Former Senator Joe Manchin in Conversation with Bob Shrum
Release Date: 09/25/2025
Climate Forward 2026: "Is There A Republican Way Forward?"
Let’s Find Common Ground
CPF Director Bob Shrum talks with former U.S. Representative Claudine Schneider (R-RI) about climate policy under the Trump administration and how Democrats and Republicans can cooperate on climate change issues. This conversation is part of CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. Featuring: - Claudine Schneider: Former U.S. Representative (R-RI) - Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife
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Climate Forward 2026: "Can States And Cities Lead On Climate?"
Let’s Find Common Ground
Former California Senator Martha Escutia talks with Mary Nichols, Alex Nieves, and Nancy Sutley on the role of states and cities as leaders in climate change. They discuss the challenges to climate policy under the Trump Administration and California's role as a leader in climate change. This conversation is part of CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. Featuring: - Mary Nichols: Former Chair of the California Air Resources Board - Alex Nieves: Climate Reporter, POLITICO - Nancy Sutley: Deputy Mayor and CSO,...
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Climate Forward 2026: "Opening Plenary with Former EPA Administrator Regan"
Let’s Find Common Ground
CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference features a talk with USC Wrigley Institute Director Joe Árvai and Michael S. Regan, 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. They discuss the role of the EPA, climate change and environmental justice in the Trump administration, and how politics impact climate action. This conference is in partnership with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability. Featuring: - Michael S. Regan: 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency - Joe Árvai: Director, USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability -...
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Can You Really Say That? A Conversation with Former ACLU President Nadine Strossen and USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson
Let’s Find Common Ground
CPF and the USC Open Dialogue Project host a conversation on free speech in the United States with former ACLU President Nadine Strossen and USC Gould Dean Franita Tolson. They discuss free speech law, misconceptions, and how First Amendment conflicts shape politics, the courts, and civil liberties. This conversation is in partnership with Voices for Liberty, USC Gould School of Law, USC Heterodox Academy, USC Price School of Public Policy, and the USC Open Dialogue Project. Featuring: - Nadine Strossen: Former President, ACLU; Professor, New York Law School - Franita Tolson: Dean, USC...
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California at 175 Conference: "First in Taxes, First in Results?"
Let’s Find Common Ground
Former Los Angeles Controller Ron Galperin moderates a conversation with political experts David Crane, Bob Hertzberg, and Richard Leib on how California's tax structure compares nationally. They discuss whether the state's high revenue levels translate into effective public and private outcomes, and what reforms could better align fiscal policy with performance. CPF Managing Director Kamy Akhavan gives closing remarks. This conversation is part of CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and USC Casden Institute. ...
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California at 175 Conference: "The Trends That Turned California from Red to Blue"
Let’s Find Common Ground
POLITICO's Melanie Mason moderates a conversation with political experts Douglas Becker, Susan Estrich, Ken Khachigian, and Hank Plante on the history of political parties in California, voter trends from the 2024 presidential election, how the "Trump factor" affects Democrats and Republicans, and the upcoming 2026 midterms. This conversation is part of CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and USC Casden Institute. Featuring: -Douglas Becker: Professor of International Relations, USC -Susan Estrich: Legal...
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California at 175 Conference: "Ballot Initiatives 2026"
Let’s Find Common Ground
CPF's "California at 175: Stuck or Moving Forward?" conference begins with welcome remarks from CPF Co-Director Mike Murphy, CPF Managing Director Kamy Akhavan, and Neeraj Sood, USC Open Dialogue Project Director. Spring 2026 CPF Fellow Seema Mehta moderates a conversation with political experts Mike Bonin, Fernando Guerra, Mike Murphy, and Amy Thoma Tan on the 2026 ballot initiatives in California. They discuss the most impactful ballot measures in California history, how Democrats and Republicans utilize ballot initiatives, and the initiatives in the upcoming 2026 midterms. This conference...
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Rage & The Republic: A Fireside Chat with Jonathan Turley
Let’s Find Common Ground
CPF hosts a conversation with attorney and legal scholar Jonathan Turley and USC Professor Morris Levy about Turley's new book, "Rage and the Republic: The Unfinished Story of the American Revolution." They discuss the crisis of faith in American institutions, how key lessons from history can guide us through today’s radical reform and political instability, and how the state of politics today affects democracy and freedom in the future. This conversation is in partnership with the USC Open Dialogue Project and the USC chapter of the Heterodox Academy. Featuring: -Jonathan Turley:...
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Redistricting Is Sexy! A Look Back on Prop 50 with CPF Fellow Seema Mehta
Let’s Find Common Ground
Spring 2026 CPF Fellow Seema Mehta joins redistricting experts Christian Grose, Paul Mitchell, Matt Rexroad, and Amy Thoma Tan for a conversation on Prop 50, redistricting, and the future of representation in the United States. They discuss the history of redistricting, California’s Proposition 50, Texas’s redistricting bill, and how this influences political power, changing political norms, and the upcoming 2026 midterms. This conversation is part of Mehta’s study group “Politics, Polls, and Punditry — the Inner Workings of Modern-Day Campaigns.” Featuring: -Christian...
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Britain, Europe, and America: The Future of the Transatlantic Alliance
Let’s Find Common Ground
CPF Director Bob Shrum joins James Cleverly, former UK Secretary of State for the Home Department, for a conversation on the past, present, and future of US-UK relations. They discuss how leadership transitions, elections, and global crises shape cooperation between Washington and London, and what the next chapter of this transatlantic relationship may hold. This conversation is in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute. Featuring: - James Cleverly: British Conservative Politician; Member of Parliament for Braintree; Former UK Secretary of State for the Home Department;...
info_outlineCPF Director Bob Shrum joins former U.S. Senator Joe Manchin for a talk on his new memoir, "Dead Center: In Defense of Common Sense." They discuss Manchin's decision to become an independent, his public service and White House experiences, and the importance of bipartisanship today. This event, part of CPF's Jeff and Sue White Dialogue Series, was in partnership with the USC Schwarzenegger Institute.
Featuring:
- Joe Manchin: Former U.S. Senator from West Virginia
- Bob Shrum: Director, USC Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife