Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "Progressive Populism Will Save the Democratic Party," in NYC and Online October 11

Is embracing progressive populism - what some call "democratic socialism" - the key to leading the Democratic party out of the political wilderness? Or should the left champion centrist policies to win elections and regain power? On Thursday, October 11, debate series Intelligence Squared U.S. brings a host of Democratic heavy-hitters to the stage to debate the motion "Progressive Populism Will Save the Democratic Party."

Bernie Sanders' 2016 campaign manager Jeff Weaver partners with MoveOn.org national spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre, a veteran of both Obama campaigns, to argue in favor of the motion. Debating against the motion are Third Way co-founder Jonathan Cowan and Steven Rattner, dubbed the "Car Czar" for leading the Obama administration effort to restructure the automobile industry.

The debate will be held at NYC's Kaye Playhouse and stream live online, then air soon after as part of the syndicated public radio show and podcast "Intelligence Squared U.S." On October 11, online viewers can tune in at IQ2US's website: https://www.intelligencesquaredus.org

WHAT: Intelligence Squared U.S. Debates "Progressive Populism Will Save the Democratic Party"
WHEN: Thursday, October 11 / 7:00-8:30 PM EDT (6:00 PM opening reception)
WHERE: Kaye Playhouse, 115 East 68th Street, New York, NY
TICKETS: $40 ($12 for students w/ ID). To purchase, visit http://www.intelligencesquaredus.org/

Arguing for the motion:

* Karine Jean-Pierre: National Spokesperson & Senior Adviser, MoveOn.org 
Karine Jean-Pierre is the national spokesperson and senior adviser for MoveOn.org, a progressive public policy advocacy group and political action committee that raises millions of dollars for progressive candidates. Jean-Pierre's professional experience has ranged from presidential campaigns to grassroots activism, to local politics, to working in the White House. She previously served as the deputy campaign manager for Martin O'Malley for President and the campaign manager for ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Initiate. She is a frequent political commentator and lecturer at Columbia University.

* Jeff Weaver: Senior Political Adviser, Sen. Bernie Sanders & Campaign Manager, Sanders's 2016 Presidential Campaign
Jeff Weaver is a senior political adviser to Senator Bernie Sanders and was the campaign manager for Sanders's 2016 presidential campaign. After the 2016 election, he served as the president of Our Revolution, a progressive political action organization established to continue Sanders's movement, until June of 2017. A long-trusted adviser to Sanders, Weaver is the author of the new book, "How Bernie Won: Inside the Revolution That's Taking Back Our Country - And Where We Go From Here."

Arguing against the motion:

* Jonathan Cowan: Co-Founder & President, Third Way 
Jonathan Cowan is the co-founder and president of Third Way, a leading public policy think tank and prominent voice in center-left debates in America. Cowan has over 15 years of experience at senior levels of politics and government, including in Congress and as chief of staff of the Department of Housing and Urban Development during the Clinton administration. Cowan has served as a visiting fellow at Harvard's Institute of Politics and is frequently cited as a policy and political expert in national outlets.

* Steven Rattner: Chairman & CEO, Willett Advisors LLC 

Steven Rattner is the chairman and chief executive officer of Willett Advisors LLC, the investment arm for former New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s personal and philanthropic assets. In addition, he serves as an economic analyst for MSNBC and is a contributing writer to the New York Times op-ed page. Rattner previously served as counselor to the Secretary of the Treasury and led the Obama administration’s successful effort to restructure the automobile industry, which he chronicled in his book, “Overhaul: An Insider’s Account of the Obama Administration’s Emergency Rescue of the Auto Industry.”

ABOUT INTELLIGENCE SQUARED U.S.

A non-partisan, non-profit organization, Intelligence Squared U.S. was founded in 2006 to address a fundamental problem in America: the extreme polarization of our nation and our politics. Their mission is to restore critical thinking, facts, reason, and civility to American public discourse. The award-winning debate series reaches over 30 million American households through multi-platform distribution, including radio, television, live streaming, podcasts, interactive digital content, and on-demand apps on Roku and Apple TV. With over 150 debates and counting, Intelligence Squared U.S. has encouraged the public to "think twice" on a wide range of provocative topics. Author and ABC News correspondent John Donvan has moderated IQ2US since 2008.