The First Thirty Days: The New President's Plans, Priorities, and Pitfalls

Thirty days into the administration of President Barack Obama, we offer a political analysis of the early days of this new presidency within a historical context. How does Obama compare to past presidents in their early days? And how can he deliver on the promise of change amidst this shifting economic and foreign policy landscape? Addressing these issues is Dr. Theodore Lowi, one of the most respected political scientists in the United States. Professor Lowi is a member of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences and has been the John L. Senior Professor of American Institutions at Cornell University since 1972. He is the recipient of many honorary degrees and awards, including the Neustadt Prize and the Stephen H. Weiss Presidential Fellowship.

Lowi has served as President of the Policy Studies Organization, the American Political Science Association and the International Political Science Association. His study and analysis of politics encompasses a variety of areas, including political theory, public policy analysis, and American political institutions. He has written or edited over a dozen books, among them The Pursuit of Justice, co-authored with Robert F. Kennedy, and the highly influential The End of Liberalism. His most recent books are The End of the Republican Era, We the People, and A Republic of Parties? He is also the co-author of one of the leading textbooks in political science, American Government—Power and Purpose.

This ongoing series of timely, thought-provoking events addresses current social and political issues. Moderated by Ian Masters—journalist, commentator, author, screenwriter, documentary filmmaker, and the host of the radio program Background Briefing on KPFK 90.7FM.