The Times

Issue date: 10/20/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Rose Pulido Political journalist Ronald Brownstein engaged the audience with his light-hearted approach to discussing today's political environment.

During this presidential election, the fundamental social and political divisions based on partisanship loyalties, further influenced by the recent campaign, face the possibility of irreconcilable unity, political commentator Ronald Brownstein said in a recent lecture.

Voters are completely one-sided and feel the candidate they choose is the only one sufficient enough to run the White House.

Brownstein's main objective for this lecture included the presidential election and the changes and conflicts of American politics.

"Our political system is more divided than the country…reconciliation is not only needed abroad but also needed at home," Brownstein said.

"McCain offers more continuity than change and if Barack Obama wins, we will see a major class diversion. This is a fundamental tug of war."

Brownstein, who is the political director for the Atlantic Media Co., weekly blogger for the National Journal and accredited author, presented his lecture, Election 2008: New Coalitions at Home, New Directions Abroad?, for the Holocaust Museum of Houston.

Boasting of his credible political punditry, Brownstein began his lecture by discussing the unexpected performance given by vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin during the debate with Sen. Joe Biden saying,

"Gov. Palin did so much better than expected." Brownstein said. "It has completely eliminated, especially in the McCain camp, the thought of replacing her on the ticket with Tina Fey."

Most lectures carry a monotonous tone, but after opening up with this statement, Brownstein received a roar of laughter and had the audience intrigued.

Brownstein also touched on the different views the candidates face on the issue of Iran.

Even though they have different debatable views, "The candidates have similar ideas of what a peace contract will look like," Brownstein said.

His appearance contributed to the museum's "20-year program of free public lectures on topics of significant, strategic interest, created in memory of Ruth Vinn Hendler Lack, a Holocaust survivor who served as the second executive director of the museum and was tragically killed in a car accident in 1994."

Audience member Barbara Reisen-berg of Houston said, "My husband is a political junkie and always watches him on Meet the Press. He is a big fan."

After the lecture, Brownstein signed copies of his latest book, The Second Civil War: How Extreme Partisan-ship Has Paralyzed Washington and Polarized America. Brownstein's book covers the belief that this country's politics is segregating each party so extremely that it will be difficult for the commander in chief to successfully govern this nation as a whole while it attempts to stay so separated.

"This election will be decided by those who oppose Bush," Brownstein said. "It has been an incredible year in politics."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools