Explaining White House Chief of Staff Departures
As Pete Rouse assumed the mantle of the “2nd most powerful person in the US” I grew interested in the institutional factors that predict White House Chief… Read More
Tom Brokaw and Political Science
On today’s The Today Show, Tom Brokaw shared his experiences as a political science undergraduate at The University of South Dakota. In particular, Brokaw recalled the influence one political science… Read More
Colbert in Congress
Stephen Colbert testified in front of House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law. He spent one day with the UFW (United Farm Workers)… Read More
Quick Hit: Just how bad is the scandal?
Ever wonder what’s going to happen to Maxine Waters or Charlie Rangel? And why did Elliot Spitzer’s fondness for prostitutes trigger his resignation while David Vitter kept his post?… Read More
Michael Steele’s Gaffes: An Empirical Assessment
In the wake of Michael Steele’s most recent gaffe, political pundits and observers opined on the topic of Steele’s effects (broadly defined) on the Republican Party. With little variation, the… Read More
On the Calendar
The Old Spice spokesman, man, has some advice on how President Obama can win back female support. If congressional rifts weren’t enough, there now appears to be a… Read More
On the Calendar
This week on Capitol Hill: The House and Senate reconvened today. Scott Brown is a tentative “yes” on Wall Street reform. What about the filibuster pivot from West… Read More
A History of Congressional Absurdity
Teaching a class on Congress is not easy. While procedural nuances and institutional norms are sometimes difficult to articulate, the most difficult obstacle I encounter is students’ hatred for American… Read More