From mud-slinging ad campaigns to the public airing of dirty laundry, the words coming from America’s political class in recent years have done more to disillusion than inspire. At what point will cynicism, indignation, or outright anger cause substantive changes in the guidelines for attaining—and remaining in—office? This program appraises the alarming decline in popularity of politics among the electorate and suggests possible approaches to restoring faith in a venerable process. Experts include Jean Bethke Elshtain, professor of ethics; Andrew Kohut, of the PEW Research Center; Professor Michael Sandel, of Harvard University; and Washington Post columnists Mark Shields, David Broder, and E. J. Dionne. (29 minutes)