Congressman Joe Walsh joined us for an afternoon discussion on the upcoming election. Joe has run spirited campaigns for elected office twice, first as a Republican candidate for the United States Congress in 1996 and then as a Republican candidate for the Illinois State House in 1998 so he speaks about his own experiences and predictions for the 2012 elections.

The Common Good hosted Jill Iscol for a Lunch Discussion about her new book Hearts on Fire, in which she features a series of “visionaries” who are changing our world for the better. Ms. Iscol shared her views about how these active leaders and citizens will eventually transform the world into one united behind a shared humanity.

We were pleased to invite sponsors and their guests for a lunch discussion with Ambassador Riyad Mansour about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and how he believes a compromise will be reached.

The Common Good was honored to host Dr. Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Advisor under President Carter, for a special lunch discussion. Dr. Brzezinski introduced his new book “Strategic Vision,” which highlights the need for our country to reassert its position of strength. She discussed today’s changing distribution of global power and how it will affect the future of the United States.

British author-journalist William Shaw­cross, scribe of many best-selling books and no stranger to controversy, will dis­cuss his new book just as it is pub­lished in the US. “Jus­tice and the Enemy: From the Nurem­berg Tri­als to Khalid Sheikh Mohammed” which looks at the ongo­ing polit­i­cal and legal argu­ment about whether and how to try Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his co-conspirators for their role in the 9⁄11 attack.

Peter Galbraith joined us to discuss the Afghanistan conflict as we edge closer to leaving the country. After ten years, Americans are wearying of the war and its ongoing casualties. But with the complications of extricating ourselves from this challenging arena, the complicated relationship with Afghanistan’s President Hamid Karzai and an aggressive Taliban looking for restoration to power, is there an American victory here?

The Common Good hosted former TARP program Special Inspector Neil Barofsky, for a lunch and candid discussion about his new book “Bailout” and the fiscal crisis facing the U.S.

We were thrilled to present a special “Elections Panel 2012” with three of the best experts on election strategy. The Common Good presented a powerful bipartisan trio – Ken Mehlman, the brilliant former Chair of the Republican National Committee, Robert Shrum, the amazingly clever Democratic political strategist and messaging expert, and Richard Wolffe, author and journalist, known as a keen observer of the American political scene.

The sponsors and their guests met Senator Claire McCaskill (D-MO) for breakfast as a continuation of our Leadership Series. Senator McCaskill has worked to investigate contracting abuses in government spending in the war effort in Iraq and Afghanistan and throughout the Federal government. Claire currently sits on four Senate Committees, including Armed Services, Commerce, HSGAC and Aging.

The Common Good hosted a Luncheon Briefing with Emmy-winning broadcast journalist, former Texas judge, and New York Times bestselling author Catherine Crier. Ms. Crier talked about the ‘Occupy Wall Street’ movement and her new book, Patriot Acts-What Americans Must Do to Save the Republic, in which she explains how the current economic crisis and growing civil unrest is the predictable result of wrong-headed actions by both political parties

The Common Good invited people to participate in an exclusive closed discussion with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

The Common Good is honored to host “Dr. Doom” Professor Nouriel Roubini as he discusses the coming challenges of the US & Global Economy as part of our Economy and Business Series. Roubini has been lauded for his stunning prediction of the financial crisis of 2008. What is ahead?

The Common Good hosted a luncheon with Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger as he discusses his latest book “On China.” As China emerges as an economic juggernaut and competes increasingly with the United States for world resources, market share and international influence, we need to better understand this country and the new realities. Dr.Kissinger will discuss China, a country he has known intimately for decades, and whose modern relations with the West he helped shape.

We started the weekend early by hosting an evening of drinks and great conversation with music by our special guest DJ at the library bar in the Paramount Hotel. The evening includes an open bar all night with signature cocktails, hosted by Sean Avery, Alexandra Blodgett, Omeed Malik, Charlotte Ronson, Jennifer Regenstreich, Rachel Roy and more.

The Common Good hosted a screening of the HBO original film, Too Big to Fail, followed by a conversation with Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of U.S. News & World Report, Mort Zuckerman and NY Times Columnist, Joe Nocera. The conversation addressed the shortcomings in financial policy that led to the 2008 economic downturn, the harmful effects of the two-party system, the current economic crisis, as well as the financial future of our country.

The Common Good and J-Street co-hosted the next installment of our summer Middle East Briefing Series. A Conversation with Ambassador Alon Pinkas. Ambassador Pinkas spoke about the a two-state solution option in light of the upcoming UN vote on Palestinian statehood and addressed: What should leaders do in advance of a likely September vote at the UN on Palestinian statehood? How do the dynamics of the Arab Spring affect Israel’s prospects for peace and security? Does the planned reconciliation agreement between Fatah and Hamas make a peace deal with Israel more or less feasible?

We co-hosted a panel on Social Media, Politics and Change with a coalition of local political groups including Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century, New York Young Republicans and PolicyMic.com moderated by Ari Melber of The Nation & MSNBC. Panelist include: Ron Agam, photographer and creator of social media movements; Ben Smith, writer and contributor for Politico.com; and Barnett Zitron, WhyTuesday.com & YouTube sensation.