John Feehery

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 "Highly-regarded" by the Washington Post and repeatedly named to Roll Call's Fab Fifty List, John Feehery has solidified his reputation as an articulate advocate, shrewd negotiator and savvy strategist.  He was instrumental in many of the most historic Conservative events of the past 20 years including passage of the Contract with America, the decision to invade Iraq and passage of the 2004 prescription drug plan. 

Feehery is currently Founder and CEO of the Feehery Group, a strategic advocacy firm dedicated to helping clients achieve their legislative and communications goals in Washington, D.C.  His extraordinary experience on Capitol Hill has provided him with an intimate knowledge and deep understanding of power politics, policy and players.  From the inner workings of Congress to the prominent role of the media and the significant influence of lobbyists, Feehery's astute insight and keen perspective offer audiences an insider's guide to how legislation really gets done.

SPEAKER TOPICS
ABOUT John Feehery   (+/-)

Skilled Communicator, Expert Strategist

John Feehery is a well-known and well-respected legislative and communications strategist.  He has spent 18 years in a variety of influential positions inside the beltway, both as a staffer for several high-profile members of Congress and as an advocate for a high-profile trade association and prominent lobbying firm.  He served as the chief spokesman to House Speaker J. Dennis Hastert, the Communications Director to then Majority Whip Tom DeLay, and a speechwriter to former House Republican Leader Bob Michel.  He also served as an Executive Vice President for Government Affairs and Public Affairs for the Motion Picture Association of America.

Providing Unique Insight on Today's Most Pressing Issues

Feehery shares his perspective on the world of Washington politics in his blog, The Feehery Theory.  He is also a blogger on The Hill's Pundits Blog, a columnist for CNN.Com, and a regular contributor to Politico.  Feehery also appears as a frequent guest on several cable news programs including CNN's The Situation Room, The Ed Show on MSNBC and Hardball with Chris Matthews.

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SPEAKER TOPIC DESCRIPTIONS    (+/-)

Why the Obama Administration Has Overpromised and Underdelivered

President Obama promised to bring change to Washington when he was elected last November, but his radical agenda has bogged down in a Congress that is largely sympathetic to his view.  Feehery explains why the President's lack of focus, his too ambitious spending agenda, and other factors have conspired to slow down the Obama agenda.  Feehery explains why political capital is fool's gold, why crafting bipartisan solutions is hard during one-party rule, and why the perception of national wealth is more important than almost any other factor when it comes to passing a legislative agenda.

What is Wrong with The Republican Party and How We Can Fix it

The Republican Party, despite some recent legislative victories and stiffening resistance to the Obama agenda, still faces a tough political atmosphere.  The Republican brand is damaged from the years of one-party rule from 2004 to 2006, and in recent polls, few people still claim the Republican Party as their own.  Feehery, who has worked for close to 20 years in the top levels of the GOP Congressional leadership, explains what went wrong and points the way it can return to its former prominence.  Feehery argues that the Republican Party must not be led by ideology but rather by practical ideas that will make a real difference in the lives of American people while making the government more accountable, more transparent, and more responsive.  Instead of the old fight between moderates and conservatives, Feehery believes that Republicans need to come up with a unifying agenda and process for agreeing to disagree on more contentious social issues.

Why Nobody Represents the Center Anymore

Congressional leaders, whether they are Democrat or Republican, cannot afford to be seen as centrist, or they will lose their leadership offices.  Why is that? After all, centrists make up the single biggest voter block in the country.   John Feehery, a long-time Congressional staffer explains how the media, money, ideology, and interest groups make it hard for a moderate to rise in the ranks of Congress, and why that dynamic makes it hard for bipartisan policy to be achieved in the modern political environment.

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