Kate Reagan

The Baker School Welcomes Ten New Faculty

KNOXVILLE, TN, August 1 — The Howard H. Baker Jr. School of Public Policy and Public Affairs (Baker School) at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville welcomed 10 experts from across the country on August 1 as it prepares to welcome its inaugural class of undergraduate majors. The new faculty’s expertise ranges from public administration,…
What is the History and Future of Presidential Debates? – with Frank Fahrenkopf

In this episode, our hosts, former Tennessee Governors Phil Bredesen and Bill Haslam, discuss the history, significance, and future of presidential debates with Frank Fahrenkopf, co-chairman of the Commission on Presidential Debates. Televised debates have been instrumental in shaping the course of presidential elections for decades, providing voters with a platform to evaluate the candidates…
How Can We Disagree Better? – with Spencer Cox and Jared Polis

The governors of Utah and Colorado join Governors Bredesen and Haslam to discuss their initiative to encourage Americans to disagree better Senator Baker’s career was once described as “a product of his unique capacity to win the confidence and trust of even those with whom he fundamentally disagreed.” It’s harder to find Baker’s style in…
Is the Electoral College the Best Way to Elect a President? – with Allen Guelzo and Daniel Ziblatt

A historian and political scientist join the governors to examine America’s presidential election process. When Americans cast their vote for president on Election Day, they are not voting directly for a candidate, but instead they’re voting to direct how their state’s electors will cast their votes for president weeks later through a process known as…
Phil and Bill Discuss Their Political Parties

The governors reflect on our country’s two-party system and their own party affiliations. Two political parties dominate the American political landscape, but as we approach the 2024 presidential election, a growing number of Americans are dissatisfied with both parties, and the values for which the parties stand seem to be evolving. As a kickoff to…
What is the Role of Traditional Media in a Presidential Election? – with Natalie Allison and Dan Balz

A national political reporter for Politico and the chief correspondent for The Washington Post join the governors to discuss covering the election. Traditional media has long played an important role in presidential elections by informing voters about the views and backgrounds of candidates for public office, facilitating debate and dialogue between candidates and voters, and…
Can a Third-Party Candidate Succeed? – with Dan DiSalvo and Bill Galston

A political scientist and Wall Street Journal columnist join the governors to discuss our two-party system and if a third-party candidate could be successful. America’s process for electing our president involves a series of “winner take all” primaries across the country. The process makes it very difficult for a candidate from a third party to…
Is Our Primary System Working? – with Galen Druke and Jonah Goldberg

A data journalist and political commentator join the governors to discuss the presidential primary process and potential reforms. In the 1970s, the two major political parties enacted a series of reforms that aimed to make the presidential primary process – which varies by state, and by party – more democratic and transparent. How have these…
Phil and Bill Talk Immigration Policy

In a bonus episode, Governors Bredesen and Haslam share their own views on immigration. From controlling the border to dealing with illegal immigrants already in the country, work visas, and humanitarian borders, immigration is one of the most divisive – and nuanced – challenges facing the country today. In this bonus episode, former Tennessee Governors…
Carly Fiorina: On Running for President and Staying Engaged in our Democracy

As we approach the 2024 presidential election, Carly Fiorina joins Governors Bredesen and Haslam to talk about running for president and the importance of civic education and engagement.