Future of Political Parties

Symposium: The Future of Political Parties
Gettysburg College, March 23-24, 2007 

The Eisenhower Institute sponsored a two-day symposium, The Future of Political Parties, that featured a number of panel discussions and lectures (listed below) regarding the future of the two-party American political system and how our electoral politics shape and affect our leaders' public policy decisions. Panelists who participated in the symposium included former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD); former House Majority Leader; Dick Armey (R-TX); Susan Eisenhower, president of the Eisenhower Group, Inc. and granddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower; Amy Walter, senior editor of The Cook Political Report; David Lightman, Washington bureau chief of the Hartford Courant; Bob Benensen of CQPolitics.com; Paul Herrnson of the Center for American Politics and Citizenship; and Jay Eagen, Chief Administrative Officer of the U.S. House of Representatives.

All events were moderated by faculty members of the Gettysburg College Political Science and History departments who also assisted in the planning and implementation of the symposium events.

Day One (Friday, March 23): Gettysburg College, Gettysburg PA
2007 Blavatt Family Lecture - Tom Daschle and Dick Armey

The Eisenhower Institute's symposium, The Future of Political Parties, was highlighted by the 2007 Blavatt Family Lecture on Friday, March 23rd. This year's lecture was a joint appearance by former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) and former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-TX). As distinguished leaders from both sides of the political divide, the two discussed the current state and future outlook for our country's current two-party political system. As leaders of their respective parties in Congress, Senator Daschle and Congressman Armey each served with distinction at the critical juncture of politics and governance. They truly are the ultimate "practitioners," and their presentations did not disappoint, as both candidly shared their unique perspective and experiences with us. More information on the Blavatt lecture and this year's presenters here.

Day Two (Saturday, March 24): Gettysburg College, Gettysburg PA
Panelists included distinguished scholars and journalists in discussions moderated by Gettysburg College faculty. A full schedule for the symposium follows.

Susan Eisenhower - 9:00 am Keynote
The second day of the symposium included a luncheon keynote speech by Susan Eisenhower, president of hte Eisenhower Group, Inc. and gradnddaughter of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower spoke on the parallels and contrasts of political parties between the current time and the time when her grandfather was in office. In a 1958 letter, recently acquired by the Eisenhower Institute as part of a collection, President Eisenhower provided thoughts about the future of the Republican Party, a message that helped to focus the morning's programming.

First Panel, Featuring Bob Benenson, Paul Herrnson, and Jay Eagen - 9:45 am
The second day of The Future of Political Parties symposium included a panel discussion focused on the state of political parties today and their outlook on the future with particular emphasis on the United States Congress. The panel featured Paul Herrnson, director of the Center for American Politics and Citizenship, Bob Benenson, editor for CQPolitics.com, and Jay Eagen, Chief Administrative Officer of the United States House of Representatives. Professor Bruce Larson of Gettysburg College moderated the event.
 



Second Panel, Featuring Amy Walter and David Lightman - 11:15 am
The second day of The Future of Political Parties symposium also included a panel discussion which focused on the 2006 election and how it might effect the outlook for the presidential and congressional elections of 2008. The panel featured Amy Walter, a senior editor of The Cook Political Report and a political analyst for CNN and David Lightman, Washington Bureau Chief of the Hartford Courant. Shirley Ann Warshaw, an expert on presidential politics and a Gettysburg College faculty member, moderated the event.