering George W. Bush’s 2000 presidential campaign. He later penned Ambling into History, a bestseller about Bush. Bruni is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including his latest, The Age of Grievance. This book, praised by New York Times opinion columnist Bret Stephens as “the most astute diagnosis of the rage, recrimination, and revenge culture that ails our country,” also offers a hopeful prescription for redemption. Bruni’s exploration of the culture of grievance reveals its deep impact on America’s current divisive climate. Beyond his writing, he remains active as a contributing opinion writer for the Times, sharing his insights at least weekly. Additionally, Bruni serves as the Eugene C. Patterson Professor of the Practice of Journalism and Public Policy at Duke University and frequently appears as a television commentator.

Alyssa Farah Griffin holds the unique distinction of being the only person to serve as a top spokesperson for the President, Vice President, and the Department of Defense within a single administration. She also made history as the youngest Pentagon Press Secretary. In her role as White House communications director, Griffin played a pivotal part in significant initiatives, such as strategizing the communications for a Supreme Court Justice confirmation and managing public messaging for Operation Warp Speed, the rapid vaccine development program. During her tenure as Pentagon Press Secretary, Griffin accompanied the Secretary of Defense on important international trips, including a secret visit to Afghanistan to announce peace talks between the Afghan Government and the Taliban. She also served as Senior Advisor, preparing the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for congressional hearings. In 2020, Griffin resigned from her role as White House communications director, expressing discomfort with the public messaging surrounding the election results. She told Politico, “I wasn’t comfortable being a part of sharing this message to the public that the election results might go a different way. I didn’t see that to be where the facts lay.” After her resignation, Griffin joined The View as a co-host and became a political commentator for CNN. She has emerged as a prominent Republican critic of the former President. Former Congresswoman Liz Cheney commended Griffin on The View, stating, “You gave people the courage that they could come forward and talk to the committee, and it was really, really important.”

Congressman David Jolly, who represented Florida’s 13th district from 2014 to 2017, made a name for himself as a pragmatic and independent voice within the GOP, often willing to break from party lines. Known for “speaking the truth” and being “the one Congressman willing to compromise,” Jolly has become a prominent advocate for reducing partisan rancor and promoting solutions-oriented leadership. Although he held several traditionally Republican views, Jolly prioritized pragmatic solutions over rigid ideology during his time in office. Jolly’s congressional career ended in 2016 after an electoral redistricting made his district more Democratic-leaning, leading to his defeat by Democrat Charlie Crist. Following his loss, Jolly grew increasingly critical of the Republican Party’s alignment with former President Trump. In 2018, he left the GOP, asserting, “You can’t be never-Trump and be a Republican,” as he believed the party had become too entrenched in Trump’s divisive politics. Since leaving Congress, Jolly has used his platform to advocate for reforms to America’s two-party system. Through his writings in major outlets like Time, The Washington Post, CNN, and the Tampa Bay Times, he has championed the idea of a multi-party democracy, arguing, “Most leading nations have multi-party democracies…and voters feel better represented.” Jolly currently serves as a political commentator for MSNBC and CNN and works as Executive Vice President at Shumaker Advisors Florida LLC. Before his congressional career, he worked for Rep. Bill Young and as a lobbyist in D.C. He is also the editor of A Divided Union, a book examining the challenges to bipartisanship. Jolly’s journey from a Republican congressman to a vocal critic of partisan politics highlights his commitment to pluralistic governance and his belief in policy-based decision-making over party allegiance.

George Packer is not just an acclaimed journalist and award-winning author; he’s a storyteller with a passion for unpacking the complexities of American politics, culture, and foreign policy. Currently a staff writer at The Atlantic, Packer joined the publication in 2018 after a distinguished 15-year tenure at The New Yorker. His work blends sharp analysis with compelling narrative, bringing clarity to our turbulent times. Packer has written ten books, with his latest, Last Best Hope: America in Crisis and Renewal, earning high praise. The National Peace Corps Association, paying homage to Packer’s own time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Togo, lauded the book for its “stunning, synthesizing prose” and its insightful exploration of America’s challenges and potential paths forward. Throughout his career, Packer’s contributions have been recognized with numerous accolades, including the National Book Award, the Hitchens Prize, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His intellectual curiosity and dedication to his craft have also earned him fellowships at prestigious institutions like the American Academy in Berlin and the New York Public Library. Packer’s journey began at Yale College and was shaped by his service in the Peace Corps, experiences that continue to inform his nuanced perspectives. Whether dissecting the intricacies of foreign policy or delving into cultural critiques, Packer’s work is marked by a deep commitment to understanding and articulating the forces shaping our world.

