Chicago Sun-Times reporter talks politics with Flagler students

Jan. 31, 2013

As the Washington Bureau Chief for the Chicago Sun-Times, Lynn Sweet has become an expert on topics ranging from immigration and guns to social media and healthcare.

Sweet imparted some of her knowledge to a room full of eager students today in preparation for her Forum on Government and Public Policy lecture Jan. 31. She plans to discuss the issues facing Barack Obama over the next four years.

“You have set up from the beginning a lot of inherent problems in getting thins done,” Sweet explained to students gathered in the Flagler Room. “Sometimes it seems the only thing Congress can agree in is the naming of post offices.”

Sweet explained that the way Congress really works is by relying heavily on its leadership.

“You’re taught in school how a bill becomes a law but in reality it isn’t true,” said Sweet. “Leadership determines what moves. If the chair of a committee wants a bill dead, it dies.”

Sweet went on to explain how the next few months could be big for the Obama administration in regards to climate change, immigration, gay marriage and gun control.

“There are small windows between election cycles so if you have a big play, now is one of those times you have to use it,” she said. “But no matter what I can promise you there will be dissention.”

Sweet, a Chicago native, holds a master's from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley after attending the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana. In 2007, Sweet was inducted into Medill's Hall of Achievement and the Chicago Journalism Hall of Fame.

For more than 30 years, the Flagler College Forum on Government and Public Policy has invited nationally recognized journalists and commentators to St. Augustine to discuss issues of importance in regional, state and federal government.

All forums take place at Lewis Auditorium at Flagler College, 14 Granada St., at 7 p.m. Forums are free and open to the public thanks to the generosity of speakers who donate their time in support of the series. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Sign language interpreters are provided. Call (904) 819-6400 for more information.

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