Megan Brown
Staff Writer
In a time of increased political polarity in the United States, the Institution does not plan to shy away from these discussions as it welcomes James Carville and Kristen Soltis Anderson to open the 2025 Chautauqua Lecture Series at 10:45 a.m. today in the Amphitheater. Norm Ornstein — an emeritus scholar at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank in Washington, D.C. and longtime Chautauqua collaborator — will lead the living room-style conversation. Mary Matalin, a conservative political consultant and Carville’s spouse, was set to speak but had to cancel last-minute due to unforeseen circumstances.
Carville, an American political consultant, is best known for his ability to take underdog candidates and turn them into governors, senators and even presidents. As a consultant on President Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign, Carville helped the campaign navigate through weak polling numbers and a sexual scandal to an ultimate victory.
On the other side of the political spectrum is Republican pollster Anderson. Known for her book The Selfie Vote: Where Millennials Are Leading America (And How Republicans Can Keep Up), Anderson is a frequent New York Times opinion writer and a contributor on-air at CNN. She has previously been a contributor for Fox News and ABC News. Much of her research and commentary surround how to engage millennial and Gen Z voters.
In planning Week One and “Themes of Transformation: Forces Shaping Our Tomorrow,” Deborah Sunya Moore, senior vice president and chief program officer, and Jordan Steves, the Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education, wanted to focus on areas currently undergoing “tectonic transformations.”
“When we look at transformation, we are looking at what we hope sets a positive tone of how to live in and live into transformation for the summer and the year ahead,” Moore said.
But when they began planning the week a year ago, they did not realize how applicable it would especially be to the Chautauqua community itself.
“A year ago, we didn’t know that Chautauqua would be in the period of transition that it specifically is in,” said Moore, referring to Chautauqua’s recent transition from the leadership of former President Michael E. Hill to Interim Chief Executive Kyle Keogh. “… In the middle of transition, we want to make sure that we stay rooted in mission, that we stay rooted in our program and that we stay connected to all of the communities that join at Chautauqua.”The key to staying rooted and connected is dialogue, a core tenet of Chautauqua. By choosing Ornstein as the moderator, Steves and Moore hoped to include voices across the political spectrum. With Anderson now onstage with Carville instead of Matalin, the lecture will shift to reflect how many people nationwide engage with conversation.
“Many of us in this modern era tend to travel in bubbles of people who look and sound and talk and think a lot like us,” said Steves. “It’s a great opportunity to see two people who do not live in the same household but have differing views, bring them together and have them in conversation with someone like Norm Ornstein, who is so good at teasing out the salient issues out of any conversation.”
Although Carville will be the only Democrat onstage, throughout his career, he has received and upheld the nickname the “Ragin’ Cajun,” a nickname that stems from his Louisiana roots and outspoken nature.
“Being in dialogue means having real moments,” said Moore, “and if there is someone that is a little passionate or feels strongly, hopefully we can allow that to come across but also in a respectful way.”
“Not to say we won’t have a provocative conversation,” said Steves.