Heather Cox Richardson captured the internet’s attention in 2019 with her nightly newsletter, Letters from an American. She is a celebrated historian, bestselling author, and Professor of History at Boston College. When the pandemic disrupted her book tour for How the South Won the Civil War: Oligarchy, Democracy, and the Continuing Fight for the Soul of America, Richardson turned a setback into an opportunity, launching a newsletter that would transform America’s political discourse. Her insightful chronicles, which use historical context to shed light on today’s political landscape, have attracted over a million followers on Substack, making it the platform’s largest newsletter. In 2022, Richardson was honored as one of USA Today’s Women of the Year and was invited to the White House to interview President Joe Biden. Her career spans a wide range of historical periods, documented in her award-winning books that cover topics from the European settlement of North America to the history of the Republican Party through the Trump administration. Her latest bestseller, Democracy Awakening: Notes on the State of America, has been praised by Jane Mayer as “a vibrant, and essential history of America’s unending, enraging, and utterly compelling struggle since its founding to live up to its own best ideals.” Richardson’s work is not only popular in print; it has also appeared in esteemed publications like The Washington Post, The New York Times, and The Guardian. Her ability to connect past and present has made her a crucial voice in contemporary political discourse.

Congressman Tim Ryan has experienced the effects of divisive rhetoric and culture wars up close, having served as the representative for Ohio’s 13th district from 2003 to 2023. Despite Mahoning Valley, part of his district, shifting red in favor of former President Trump, Ryan, a Democrat, maintained strong support among his constituents, winning ten congressional races before stepping down to run for the U.S. Senate. Although he lost that tough race to J.D. Vance, who had aligned closely with Trump, Ryan’s success as a Democrat in a predominantly red state is a testament to his dynamic leadership in the House, his steadfast advocacy for working-class Americans, and his efforts to build bridges between Democrats and Republicans. “What he is in his own way — not my way — is he is trying to stand with the working class of Ohio — trying to stand with them and take on powerful special interests,” noted Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders. Nationally, Ryan became known for his positions on renewable energy, education reform, and mental health care. His forward-thinking approach earned him a reputation as a relatable and pragmatic leader who sought common ground and pursued practical solutions to complex challenges. After his political career, Ryan founded We The People, an advocacy group dedicated to fostering unity, reform, and reconciliation in American society and organizing voters frustrated with partisan politics. He also contributes as an opinion writer for Newsweek. Ryan’s tenure in Congress and his post-political efforts highlight his commitment to bridging divides and championing the needs of the working class, making him a notable figure in contemporary American politics. 

Andrew Yang catapulted onto the national stage with his audacious plan for Universal Basic Income (UBI). A former presidential and mayoral candidate, co-chair of the Forward Party, and bestselling author, Yang’s innovative ideas sparked widespread discussions on automation, income inequality, and the future of work. Continuing his mission to improve the lives of everyday Americans, Yang tirelessly fights to address economic challenges and empower communities. Before founding the Forward Party, Yang established Humanity Forward, a non-profit organization that successfully lobbied Congress for direct cash relief during the pandemic. In recognition of his public service, Yang received the Vilcek Prize for Excellence in 2021. A prolific author, Yang has published five books, including The War on Normal People and Forward: Notes on the Future of Our Democracy. He also hosts the podcast Forward with Andrew Yang, where he continues to share his insights and advocate for a more inclusive and equitable political landscape.

John Heilemann is known to have a “knack for asking candidates thought-provoking, creative questions that virtually no one has ever thought to ask.” He is the creator and host of the heralded and Emmy nominated political docuseries The Circus, a national affairs analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, and most recently joined Puck News as Partner and chief political columnist.  He is the co-author of two New York Times No. 1 best sellers, Game Change and Double Down; both of which are widely regarded as “two of the most successful and influential books in history on presidential politics” and “the definitive accounts of the 2008 and 2012 elections, respectively.” Game Change was adapted by HBO Films and went on to win five Emmy Awards, three Golden Globes, and a Peabody Award. Heilemann is also the former managing editor of Bloomberg Politics and host of MSNBC and Bloomberg TV's daily political news and analysis program “With All Due Respect”. Before joining Bloomberg, Heilemann was a staff writer and columnist at New York Magazine, The New Yorker, Wired, and The Economist. His magazine writing has also appeared in Vanity Fair, GQ, Time, The New Republic, and The Washington Monthly, and been anthologized in The Best American Political Writing and The Best American Crime Writing.

