Special Lecture

Electing a President

Instructor:  Thomas W. Evans

Course Description:   Can informed analysis of past campaigns help us make sense of current ones?  This seminar focuses on the campaigns of two presidents, Nixon and Reagan.  It goes into personal traits and competency, rather than credentials, a methodology which should be used more frequently as voters make their choices this year.  How candidates prepare and deliver their speeches; how their natural skills, personal histories and family backgrounds shaped their conduct in office; how they worked with their staffs; how they learned the principles which guided them, and whether those principles were articles of faith or of convenience – all lead to insights that can increase our understanding of current candidates.  Finally, Mr. Evans (who has lectured widely on the presidency and on all aspects of campaigns, from fund-raising to political strategy) discusses the question of whether there are significant differences in our political parties today.

Biographical Information:  Tom Evans’ current book, The Education of Ronald Reagan, is described by a reviewer as “One of the most illuminating books ever written about Ronald Reagan.”  Others have called it “a fascinating study” and “a revelation.”  Although it is not a memoir but a history – based on recently discovered caches of documents which have never before been published.   Evans chaired the Reagan White House’s National Symposium on Partnerships in Education for seven years and served on President Reagan’s Private Sector Initiatives Advisory Council.  Earlier in his career, Evans cut his political teeth when he became a law partner of Richard Nixon, as Nixon made his comeback, ultimately winning the presidency in 1968.  He supervised the 1968 New Hampshire primary, founded a national citizens’ organization, established and ran major national fundraising committees, and traveled with the candidate.  In addition to partners Leonard Garment and John Mitchell, the small group who mounted the early Nixon campaign included Bill Safire, Alan Greenspan and Pat Buchanan.  Evans has written two other books in the field of education and served as an Adjunct Professor of Education and Administration and as Board Chair at Columbia University’s Teachers College.