Stephanopoulos speaks at UNLV

Ham Hall was nearly filled to capacity Tuesday for George Stephanopoulos, who spoke as part of the Barrick Lecture Series.Photo by Steven Lawton.

With the country in economic turmoil, two wars in progress overseas and political parties divided at home, the new president faces challenges unseen by recent administrations.

ABC News Chief Washington Correspondent and former political advisor George Stephanopoulos addressed these challenges as part of the Barrick Lecture Series Tuesday. His lecture titled “Washington, D.C.’s Political Scene: Today’s News and Future Predictions,” filled Artemus W. Ham Hall to capacity.

“I’m old enough to remember his days with the Clinton administration and have continued to watch him since his move to the media,” said Bob Rush, the parent of a UNLV student who was familiar with Stephanopoulos. He added that the lecture provided an excellent opportunity for students to become more familiar with national affairs.

Renowned political pundit George Stephanopoulos speaking about the new crowd in Washington. Photo by Steven Lawton

Stephanopoulos, currently host of the Sunday morning political affairs program “This Week,” has been a well-known fixture in the U.S. political scene for more than a decade.

 ”Our new president faces historic challenges,” Stephanopoulos said. “What he’s facing right now is greater than what Franklin Roosevelt did coming in because of the combination of challenges that would each be difficult if they were the only issue.”

Stephanopoulos said that during a lunch with members of the press on Feb. 24, Obama said he was confident in his ability to make the right decisions.

“Whether or not that confidence is justified will be proven or disproved by his decisions and actions,” Stephanopoulos said.

He asserted that Obama has already been successful in working with Congress, citing his coordination of the second economic rescue plan with former President George W. Bush and its subsequent approval as an example.

In addition to legislative success, Stephanopoulos noted the president’s generally positive reputation with the public and its relation to his approval rating.

“About two-thirds of the country think he’s doing a great job, Stephanopoulos said. “Despite the fact that party divisions are still quite deep, the country believes the president is trying to reach out to all parties.”

Stephanopoulos addressed what he described as the nation’s most pressing concern – the economic crisis and the public’s responses to actions the action government takes to help the economy recover.

“The biggest unknown is how deep this crisis runs.  We still don’t know how bad it’s going to get,” he said.

“There is anger in the country about the overwhelming mismanagement by the financial industry and fear that we are throwing good money at the bad.”

Stephanopoulos said there is a feeling within the Obama administration that the economic crisis will overwhelm his agenda.

“Looking forward, it will be difficult for the president to pass the bulk of his agenda this year,” he said.  “It’s unlikely to happen.”

In light of the Democrats holding majorities in both houses of Congress, Stephanopoulos noted the  ongoing evolution of the Republican party.  He said that Republicans were unified in showing up to vote on the second stimulus package in the House, but have not yet determined their leader.

Stephanopoulos said Republicans have not been able to successfully respond to the president’s actions because they have not decided on a stance toward his agenda.

“The struggle in the party is still pronounced,” he said. “The White House is calling out Rush Limbaugh as [a] leader but there is no heir apparent to the Republican party.”

Stephanopoulos closed the lecture asserting that the ever changing politics in the capital, coupled with the diversity of opinions on the economic situation make for an unpredictable future.

“[The times are] both thrilling and frightening for all of us, because we don’t all know how it’s going to turn out.”