TCG Leaders Series: Conversation with Governor Kathy Hochul

TCG LEADERS SERIES

Conversation with  

Governor Kathy Hochul 

57th Governor of New York

Thursday, May 23rd,  5:30 - 7:00 pm ET, In-Person

TCG Members ONLY

Hosted by 

Barbara Guggenheim & Alan Patricof (New York, UES)

Governor Kathy Hochul, the first woman to be elected Governor of the state of New York, joins The Common Good for an intimate and engaging fireside chat to discuss her approach to governance, public policy priorities, and the current political landscape as we inch closer to the critical 2024 election. Don’t miss your chance to hear from Governor Hochul in-person as she joins us to talk common sense governance at The Common Good.

About Our Speaker

Kathy Hochul is the 57th and first female Governor of New York State. She began her career in public service on her local Town Board, before serving as Erie County Clerk and as a Member of Congress for New York’s 26th Congressional District. 

As Lieutenant Governor, she chaired the statewide Regional Economic Development Councils, and served as co-chair of the State’s Heroin and Opioid Task Force, Women’s Suffrage Commission, and Child Care Availability Task Force.

Since being sworn into office in 2021, Governor Hochul has led by establishing a bold vision for New York’s future. Governor Hochul has spearheaded comprehensive policies and initiatives to help New Yorkers and their families, while building an economy that is stronger and more inclusive than before. Governor Hochul is making historic investments in the people, places, and things to make that happen – from healthcare workers, small businesses, and working families to infrastructure, education, and workforce development. And in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s reckless decisions to strip away abortion rights and strike down common sense gun regulations, Governor Hochul led the charge in Albany to protect reproductive health care and strengthen gun safety laws, ensuring New York continues to stand as a beacon of hope and freedom for the rest of the nation.

TCG Leaders Series: Conversation with Congressman Tom Suozzi

TCG Leaders Series

Conversation with

Congressman Tom Suozzi

MONDAY, MAY 13TH, 4-5:00 PM ET, IN-PERSON, NYC

After George Santos’ expulsion from Congress, Congressman Tom Suozzi, who held Santos’ seat from 2016-2022 before stepping down, decided his work wasn't over. In a special election to replace George Santos, which was expected by many to be a tight race, Rep. Suozzi won by an 8 point margin. 

At his swearing in Suozzi “called for a new era of harmony and working across the aisle. It was the second time Suozzi took the Oath of Office to become congressman, but probably the first time he bluntly confronted members of Congress to cast aside the dysfunction and, as he said, "Wake up." (CBSNews)

Join us to hear from Rep. Tom Suozzi in-person at The Common Good, as we explore the appeal of “more common sense and less chaos and senseless fighting in Washington” and how to get more accomplished by overcoming toxic party polarization on issues from immigration, crime,  and criminal justice to reproductive rights, housing and the economy.

About Our Speaker

Congressman Tom Suozzi, representing New York’s 3rd congressional district, has dedicated his career to public service. With a background as both an attorney and CPA, he served as a Congressman for six years, then reclaimed the House seat for Democrats in a special election this past February. Prior to his congressional service, he spent eight years as Nassau County Executive and eight years as mayor of Glen Cove.

During his tenure as mayor, Suozzi revitalized Glen Cove's economy, earning praise from The New York Times. As Nassau County Executive, he led a remarkable turnaround, earning recognition from Governing Magazine for fiscal stewardship and reducing crime rates to make Nassau one of the safest communities in the U.S.

In Congress, Suozzi continued his record of achievement, serving on influential committees and championing bipartisan initiatives. Notable accomplishments include securing funding for Long Island's infrastructure, reducing prescription drug costs, and advocating for fair federal funding during Covid.Suozzi's relentless advocacy and bipartisan approach have earned him praise as a vital voice for Long Island in Washington.

