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Thursday May 15, 2008

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SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Politics


Reuters/Shannon Stapleton - A campaign worker puts up an American flag before a campaign rally in Hanging Rock

Save to My Portfolio Vote Like Thy Neighbor

William A. Galston and Pietro S. Nivola, May 11, 2008

The ideological differences between the political parties are growing, write Pietro Nivola and William Galston, and political polarization has become akin to political segregation. You are less likely to live near someone whose politics differ from your own. While many Americans want less polarization, they argue, "the underlying structure of our politics remains so deeply divided, the 2008 election may not requite their wish." Read More

U.S. Politics, Demographics, Elections, Voter Turnout, Politics

SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Politics


Reuters/Jeff Haynes - Kokomo Indiana residents vote early in its presidential primary at the Memorial Gymnasium

Save to My Portfolio Democratic Nod in Barack Obama’s Reach

William A. Galston, May 07, 2008

Voters in North Carolina and Indiana padded Barack Obama’s popular vote margin by more than 200,000. William Galston writes that continuing warning signs remain. Obama doesn't have a strong base among religious and more moderate voters. Plus, if nominated, he must reunite the party. Read More

U.S. Politics, Elections, Campaigns, Political Campaigns, Polling and Public Opinion

SPOTLIGHT: Non-profits


REUTERS/Mike Blake-An elderly couple leave a Red Cross evacuation center in Poway

Save to My Portfolio Public Confidence in Charities, 2008 Report

Paul C. Light, April 2008

Public confidence in charities remains at contemporary lows, writes Paul C. Light in a recent report. Americans will be treated to a cascade of stories about charitable fraud, waste and abuse unless the sector takes aggressive action to create headlines about success. Read More

Non-profits, Governance, Polling and Public Opinion

SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Politics


REUTERS/Lucy Nicholson- A voter casts a ballot at a polling station

Save to My Portfolio Michigan and Florida Broke the Rules; Don’t Bail Them Out

Thomas E. Mann, March 20, 2008

Calling for a revote of the Democratic primary elections in Michigan and Florida seems like a perfectly reasonable proposal, writes Thomas Mann, but the costs of revotes would outweigh the benefits. Read More

U.S. Politics, Elections, Politics, Florida, Michigan

SPOTLIGHT: U.S. Politics


REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque- Delegates celebrate at end of Democratic National Convention

Save to My Portfolio Delegates of Steel: Why Superdelegates Should Be Welcomed, Not Feared

Thomas E. Mann and Norman Ornstein, February 15, 2008

The Democratic presidential nomination battle is virtually dead even between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, write Brookings Senior Fellow Tom Mann and AEI's Norman Ornstein. The key to victory is in the 796 votes given to superdelegates, the elected and party officials. Read More

U.S. Politics, Elections, Politics, Political Campaigns

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio Unusual Nonsense: Supreme Court's Decision about "Cruel and Unusual Punishment"

Benjamin Wittes, April 28, 2008

The Supreme Court recently handed down a decision upholding as constitutional the specific mixture of drugs by which thirty states put condemned prisoners to death.  In this piece, Ben Wittes writes about the Supreme Court's failure to rationalize its decisions about cruel and unusual punishment. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio High Time for a Helping Hand for Strapped American Families

Elisabeth Jacobs, April 24, 2008

Americans are gloomy about the economy these days. Despite widespread economic malaise, writes Elisabeth Jacobs, little has been done to strengthen the safety net for American families in financial duress. And though some presidential candidates have begun to call for action, evidence suggests that the American people need action now. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio How and When Experience in a President Counts

Charles O. Jones, March 2008

Experience has become a dominant issue in the 2008 presidential campaign. Charles Jones examines the CVs of the three remaining contenders and explores whether prior White House experience is a guarantee for success and how the historical experience of experience might apply to 2008. Read More

Research and Commentary

Save to My Portfolio The Decline of the White Working Class and the Rise of a Mass Upper Middle Class

Alan Abramowitz, Ruy Teixeira, April 2008

In this Brookings working paper, Visting Fellow Ruy Teixeira and Alan Abramowitz at Emory examine shifts in U.S. class structure, including the decline of the white working class and  the rise of a mass upper middle class, and discuss their political implications. Read More

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The Governance Studies Program explores the formal and informal political institutions of the United States and other democratic regimes to assess how they govern, how their practices compare, and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

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Save to My Portfolio Election Fraud: Detecting and Deterring Electoral Manipulation

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The Search for Social Entrepreneurship

U.S. Politics Vote Like Thy Neighbor

William A. Galston, Pietro S. Nivola, May 11, 2008

U.S. Politics Democratic Nod in Barack Obama’s Reach

William A. Galston, May 07, 2008

U.S. Politics The Catholic Vote in the 2008 Democratic Primary Campaign

William A. Galston, May 05, 2008

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Spotlight

ExpertAlice M. Rivlin

Alice Rivlin, the first director of the Congressional Budget Office, is an expert on urban issues as well as fiscal, monetary and social policy. She directs the Greater Washington Research project. 

ExpertLael Brainard

Lael Brainard is vice president and director of Global Economy and Development. She focuses on competitiveness, trade, international economics, U.S. foreign assistance and global poverty.

ExpertRon Haskins

A former White House and congressional advisor on welfare issues, Ron Haskins co-directs the Brookings Center on Children and Families. He is an expert on preschool, foster care and poverty.

ExpertThomas Mann

A noted congressional scholar, Tom Mann writes and speaks widely on issues related to campaigns, elections and the effectiveness of Congress.

ExpertIsabel V. Sawhill

A nationally known budget expert, Isabel Sawhill focuses on domestic poverty and federal fiscal policy. She is also co-director of the Center on Children and Families at Brookings.

Policy CenterJohn L. Thornton China Center

The John L. Thornton China Center develops analysis and policy recommendations to help address key long-term challenges, both in terms of U.S.-China relations and China's internal development.

Policy CenterEngelberg Center for Health Care Reform

The Engelberg Center for Health Care Reform provides practical solutions to achieve high-quality, innovative, affordable health care with particular emphasis on identifying opportunities on the national, state and local levels.

ProgramGlobal Economy and Development

Global Economy and Development advances research, dialogue, and innovative solutions to address the forces of globalization and the challenges of global poverty.

ExpertMartin S. Indyk

Ambassador to Israel and assistant secretary of state for near east affairs during the Clinton Administration, Martin Indyk directs the Saban Center for Middle East Policy. He currently focuses on the Clinton administration’s diplomacy and the Arab-Israeli conflict.

ProgramGovernance Studies

Governance Studies explores political institutions of the United States and other democracies to assess how they govern, how their practices compare, and how citizens and public servants can advance sound governance.

ExpertSuzanne Maloney

Suzanne Maloney studies Iran, the political economy of the Persian Gulf and Middle East energy policy. A former U.S. State Department policy advisor, she has also counseled private companies on Middle East issues.

ProgramMetropolitan Policy Program

Redefining the challenges facing metropolitan America and promoting innovative solutions to help communities grow in more inclusive, competitive and sustainable ways.

Policy CenterSaban Center for Middle East Policy

The Saban Center conducts original research and develops innovative programs to promote a better understanding of the policy choices facing American decisionmakers in the Middle East.