Featured Debates and Differing Perspectives

  • Q&A with Mike Oxley about the career of John Boehner

    With John Boehner stepping down as Speaker of the House earlier this fall, the Forum sat down with former Ohio Congressman Mike Oxley to ask him about the career of his good friend and colleague.

  • The Search for Common Ground A Q&A with Howard Baker

    The former Tennessee Senator discusses a bipartisan effort he is leading to break the political logjam in Washington.

  • The Republican Party and the Black Vote – A Q&A with J.C. Watts

    The former Oklahoma Congressman and Chairman of the House Republican Conference has some strong words for his party over its efforts – or lack thereof – to win support among African American voters.

  • A More Perfect Constitution – A Q&A with Larry Sabato

    America’s favorite political scientist talks about his new book, “A More Perfect Constitution.”

  • The Search for Common Ground – A Q&A with Howard Baker

    The former Tennessee Senator discusses a bipartisan effort he is leading to break the political logjam and forge a consensus on some of the key challenges facing our Nation.

  • Q&A with Charlie Cook

    One of the nation’s leading political observers talks about the wave that swept away the GOP majority.

  • Q&A with Landon Parvin

    The legendary GOP speechwriter talks about the importance of words in politics and why Republicans are facing such a challenge.

  • Q&A with Clay Sell

    The Deputy Secretary of Energy discusses the Bush Administration’s Global Nuclear Energy Partnership and how it will keep the Nation – and the world – more secure.

  • Q&A With Bill Thomas

    Earlier this year, Congressman Bill Thomas announced his retirement after nearly 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives. First elected in 1978, Thomas has served as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee since 2001. He recently sat down with the Ripon Forum to discuss his experiences in politics and share his thoughts on…

  • Q&A with Dave Reichert

    Dave Reichert represents Washington’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. Elected in 2004, he first came to national prominence as the detective who led the effort to capture the Green River serial killer. He serves on three committees in Congress, and is Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Science…

  • Q&A with Michael Dimock

    The President of the Pew Research Center discusses the low-level of trust Americans have toward the federal government and how it compares to past years. “The perception of dysfunction in Washington, along with a persistent sense of economic insecurity, is clearly weighing down views of government. And just as with interpersonal relationships, trust in government…

  • “It gave people something to vote for.” – Q&A with Haley Barbour

    When Haley Barbour became Chairman of the Republican National Committee in 1993, the prospects for the GOP’s future looked rather grim. The party was coming off an election that saw it lose the White House for the first time in 12 years, and Democrats were led by a charismatic young President who came to town…

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