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

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

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"

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

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

CPF's annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Politics "America 250: Young or Old Democracy?" begins with welcome remarks from CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy, and William Deverell, USC Dornsife Divisional Dean for the Social Sciences. Then Shrum talks with Dick Gephardt, former Democratic Leader for the U.S. House of Representatives, on how Democrats and Republicans in Congress can reach across the aisle to work together. Featuring: William Deverell: USC Dornsife Divisional Dean for the Social Sciences Dick Gephardt: Former Democratic Leader, U.S. House of Representatives Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Republican Strategist Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

For the 2025 USC Trojan Family Weekend, CPF Co-Directors and veteran political strategists Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy host a conversation on the 2025 election results and the latest political headlines. They discuss the 2025 California special election, 2025 New York City mayoral election, and analyze the election results across the nation and what it means for Democrats and Republicans.   Featuring: Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Republican Strategist

CPF Co-Director Mike Murphy joins voting experts Mike Madrid, Chuck Rocha, and Helen Torres for a discussion on Latino voters, the fastest-growing voting bloc in the country. They discuss shifts in Latino voting patterns, what to expect from Latino voters in the upcoming elections, and how Democrats and Republicans can connect with the Latino voting community for the 2026 midterms and beyond.   Featuring: Mike Madrid: Principal, Grassroots Lab; Co-Founder, Lincoln Project; Former Political Director, California Republican Party; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Chuck Rocha: President and Founder, Solidarity Strategies; Founder, Nuestro PAC & CAMPEONES PAC; Democratic Campaign Strategist Helen Torres: CEO, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE); Board Member, Public Policy Institute of California; Fall 2025 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Republican Strategist

Hear young USC alumni discuss their work in the nonprofit field. What fueled their success? How do they raise money? What impact are their efforts having? These inspirational and educational stories come from students who took the USC Dornsife Toolkit course "Doing Good: How to Start and Run a Successful Nonprofit Organization" CPF Managing Director Kamy Akhavan serves as the proud moderator of his former students. Gain valuable insights into nonprofit career opportunities. Featuring: Laura Calero: Philanthropy Manager, Achieve Miami; Artist, USC Arts and Climate Collective; Former VP and Advocacy Chair, Challah for Hunger Keli'i Rubin: Program Coordinator, Berkeley Food Network; Ambassador, africActive Foundation; Former Intern at Golden State Warriors and San Francisco Giants; Pinole Valley Varsity Football Defensive Back Coach Sara Zuluaga Sierra: Humanitarian Aid Intern, Share a Meal; Former Volunteer, JusticeCorps; Former Treasurer and Social Chair of Progressive Christians at USC; former Assistant Director of the USC Undergraduate Student Government Assembly for Accessibility Brandon Tran: Cofounder/CEO, ChallengeUS; Advisory Associate, KPMG US; Former Senior VP, Institute for Youth in Policy; Deferred MBA Admit, Stanford Graduate Business School Kamy Akhavan: Managing Director, USC Center for the Political Future

CPF Managing Director Kamy Akhavan joins gun safety activist Shannon Watts and environmental protection activist Benji Backer for a discussion on civic engagement, lessons from activism, and how to utilize your passion to enact social change. They discuss their books, how to work across the aisle to drive progress on causes, and how to build movements while reducing political polarization. This discussion is part of CPF's Dialogue Across Difference series. Featuring: - Benji Backer: CEO & Founder, Nature is Nonpartisan; Author of "The Conservative Environmentalist: Common Sense Solutions for a Sustainable Future" - Shannon Watts: Founder, Moms Demand Action; Author of "Fired Up: How to Turn Your Spark Into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age" and "Fight Like a Mother: How a Grassroots Movement Took on the Gun Lobby and Why Women Will Change the World;" Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future - Kamy Akhavan: Managing Director, USC Center for the Political Future

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins legal experts Franita Tolson, Jeffrey Toobin, and Alexander "Sasha" Volokh for a discussion on the role and state of the judiciary today. They discuss the role of the courts in safeguarding checks and balances, the James Comey indictment, and how Donald Trump and his administration affect the Supreme Court. This event was in partnership with the USC Gould School of Law. Featuring: Franita Tolson: Dean and Carl Mason Franklin Chair in Law at the USC Gould School of Law Jeffrey Toobin: Contributing Opinion Writer, The New York Times; Bestselling Author of "True Crimes and Misdemeanors," "The Oath," "The Nine," "Too Close to Call," "The Run of His Life" (made into the FX series The People v. O.J. Simpson), and "A Vast Conspiracy" Alexander "Sasha" Volokh: Associate Professor of Law, Emory University; Former Law Clerk for Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and Samuel Alito Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife