Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
2011 Bulen Symposium

2012 Bulen Symposium

When: Thursday, November 29, 2012 - 9am to 3pm with lunch from 12 to 1.

Where: IUPUI Campus Center (fourth floor)

Us versus Them: Politics and Competition

From the Iowa caucus to Inauguration Day, in presidential elections the game of politics captivates America. The final scoreboard is produced by voters on Election Day, but the race is scored each day with the release of new national and swing state polls. With each fresh polling result, one side rejoices while the other looks to discredit its methods. Partisanship is the force that determines which side of that debate one is on and it is partisanship that turns politics into sport. It’s us versus them.

The 2012 Bulen Symposium on American Politics promises to bring many and varied perspectives on the game of politics. The starting lineup includes Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard and the chairs of the Indiana State Republican and Democratic parties Eric Holcomb and Daniel J. Parker, who will provide an inside-the-locker-room look at the election season. Anne Hathaway, president of Hathaway Strategies and program director at the 2012 Republican National Convention, will provide a national perspective on the presidential election results. From the sidelines, the media panel will give a birds’-eye view on reporters’ roles and views on the political action. Expert commentator Dr. Alan Abramowitz from Emory University will weigh in on the game, focusing on the role of partisanship and polarization.

Location: IUPUI Campus Center, 420 University Blvd, Room 450
Time: 9am to 3pm
Date: Thursday, November 29th, 2012
Cost: Free for IUPUI Students, for all others $35—includes lunch and attendance at all sessions
Register

Download the Printable Brochure - [PDF]

For more information contact Aaron Dusso at adusso@iupui.edu.

Visitor parking is available for a fee in the Vermont Street Parking Garage. IUPUI map: hyperlink to http://iupui.edu/map

Schedule

9am     Welcome
          
            William Blomquist
                        Dean, IU School of Liberal Arts at IUPUI
                        Professor of Political Science
 
9:10     Morning Keynote Address
 
            Anne Hathaway
                        President, Hathaway Strategies
                        Program Director, 2012 Republican National Convention
 
10am   Media Panel
 
            Amos Brown 
                        Host, Afternoons with Amos on WTLC-AM
            Jim Shella
                        Political Report, WISH TV
                        Host, Indiana Week in Review
            Mary Beth Schneider
                        State Government and Political Reporter, the Indianapolis Star

            Matthew Tully

                         Political Columnist, Indianapolis Star

             Mickey Maurer

                         Columnist, Indiana Business Journal

                         Chairman, IBJ Media Corp.


11:15   “Voting in an Era of Polarization:  The 2012 Elections and Beyond”
 
            Alan I. Abramowitz
                        Alben W. Barkley Professor of Political Science, Emory University
 
12pm   Lunch
 
1:15     Afternoon Keynote Address
 
            Greg Ballard
                        Mayor, Indianapolis, Indiana
 
2pm     State of the Party
 
            Eric Holcomb
                        State Chair, Indiana Republican Party
 
            Jennifer Wagner
                       Communications Director, Indiana Democratic Party