She’s one of the top journalist and political analyst in the media world. ABC Political Corespondent Cokie Roberts was the speaker before a good crowd at Thursday’s Dillon Lecture Series, held at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Roberts spoke on the political scene in Washington and the approaching 2012 election. She says it’s hard to consider the election in the home stretch already with it one year away, but seems to be the feeling even though the election is still 12-months away.

Roberts says there really isn’t time for anyone else to join the fray for the republican ticket, despite seemingly endless efforts to find one to replace Mitt Romney.

She believes the economy will drive the election this year, but circumstances can always change that, especially when it comes to national security. She commented about the 1990 off year election where a number of female candidates, who were thought to be the front runners in their race, lost because Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in August, changing the dynamics of the election.

Roberts speech closed out this years Dillon Lecture series.