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Presidential Speaker Series begins tonight

September 12, 2012

Photo of the White HouseTonight’s first installment in the Department of Political Science’s Presidential Speaker Series will stream live.

The series features national political experts who will offer unique insights on the presidential election. It begins at 7 p.m. with a presentation titled “The Impact of Citizens United: The Role of Money in the 2012 Elections.”

Richard Hasen from the University of California-Irvine and Bradley Smith of the Capital University School of Law will discuss the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on Citizens United v. the Federal Election Commission.

“Citizens United” held that the First Amendment prohibits government restrictions on independent political expenditures by corporations and unions.

Matt Streb

Matt Streb

“Just as many of our NIU professors are asked to speak on campuses across the country, the purpose of this speaker series is to bring in national experts to share their perspectives and insights with our faculty, staff and community,” said Matthew Streb, chair of the Department of Political Science.

“Hasen and Smith are both well respected election law scholars, but they have differing views, which should make for a lively discussion.”

Streb will moderate tonight’s discussion, which takes place in the Altgeld Hall Auditorium. To watch on the Internet, visit http://www.livestream.com/NIUlive/.

The Presidential Speaker Series is sponsored by the NIU Office of the President, the Department of Political Science, the Division of University Relations and WNIJ.

For more information, call (815) 753-1011.


Watch live streaming video from NIUlive at livestream.com