During the past 25 years, Matthew Dowd has helped shape strategies and campaigns for CEOs, corporations, foundations, governments, candidates, and presidents. He is a founding partner of ViaNovo, an international communications and brand positioning firm, and currently serves as ABC News Political Contributor.

Matthew's recent political work includes serving as the Chief Strategist on two winning reelection efforts - for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006 and for President George W. Bush in 2004. His innovative approach and leadership on the 2004 campaign led the bi-partisan American Association of Political Consultants to name him Pollster/Strategist of the Year.

A frequent contributor to many news shows, he is now a political commentator for ABC news. Matthew has taught at the University of Texas' LBJ School of Public Affairs and has led seminars at Stanford, Harvard and Yale Universities.

He is co-author of the New York Times bestseller Applebee's America: How Successful Political, Business and Religious Leaders Connect with the New American Community. The book takes you inside the reelection campaigns of Bush and Clinton, behind the scenes of hyper-successful megachurches, and into the boardrooms of corporations such as Applebee's International, the world's largest casual dining restaurant chain. You'll also see America through the anxious eyes of ordinary people, buffeted by change and struggling to maintain control of their lives.

In the 1990s, Matthew was President and founding partner of Public Strategies, Inc, an international public affairs firm. While at PSI, Matthew advised a wide variety of corporate clients. Matthew also served as a member of Democrat U.S. Senator Lloyd Bentsen's senate and campaign staffs.

NOTE: Bio is as it appeared in the Forum program from September 27, 2008.