KU News Release

Dole Institute hosts campaign strategist, ‘West Wing’ writer

LAWRENCE — Public opinion pollster, political strategist and Fox News Channel commentator Pat Caddell will visit the Dole Institute of Politics at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21. The program, titled “Politics, Pop Culture and Polling with Pat Caddell,” will explore the political situation in Washington, how politics is portrayed in popular media and Caddell’s days polling for President Jimmy Carter.

Caddell worked as a strategist for several Democratic presidential candidates, including George McGovern in 1972, Carter in 1976 and 1980, and Joe Biden in 1988. Caddell also was a key adviser and strategist during Carter’s time in the White House.

A frequent contributor to Fox News Channel, Caddell has appeared on shows such as “Hardball” and “The O’Reilly Factor” opposite Republican contributors, but he is often cited for critical comments about the Democratic Party. He also works in television, having written and produced several episodes of NBC’s “The West Wing.”

“Caddell is a strategic mastermind and important political figure,” said Bill Lacy, director of the Dole Institute. “I’m familiar with his work on key campaigns but I didn’t know he was involved with ‘The West Wing.’ It doesn’t surprise me, though, that his talent allows him to transition seamlessly from Washington to Hollywood and back again.”

Caddell also will be a guest at the spring study group “Obama’s First 100 Days” at 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, where he will offer his analysis on the initial months of President Obama’s term.

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