TCG Leaders Series: Conversation with Congressman Dan Goldman

TCG Leaders Series

Conversation with 

Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY)

Monday, may 6,  6:00 - 6:30pm ET, On Zoom

A true pro-democracy representative, Congressman Dan Goldman, has been very active and outspoken in safeguarding the fundamental rights of all Americans and upholding democracy throughout his career. The former US Attorney worked under Preet Bharara in the Southern District, led the legal work on the first impeachment of Donald Trump for the House of Representatives,,and now is the US representative for lower Manhattan and western Brooklyn,  He has plenty of insights to offer on critical issues such as voting rights, criminal justice reform, reproductive rights, the Israel-Hamas conflict, and much more. 

Join us for an exciting discussion with the dynamic Rep. Dan Goldman at The Common Good Monday, May 6th, from 6-6:30pm on Zoom.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKER

Congressman Dan Goldman is an attorney who, before running for office, served as lead counsel in the first impeachment of former President Donald Trump and as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York. He has written about, and provided expert analysis on, significant topics ranging from criminal justice reform to the Special Counsel’s investigation. In law school, Goldman contributed to Michelle Alexander’s seminal book, The New Jim Crow, which addresses the inequalities in our criminal justice system.

As lead counsel in the first impeachment of Donald Trump, Goldman directed the strategy of the investigation and led the closed depositions and questioning of witnesses during the Intelligence Committee’s open hearings. He oversaw the drafting and publication of the Select Committee’s 300-page report on the investigation, ‘The Trump-Ukraine Impeachment Inquiry Report’, which exhaustively detailed Trump’s efforts to extort Ukraine for his personal benefit. Goldman also presented the Report in testimony before the House Judiciary Committee. Finally, he served as lead counsel for the House Impeachment Managers during the Senate trial of Donald Trump.

During his 10-year tenure as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York, Goldman focused on organized crime and white collar prosecutions, representing the United States in all phases of the federal criminal process, from investigation through appeal. Goldman conducted and supervised hundreds of investigations involving racketeering, murder, money laundering, gun trafficking, firearms, narcotics, extortion and loansharking offenses, securities fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, health care fraud, tax fraud, and other white collar crime.

From 2012 to 2014, Goldman was Deputy Chief of the Organized Crime Unit. From 2014 to 2017, he served as Senior Trial Counsel in the Securities and Commodities Fraud Task Force, during which time he prosecuted and convicted Billy Walters, a well-known sports gambler, for insider trading. Goldman has also provided expert legal analysis on network and cable television, and was a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice in 2019.

Goldman has worked extensively with organizations dedicated to increasing opportunity and bolstering democracy, including LIFT Communities, the American Constitution Society, the Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity at Columbia Law School, Stanford Law School, and the Jackson Institute for Global Affairs at Yale University, among others.

Concerns About Gaza & Israeli Leadership

Concerns About Gaza & Israeli Leadership 

with 

Maj. Gen. (Rt.) Amnon Reshef

Maj. Gen. (Rt.), IDF Armored Corps & Founder of Commanders for Israel’s Security

and 

Rula Jebreal

Award-Winning Journalist & Foreign Policy Analyst

moderated by

Richard Salomon

harvard-trained lawyer and ceo

Thursday, April 25th,  3 - 4:00 pm ET, On Zoom

Two important and fresh voices join us to discuss the pressing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, leadership in Israel, and the prospect of a two-state solution.

We are honored to welcome Maj. Gen. (Rt.) Amnon Reshef, revered in Israel as a national hero of the Yom Kippur War and founder of Commanders for Israel’s Security, followed by Rula Jebreal, Israeli-Palestinian journalist and foreign policy analyst in a moderated conversation. Despite their disparate backgrounds, these voices are anchored in a shared conviction that a two-state solution stands as the only viable option.

Tune in to The Common Good as each guest offers their unique insights in a moderated conversation with Harvard-trained lawyer and CEO Richard Salomon, culminating in a collaborative exchange at the session's conclusion.

About Our Speakers

Rula Jebreal is an award-winning journalist, author and foreign policy analyst, She has received accolades such as the International Ischia Award for Best Journalist of the Year, the highest European journalist award, and the Media Watch Award for her coverage of the Iraq war. 

