We The People Podcasts

Orin Kerr of George Washington University and Marc Rotenberg of the Electronic Privacy Information Center join the National Constitution Center’s Jeffrey Rosen to discuss warrantless surveillance by the NSA and other critical privacy issues in an audio interview.

Roger Clegg and Erwin Chemerinsky from the University of California – Irvine, two leading experts on affirmative action, discuss the merits of a high-profile Supreme Court case of Schuette v. Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action.

Join James R. Jones, David R. Irvine, and other distinguished members of The Constitution Project’s bipartisan Task Force on Detainee Treatment along with National Constitution Center President and CEO Jeffrey Rosen for an in-depth look at America’s pre- and post-9/11 actions related to the capture, detention, and interrogation of suspected terrorists.

Eminent historian Richard Beeman illuminates how America transformed from a colony into a republic and how Americans turned from subjects into citizens through a combination of political maneuvering, intellectual brilliance, and revolutionary documents including the Declaration of Independence. The conversation was moderated by law professor and distinguished legal commentator Jeffrey Rosen, who was recently appointed as the Center's president and CEO. Program recorded May 13, 2013. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

The National Constitution Center and Equality Forum present recently elected and seasoned LGBT politicians to discuss the challenges, opportunities, and expectations faced by openly gay government officials. Moderated by Jeff Spitko of the Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund and Institute, the panel features Pennsylvania State Representatives Mike Fleck and Brian Sims; Mayor Alex Morse of Holyoke, Massachusetts; and Mary Washington of the Maryland House of Delegates. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

In the wake of Philadelphia magazine's controversial cover story “Being White in Philly,” the magazine joins the National Constitution Center to present a program about the story and how to foster productive, thoughtful conversations about race-related issues in Philadelphia. Philadelphia magazine editor Tom McGrath moderates a conversation featuring Robert Huber, author of the cover story; Dr. Walter Palmer lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania; Solomon Jones, best-selling author and award-winning journalist; Farah Jiminez, president and CEO of the People's Emergency Center; and journalist Christopher Norris. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

The National Constitution Center and WHYY present a timely town hall discussion about Second Amendment freedoms and the tension between gun control and gun rights in 21st-century America. The conversation features E. Duncan Getchell, solicitor general of Virginia, and R. Seth Williams, district attorney of Philadelphia. Dave Davies, a senior reporter for WHYY and a contributor and guest host for Fresh Air with Terry Gross moderates.Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

California Lt.Gov. Gavin Newsom discusses his newly released book, Citizenville: How to Take the Town Square Digital and Reinvent Government—a guide for how ordinary citizens can use technology and social media to transform American democracy. Renowned as a political, digital, and entrepreneurial pioneer, Lieutenant Governor Newsom served two terms as the youngest mayor of San Francisco—where he granted marriage licenses to same-sex couples and fostered the city’s growth as a center for technology. Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter moderates. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

The 10th Annual Templeton Lecture on Economic Liberties and the Constitution delves into the key issue of economic freedom through the lens of Founding Fathers (and authors of The Federalist Papers) Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison. This compelling conversation features American Enterprise Institute President Dr. Arthur C. Brooks, author of the New York Times bestseller The Road to Freedom: How to Win the Fight for Free Enterprise, and National Review Senior Editor Richard Brookhiser, an eminent historian who will provide expert insight into America’s early economic ideals. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

Every powerful elected official in America depends on a smart, savvy, and highly skilled chief of staff. Get an insider’s look at campaigns, elections, and the trials of governing from current and former chiefs of staff including Matthew Gallagher (Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley), Anita McBride (former First Lady Laura Bush) and David Urban (former Senator Arlen Specter). Scott Detrow of NPR’s StateImpact PA project moderates. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

Despite its venerated place in American history, the U.S. Constitution may not enumerate all of the various rules, rights, principles, and procedures that guide America's political system. Join renowned constitutional scholar and Yale Law Professor Akhil Amar to explore the little-understood relationship between the written Constitution and the many traditions, practices, standards, and sources that shape our interpretation of it. In his latest book, America's Unwritten Constitution: The Precedents and Principles We Live By, Professor Amar illuminates the complementary relationship between the Constitution's written and unwritten components—one of America's greatest and most enduring strengths. Dr. Francis Graham Lee moderates.Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

Celebrated journalist and bestselling author Robert Draper joins the Center for a revealing, riveting look inside the 112th Congress, the focus of his forthcoming book "Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives." Paul Kane of The Washington Post moderates this timely conversation. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

Celebrated journalist and bestselling author Robert Draper joins the Center for a revealing, riveting look inside the 112th Congress, the focus of his forthcoming book "Do Not Ask What Good We Do: Inside the U.S. House of Representatives." Paul Kane of The Washington Post moderates this timely conversation. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

In partnership with Equality Forum, the National Constitution Center hosted two compelling, back-to-back conversations exploring the pressing legal and political issues at stake for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans in the 2012 election. In the first session, speakers addressed the politcal fate of Prop 8; the Defense of Marriage Act; the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA); and how the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” impacted the LGBT community. The conversation was moderated by Jennifer C. Pizer, Legal Director for the Williams Institute at UCLA’s School of Law, and features William Eskridge of Yale University, Katherine Franke of Columbia University, Hayley Gorenberg of Lambda Legal and Janson Wu of Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.

In partnership with Equality Forum, the National Constitution Center hosted two compelling, back-to-back conversations exploring the pressing legal and political issues at stake for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans in the 2012 election. The second session analyzed the political landscape as it relates to LGBT civil rights. What are the key races and who are the candidates to watch? Will LGBT rights divide our political parties in the future? This conversation was moderated by Chuck Wolfe, president and CEO of Gay & Lesbian Victory Fund, and features Andrew Tobias, treasurer of the Democratic National Committee, R. Clarke Cooper, executive director of the Log Cabin Republicans, Patrick Guerriero of Civitas Public Affairs Group, and Rebecca Isaacs, executive director of Equality Federation. Questions or comments? Write: programs@constitutioncenter.org.