Influential GOP strategist to join Vanderbilt University political science faculty

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7/28/2008
1:25 pm

Vin Weber, former Minnesota congressman and one of Washington’s most respected political strategists, will join the Vanderbilt University faculty as an adjunct political science professor.

Weber, who has built strong bipartisan relationships across the legislative and executive branches of government and counseled several Republican campaigns and administrations, will be among the professors team-teaching Vanderbilt’s 2008 Elections course. The popular fall semester class will meld rigorous academic research with real-world politics as it focuses on presidential and congressional races. 

“The opportunity to have Vin Weber as part of the Vanderbilt community is simply wonderful,” said John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science.  “Professor Weber will greatly enrich our class, providing Vanderbilt students unique opportunities to learn about political campaigns and governing. This course will be just the start of a long-term relationship between the congressman and Vanderbilt.” 

Weber served as policy chairman for Mitt Romney’s 2008 presidential campaign. He is frequently interviewed by print and broadcast media for stories on the latest national political developments. He is also a contributing columnist for The Hill newspaper. 

As chief executive officer of Clark & Weinstock, Weber provides strategic advice to a variety of institutions with matters before Congress and the executive branch of government. He is chairman of the National Endowment for Democracy, a nonprofit organization that works to strengthen democratic institutions around the world through nongovernmental efforts.  

In addition, he is a board member of The Council on Foreign Relations and a senior fellow at the University of Minnesota’s Humphrey Institute, where he co-directs the Policy Forum.  

 Weber received his B.A. from the University of Minnesota. His political career began in 1974 as press secretary for Congressman Tom Hagedorn.  He also served as campaign manager for Sen. Rudy Boshwitz before Weber’s own election to the House. 

Weber represented Minnesota’s Second Congressional District from 1981 until 1993. During that time he was a member of the Appropriations Committee and the House Republican Leadership.  

Weber has served a guest speaker for some of Vanderbilt’s previous classes on American politics and participated in Geer’s recent conference, “Unconventional Wisdom in the 2008 Presidential Campaign.”

Media contact:  Ann Marie Deer Owens, 615-322-NEWS
annmarie.owens@vanderbilt.edu


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