Live chat: Political fallout from the shutdown, debt ceiling fight

We'll be chatting with Lara Brown, an associate professor and the program director for the Political Management Program in the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University in Washington, D.C. On Friday, she’ll answer your questions about the political impact of the 16-day shutdown and fight over the debt ceiling, including how women shaped the discussions and how democracy itself could be to blame for all of this.

3rd & 7 37yd

Join us for a live chat with Dr. Lara Brown, a political science expert and professor at George Washington University here in Washington, D.C.

by Amber Phillips

We'll be talking about the political impact of the shutdown and lessons learned, plus look ahead to 2014 and 2016. Your questions are welcome.

A little background on Dr. Brown:

She is program director for the Political Management Program in the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington.
Brown, who has her Ph.D. in political science from the University of California, Los Angeles, describes herself as a “flaming moderate.” She specializes in national elections, presidential aspirations and cutting through political spin to assess what politicians are really saying.
Today we hope to touch on thoughtful issues about the shutdown, including how women shaped the discussions and how democracy itself could be to blame for all of this.

Join us from 3:30-4:30 p.m. ET

by Amber Phillips 10/18/2013 7:03:36 PM
Hello everyone, we will be with you shortly. We are having a couple technical glitches.

by Jacqueline Baylon 10/18/2013 7:29:43 PM
Hello, everyone! Excited to be here!

by Lara 10/18/2013 7:34:49 PM
Thanks for joining us Lara. Let's get started. Two days after this shutdown ended, what’s the feeling in Washington? Is everyone back to normal? Or is there a hangover of sorts?

by Amber Phillips 10/18/2013 7:36:30 PM
Lots of relief. People are breathing much easier now.

by Lara 10/18/2013 7:37:00 PM
Please insert comments and questions above through the comment box.

by Jacqueline Baylon 10/18/2013 7:37:30 PM
Jacqueline is our moderator, everyone, to submit your questions.

by Amber Phillips 10/18/2013 7:37:54 PM
There's much more about the nervousness of what's ahead.

by Lara 10/18/2013 7:37:57 PM
Exactly. The agreement Congress signed onto is a temporary one, with these same issues coming up in early 2014.

by Amber Phillips 10/18/2013 7:38:09 PM
Yes, the CR only goes through January 15th and the debt ceiling has only been "raised" until Feb. 7th.

by Lara 10/18/2013 7:38:52 PM
Yikes. And with the holidays coming up, does Congress have a lot of actual work days? Or are they on recess much of the time until 2014?

by Amber Phillips 10/18/2013 7:39:31 PM
Well, most nearly all of them are out of town today. In fact, most couldn't wait to get back to their districts and see constituents -- and try to explain all the wild politics here.

by Lara 10/18/2013 7:40:40 PM
And in addition, some would argue we’re governing from crisis to crisis as opposed to creating any meaningful longterm plans. Do you agree?

by Amber Phillips 10/18/2013 7:40:46 PM
As for working through the holidays. There is no doubt that there will be a big push around Thanksgiving and up through the middle of December.

by Lara 10/18/2013 7:41:27 PM
Yes, crisis to crisis is the way we are doing this. And it shouldn't be a surprise because the regular appropriations process broke down years ago.

by Lara 10/18/2013 7:42:26 PM
Congress' poll #s are about as low as they've ever been. What can they do to recover and gain back the people's trust?

by concerned 10/18/2013 7:43:36 PM