The American Elections: Is winning a science or an art?
Channel: ANU TV
Date: 2016-05-11

Co-hosted by the School of Politics and International Relations and the Embassy of the United States of America. Two experts of American politics - one from the Democratic Party, one from the Republican Party - look at the current and most recent presidential campaigns and explore how the "science" of campaigning often is overwhelmed by the 'art' of politics.

The speakers not only explain what their parties typically stand for - they touch on how changing demographics have shifted the American electorate, how President Obama's campaign style revolutionized the campaign process and even the entire convention planning process.

Speakers:

 Penny Lee is a Democratic strategist and principal in the Venn Strategies, LLC firm. A regular commentator on the political process, campaigns and elections, she has been quoted extensively in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The National Journal, Bloomberg, Roll Call, Politico and other publications. She appears as a political analyst on MSNBC, FOX News Channel, FOX Business Channel, ABC News Now, and CNN.

Noam Neusner is an experienced communications strategist, speechwriter, journalist, and author. He is the founding principal of 30 Point Strategies, which focuses on strategic communications, speechwriting, media relations, and policy-specific writing. Neusner works directly with CEOs of large corporations, heads of major philanthropic foundations, and opinion leaders across a wide spectrum of academia, journalism, and politics. In addition, Neusner has drafted and shaped opinion pieces that have run under his clients’ bylines in the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, and USA Today.

MC: Professor Ian McAllister, ANU School of Politics and International Relations