Report

DELEGATION MEMBERS AND STAFF

From 25–28 July 2016, Senator David Wells, Vice-Chair, led a delegation from the Canadian Section of the Canada–United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (IPG) to the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The other delegate was Ms. Salma Zahid, M.P. The delegation was part of the National Democratic Institute’s (NDI’s) International Leaders Forum (ILF).

THE EVENT

At the DNC, which is held every four years, the Democratic Party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates are nominated, and the Democratic Party’s platform is formulated and adopted.

The NDI is a non-partisan, non-governmental organization focused on the promotion of democratic societies with open, multi-party political systems that recognize and encourage human rights. With a focus on establishing and strengthening democratic institutions and practices, the NDI works with partner organizations from more than 100 countries in building political and civic organizations, safeguarding elections, and encouraging citizen participation, openness and accountability in government.

As noted earlier, the delegation from the IPG’s Canadian Section participated at the DNC through the NDI’s ILF. Formed in 1983, the NDI first hosted international visitors at the 1984 DNC, providing them with an opportunity to share in the convention’s activities. As well, the ILF provides an opportunity to acknowledge global efforts directed at democracy development.

DELEGATION OBJECTIVES FOR THE EVENT

The IPG aims to find points of convergence in respective national policies, to initiate dialogue on points of divergence, to encourage the exchange of information and to promote better understanding among legislators on shared issues of concern. Members of the IPG’s Canadian Section meet regularly with their U.S. federal counterparts and, in recent years, have attended meetings of U.S. governors and state legislators. At these events, Canadian delegates engage in conversations that help the Canadian Section to achieve its objectives, and that explain the nature and scope of the Canada–U.S. relationship.

Members of the IPG’s Canadian Section found the 2016 DNC to be a valuable opportunity to observe the U.S. political process and to meet with some of the U.S. federal legislators who were attending the convention; the activities included a brief meeting with Ohio Governor John Kasich.

ACTIVITIES DURING THE EVENT

As part of the NDI’s ILF, delegates attended sessions focused on various election-related and other topics. In particular, the following sessions took place:

• Opening Reception
• The 2016 Campaign Overview: The Role of Primaries, Nominating Conventions and Presidential Debates
• What Happened at the Republican Convention in Cleveland
• What’s Going on in America: Important Trends
• What It’s Like to Run a Presidential Campaign
• Impact of Facebook and Social Media on the 2016 Campaign
• The Role of Traditional, New, and Social Media
• Geraldine Ferraro Women in Politics Luncheon
• Campaign 2016 in Ads, Anecdotes, and Media Perspectives
• The Political Divide and What It Means for 2016
• Who will vote: The Emerging Electorate
• The Next Administration and the U.S. Role in the World.

The International Leader’s Forum (ILF) provided members of the IPG’s Canadian Section with an opportunity to improve their knowledge about  the U.S. political process, and to acquire a more indepth understanding of  the roles of primaries, conventions and debates in that process. Additionally, members received information about political advertising campaigns, including current themes, metrics and social media.

THE 2016 CAMPAIGN OVERVIEW: THE ROLE OF PRIMARIES, NOMINATING CONVENTIONS AND PRESIDENTIAL DEBATES

Ann Compton, former ABC News White House Correspondent, moderated a discussion among Howard Dean, of Dentons, Representative Barbara Lee, of the U.S. Congress, Frank Fahrenkopf, of the Commission on Presidential Debates, Geoffrey Cowan, of the University of South California and The Annenberg Foundation, and Elaine Kamarck, of the Brookings Institution.

The panelists discussed the importance of “grassroots politics” and the emerging tactical role of social media in political campaigns. As well, from his perspective as a former presidential candidate, Howard Dean spoke about his experiences in the U.S. primaries and caucuses.

WHAT IT’S LIKE TO RUN A PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

Anita Dunn, of SKDKnickerbocker, moderated a discussion between Howard Dean, of Dentons, and Danny Diaz, of FP1 Strategies LLC.

The panelists commented on the “long game” of policy planning and the immediate requirements of communications, including social media, and the logistics of travel during political campaigns.

IMPACT OF FACEBOOK AND SOCIAL MEDIA ON THE 2016 CAMPAIGN

Crystal Patterson, of Facebook, moderated a discussion between Adam Sharp, of Twitter, and Jon Keegan, of the Wall Street Journal.

The panelists presented an analysis of Twitter, Facebook and YouTube in the context of political campaigns, including the ability to use these platforms to expose weaknesses in opponents’ campaigns. As well, they emphasized the ways in which social media is changing the nature of communication with voters, especially millennials.

THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL, NEW, AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Susan Glasser, of POLITICO, moderated a discussion among Amy Mitchell, of Pew Research Center, Jonathan Capehart, of The Washington Post, Campbell Brown, of The Seventy Four, and David Lauter, of the Los Angeles Times.

The panelists highlighted the various roles that social media can play in political campaigns, noting both the resulting improved access to information but also greater polarization as voters choose their news sources based on political beliefs, culture, surroundings, personal preferences and social standing.

CAMPAIGN 2016 IN ADS, ANECDOTES, AND MEDIA PERSPECTIVES

Marc Nathanson, of Mapleton Investments, moderated a discussion between Erika Fowler, of Wesleyan University, and Kate Sanford, of YouTube.

The panelists noted the distinction that should be made between “broad scope advertising” on one hand, and “targeted and immediate platforms” on the other hand. The “gap” between political ads that were made and disseminated in the 1970s on one hand, and today’s online YouTube advertisements on the other hand, was also highlighted.

THE POLITICAL DIVIDE AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR 2016

Alex Wagner, of The Atlantic, moderated a discussion among Tom Daschle, former Member of the U.S. Congress and Vice Chair of the National Democratic Institute, Thomas Mann, of the Brookings Institution, and Norm Ornstein, of the American Enterprise Institute.

The panelists discussed issues that have arisen during the 2016 presidential campaign, some of which are thought to have hindered political discourse. As well, they addressed the issue of “targeting specific voters” rather than “campaigning from the middle”; more specifically, the issue of targeting the right versus the left, but also targeting the centre, was mentioned.

WHO WILL VOTE: THE EMERGING ELECTORATE

Cornell Belcher, of Brilliant Corners Research & Strategies, moderated a discussion among Peter Hart, of Peter D. Hart Research Associates, Jim Hobart, of Public Opinion Strategies, Kristen Soltis Anderson, of Echelon Insights and the Washington Examiner, Matt Barreto, of Latino Decisions and the University of California at Los Angeles, and Amy Walter, of The Cook Political Report.

The panelists examined polling from both Republican and Democratic pollsters, and compared the trends. As well, they spoke about potential voting trends among particular demographic groups, including Hispanics, millennials and those without a college education.

THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION AND THE U.S. ROLE IN THE WORLD

Cokie Roberts, of ABC News, moderated a discussion among the Honorable Madeleine Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State and Chair of the National Democratic Institute, William Burns, of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Wendy Sherman, of the Albright Stonebridge Group and Harvard University, and Laura Rosenberger, of Hillary for America.

The panelists speculated about the focus of the next U.S. administration, and about the extent to which the policies and “world views” of President Obama would persist.

Respectfully submitted,