RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William A. Galston, May 07, 2008, The Brookings Institution
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
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael Fullilove, May 07, 2008, The Australian Financial Review
Michael Fullilove offers insight into the continuing Democratic nomination process. He believes that while both candidates would be formidable in the general election, the fight needs to end sooner rather than later. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William A. Galston, May 05, 2008, The Brookings Institution
In the 2008 Democratic nominating contest, Catholics have emerged as key members of Hillary Clinton’s base, says William Galston. Therefore, he says, if Barack Obama is the party's nominee, "he will have to work hard to improve his standing among white Catholics. If he does not, even states that Democrats count on—such as Pennsylvania—may be up for grabs this November.” Read More
VIDEO
William G. Gale, May 02, 2008
The idea of a gas tax "holiday" is now prominent in the presidential race but is gaining little traction in Congress. William Gale says that giving drivers a summer break from gas taxes may have political legs but will not help consumers at the pump. What is needed, Gale says, is a serious debate about the real issues.
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Hugh B. Price, April 28, 2008, Newshour with Jim Lehrer
Senior Fellow Hugh Price appeared on the Newshour with Jim Lehrer to discuss the impact of recent statements by Rev. Jeremiah Wright on the U.S. presidential race. Price contends that Senator Obama must stick to his message and challenge the media to cover his words and agenda, not Rev. Wright’s. Read More
PAST EVENT
Monday, April 28, 2008
Washington, DC
In a new book, Unequal Democracy: The Political Economy of the New Gilded Age (Princeton University Press and Russell Sage, 2008), political scientist Larry Bartels argues that economic inequality in America is partly a product of our democracy, dominated by partisan ideologies and the interests of the wealthy.
On April 28, Brookings will host a panel discussion on the political causes and consequences of America's growing income gap with Bartels, Brookings Senior Fellow Thomas Mann and Special Guest Elisabeth Jacobs. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Elisabeth Jacobs, April 24, 2008, The Brookings Institution
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
William A. Galston, April 23, 2008, The Brookings Institution
In the Pennsylvania primary, Hillary Clinton won an overwhelming victory, writes senior fellow William Galston. These results have quieted calls for her to leave the race and will probably slow the steady flow of superdelegates to Obama. Nonetheless, her path to the nomination remains steep. Read More
PAST EVENT
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Washington, DC
On Wednesday, April 23, Brookings hosted a panel discussion featuring James Q. Wilson and Peter Schuck, authors of Understanding America: The Anatomy of an Exceptional Nation (Public Affairs, 2008). They were joined by expert panelists, who commented on how federalism and bureaucracy structure our institutions, and on how economic inequality and immigration shape our democratic society. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Michael Fullilove, April 21, 2008, The Sydney Morning Herald
Michael Fullilove offers insight into Senator Barack Obama's skills as an orator, and how those skills might transfer to the presidency. While Obama's competitors often argue that they are doers instead of talkers, Fullilove notes this campaign "will reveal what kind of premium attaches, in a 21st-century election, to the pro-speech candidate." Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Philip H. Gordon, May-June 2008, E!Sharp
As political pundits continue to try to determine the outcome of the upcoming presidential election and preceding Democratic primaries, Philip Gordon addresses myths associated with conventional wisdom regarding the race. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Thomas E. Mann and Lawrence Lessig, April 16, 2008, Bloggingheads.tv
Thomas Mann and Lawrence Lessig of Stanford Law School appeared on Bloggingheads.tv to discuss ways to restore public trust in Congress, and its failure to engage in responsible and deliberative lawmaking, to police the ethical behavior of its members, and to check and balance the executive. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Thomas E. Mann, April 2008, The Forum, Volume 6, Issue 1
The fascinating 2008 presidential election has produced recent campaign finance developments, writes Thomas Mann, suffiently dramatic as to raise questions about the viability of the entire regime of campaign finance law. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
William H. Frey and Ruy Teixeira, April 2008, Battleground Dynamics Series
In the first in a series of reports on the demographic and political dynamics under way in 10 “battleground” states that will be crucial in deciding the 2008 election, the authors examine the political geography of Pennsylvania to explore whether the state will become more Democratic, remain closely divided or even go Republican for the first time in five elections. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Sherry Linkon, Reihan Salam and Ruy Teixeira, April 14, 2008, NPR Talk of the Nation
Visiting Fellow Ruy Teixeira and experts appear on NPR's Talk of the Nation to discuss the Pennsylvania primary and the working-class vote. Read More