At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Rep. David Simpson, R-Longview, explained why the Transportation Security Administration's airport pat-downs are a threat to our liberty.

At yesterday's TribLive conversation, conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan explained why Empower Texans doesn't post its financial records or disclose its donors on its web site.

At this morning's TribLive conversation, conservative activist Michael Quinn Sullivan explained what he doesn't like about Speaker Joe Straus' leadership of the Texas House.

Full video of our 1/12 TribLive conversation with the conservative activist, who heads the watchdog groups Empower Texans and Texans for Fiscal Responsibility.

Full video of my December 1 TribLive conversation with state Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, a candidate for the U.S. House in CD-20.

Full audio of my December 1 TribLive conversation with state Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, a candidate for the U.S. House in CD-20.

At Thursday's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, offered his take on issues he'd face if elected to Congress next year, including same-sex marriage, Afghanistan, taxing the rich and health reform.

At this morning's TribLive conversation, state Rep. Joaquin Castro, D-San Antonio, talked about the political and personal consequences of having briefly challenged U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, in the Democratic primary for Congress.

Here's something to be thankful for: Our festival website is updated with an audio slideshow for each of the panel discussions. Peruse the panels listed in the program or watch video albums from all of the subject tracks on our Vimeo site.

At our TribLive conversation at the University of Texas at El Paso on 11/16, state Sen. Jose Rodriguez, D-El Paso, and state Reps. Naomi Gonzalez, D-El Paso, and Dee Margo, R-El Paso, discussed cuts to public and higher education and other byproducts of the 82nd Session.

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst answered critics who question whether he's conservative enough to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate.

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst talked about the intern on his U.S. Senate campaign who made headlines yesterday after tweeting about the temptation to assassinate Barack Obama.

At this week's TribLive conversation, Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall talked about the state of his party — and whether he could get reelected in his old district.

At this week's TribLive conversation, Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall — a former state lawmaker — reflected on his first legislative session out of office in two decades.

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Texas State University System Chancellor Brian McCall defended both in-state tuition and the availability of state financial aid for undocumented students.

At last Thursday's TribLive conversation, Comptroller Susan Combs talked about the health of the Texas economy, her agency's data breach, her shifting position on abortion and more.

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Comptroller Susan Combs talked about the health of the Texas economy — and whether unemployment creeping up is cause for concern.

At this morning's TribLive conversation, Comptroller Susan Combs talked about her late-in-life switch from pro-choice to pro-life and the impact of cutting family planning funding.