Democratic political strategist Al From gives the annual Dole Lecture at the Dole Institute of Politics.

Political strategist Al From told a Lawrence audience at the Dole Institute of Politics Sunday that Republicans must drift closer to the center of the political spectrum to regain the presidency, much like he helped the Democrats do in the 1990s.

“Times change,” he said. “Republicans need a power center that will counter the nutcases on the extreme right.”

From was in Lawrence to deliver the annual Dole Lecture, held each spring and featuring a nationally prominent speaker addressing an aspect of contemporary politics or policy.

From is the founder and former CEO of the Democratic Leadership Council, a political think tank credited with a prominent role in reviving the Democratic Party after it lost five out of six presidential elections, several by landslides, from 1968 to 1988. Since then, Democrats have taken four of six elections, while winning the popular vote five times.

He recently wrote about his experiences in a book, “The New Democrats and the Return to Power.”

His organization originated following the 1984 election in which Republican Ronald Reagan won 49 states against Democrat Walter Mondale. The DLC advocated for Democrats to adopt a more centrist position to appeal to more voters, which bred some critics within their own party.

From said Republicans have become too conservative and a move toward the center would also create infighting. But the GOP will stand to win more elections if it moves to the center, From told a crowd of several dozen.

“They’ve got to understand party unity is overrated,” he said. “I can’t tell you how many times we were called divisive.”

From chronicled the rise of the DLC, which did not begin to take off until 1988, when it partnered with then-Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton. From said Clinton was “the best politician I’d ever seen.”

With a future Clinton presidential run in mind, From said he offered to pay Clinton to travel and advocate across the country if Clinton agreed to be chairman of the DLC.

“He said, ‘I’ll take that deal,’ ” From said.

Eventually Clinton served two terms in the White House. While there, his welfare reforms in 1996 showcased his centrism and buoyed his approval ratings more than any other issue, according to From.

“Our next president has to [reach out to the other party],” From said. “No matter which party he or she is from.”