In the new era of politics where many backers support their candidate like a rabid sports fan, an election can be, as U.S News & World Report White House correspondent Ken Walsh says, “interesting.”

“Watching a campaign when the country is this polarized is something,” said Walsh who will speak at Flagler College on Oct. 9 as part of the 2012 Forums on Government and Public Policy lecture series.

“We’ve been polarized as a nation for quite a long time but the hardening of the sides seems to be even greater,” said Walsh, whose lecture topic is “Election 2012: Continuity or Change?” “The new normal of American politics is stalemate, gridlock and no compromise.”

Walsh is no stranger to American politics. He joined the U.S. News & World Report in 1984 as a congressional correspondent and has covered the presidency, presidential campaigns and national politics since 1986. He is also the author of “The Presidency” column and writer of a daily blog called “Ken Walsh’s Washington” at usnews.com.

In 2012, Walsh believes Obama’s platform of looking towards the future will be a bit tougher to swallow than it was in 2008.

“Obama took the approach of hope and change in 2008 but that turned out to be much more difficult than he expected,” said Walsh. “In 2012, people seem much more cynical and I believe turnout will be much less than 2008 so it will be interesting to see what happens.”

All forums take place at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., at 7 p.m. Forums are free and open to the public thanks to the generosity of speakers who donate their time in support of the series. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign language interpreters are provided. Call (904) 819-6400 for more information.

Source: Flagler College