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This note is typically essentially a commencement speech. This year I was asked to give two commencement addresses, one to seniors in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences at GW (where the School of Media and Public Affairs, which I direct, lives) and one to Masters and PhD students at Shepherd University in West…

I was honored to give the graduate commencement address at Shepherd University on May 10, 2025. My remarks, as written, are below. You can watch the remarks here – the speech is from about 21:15 – 29:44. President Hendrix and members of the Shepherd University Board of Governors, thank you for this honor. Graduates, congratulations….

I recently had the pleasure of speaking at the Nevada Museum of Art in Reno about AI, ethics and politics (with a bit of Plato). My written remarks are below. Thank you for kind introduction and invitation to join you this evening. When Caitlin asked if I would be interested in giving a talk about…

I had the honor of presenting a Presidential Lecture at Shepherd University on October 28, 2024. My remarks as written are below. You can view the talk, which varies from the script in a few places and includes a short Q&A here (the video and audio are off, which is weird, but it’s all there)….

“My candidate for the most distinctive and praiseworthy human capacity is our ability to trust and to cooperate with other people, and in particular to work together so as to improve the future.” Aristotle wrote that people have a natural impulse for community. For Aristotle, being together in community is central to “human flourishing” or…

This political season is going to get increasingly stressful and unhinged as spring turns to summer, and summer to fall. Conflict entrepreneurs and outrage hucksters will be out in full force. It will be tempting to do whatever it takes (whatever that means) to secure victory  (whatever that looks like). If we’re not careful the…

This December marks the end of my 30th year working in politics. That has led to some reflection, some of which I share here and on Medium. Thirty years ago, Andy Gordon, the incoming chief of staff to incoming US Representative Sam Coppersmith, hired me to be Sam’s director of constituent services. After figuring out…

Gun laws are public policy. Gun policy won’t change until policymakers change. Advocates need to change policymakers. In the face of events that force themselves onto the national agenda (like leaked Supreme Court rulings, racist attacks and mass shootings) activists should ask: what now, what next, and then what? Answering these questions help respond to…

On May 14th I addressed the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs graduating students and their families. You can read the full speech on Medium. Democracy is not a given. Our democratic experiment only continues if we continue it. Truffle hunters didn’t stumble across a box of democracy in the woods. We…

Below is the take-home final exam for SMPA 3348, Political Communication Ethics. Those new to the class might find this case study and “Goalposts and Guardrails: A Mixed Metaphor Guide to Ethics in Advocacy” by Elisa Massimino in Political Communication Ethics: Theory and Practice helpful as you tackle the question. Framing is a powerful persuasive…