Political Campaigns

U.S. Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney (L) and U.S. President Barack Obama speak directly to each other during the second U.S. presidential debate in Hempstead, New York, October 16, 2012 (REUTERS/Mike Segar).

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Policy Leadership and the Blame Trap: Seven Strategies for Avoiding Policy Stalemate

March 29, 2013, R. Kent Weaver

R. Kent Weaver writes that negative messages about political opponents increasingly dominate not just election campaigns in the United States, but the policymaking process as well. Audiences tend to pay more attention to blame-generating than positive information though it often results in policy stalemate. Weaver offers seven strategies for avoiding policy deadlock.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Politics and Elections | U.S. Politics | Elections | Polling and Public Opinion

Interview | La Razón

The Rise of Anti-Politics

February 24, 2013, Carlo Bastasin
In the News

It's pretty clear that at the last minute, a lot of women made a decision that Obama really understood what their economic concerns were. Yes, they want control over their own body...but decisions over health care can limit their ability to control economics as well.
November 9, 2012, Elisabeth Jacobs, CBS News
In the News

Rated on energy, charm, and political smarts, Michelle Obama is the most important and successful first lady in a presidential campaign since 'Lady Bird' Johnson in 1964.
November 7, 2012, Stephen Hess, The Washington Examiner
In the News

[Obama had a] decisive Electoral College win of at least 303 votes and more than half the popular vote with a 2.5 million margin, while the Republicans lost three Senate seats...It points to an exacerbation of partisan voting and no new coalition building.
November 7, 2012, Thomas E. Mann, Government Executive
In the News

I think [Mitt] Romney was done in by the fact that he could not get far enough to the center credibly enough. He had to go too far right in the primaries. And the reason for that is you have some fierce constituencies in the Republican Party that do not want the party to change.
November 7, 2012, Jonathan Rauch, Voice of America
Expert Q & A | Beth Akers

Obama Versus Romney: The Cost of Higher Education

November 5, 2012, Beth Akers
Expert Q & A | John Hudak

What Polling Really Tells Us

November 5, 2012, John Hudak
Expert Q & A | Elisabeth Jacobs

Women and the Economy: Key Election Issues

November 5, 2012, Elisabeth Jacobs
Expert Q & A | Philip A. Wallach

Campaign Platforms: What the Candidates Failed to Address

November 5, 2012, Philip A. Wallach
In the News

Even among Catholics who attend church once a week or more, a group that is often considered more socially conservative...A majority believe the Catholic Church should emphasize issues related to justice and our obligations to the poor.
October 25, 2012, E.J. Dionne, Jr., America Magazine