Political Director, Atlantic Media Company Editorial Director and Columnist, National Journal Senior Political and Election Analyst for CNN and ABC
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 and ABC, 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, Ron Brownstein is, as the Economist said, “one of America’s best political journalists.” 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, the three network morning programs, MSNBC, CNBC, and C-Span.
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, which he co-authored with Dan Balz. His previous book, Reagan’s Ruling Class: Portraits of the President’s Top 100 Officials, co-authored with Nina Easton, was a Washington Post best-seller for five weeks in 1982. He was editor and co-author of Selecting a President and Who’s Poisoning America, published in 1981 by Sierra Club Books. His sixth book, The Second Civil War: How Extreme Partisanship Has Paralyzed Washington and Polarized America, was named one of “ten 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 Christian Science Monitor, the Times of London, the Times Literary Supplement, the Boston Globe, the Chicago Sun-Times, Newsday, andthe Miami Herald.
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Download Speech Topics: Ronald Brownstein's Topics
American Politics, Today and Tomorrow. Ronald Brownstein, named a Pulitzer Prize finalist for his coverage of the 1996 and 2004 presidential campaigns, explores the state of each party today. Blending history, a sophisticated analysis of polls and voting trends, and insider assessments of both parties’ brand, 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. With the rise of the Tea Party and the Democrats losing control of the House in the 2010 mid-term elections, Brownstein analyzes what we can expect in the 2012 congressional and presidential 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 politics takes. 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 Health Care. Policy expert Ron Brownstein presents an in-depth examination of the new health care legislation, covering every aspect from the partisan debate to the political winners and losers to the financial issues. Brownstein 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 one-sixth 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, Mr. 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 a more consensual and productive politics. He 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, Chief White House Correspondent
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.
Political Director, ABC News
After apprenticing with some of the best political analysts in the country, Amy Walter, ABC News' political director, has made a name for herself as one of the best political journalists covering Washington today. She deflates the political puffery to deliver a lively and level-headed look at today's top domestic issues and initiatives, and her range of topics and expertise provides an engaging, compelling presentation.
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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