Rula was the first foreign anchor-person in the history of television news in Italy, where she went on to host multiple political talk shows. When Rula moved to the U.S. in 2008 she joined MSNBC where she was an on-air foreign policy analyst as well as a contributor to the Daily Beast, Newsweek and Salon.com. Rula has appeared frequently on News Nation, CNN and Bloomberg, and she has written op-eds for the New York Times and the San Jose Mercury News, among other media outlets. Currently, Rula has taken on the role of Professor of Propoganada and Genocide at the University of Miami. 

She is the author of the autobiographical novel Miral, a worldwide bestseller, translated into 15 languages and made into a film. Her 2005 book, The Bride of Aswan, obtained the International Fenice Europe Prize, and was followed by Permission to Survive but not to Thrive. These books address how the marginalization of immigrants in Europe plays into the hands of extremist elements.

---

Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Amnon Reshef, is former commander of the IDF armored corps, a veteran of several Middle East military campaigns and a hero of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. Following his service, he founded Commanders for Israel’s Security, which he currently chairs the steering committee of. The origins of the movement go back to 2014, when a number of senior, retired officers called upon the Prime Minister to adopt the Saudi Peace Initiative as a basis for negotiations and to set in motion a peace process with the Palestinians. Their call, entitled A Letter to the Prime Minister was signed by 103 senior officers with the IDF rank of Brigadier General and above – or with parallel ranks in the Israel Security Agency, Mossad and Israel Police. an organization that tallies 85 percent of the highest ranking retired officers in the Israel Defence Forces, Shin Bet, Mossad and the national police force – 270 members in all.

---

Richard A. Salomon is a graduate of Carleton College and Harvard Law School and the founder and CEO of Vantage Point Consultants. Vantage Point advises corporations on ways to optimize the expenditure of legal dollars and has worked with over 400 of the Fortune 500 throughout the world. Mr. Salomon is a frequent keynote speaker to groups, including the GC100 (the Chief Legal Officers of the FTSE 100 in London) and the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, as well as an occasional lecturer at Harvard Law School. Mr. Salomon is a member of the Advisory Board of the Corporate Counsel’s Guide to Law Department Management and Corporate Counsel’s Guide to Litigation Management. Mr. Salomon is also a co-author of Managing the Corporate Legal Function (2nd ed. 1995, Matthew Bender). 

Mr. Salomon is involved in numerous philanthropic and social service-related activities. He is a co-founder, member of the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors of the Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center; and a member of the Advisory Board for the Visas for Life Foundation (relating to Consul General Chiune Sugihara, who rescued his father and uncle during the Holocaust).

An Insider’s Warning

An Insider’s Warning 

with

Miles Taylor

Fmr. Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security 

& Whistleblower

Wednesday, April 3rd,  5:30 - 7:00 pm ET

In-person, NYC, UES

Dinner to follow (Executive members and above only)

Whistleblower & former CoS at the Department of Homeland Security under Trump, Miles Taylor, joined The Common Good to discuss the “perilous” leadership he witnessed within the Trump administration, encapsulated by dangerous policies and attempts to abuse government power, and ultimately what it means for democracy if he returns to power. Taylor’s message, as highlighted in his book,  “Blowback”, is not one to be taken lightly.

“Strap in for this one folks!...Taylor’s “Blowback” overwhelms the reader as it warns of the complacency the fact of political tribalism”

- Past TCG Speaker Michael Steele, former Republican National Committee Chairman 

“Reads like a thriller and hits you like a tornado siren…this is a warning that must be heeded”

- Past TCG SpeakerLt. Col. Alex Vindman (ret.), former director of European Affairs for the White House National Security Council

About Our Speaker

Miles Taylor is a national security expert who previously served as chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where he published an “Anonymous” essay in The New York Times, blowing the whistle on presidential misconduct. He later published the #1 national bestseller “A Warning”, revealed himself to be the author, and launched a campaign of ex-officials to oppose Donald Trump’s reelection. He’s worked as an advisor in the George W. Bush administration, on Capitol Hill, as a CNN contributor, and as Head of Advanced Technology and Security Strategy at Google. He co-founded Forward, a U.S. political party focused on electing independent candidates; the Renew America Movement, a democracy-reform nonprofit; and the Washington Leadership Academy, a four-year high school in Washington, D.C. named one of America’s top 10 “Super Schools” by the XQ Project.

