For most of America's history, race has powerfully shaped its politics. Today, race is as relevant as it has been since the Civil Rights era, perhaps the single most important political fault line in the US electorate, destined to feature prominently in the 2020 election cycle.
Charges of racism have dogged Donald Trump's presidency. Republican members of Congress have also been accused of cowardice in not supporting these criticisms of the president, of abandoning the best traditions of the Grand Old Party in favour of populism, nativism and racism.
To discuss these recent developments in American politics — and how they will figure in the 2020 campaign — the United States Studies Centre hosted Mia Love, the first black Republican woman to be elected to the US Congress. She was joined in conversation by the ABC’s US politics analyst and presenter of Planet America John Barron and United States Studies Centre CEO Professor Simon Jackman for a discussion on attitudes to race and immigration in the United States and Australia, and the future of the Republican Party.
Mia Love
Former US Representative for Utah's 4th district
Mia Love was previously a non-resident fellow at the US Studies Centre. She served as the US Representative for Utah's 4th district from 2015-2019. She was the first black female Republican elected to Congress. At the start of the 2015 Congress, she was appointed to the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the Treasury and the Federal Reserve. She also joined the Congressional Black Caucus after taking her seat.
John Barron
Journalist and broadcaster, ABC
John Barron was previously an Honorary Associate at the US Studies Centre. He is anchor of “Planet America” on ABC-TV and author of the book “Vote For Me” about the 2008 Presidential campaign.
Professor Simon Jackman
Professor Simon Jackman was Chief Executive Officer of the United States Studies Centre from April 2016 to May 2022. Between 1996 and 2016, he was a Professor of Political Science and Statistics at Stanford University. Jackman's teaching and research centres on public opinion, election campaigns, political participation, and electoral systems with special emphasis on American and Australian politics.
