Hot on the heels of recent politically-minded conferences—the progressive Netroots Nation and its concurrent, albeit smaller, conservative counterpart, "Defending the American Dream,"—the Austin Leadership Forum wants to offer a balanced look at today's Republican/Democrat divide, as seen through the eyes of local party loyalists.

Dubbed “The Impact of Partisan Politics,” next Friday's panel discussion assembles four area political and community leaders for an informed and civil discussion that will touch on November's presidential election, the economy, national security, and health care—all matters that have, of late, been the subject of intensified public opinion.

"Partisanship can be affected by many factors including current events, figure-heads, decisions and even location," said Madeleine York, Austin Leadership Forum co-founder and moderator. "It is important that we as a community are educated voters on the various individual psychological identifications that can occur with one or the other major political parties."

Panelists include:

• Commissioner Jerry Patterson, Commissioner of the General Land Office, who served his country as a U.S. Marine for over twenty years and as a Republican Texas state senator for six years.
• Kent Caperton, a partner with the Ben Barnes Group, who works on national and state issues for a variety of clients with needs in government relations and public policy matters. Was formerly a Managing Director at Public Strategies and served as a Democratic Texas state senator for ten years.
• Sam Coats, a former attorney, airline executive, Democratic member of the Texas Legislature and most recently President and CEO of Scholtzsky’s Inc. Is expected to run for Dallas County Judge in 2010.
• Commissioner Gerald Daugherty, a Republican, who was elected to the Travis County Commissioners Court in November of 2002 and was unopposed for re-election for four more years in 2004. Currently serves as the County Commissioner of Precinct 3, which covers 48 percent of the landmass of Travis County.

The panel discussion will be held from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m. on Friday, August 15, at the Austin Club (110 East 9th Street). Registration, which closes next Wednesday, is $20.00 per person and includes breakfast. [Austin Leadership Forum]