The third annual New Millennium/West Michigan luncheon is quickly becoming a Tax Day tradition in Grand Rapids, offering annually a good lunch and a chance to hear from astute observers of the important trends in U.S. society.
For the 2000 luncheon, held April 17 at the Grand Center in downtown Grand Rapids, Calvin teamed up with the Economics Club of Grand Rapids and the Grand Rapids Foundation to bring nationally known polticial columnist David Broder to West Michigan.
The New Millennium/West Michigan luncheon was set up by Calvin College in 1998 to focus on issues that affect both the West Michigan region and the United States. Broder, a Pulitzer Prize winning writer who joined the Washington Post in 1966, came to town to shed some light on the current Presidential race. It's a topic he's well familiar with, having covered every national campaign and convention since 1960.
His remarks focused on the national implications of the current political race between Vice President Al Gore and Texas Governor George W. Bush.
Broder began by noting that this, thus far, has been "a very enjoyable year for those of us who cover politics." But he added that he hears a lot of grumbling from voters who feel that the primaries were over almost before they began, especially, he added, in states that felt as though they didn't have a voice.
"Michigan had a voice," he said, "but many other states felt they never got their oar in."
Despite that grumbling, the upcoming elections, Broder said, promise to be significant for several reasons. 
The race for President is apt to be closely contested. Both Bush and Gore, he said, improved their campaigning abilities remarkedly in the primary process. Also significant is the ability of the new President to appoint Supreme Court justices. In addition, both the Senate and the House of Representatives will have important and closely contested swing seats. Broder noted that Washington insiders are closely watching the impending race for Senate between Spencer Abraham and Debbie Stabenow.
Broder noted that no matter who the country elects as President a critical challenge for the new leader will be working with Congress.
"Congress today is so divided in partisan terms, " he said. The likelihood is that whichever party controls the the next House of Representatives will control it by only a handful of votes. The major challenge facing the next Preisdent will be creating an environment in which coalitions can take place."
Broder will be back in Grand Rapids in January 2001 when he speaks at Calvin's annual The January Series.