Tag Archives: Ray Center

Ray Center panel on civility in politics

At a time when many Americans believe civil discourse has declined in American politics, the Ray Center at Drake University and The Des Moines Register will co-present a panel discussion on the state of civility in politics. Panelists for the free Jan. 13 event will explore what voters can do to demand respect and civility from their candidates and elected officials, and how all Americans can create a political system in which civil debate is the expectation and not the exception. Titled “Election 2016: Will voters choose civility?” the panel will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at The Des Moines Register Community Room, 400 Locust St., Des Moines.

Panelists will include:

  • Michael Josephson, founder of CHARACTER COUNTS!
  • Kathie Obradovich, political columnist, The Des Moines Register
  • Dennis Goldford, professor of political science, Drake University
  • Eric Woolson, Republican political strategist
  • Jessica Vanden Berg, Democratic political strategist
  • Brandi Dye, student, Drake University

Visit this link to RSVP and submit your questions for the panel.

The panel is hosted in conjunction with the Ray Center’s “Show Some Respect” campaign, which promotes respect and civility. The Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines, Interfaith Alliance of Iowa, and the Greater Des Moines Partnership are co-presenters of the campaign and the panel discussion.

Drake news: Oct. 26

The former head of digital strategy for the Obama White House and the president of production for the website Funny or Die are among the confirmed participants in “Digital Democracy: The Yahoo Conference on Technology and Politics” to be held at Drake on Nov. 12.

The Robert D. and Billie Ray Center at Drake University celebrated CHARACTER COUNTS! Week in Iowa with a proclamation by Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad and the announcement of a high-profile award for former Major League Baseball player Casey Blake.

Plus, three Drake students were quoted in an article in The Washington Post, “What is a democratic socialist? Bernie Sanders tries to redefine the name.”