Date: Sep 24, 2008

Campaign Speeches and Presidential Politics

Michael A. Cohen to speak on "The Politics and Promises of Presidential Campaign Speeches, 1896- 2008"

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Presidential campaign speeches and their impact on American politics and the nation will be addressed by Michael A. Cohen, author of "Live from the Campaign Trail: The Greatest Presidential Campaign Speeches of the Twentieth Century and How They Shaped Modern America" (Walker & Company, 2008), on Tuesday, October 7, 2008 from 12:45-2:10 p.m., room 246, East Library Wing (Business Development Center), Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, South Campus.

The program, part of the Educate '08 series leading up to the October 15 presidential debate at Hofstra, will look at the history of presidential stump speeches, the promises made by candidates and the impact they had on shaping the nation. It is sponsored by The Peter S. Kalikow Center for the Study of the American Presidency, the Hofstra University Cultural Center, The John D. Miller Fund at the Long Island Community Foundation, and Sondra and David S. Mack.

Mr. Cohen is a senior research fellow at the New America Foundation, where he co-directs the Privatization of Foreign Policy Initiative. Previously, he taught speechwriting and political rhetoric at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. He also served in the U.S. Department of State as chief speechwriter for U.S. Representative to the United Nations Bill Richardson and Undersecretary of State Stuart Eizenstat. He has worked at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and Foreign Policy magazine, and as chief speechwriter for Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT).

He holds a bachelor's degree in international relations from American University and a master's degree from Columbia University. Mr. Cohen blogs regularly at democracy arsenal and serves on the board of the National Security Network, which focuses on increasing grassroots involvement in foreign policy decision-making. A frequent commentator on politics and international affairs his work has been published in the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Christian Science Monitor, the St. Petersburg Times, The World Policy Journal, Worth Magazine and Politico.
 
On October 15, Hofstra University will host the third and final presidential debate of the 2008 election season.  This debate, focused on the economy and domestic issues, will be televised live around the world.

Leading up to the debate and the 2008 election, Hofstra is proud to host Educate '08, an unprecedented series of lectures, conferences, artistic performances and exhibitions, town hall meetings and interactive forums focused on the issues, history and politics of presidential elections.  Educate '08 provides our students, faculty and the entire surrounding community with access to the newsmakers, scholars and policymakers who have unique insight and knowledge of the American political system.  Many of our programs and events are free and open to the public, and we encourage you to join us for what will be a fascinating series of events.  During spring 2008's Educate '08 schedule, Hofstra hosted more than 30 events, including guests such as Mary Matalin and James Carville, David Gergen, William Kristol and Maureen Dowd, Charlie Cook, and many scholars, historians, journalists and policymakers. 
 
Find out more about Educate '08 by visiting www.hofstra.edu/educate08

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

Related Link: For more information on this and all Educate '08 programs: