The two-day National Symposium on Character in Politics kicks off in the Rotunda Monday morning and will feature speeches and panel discussions with notable figures including former Independent Counsel Kenneth Star and Co-Director of Empower America William Bennett.
The conference, sponsored by the University's Center for Governmental Studies, is designed to bring together a variety of politicians, journalists and authorities on the issue of personal character in politics.
It will be "full of controversial speakers from both major political parties," said Larry J. Sabato, government and foreign affairs professor and Center founder.
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Panelists include Patricia Ireland, president of the National Organization for Women, Barbara Comstock, research director of the Republican National Committee and former U.S. Congressmen Vic Fazio, Robert Livingston and L.F. Payne.
"We have made a real effort to make this a balanced and non-partisan discussion which reflects perspectives from all corners of the debate," said Matthew Wikswo, Center research and lecture coordinator.
Panelists will discuss a variety of related topics including the role of the media in the lives of public figures and defining America's values. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panelists.
This topic "is particularly relevant with the upcoming presidential elections," said Center Program Director Alexander Theodoridis.
The symposium will foster debate on how to evaluate candidates and "what warning signs voters should look for," Sabato said. "Individual issues attract some voters, but many voters try to take a measure of a candidate's character."
The conference will be broadcast live on the Center's Web site and shown later on C-SPAN. "This is going to create a big splash on the national scene," Theodoridis said.
Respected historian and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Robert A. Caro will give opening remarks. He has written several books on President Lyndon B. Johnson, whose presidency first "soured the American public's perspective on the character of public officials," Wikswo said.
All of the events are free and open to the public. Tickets may be obtained on weekdays at the Newcomb Hall Box Office or at Plan 9 or Barnes and Noble at Barracks Road Shopping Center over the weekend.
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