KU News Release

Experts on presidential primaries to speak at KU’s Dole Institute

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas will host a panel of experts on presidential primaries in a program titled “Winning the Nomination” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 28. This is the last program in this year’s Presidential Lecture Series.

Speakers will be David Yepsen, a veteran Des Moines Register political analyst; Jonathan Epstein, former national Democratic political strategist; and Tom Rath, national Republican political strategist. Yepsen and Rath were noted as experts on the presidential primaries in Iowa and New Hampshire in an article in the New York Times about what the newspaper calls "The Sweet Talk Circuit" for presidential contenders. The event is free and open to the public.

“We are honored to host the pre-eminent Iowa political reporter and two experienced national party strategists here at the institute to tell us how the presidential primaries will work in the upcoming election,” said Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute.

In addition to writing the political column for the Des Moines Register, Yepsen is regarded as a leading authority on the Iowa caucuses. He has covered Iowa government and politics for 30 years.

Epstein held various positions in John Kerry’s presidential campaign in 2004, including the Iowa Caucus director and Midwest regional political director. He has served in senior roles at the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and as a consultant to former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner.

Rath was appointed by George H. W. Bush to be a director of the Legal Services Corp. and served as chair of the election campaign for New Hampshire’s former U.S. Sen. Warren Rudman and current U.S. Sen. Judd Gregg. He is the former attorney general of New Hampshire.

The panel will be moderated by Lacy with an opportunity for the audience to ask questions. The event will be offered via simulcast at KU’s Edwards Campus in Overland Park.

For more information, visit the Dole Institute's Web site or call (785) 864-4900. The Dole Institute also has a blog at www.doleinstituteblog.org. For information about the simulcast, visit the Edwards Campus Web site or call (913) 897-8400.

The Dole Institute is dedicated to the mission of promoting civic involvement, public service and politics. It is located on KU’s west campus, next to the Lied Center.

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