WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 17, 2015 — Veteran Washington insiders and political commentators Bob Beckel and Tucker Carlson will headline the political panel at the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) annual Legislative Conference this spring.

 

Beckel, a Democrat strategist, is a commentator for CNN and served on numerous presidential campaigns and administrations. Carlson, known for his perspective from the right, is a veteran journalist and political commentator who co-hosts the show “Fox and Friends Weekend” on Fox News Channel. The political panel will be held on Friday, April 15 at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Downtown Hotel and will be moderated by Robert Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO.

 

“Bob Beckel and Tucker Carlson are two of the most animated and well-respected political voices in the country,” says Rusbuldt. “They bring intellectual curiosity and perspective to the national political debate. Attendees at the Big ‘I’ Legislative Conference will learn from these insiders who have their fingers on the pulse of our nation’s political trends, leaders and decision-makers. We look forward to their insight from opposing sides of the political spectrum on the presidential and congressional races, as well as on a variety of issues critical to independent agents and brokers, such as health care, taxes, insurance regulation, and much more.”

 

Beckel is a CNN commentator and co-columnist for USA Today’s ‘Common Ground’. He has decades of experience in the White House, on Capitol Hill and on the campaign trail. He started his political career on Robert Kennedy’s 1968 campaign and served in the Carter administration as deputy assistant secretary of state. Beckel’s political resume includes dozens of Democrat campaigns including Walter Mondale’s presidential bid. He’s also a sought after voice from the left and has co-hosted and/or appeared on dozens of television shows including FOX news, CNN’s Crossfire, CBS’s This Morning and CNN’s Larry King Live. Beckel is a graduate professor in advanced political strategy at George Washington University.

 

Carlson is a veteran journalist and political commentator. He is the co-host of “Fox and Friends Weekend” and the editor-in-chief of TheDailyCaller.com. Carlson joined Fox from MSNBC, where he hosted several programs. Previously, he was the co-host of Crossfire on CNN and also hosted a weekly public affairs program on PBS. A longtime writer and journalist, Carlson has reported from around the world. He has been a columnist for New York magazine and Reader's Digest. He currently writes for Esquire and The New York Times magazine. Carlson began his journalism career at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette newspaper in Little Rock.

 

The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 13-15 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Downtown Hotel.

 

Journalists interested in attending, please send an email to margarita.tapia@iiaba.net or call (703) 706-5473 for media registration.

 

 

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