The USC Center for the Political Future is proud to host its annual Warschaw Conference on Practical Conference, this fall titled "America 250: Young or Old Democracy?" This conference will take place on Tuesday, November 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Town & Gown Ballroom and features top experts from politics, government, media, and academia to explore the most pressing issues in America’s political landscape. Panels will explore what’s ahead in politics, including the 2026 Midterms, Trump’s first year in office, and whether Democrats can make a comeback. Free lunch from Town & Gown Ballroom will be provided.

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/warschaw-conference-2025-america-250-young-or-old-democracy-tickets-1743860927979?aff=oddtdtcreator

ZOOM REGISTRATION: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YXaliVQ6TZKDr-r5iH_GiQ#/registration

Schedule:
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM: Check-in

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM: Welcome Remarks

9:45 AM - 10:45 AM: Panel #1: Is Reaching Across the Aisle Now A Reach Too Far?

• Bob Shrum (Moderator) – Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife
• Dick Gephardt – Former Democratic Leader, U.S. House of Representatives

10:55 AM - 12:15 PM: Panel #2: The Democrats: Coming Back or Cracking Up?

• Mike Murphy (Moderator) – Co-Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future
• Tad Devine – Democratic Strategist
• Shaniqua McClendon – Vice President of Political Strategy, Crooked Media
• Neera Tanden – Former Domestic Policy Advisor to President Joe Biden
• Raúl Torrez – Attorney General, State of New Mexico

12:15 PM - 1:00 PM: Lunch and Student Panel
 

1:00 PM - 2:10 PM: Panel #3: American Democracy: From George Washington to Donald Trump and Beyond

• Elex Michaelson (Moderator) – Anchor, CNN & CNN International
• Mike Donilon – Senior Advisor to President Joe Biden
• Ed Goeas – Pollster; Former President & CEO, The Tarrance Group
• Jeffery Jenkins – Provost Professor of Public Policy, Political Science, and Law, USC
• Richard North Patterson – Best-Selling Novelist; Commentator & Author, “America on the Precipice”

2:20 PM - 3:30 PM: Panel #4: Redistricting: Are Politicians Choosing Their Voters?

• Sasha Issenberg (Moderator) – Managing Editor, Enterprise, POLITICO; Author, "The Engagement: America's Quarter-Century Struggle Over Same-Sex Marriage"
• Jim DeBoo – Founder, DeBoo Strategic Affairs; Former Chief of Staff to Gov. Gavin Newsom
• Christian Grose – Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, USC
• David Simas – Managing Director, Emerson Collective; Former President, Obama Foundation
• Amy Thoma Tan – President, Cobalt Public Affairs

3:40 PM - 4:50 PM: Panel #5: From The Off-Year to the Midterms

• Christina Bellantoni (Moderator) – Professor & Director, Annenberg Media Center, USC
• 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, MSNBC
• Seema Mehta – Veteran National & State Reporter, Los Angeles Times

4:50 PM - 5:00 PM: Closing Remarks

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/warschaw-conference-2025-america-250-young-or-old-democracy-tickets-1743860927979?aff=oddtdtcreator

ZOOM REGISTRATION: https://usc.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YXaliVQ6TZKDr-r5iH_GiQ#/registration