Vice presidential debate '08 faculty perspectives

News Stories & Tip Sheets:

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Smash and grab? 'Politics as usual' complicate push for bi-partisan stimulus bill, expert says Feb. 4, 2009 -- Smith As the White House pleads for bipartisan support of a massive federal stimulus plan, congressional Democrats and Republicans are maneuvering, strategizing, nervously seeking partners in an awkward legislative first dance that may determine whether Barack Obama makes good on his promise to bring change to Washington, suggests Steven S. Smith, a congressional expert at Washington University in St. Louis.

Palin's appeal rooted in Alaskan culture Full article Sept. 30, 2008 -- Darnell Part of the mystery of Sarah Palin is part of her appeal to Republican "outsider" voters who admire her qualities of independence and against-the grain political orthodoxy, says Alfred Darnell, Ph.D., visiting lecturer in political science.

Flashback to 1952? For all the talk of change, the candidates and campaigns are similar to elections throughout the years, says history and culture expert Sept. 26, 2008 -- Kastor Download "These are unprecedented candidates in an unusual election year, but what's striking is how these candidates are positioning themselves and describing themselves in ways very similar to previous presidential candidates, and in ways that are very typical of their parties," says Peter Kastor, Ph.D., history and American culture studies professor at Washington University in St. Louis.

Music and politics "Yes We Can" vs. "Raisin' McCain" Sept. 25, 2008 -- Peter Schmelz "Though many scholars resist the idea that country music is solely aligned with conservatives, it has been used as a powerful political tool by the right, tapping into a kind of nostalgic fantasy about what America once was," says Peter Schmelz, an assistant professor of musicology who studies the intersections between music and politics.

Extraordinary federal bailouts Better regulatory infrastructure and clear federal budgeting rules are necessary, says federal budget and tax law expert Sept. 24, 2008 -- Block "Emergency government bailouts of private industry are nothing new, but what makes the recent spate of so-called bailouts so extraordinary is simply the numbers involved and the extent of government involvement in ownership and management," says Cheryl Block, leading federal budget expert and professor of law.

Speechwriters vs. Scriptwriters Presidential Politics in the Age of American Idol Sept. 17, 2008 -- Chapman Download "Television and the internet are creating an American Idol-like atmosphere around the 2008 election," says Richard Chapman, a veteran producer and screenwriter for film and television. "It's all about personality and narrative and who has the best story, as opposed to who has the best grasp of the issues." Champman is available to discuss television and the 2008 presidential campaign.

U.S. health care system headed for perfect storm Number of uninsured, rising costs, long term care and an aging population could force a major system overhaul, says leading health economist Sept. 12, 2008 -- McBride "We are headed into a time when a confluence of changes are going to lead to a perfect storm, making us finally realize that our health care system needs a major overhaul," says Timothy D. McBride, Ph.D., leading health economist and professor of social work. McBride is available to discuss candidates' health care plans and universal health care.

Social Security vs. Medicare Despite all the attention paid to Social Security, it's a minor problem compared to Medicare, says leading health economist Sept. 12, 2008 -- McBride "The problems with Social Security can be solved easily compared to those of Medicare," says Timothy McBride, leading health economist and associate dean for public health. "Social Security can be fixed right now, although most people don't want to solve it with tax hikes. We cannot solve Medicare as easily. Medicare is in a serious crisis relative to Social Security," he says. McBride is available to discuss Social Security and Medicare.

Resolving the health insurance question Medicare-for-All is the most practical option, says leading health insurance expert Sept. 12, 2008 -- Bernstein Access to affordable health care has been a recurring topic in current political discussions. Merton C. Bernstein, leading health insurance expert and law professor emeritus says that Medicare is the most practical platform for both extending coverage to everyone and taming medical cost inflation. He is available to discuss the candidates' health care proposals.

What about the Whigs? Electoral college imposes formidable barriers to minor parties and drives politics to the center, says election law expert Aug. 8, 2008 -- Magarian "Minor political parties' inability to gain traction in the United States does not reflect natural facets of our national character," says Gregory P. Magarian, election law expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. "Rather, our legal system imposes formidable barriers to minor parties' electoral viability." Magarian is available to discuss general election law and electoral system issues.

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