Let's Find Common Ground

New CPF Fellows on Politics Today

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins Spring 2026 CPF Fellows Mark Campbell, Yemisi Egbewole, Garret Graves, and Seema Mehta for a discussion on the current state of politics today. They discuss the 2026 midterms, the Trump Administration's impact on the upcoming elections and media, ICE raids, and how the Democrats and Republicans are approaching the midterms. The conversation also explores the Fellows' study groups and their wide-ranging careers in politics and public service.   Featuring: Mark Campbell: GOP Campaign Strategist; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Yemisi Egbewole: Former Chief of Staff and Advisor to the Biden White House Press Office; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Garret Graves: Former U.S. Representative (R-LA); Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Seema Mehta: Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times; Spring 2026 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Warschaw Conference 2025: "From The Off-Year to the Midterms"

USC Annenberg Media Center Director Christina Bellantoni leads a panel discussion with political and media experts Mark Campbell, Jon Favreau, John Heilemann, and Seema Mehta on the 2026 midterms. They discuss what to expect as we approach the 2026 midterms, what Democrats and Republicans need to do to reach voters, and the political implications of the 2025 special elections on the 2026 midterms. The panel ends with closing remarks from CPF Director Bob Shrum and USC Dornsife Dean James Bullock. This conversation is part of CPF's annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics "America 250: Young or Old Democracy?"   Featuring: Mark Campbell: CEO and Founder, Intellz Inc.; Former Campaign Manager for Glenn Youngkin; Fellow, University of Chicago Institute of Politics; Political Director for Ted Cruz's 2016 Presidential Primary Campaign Jon Favreau: Co-Founder, Crooked Media; Host, Pod Save America; Former Chief Speechwriter for President Barack Obama John Heilemann: Chief Political Columnist & Host, Impolitic with John Heilemann, Puck; National Affairs Analyst, MS NOW Seema Mehta: Veteran National & State Reporter, Los Angeles Times Christina Bellantoni: Professor & Director, Annenberg Media Center, USC James Bullock: USC Dornsife Dean Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Warschaw Conference 2025: "Redistricting: Are Politicians Choosing Their Voters?"

POLITICO Enterprise Managing Editor Sasha Issenberg leads a panel discussion with political experts Jim DeBoo, Christian Grose, David Simas, and Amy Thoma Tan on redistricting and whether it's getting too partisan. They discuss the state of redistricting nationally, the California Prop. 50 results, and how the results impact Democrats and Republicans moving forward. This conversation is part of CPF's annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics "America 250: Young or Old Democracy?"   Featuring: Jim DeBoo: Founder, DeBoo Strategic Affairs; Former Chief of Staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom; Fall 2025 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Christian Grose: Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, USC David Simas: Managing Director, Emerson Collective; Former President, Obama Foundation; Fall 2025 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Amy Thoma Tan: President, Cobalt Public Affairs Sasha Issenberg: Managing Editor, Enterprise, POLITICO; Author, "The Engagement: America's Quarter-Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage"

Warschaw Conference 2025: "American Democracy: From George Washington to Donald Trump and Beyond"

This panel discussion from CPF's annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics "America 250: Young or Old Democracy?" begins with welcome remarks from CPF Director Bob Shrum and USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim. Then CNN Anchor Elex Michaelson leads the panel discussion with political experts Mike Donilon, Ed Goeas, Jeffery Jenkins, and Richard North Patterson on the state of American democracy. They discuss how democracy drives voters, key lessons from history that are most helpful in today's political climate, and what to expect from Democrats and Republicans as we approach the 2028 presidential election.   Featuring: Mike Donilon: Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden Ed Goeas: Pollster; Former President & CEO, The Tarrance Group; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Jeffery Jenkins: Provost Professor of Public Policy, Political Science, and Law, USC Richard North Patterson: Best-Selling Novelist; Commentator & Author, "America on the Precipice" Elex Michaelson: Anchor, CNN & CNN International Beong-Soo Kim: USC Interim President Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Warschaw Conference 2025: "The Democrats: Coming Back or Cracking Up?"

CPF Co-Director Mike Murphy leads a panel discussion with political and media experts Tad Devine, Shaniqua McClendon, Neera Tanden, and Raúl Torrez on whether Democrats can make a comeback. They discuss what Zohran Mamdani's electoral victory means for Democrats, the government shutdown, California Governor Gavin Newsom as a leading contender for the Democratic presidential nomination, and the 2028 presidential election. This conversation is part of CPF's annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics "America 250: Young or Old Democracy?"  Featuring: Tad Devine: Democratic Strategist Shaniqua McClendon: Vice President of Political Strategy, Crooked Media; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Neera Tanden: Former Domestic Policy Advisor to President Joe Biden Raúl Torrez: Attorney General, State of New Mexico Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Republican Strategist