2024 Economic Forecast with Blackstone’s Joe Zidle

2024 Economic Forecast

with

Blackstone’s Joe Zidle

Sr. Managing Director & Chief Investment Strategist 

Wednesday, March 13th,  5:30 - 7:00 pm ET,

In-person, at The Harvard club (nyc)

Dinner to follow (Executive members and above only)

The Common Good welcomed Senior Managing Director & Chief investment Strategist at Blackstone, Joe Zidle - successor to our longtime favorite prognosticator, Byron Wien; for an important and timely conversation on the economy, the markets, and political and international events that may affect your portfolio, your business, or simply your peace of mind. 

Watch Now:

---

About our Speaker

Joe Zidle is a Senior Managing Director and the Chief Investment Strategist in the Private Wealth Solutions group. Zidle is known for his ability to spot trends in reams of data. 

He previously spent nearly a decade at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, most recently serving as Head of Investment Strategy for Global Wealth Management and Deputy Director of the Research Investment Committee. He was also  previously with Richard Bernstein Advisors, as an independent investment advisor, where he was responsible for portfolio strategy, asset allocation, investment management and marketing to major wealth management firms and independent RIAs.

From Headlines to Ballots: How Fox News Manipulated America

From Headlines to Ballots: How Fox News Manipulated America

A Discussion with Brian Stelter

Journalist & Best-Selling Author

WEDNESDAY, February 28th,  5:30 - 7:00 pm ET

In-person, NYc, Dinner to follow (Executive members and above only)

Last Wednesday, The Common Good welcomed media expert and former CNN host, Brian Stelter for a riveting session unpacking his investigative reporting into Fox News and Trump, and exploring the impact of disinformation on politics, the news, and our nation’s growing division. Tune in now #EngageEducateEmpower 

Watch NoW:

EVENT PHOTO GALLERY

aBOUT OUR SPEAKER

Brian Stelter is the New York Times bestselling author of three books: Top of the Morning, Hoax, and Network of Lies. Previously, Stelter was a media reporter at The New York Times, the chief media correspondent for CNN Worldwide, and the anchor of Reliable Sources. He is currently a special correspondent for Vanity Fair and a Walter Shorenstein Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. Stelter is a producer on the Apple TV+ series The Morning Show, which is inspired by his first book Top of the Morning. He also executive produced the HBO documentary After Truth: Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News.

Promise and Perils: National Defense in the Age of AI

Promise and Perils: National Defense in the Age of AI

A Discussion with Paul Scharre

Expert in Defense and ai

Wednesday, JANUARY 31ST,  5:30 - 7:00 pm ET

In-person, Light refreshments, GUGGENHEIM PARTNERS, NYC

Dinner to follow (ONLY Executive members and above)

In an age characterized by technological advancement, the rise of artificial intelligence has sparked a cascade of questions concerning its impact on both society and national security. What are the risks? How can we effectively manage the rapid acceleration of AI innovations?

Join The Common Good for light refreshments as we dive into the complex interplay between the evolving nature of AI and the paramount task to safeguard our national security. Guiding us through this complex landscape and drawing upon his own military background is the prominent Paul Scharre – an expert in defense and emerging technologies, and the author of the award-winning book Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. Dr. Scharre will shed light on the intricate web of risks arising from artificial intelligence today. From the prospect of autonomous weapon systems to the challenges of AI-generated disinformation campaigns, the range of potential security threats is as vast as it is complex.

Watch now

---

About Our Speakers

Paul Scharre is the Executive Vice President and Director of Studies at CNAS. He is the award-winning author of Four Battlegrounds: Power in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. His first book, Army of None: Autonomous Weapons and the Future of War, won the 2019 Colby Award, was named one of Bill Gates’ top five books of 2018, and was named by The Economist one of the top five books to understand modern warfare. 

Scharre previously worked in the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) where he played a leading role in establishing policies on unmanned and autonomous systems and emerging weapons technologies. He led the Department of Defense (DoD) working group that drafted DoD Directive 3000.09, establishing the department’s policies on autonomy in weapon systems. He also led DoD efforts to establish policies on intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance programs and directed energy technologies. Scharre was involved in the drafting of policy guidance in the 2012 Defense Strategic Guidance, 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review, and secretary-level planning guidance. 

Prior to joining OSD, Scharre served as a special operations reconnaissance team leader in the Army’s 3rd Ranger Battalion and completed multiple tours to Iraq and Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the Army’s Airborne, Ranger, and Sniper Schools and Honor Graduate of the 75th Ranger Regiment’s Ranger Indoctrination Program. 

