Thanks to Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century (DL21C), The Common Good was pleased to present a unique event with Joel Benenson, lead pollster and senior strategist to President Barack Obama. Joel Benenson shared his insights on his work on the President’s historic 2008 run, how the race is shaping up this year, and took a look at New York politics and the role of the women’s vote in the election this November.

The Common Good hosted a lunch discussion with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Carl Bernstein, expert legal analyst for CNN and The New Yorker, Jeffrey Toobin and former Assistant Surgeon General and Senior Global Health Advisor for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Rear Admiral Susan Blumenthal.  They will discuss the implications of the Supreme Court decision regarding Obama’s Affordable Care Act.

The Common Good hosted a lunch discussion with Chris Hayes, host of Up with Chris Hayes on MSNBC, about his new book Twilight of the Elites, which analyzes how our institutions have imploded, spawning a lack of trust between citizens and the elites. Chris spoke about the shortcomings of contemporary American financial and social meritocracy, with the intelligence and humor we’ve come to expect from him.

One of nation’s most candid, smart and disarming politicians, former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell, joined The Common Good to talk about his new book, A NATION OF WUSSES: How America’s Leaders Lost the Guts to Make Us Great.

The Common Good hosted controversial reformed Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff for a luncheon discussion and Q&A about reforming lobbying practices in U.S. national politics after the release of his highly acclaimed book Capitol Punishment.

The Common Good hosted author Todd Gitlin for a lunch discussion with about his new book Occupy Nation and how the protest movement has shaped the political landscape. One of the major leaders of the original movement, Jesse LaGreca, also joined the discussion and provided an insider’s perspective.

The Common Good had a luncheon discussion with former Governor of Virginia, former head of the DNC, and current Senate candidate Tim Kaine.

New York District Attorney Cyrus Vance joined The Common Good for a lunch discussion about cybercrime, counter-terrorism, youth crime reduction, and technological improvements in not just fighting, but reducing, crime.

The Common Good on May hosted a lunch and discussion with Governor Christine Todd Whitman, where she spoke and answered questions about Campaign Finance Reform, Americans Elect, Citizen's United, and a host of other issues confronting Americans today.

SnagFilms in conjunction with The Common Good presented the Live World Premiere of the Occupy Wall Street documentary #whilewewatch. The screening was followed by a live Q&A session with director  and “Occupy Wall Street” participants featured in the film.  Q&A questions will be taken from the global web audience during the live streaming.

The Common Good held a lunch and discussion with Dylan Ratigan, host of MSNBC The Dylan Ratigan Show, about his new book Greedy Bastards. In his new book Greedy Bastards, Dylan Ratigan explains how “vampire industries” like oil and coal have forged “an unholy alliance with government based not just on the money that they contribute to political campaigns and spend on lobbying, but on their ability to hypnotize us with false prices.”

The Common Good hosted a discussion and screening with Robert Greenwald on his documentary titled Koch Brothers Exposed, which takes a closer look at the relationship between politics and money through the story of David and Charles Koch.

The Common Good was honored to host women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem for  a screening of her new HBO documentary “Gloria: In Her Own Words” and a discussion with Gayle King, co-anchor of CBS This Morning.

The Common Good hosted a lunch discussion with Congressman Jerry Nadler about voter suppression and how money in politics may effect upcoming elections.

We invited sponsors and their guests for an opportunity to meet Governor Howard Dean for lunch about “Issues and Trends influencing US Governance and Politics in the New Year.” Dean’s frank and experienced voice will provide candor and insight about the year ahead in politics.

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.