Newsweek columnist and senior editor Jonathan Alter will offer his in-depth analysis of the 2008 presidential race tonight at 8 p.m. in Corwin Pavilion.

In a lecture titled “Election 2008: The Stakes,” Alter will discuss the major issues surrounding the upcoming presidential election, from its historic importance to the grittier aspects of the campaigns. Alter, the author of the recently released book, Between the Lines: A View Inside American Politics, People and Culture, has written more than 50 Newsweek cover stories. Alter has covered six past presidential campaigns for Newsweek as well.

He has also offered his political commentary on NBC broadcasts and appears regularly on “Countdown with Keith Olbermann” on MSNBC.

Leonard Wallock, associate director of the Walter H. Capps Center for the Study of Ethics, Religion and Public Life, said Alter’s timely lecture is particularly pertinent given the nature of the presidential race.

“Rarely has the American electorate been asked to make a presidential choice as momentous as the one involving John McCain and Barack Obama,” Wallock said. “Their visions of America and the policies they advocate for our country are dramatically different. The outcome of this election may well shape the direction of American politics for a generation.”

A Harvard graduate, Alter has offered his political commentary on many historic events, including the collapse of the Soviet Union, the 2000 election Florida ballot controversy, the September 11 terrorist attacks and the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

A compilation of Alter’s best articles at Newsweek, Between the Lines: A View Inside American Politics, People and Culture, includes an extensive look at both the Bush and Clinton families, as well as stories about Alter’s own life.

Wade Clark Roof, director of the Capps Center, said the center chose to sponsor Alter’s lecture in the hope of providing students with the information necessary to cast an educated vote.

“We try to engage audiences in learning more about being good citizens and knowing as much as we can about our presidential candidates is crucial to being a good citizen,” Roof said.

Alter, who was selected in 1995 as one of the country’s most influential media critics by the Freedom Forum Media Studies Center at Columbia University, will sign copies of his books, The Defining Moment: FDR’s Hundred Days and the Triumph of Hope and Between the Lines: A View Inside American Politics, People and Culture at the event.

The Walter H. Capps Center for the Study of Ethics, Religion and Public Life at UCSB will present the lecture, co-sponsored by the UCSB Affiliates, Department of Political Science and Community Relations.