Political Director, Atlantic Media Company Editorial Director and Columnist, National Journal Senior Political and Election Analyst for CNN
Part journalist, part historian, and all shrewd political observer, Ron Brownstein explains the complexities of American politics with lucid precision. As the political director of Atlantic Media Company, the editorial director of National Journal, and a senior political and election analyst for CNN, he produces sharp analysis on politics, policy, the electorate, media, healthcare, and the range of issues informed by his strong sense of American political and national history.
Twice a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Brownstein was cited for “the clarity, consistency, and quality of his political reporting.” He appears regularly in the Atlantic and pens a bi-weekly column in National Journal and the Los Angeles Times. A prolific and penetrating columnist, Brownstein is, as the Economist said, “one of America’s best political journalists,” and the Washington Post called him “one of the gold-plated names of political journalism who can still shape big-pictures conventional wisdom.” Exclusively represented by Leading Authorities speakers bureau, his speeches reflect the depth of his knowledge, making him one of the most trustworthy predictors of America’s future.
Getting It Right, Time After Time. Before taking over the political coverage for Atlantic Media Company, Brownstein served as the national political correspondent and a columnist for the Los Angeles Times. In his years at the Times, he earned two finalist nods from the Pulitzer Prize Board for his coverage of the 1996 and 2004 presidential elections. His track record led former President Bill Clinton to cite Brownstein as the “one journalist who generally gets it right, explaining what the issues are and what’s going on in the country.” In addition, Brownstein served as chief political correspondent and columnist for U.S. News and World Report for seven months in 1998. He also appeared frequently on Meet the Press, This Week with George Stephanopolous, Face the Nation, the Newshour with Jim Lehrer, and Washington Week in Review. He has been a repeat guest on Charlie Rose (where he also served as a substitute host), Nightline, network morning programs, MSNBC, CNBC, and C-Span. He has also served as an election analyst for ABC.
On the American Beat. Brownstein is the author or editor of six books, including The Power and The Glitter: The Hollywood-Washington Connection and Storming the Gates: Protest Politics and the Republican Revival. His previous book, Reagan’s Ruling Class: Portraits of the President’s Top 100 Officials, was a Washington Post best-seller for five weeks. He was editor and co-author of Selecting a President and Who’s Poisoning America, and his sixth book, The Second Civil War: How Extreme Partisanship Has Paralyzed Washington and Polarized America, was named one of the “10 books to curl up with” for 2007 by the New York Times.
His articles on politics, public policy, books and culture have also appeared in a number of newspapers and magazines, including the New York Times Magazine, Esquire, Vanity Fair, the New Republic, the Financial Times, the Washington Monthly, the Wall Street Journal, the Times of London, the Times Literary Supplement, the Boston Globe, the Chicago Sun-Times, Newsday, and the Miami Herald.
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Download Speech Topics: Ronald Brownstein's Topics
American Politics, Today and Tomorrow. Ron Brownstein explores the state of each party today. Blending history, a sophisticated analysis of polls and voting trends, and insider assessments of both parties’ brands, he explores what is next for America’s major political parties. Finally, he combines this assessment of the electoral environment with an analysis of the challenges that await the President Obama, and what the next election’s key states and demographics are. He also addresses how the deficit debate fits into politics and what legitimate policy choices exist for resolving it.
The Balance of Power. Noted political analyst and Pulitzer Prize finalist, Ron Brownstein discusses where the last election left the balance of political power between the two parties and what this means for legislation during the next two years. He also analyzes what we can expect during the 2014 mid-term elections in terms of potential power shifts and policy agendas.
The Shifting Electoral and Demographic Landscape. Brownstein addresses how the changing demographics of our nation will affect political elections and policy agendas moving forward. He discusses what he calls the “graying” and “browning” of the population and how these aging and minority populations can affect the direction of politics and the balance of power in Washington. With his vast historical and political experience, Brownstein addresses the history of American class, each class’s political affiliation, how is has reversed in recent history, and how demographics play a part in our nation’s political future.
