Preview Mode Links will not work in preview mode

At the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, we bring together top Republicans and Democrats to transcend partisan divisions and explore solutions to our most pressing national and global challenges. Join veteran strategists Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy along with other Center staff and major voices in the Bully Pulpit for fun conversations that advance civil dialogue and practical politics. When President Theodore Roosevelt coined the phrase bully pulpit, bully meant “wonderful”; and Roosevelt, according to the Oxford Dictionary, was envisioning “an outstanding opportunity to speak out on any issue.” Hear from famous people who’ve known success and setbacks, whether they worked for Donald Trump or Barack Obama, G.W. Bush or Bill Clinton, the Republican Party or the Democratic Party. The conversations go behind the curtain with elected officials, campaign staff, journalists, academics, pundits, and political operatives. Every exchange is guided by standards central to the Center’s mission: Respect each other and respect the truth. Opponents are adversaries, not enemies. And if you lose, don’t burn down the stadium. The Bully Pulpit was formerly called Election R&D.

  1. All Episodes
  2. 2022
  3. 02

Congressman Jamie Raskin Talks "Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy"

Feb 18, 2022

Congressman Jamie Raskin Talks "Unthinkable: Trauma, Truth, and the Trials of American Democracy"

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) to discuss the latest in the House select committee hearings investigating the January 6 attack on Capitol Hill, the importance of bipartisan cooperation, and the...

Read More

Protecting American Democracy— The Military's Role: Retired Brigadier General Steven Anderson

Feb 17, 2022

What is the military’s role in protecting democracy? The question took on a new sense of urgency in the months after the riot at the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, 2020. A deep partisan divide opened up over what actually happened on that day, how to describe the chaotic events, and who should be held responsible.

After...

Read More

Is California Still A Golden State?

Feb 12, 2022

Center Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy are joined by John Chiang, former California State Treasurer, and David Crane, former advisor to Gov. Schwarzenegger, to assess California's governance and government services amid rising housing costs and tax rates, and the future of the so-called "golden...

Read More

Black History Month: Achievements, Change, and Justice. Special Episode

Feb 10, 2022

Black History Month is a celebration of the remarkable contributions of black Americans to our nation. Some of our guests share their personal thoughts and stories about the lessons of history. We learn about the legacy of the civil rights movement, and recent calls for social change, justice, reform, and respect. This...

Read More

How Problem Solvers Caucus Attacks Gridlock in Congress. Don Bacon & Kurt Schrader

Feb 3, 2022

From the outside, Congress appears broken. Bills get bogged down in partisan fights, leaders openly smear each other, and animosity between members is at an all-time high. But our guests show that if you look closer, you’ll find a group of dedicated politicians working together across the aisle to craft...

Read More