Abilene Christian University announced a new series designed to bring speakers of national significance to Abilene for engaging discussions on global issues. 

The inaugural Big Country Conversations event is scheduled for Nov. 14 and features Paul Begala and Karl Rove, who will offer their unique perspectives on the election’s outcomes and implications. Begala and Rove, both Texans, will speak from 7 to 8:15 p.m. in ACU’s Boone Family Theatre on Thursday, Nov. 14, offering an in-depth look at the Nov. 5 presidential election and what’s next for the U.S. and Texas. Click here for tickets.

Begala is a political commentator, a professor of public policy, an author, and a political strategist. He is a commentator for CNN, where he is part of the political team that has won both an Emmy Award and a Peabody Award. In addition to appearing on-air, Paul writes commentary for CNN, which is the world’s most-read news organization website.

Paul Begala

Begala served in 1992 as a senior strategist for Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign and as counselor to the president in the White House, helping coordinate policy, politics and media. Before working for Clinton, Begala worked on Capitol Hill and advised campaigns across America. In 2012 he played a crucial role in the Obama-Biden re-election campaign. He has also done campaign work overseas, including in Israel, Europe, South America, the Caribbean and Africa.

Rove served as senior advisor to President George W. Bush 2000-07 and deputy chief of staff 2004-07. At the White House, he oversaw the offices of Strategic Initiatives, Political Affairs, Public Liaison and Intergovernmental Affairs and was deputy chief of staff for policy, coordinating the White House policy-making process.

Karl Rove

Before Rove became known as “The Architect” of Bush’s 2000 and 2004 campaigns, he was president of Karl Rove + Company, an Austin-based public affairs firm that worked for over 75 Republican candidates for senator, governor and congressman, as well as non-partisan causes and nonprofit groups. Today, Rove writes a weekly op-ed for the Wall Street Journal and is a Fox News contributor.