Why (and How) Campaign Narratives Stick

In this era of constant push notifications and rapid-fire news cycles, news stories that would have once dominated several days of news coverage, now sometimes fail to even register a blip on the radar screen. Using the recently-published Words That Matter as a backdrop, authors Jonathan Ladd and Josh Pasek discuss their research on why and how certain campaign narratives are formed, are circulated, and how and what sticks. Ladd and Pasek will present their findings from the 2016 election and, in conversation with top campaign operatives, will discuss what to look out for in 2020. Will President Trump and Republicans be able to reuse their old playbook, or is Vice President Biden uniquely immune from some of the attacks that sank Sec. Clinton? Join us for this exciting discussion, moderated by NBC News’ Rebecca Sinderbrand (C ’99), on the role social media and campaigns play in setting and crafting electoral narratives.

This event will be live-streamed on GU Politics’ social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube). Current Georgetown students, staff, and faculty may register here to receive a Zoom link: https://forms.gle/WmVNsM67o5n1ix8K8