Political Rhetoric and Civility in the 2008 Presidential Election

Political Rhetoric and Civility in the 2008 Presidential Election

How civil is the 2008 presidential campaign? What constitutes civil discourse in a competitive campaign? Do we want -- and should we expect -- civility? Three Cal professors known for their political expertise discuss who has benefited and who has been hurt by the tenor of the candidates' rhetoric and the story-mongering of media trying to meet a 24-hour demand for news.

A capacity crowd of more than 500 Cal alumni, parents and students attended this Class of 1968 Faculty Seminar held on Saturday, October 4 during Homecoming Weekend 2008. View it here in its entirety.