Behind the Scenes of Healthcare. Policy expert Ron Brownstein presents an in-depth examination of the new healthcare legislation, covering every aspect from the partisan debate to the political winners and losers to the financial issues. He gets rave reviews because his analysis of the issue is not only insightful, but refreshingly lively. President Obama declared one of Brownstein’s posts on health care reform “mandatory reading for all senior staff and that everyone involved in, or covering, the health care debate should see the piece.” Part journalist, part historian, all shrewd political observer, Ron Brownstein gets to the heart of the political fallout and political gain from the milestone legislation.
Healthcare Reform: Then and Now. In a lively and illuminating talk, Ronald Brownstein traces the similarities and differences between President Obama’s push for fundamental healthcare reform and Bill Clinton’s failed effort to restructure the system in 1993 and 1994. By exploring both the continuities and changes in the political and economic climates since 1994, Brownstein offers a fresh and engaging perspective on the likely outcomes of today’s legislative struggle over remaking a large part of the American economy.
The Second Civil War. Drawing on his highly-acclaimed recent book, The Second Civil War: How Extreme Partisanship Has Paralyzed Washington and Polarized America, Brownstein explains how American politics has grown so polarized, why these divisions prevent the country from making progress on its most pressing problems, and the changes required to build more consensual and productive framework for politics. He addresses how political divisions affect and reflect the changes in society at large and how that affects policy outcomes. He also discusses the role that not only public officials but private sector leaders can play in leading America away from today’s age of “hyper partisanship” and brackets his analysis of these long-term trends with an assessment of the way the Obama presidency will change Washington.
Energy Policy in an Age of Polarization. Brownstein explains how the current divisions in American politics affect the debate over energy and related environmental issues. He analyzes the energy debate between and within the parties, focusing not only on the recent presidential campaign, but also Congress and developments in the states. He previews both the substantive arguments and political calculations likely to shape decisions on issues from energy independence to climate change in the months ahead.
Moderator. Part journalist, part historian, all shrewd political observer, Ron Brownstein is an ideal moderator for panel discussions and debates. He asks the right questions and guides analysis of the issues with experience gained from being political director of Atlantic Media Company and a two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist. Brownstein is notable for his level of preparation; he uses his savvy journalistic skills to diligently research all sides of the discussion topic. His areas of expertise include politics, policy, health care, the media, and a deep range of issues informed by his strong sense of America’s political and national history. Ron Brownstein has a knack for explaining with lucid precision the complexities of the pressing issues on America’s political and economic landscape.
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Editor and Publisher of The Cook Political Report Columnist for the National Journal Respected Authority on U.S. Elections and Political Trends
Armed with an encyclopedic knowledge of American politics and his quick wit, Charlie Cook entertains audiences with memorable stories and analyzes the ever-changing political climate. The "Picasso of election analysis," he addresses today's political and legislative environments in a balanced, nonpartisan way.
Editor and Publisher of The Rothenberg Political Report Columnist for Roll Call
A renowned political analyst with a penchant for unbiased observations and an exceptional knowledge of American politics, Stuart Rothenberg captivates audiences with his brilliant and amusing insights into political trends, election results, and the issues facing decision makers on Capitol Hill.
NBC News Political Director and Chief White House Correspondent Host of the Daily Rundown on MSNBC
In a blog-heavy new media world, Chuck Todd rises above the cacophony to provide incisive, unbiased analysis and lively commentary on the road to election day, current affairs, and the scene on Capitol Hill. A guru of future politics, Todd pulls no punches with his nonpartisan picks.
National Editor of The Cook Political Report Former Political Director of ABC News
Amy Walter, the national editor for the The Cook Political Report, has made a name for herself as one of the best political journalists in Washington. Her accurate analysis of the political scene has earned her numerous accolades, including the Washington Post’s Crystal Ball Award. She was also named one of the top 50 journalists by Washingtonian magazine and dubbed one of the “most powerful people in politics” by George magazine. She is often quoted in the Wallstreet Journal, Washington Post and has won an emmy for her 2006 coverage of the presidential election. Previously the editor-in-chief of The Hotline and the political director for ABC News, Walter has proven experience and addresses the media and all things politics.
Director of Media Strategies, Burson-Marsteller
Director of media strategies at Burson-Marsteller and former executive editor of The Hotline, John Mercurio has become one of Washington's leading experts on campaigns, elections and American politics.
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