Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Price Presents - Political Doublespeak: Are Politicians Undermining Democracy by Failing to Give Straight Answers?

Politicians undergo extensive training to avoid directly answering questions and to “stay on message” by pivoting to their prepared answers. But is this well-established practice eroding faith in these same politicians and, by extension, our democracy? And what effect may it have had on the 2024 election?

Join a panel of experts to discuss the history of this practice, its pros and cons, and what can be done to get a straight answer from a politician.

Speakers:
Christina Bellantoni
Director, USC Annenberg's Media Center

Robert Shrum
Professor of the Practice of Political Science
Director, Center for the Political Future and the Unruh Institute of Politics, USC Dornsife

Adam Nagourney
National Political Reporter, New York Times

Mindy Romero
Assistant Professor (Research), USC Price School
Founder and Director, Center for Inclusive Democracy

Moderator:
Gordon Stables
Clinical Professor and Director, School of Journalism, USC Annenberg