KU News Release

Dole Institute study group to examine issues affecting upcoming presidential election

LAWRENCE — The Dole Institute of Politics’ upcoming study group will focus on “Gender, Race and Religion in Politics.”

The group will meet at 3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Feb. 19-April 15 (except March 11 and 18), at the Dole Institute.

“Seven different speakers — one a week — will discuss these issues and their effect on politics at all levels,” said Jennifer Schmidt, senior fellow at the Dole Institute and the study group’s leader. “We are in a fascinating campaign that has seen a woman, an African-American and a member of a religious minority vie seriously for their parties’ nomination. It is fascinating to watch as we confront these issues head on and all at the same time.”

Schmidt was senior counsel to U.S. Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, and counsel to the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on the Courts. Last semester, Schmidt led a study group at the Dole Institute titled “Women in Politics: Career Stories.” She is the first Dole fellow to lead a second study group.

“Jennifer Schmidt has been an invaluable member of the Dole Institute staff, and after her fall study group ended, we both felt there was more for us to do on the topic of ‘identity’ in politics,” said Jonathan Earle, interim director of the Dole Institute.

In another first, the Dole Institute is partnering with KU’s academic community to offer credit for participation in the study group. This semester’s study group will be an integral part of one section of the Introduction to Leadership class, which is being taught by Schmidt and Mary Banwart, assistant professor of communications studies. The class involves a service-learning project in which the students will combine their academic experiences with a real-world project. Students will receive credit toward a minor in leadership studies and a service-learning certificate.

The study groups are open to non-students, too. No preparation or reservations are required.

“This is a win-win situation for the Institute and our students,” explained Schmidt. “It won’t affect the community members who attend the study group at all — but we get to offer undergraduates academic credit as well.”

Scheduled guest speakers include:

Nicole McCleskey, partner, Public Opinion Strategies, on Tuesday, Feb. 19. Public Opinion Strategies is one of the leading national political and public affairs firms, perhaps best known for its polling expertise. Clients include 56 members of the U.S. House of Representatives, 20 members of the U.S. Senate and nine governors. McCleskey will discuss recent polls and what they say about the public’s perception of candidates’ gender, race and religion.

Adam Clymer, former New York Times political reporter, on Tuesday, March 25. Clymer is the reporter who himself became national news when President Bush referred to him in derogatory terms at an open microphone. He will discuss the public’s changing perceptions of gender, race and religion during his long political journalism career.

Juliana Horowitz, Pew Research Center for People and the Press, on Tuesday April 1. Horowitz will discuss her recent survey, “How the World Rates Women as Leaders.” This study, released in December, surveys 46 countries and the Palestinian territories about whether women or men make better leaders.

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