Scharre has published articles in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNN, TIME, Foreign Policy, Foreign Affairs, Politico, and USA Today, and has appeared on CNN, MSNBC, Fox News, NPR, and the BBC. He has testified before the House and Senate Armed Services Committees and has presented at the United Nations, NATO, the Pentagon, the CIA, and other national security venues.

Gideon Rose is the Mary and David Boies distinguished fellow in U.S. foreign policy at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Previously, he was Editor of Foreign Affairs from 2010 to 2021, prior to which he was Managing Editor from 2000 to 2010.

He has also served as Associate Director for Near East and South Asian Affairs on the staff of the National Security Council and as Deputy Director of National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations. Rose has taught American foreign policy at Princeton and Columbia. He is the author of “How Wars End“ (Simon & Schuster, October 2010).

Palestine & Israel: Charting the Path to a Long Term Solution

Palestine and Israel: 

Charting the Path to a Long Term Solution

with

Dr. Nathan Brown

Expert on Palestinian & Arab Politics

Dr. Tahani Mustafa

SR. PALESTINE ANALYST, INTERNATIONAL CRISIS GROUP

MODERATED BY

Richard Wolffe

Best-selling author & journalist

Wednesday, January 10th, 4-5PM ET, on ZOOM

As the Israel-Hamas conflict lurches on, there is a growing split between President Joseph Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu over the Israeli military campaign in Gaza and how to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian situation.  Netanyahu publicly rejected the U.S. plans for a postwar Gaza governed by the Palestinian Authority and declared Israel will continue the war until Hamas is destroyed, even if they lose all international support. 

What does this mean for the future of the Palestinians in Gaza and in the West Bank? How will the continued hostilities affect U.S.-Israel relations moving forward? Is there a path to a long term solution for peace between these warring actions and which actors can facilitate such a resolution? 

To unpack these questions and chart a possible path to a resolution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, we welcome distinguished professor Dr. Nathan Brown and Dr. Tahani Mustafa, Senior Palestine Analyst for the International Crisis Group, in conversation with esteemed journalist Richard Wolffe, columnist at The Guardian and managing director of Jose Andres Media, on Wednesday, January 10th, 4-5pm ET on Zoom.

About our Speakers

Dr. Nathan J. Brown, is a distinguished professor of political science and international affairs at George Washington University and a non-resident senior fellow in the Middle East Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. For the 2023-24 academic year, Brown is a fellow at the Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study in Germany. 

With a wealth of expertise, Dr. Brown has notably contributed as an advisor to the committee responsible for drafting the Palestinian constitution, as well as lending his insights to organizations such as USAID, the United Nations Development Program, and several NGOs. His current work focuses on politics in the Arab world.  

Brown serves on the board of trustees at the American University in Cairo. Brown has also been a Guggenheim Fellow, named a Carnegie scholar by the Carnegie Corporation of New York, and a fellow at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. 

Dr. Tahani Mustafa is the International Crisis Group’s Senior Palestine Analyst. Mustafa works on issues including security and  socio-political and legal governance in the West bank.

Her areas of expertise include, security, development, peace and conflict, the Middle East, and Palestine.

Tahani has a background in development and security governance in the Middle East, and has worked in academia and policy advocacy. Based between the UK, Jordan and Israel/Palestine, she holds a Ph.D in Politics and International Studies from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.

Richard Wolffe is a best-selling author, journalist and digital media executive, with extensive experience covering politics and foreign policy across multiple platforms. He currently writes a twice-weekly column for The Guardian, focusing on U.S. politics.

Wolffe is also Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Digital Officer at Global Citizen, a non-profit social action platform to solve the world’s biggest challenges, and to end extreme poverty in our lifetime. 

An MSNBC political analyst for a decade, Wolffe was previously Vice-President and Executive Editor of MSNBC.com, launching the channel’s website and app in 2013 and its digital video channel in 2014.

Wolffe was senior journalist at the Financial Times, serving as its deputy bureau chief and U.S. diplomatic correspondent in Washington D.C. In that capacity, he managed coverage of business and political affairs in the nation’s capital, and reported on U.S. foreign policy at the State Department and National Security Council. Prior to that, Wolffe served as diplomatic correspondent, covering foreign policy and international affairs for Newsweek Magazine.