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CAU > Seminars and Study Tours > The 2008 Presidential Election: Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York

The 2008 Presidential Election: Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz, New York

October 31-November 2, 2008

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Overview

CAU's biennial election-eve gatherings at Mohonk Mountain are one of our favorite traditions, and the 2008 edition promises to be a doozie. With the recapture of Congress by the Democrats in 2006, the ongoing struggles of the Bush administration, and the wide-open field of candidates competing in the 2008 primaries (this is the first presidential election since 1952 in which neither party's candidate will be a sitting president or vice president), there will be no shortage of people, issues, and campaign tactics to assess. We'll also have plenty of time to weigh the significance of where we've been during the last two years and where we're headed. As always, Mohonk Mountain House will provide a marvelous setting, good food, and wonderfully traditional Victorian surroundings for our deliberations.

Faculty

Glenn Altschuler, the Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Professor of American Studies and dean of the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions, will bring his seasoned background as a social analyst to bear as he examines the cultural and ideological temper of the nation on the eve of the elections. Joel Silbey, the President White Professor of History, Emeritus, will be back at the podium to assess the state of national politics and the political parties and analyze the prospects for the house and senate elections as well as the presidential race. Glenn and Joel will, of course, correctly pick the winners of all the races.

Program Schedule

The program will begin with drinks and dinner on Friday and end after lunch on Sunday. We’ll set aside some free time on Saturday afternoon for you to enjoy Mohonk’s splendid surroundings, including its nine thousand acres of woods, craggy outcroppings, and walking trails, and its exquisite mountaintop lake and various sports facilities. Mohonk is located a few miles west of New Paltz, New York, about two hours from the New York City area.

Program Cost

The program fee of $1,095 (per-person, double-occupancy), includes all lodgings, meals, receptions, gratuities, taxes, escort services, and the full educational program. The supplement for single occupancy is $180.

Program Notes

This is not a physically demanding program, but please note that there are assorted steps and stairways at Mohonk, and we will be walking up a slight hill back and forth between the main building and our program sessions in the conference house.