2021 | Where Do We Go from Here?

Richard Norton Smith is a nationally recognized authority on the American presidency. He worked for Senator Bob Dole, with whom he collaborated on books. Mr. Smith served as Director of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Center, and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library.
In December 2001, Mr. Smith became director of the new Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. There he supervised construction of the Institute’s $11.3 million permanent home and launched the Presidential Lecture Series and other high-profile programs.

The Republicans: The Reagan Playbook
February 10, 2021

Presidential scholar Richard Norton Smith examines three successful Republicans, with a focus on Reagan, whose 1980 election win paved the way for a center-right nation and set the stage for the last 12-year period of one-party White House control since FDR.

FDR Revisited: Learning from FDR, Clinton & Obama
February 17, 2021

As his administration begins, President Biden’s likely role models will be FDR, Clinton, and Obama. What can he learn from them?

Breaking Precedent: The Last Four Years
February 23, 2021

The last four years featured a most unconventional presidency. What has changed? What will go back to normal?

What I’ve Learned; Plus “Ask Richard”
March 02, 2021

In the final lecture of the series, Smith will present his checklist for a successful presidency. This program will feature an expanded audience Q&A session where the audience can ask him questions about the presidency.