RNC Elects Michael Steele As Chairman

230 students: This NPR story about the RNC's first black chairman illustrates well how the party organization and party in government work together. Have a listen.

The Republican National Committee picked former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele as its new chairman. Steele, the party's first African-American chairman, beat four challengers, including Mike Duncan, the incumbent.

via RNC Elects Michael Steele As Chairman : NPR.

JournalStar.com - Lincoln, Nebraska - News - Local

230 students: In the language we've been using, Fahleson is saying the Nebraska party in the electorate is still solidly Republican. Do you agree? Do you agree Sen. Ben Nelson, a moderate Democrat, is in trouble because Democrats have control of the party in government?

Fahleson said he doesn’t believe Obama’s 2008 victories in Omaha and Lincoln indicate a Democratic surge in Nebraska’s two largest cities.

“It was Obama,� he said.

“The cult of personality, an Obama phenomenon that doesn’t translate into ‘I want to vote for Democrats.’�

via JournalStar.com - Lincoln, Nebraska - News - Local.

Time is right for employer-sponsored stop-smoking plans

236 students: How would you calculate a cost-benefit ratio using this information? What else would you want to know to determine whether the benefits of a quit-smoking assistance program outweigh the costs?

Consider the state of Oklahoma, which early last year provided its employees with a new insurance benefit that offers smoking cessation assistance. Within the first six months, the program helped an estimated 570 state workers successfully quit smoking.

According to state health officials, this will result in $2.2 million in annual savings through reduced health care costs and increased employee productivity. The state plan, which costs approximately $148 per recipient, provides state workers with the option of receiving two full 90-day courses of any FDA-approved prescription tobacco cessation product each year and support through the state’s Tobacco Helpline.

via JournalStar.com - Lincoln, Nebraska - Opinion - Columns.

Budget woes prompt states to rethink prison policy

236 students: Read this story and consider how you would assign a dollar benefit to such things as public safety and inmate rehabilitation. What are those things worth, in dollars and cents? You need to figure that out in order to comprehensively analyze the costs and benefits of prison-policy reform.

Even before the recent financial meltdown, policy-makers in most states were wrestling with ways to contain corrections costs. The Pew Center's Public Safety Performance Project has projected that state and federal prison populations — under current policies — will grow by more than 190,000 by 2011, to about 1.7 million, at a cost to the states of $27.5 billion.

The Council of State Government's Justice Center has been working with 10 states to develop options for curbing prison populations without jeopardizing public safety. Tactics used in Texas and Kansas have included early release for inmates who complete specified programs, more sophisticated community supervision of offenders, and expanded treatment and diversion programs.

via The Associated Press: Budget woes prompt states to rethink prison policy.

Obama writes the post-partisan playbook

230 students: Are parties going to matter during the Obama presidency? What does this author think, and do you agree?

For a candidate who was often written off during the campaign as providing rhetoric without record, one of the remarkable things about Obama’s rise is that he apparently says what he means and means what he says — and he is defining post-partisanship before our eyes.

via Obama writes the post-partisan playbook - John P. Avlon - Politico.com.

Fahleson predicts bright Republican future

230 Students: Now that you've heard NET Radio interviewing the new Nebraska Democratic Party chairman, compare and contrast it with this interview with the new Nebraska Republican Party chairman.

Both major political parties in Nebraska have elected new state chairmen since the November election. Monday, we heard from the Nebraska Democratic Party chairman. Today, it's Nebraska Republican Party Chairman Mark Fahleson.

via NETRADIO: Fahleson predicts bright Republican future (2009-01-20).

Covalt says Democrats more in tune with times

230 Students: Listen to this NET Radio story on the state Democrats' new chairman, Vic Covalt. How partisan (or not) is his rhetoric, compared with what you've heard from party leaders in other states? Why do you think that is?

Since the November election, both major political parties in Nebraska have elected new chairmen. Tuesday, we'll hear from the Republican chairman. Today, our story's about Nebraska Democratic Chairman Vic Covalt.

via NETRADIO: Covalt says Democrats more in tune with times (2009-01-19).

Congress, Obama Toil to Help Jobless Get Health Care

236 Students: Notice how this story emphasizes the importance of cost considerations in policy debates.

The twin ideas, preliminarily estimated to cost $39 billion through the end of next year, would represent sharp departures in two long-standing programs and already are sparking debate along the ideological continuum on Capitol Hill and beyond. In Congress, several key Democratic House members and senators have endorsed the broad contours, while a few Republicans, including Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) have signaled that they are wary. Debate, however, will not solidify until lawmakers learn more precisely how much the proposals would cost and how many people they might help.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/16/AR2009011603872.html?hpid=topnews

Is Mike Ditka a Policy Entrepreneur?

235 Students: Listen to the story below and consider: Does Mike Ditka qualify as a policy entrepreneur?

Saturday, January 17th, 2009 | NPR's Only A Game

What happens to NFL players once they’ve retired and are hit hard by medical and financial issues? Former player and Chicago Bears head coach Mike Ditka assists these players with his non-profit organization, Gridiron Greats. Bobbie O’Brien catches up with the group in Tampa as it plans for several fund-raising events leading up to the Super Bowl.

Advantage Obama: Dems in control

230 Students: Where does the below story fit into our framework for Elections and Political Parties: party in the electorate, party in government, or party organization?

Barack Obama is likely to spend the next four years with one big advantage over his recent predecessors—a first term in the White House with his party in uninterrupted control of both the House and the Senate.

It’s an advantage no president has enjoyed since Jimmy Carter, and one that would offer Obama a unique opportunity to carry out his agenda.

In the House, where Democrats currently enjoy a 79-seat advantage, to regain control the GOP would need to pick up at least 40 seats, a result that has occurred just four times since 1950—and would significantly surpass the Democratic routs in 2006 and 2008.

Advantage Obama: Dems in control - Charles Mahtesian - Politico.com