Campus Life

McCourtney Institute director to moderate debate between Paul Begala, Karl Rove

'The Great Debate' to take place April 25 in Schwab Auditorium

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — John Gastil, director of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy and head of the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences at Penn State, will moderate “The Great Debate” between political strategists Paul Begala and Karl Rove at 8 p.m. on Monday, April 25, in Schwab Auditorium on Penn State's University park campus. Co-hosted by the Penn State College Democrats and Penn State College Republicans, the debate will be a moderated discussion focused on the role of government in everyday life.

Rove served as senior adviser to former President George W. Bush from 2000 to 2007 and deputy chief of staff from 2004 to 2007, during which time he coordinated White House policymaking. Begala was one of the chief strategists for Bill Clinton's successful presidential campaign in 1992 and then advised Clinton on policy and communications matters during his term.

The McCourtney Institute for Democracy is an interdisciplinary center dedicated to understanding and improving democracy through research, teaching and outreach. Earlier this month, the McCourtney Institute and WPSU Penn State co-hosted a televised town hall-style forum featuring the three leading candidates in Pennsylvania’s Democratic primary contest for U.S. Senate.

The “Great Debate” is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available on Thursday, April 21, in 311 HUB-Robeson Center; Friday, April 22, at an information table located on the HUB’s ground floor; and Monday, April 25, at an information table on the HUB’s first floor. Any remaining tickets will be made available in Schwab Auditorium on Monday evening before the debate begins.

John Gastil, director of the McCourtney Institute for Democracy and head of the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences, will moderate "The Great Debate" between Paul Begala and Karl Rove on April 25. Credit: Courtesy of John GastilAll Rights Reserved.

Last Updated April 26, 2016