Civil Dialogues: Why Partnerships Matter
There was a time in the not-too-distant past when Americans could disagree without labeling friends, colleagues, and family members as “other.” Leaders who reached across the aisle to solve the nation’s problems were celebrated, not demonized. Take the relationship between former Presidents Bill Clinton and George H. W. Bush. The 1992 presidential election was bitter, and Clinton’s defeat of Bush was resounding. There was no love lost. Yet, their humanity remained. In the aftermath of their bruising political campaign, the two men agreed to a partnership when the world needed them to come together. Because in a healthy democracy, partnerships matter.
Please join us Monday, June 3 at 6 p.m. CT for the next Civil Dialogues town hall as we explore why partnerships matter, and how to have difficult conversations with those who hold different opinions.
Register here to attend the program in person at the Clinton Presidential Center or to tune in live online.
We’ll begin with Jean Becker, former Chief of Staff to President George H. W. Bush, taking us behind the scenes of the Bush presidency as she shares stories and historical perspectives from her new book, “Character Matters.” What can we learn from two former Presidents who went from bitter enemies to best friends?
Becker will then be joined in conversation by Stephanie Streett, Executive Director of the Clinton Foundation, and Linda Lorelle, journalist and co-founder of Civil Dialogues, for a discussion about the roots of this new democracy initiative and its intended impact.
You are also invited into the conversation. What holds you back from engaging with people who hold different opinions? How do you approach difficult discussions? During this program, you’ll learn ways to engage in constructive, civil dialogue by participating in a shortened version of Living Room Conversations’ Trust conversation guide facilitated by Clinton School of Public Service students.
BOOK: Jean Becker will sign copies of “Character Matters: And Other Life Lessons from George H.W. Bush” following the program. Click here to purchase your copy from the Clinton Museum Store available for delivery or in-store pick up at the event.
ASL interpretation is available during our events.
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Jean Becker was chief of staff for President George H. W. Bush from 1994 until his death in 2018. She served as deputy press secretary to First Lady Barbara Bush from 1989 to 1992 and prior to that was a newspaper reporter for 10 years. She is a New York Times bestselling author and edited several books written by President and Mrs. Bush. She is a member of the board of directors for Points of Light and the George & Barbara Bush Foundation.
Linda Lorelle, founder and CEO of Linda Lorelle Media, is an Emmy Award-winning journalist and winner of the Gracie Award, given by the American Women in Radio and Television. She is host and producer of an award-winning podcast, Our Voices Matter, dedicated to reminding us of our common humanity. Her community work is focused on bridging our divides, including that as co-founder of Civil Dialogues, a democracy initiative launched in 2024.
Stephanie S. Streett is executive director of the Clinton Foundation, where she oversees the strategy and management of the Clinton Presidential Center. She also serves as Corporate Secretary for the Clinton Foundation Board of Directors. Streett served in the Clinton White House for eight years, first as Deputy Assistant to the President, and then as Assistant to the President and Director of Scheduling.
This program is part of Civil Dialogues, a joint initiative between the George & Barbara Bush Foundation, Clinton Presidential Center, and the LBJ Foundation that aims to facilitate dialogue on important issues facing our country today. Each attendee should walk away with a better understanding of the topic’s nuances while feeling seen, heard, and empowered to continue dialogue. This Civil Dialogues program is hosted in partnership with Living Room Conversations and AllSides.