3rd party is over in Nebraska

230 Students: A story in the news about the trouble third parties have in our party system should be fun to read because you know ahead of time all the reasons third parties fail! You could give the interview for this story:

Election laws do make it harder for third parties to exist in America, said Kevin Smith, a political scientist at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Smith said there are several reasons why third parties have a tough time winning recognition or attention.

Structurally, he said, the nation's winner-take-all system favors a two-party system. Third parties fare better in countries where legislative and other seats are divided proportionately - based on the percentage of the vote a party's candidate wins, Smith said.

He noted that members of the nation's two dominant political parties control the state legislatures where election laws are written.

"Clearly, there is no motivation for Democrats and Republicans to increase competition," Smith said.

Omaha.com Metro/Region Section.

Word Watch: Bipartisan

230 students: I'll probably be assigning you to listen to this On the Media radio program about the definition of "bipartisan." For those of you who like to work ahead, give it a listen.

Obama promised to bring a bipartisan spirit to Washington. But this week he signed the 787 billion dollar stimulus package with basically no Republican support and the media declared it a failure of bipartisanship. What's bipartisan really mean anyway? James Morone, a professor from Brown University, says the media might have a warped sense of the word.

via On The Media: Transcript of "Word Watch: Bipartisan " (February 20, 2009).

Johanns says bipartisanship is not dead

230 students: Is it OK to be partisan when a vote represents "fundamental differences in political philosophy," and bipartisan when that's not the case?

The ‘no’ votes he’s been casting in Washington are neither partisan nor obstructionist, Johanns said.

They represent fundamental differences in political philosophy, he said, including his opposition to a stimulus bill that will result in $1 trillion in deficit spending.

Johanns thinks he can see some ‘yes’ votes coming for President Barack Obama’s initiatives.

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

Thomas Frank Says Bipartisanship Is a Silly Beltway Obsession

230 students: Thomas Frank says it's not about the parties getting along, it's about someone passing good policies. Bipartisanship is a topic we haven't discussed in class yet. What do you think? Should we expect our leaders to work in a bipartisan fashion, or should the spoils of political power go to the victors?

Frank, by the way, is the author of the book, "What's the Matter with Kansas?" that said Christian conservatives in Kansas aren't voting their economic interests and should be with the Democratic Party.

We are watching industries crumble, Wall Street firms disappear, unemployment spike, and unprecedented government intervention. And our designated opinion leaders want to know: Is Obama up this week? Is he down? And is his leadership style more like Bill Clinton's, or Abraham Lincoln's?

Above all else stands the burning question of bipartisanship. Whatever else the politicians might say they're about, our news analysts know that this is the true object of the nation's desire, the topic to which those slippery presidential spokesmen need always to be dragged back.

via Thomas Frank Says Bipartisanship Is a Silly Beltway Obsession - WSJ.com.

Rep. Putnam To Run For Ag. Commissioner In Fla.

230 students: This NPR story is less about U.S. Rep. Adam Putnam leaving the House and more about his analysis of what the Republican Party has to do to regain power. Have a listen.

Linda Wertheimer talks to Representative Adam Putnam, a Florida Republican and former member of the House Republican leadership, about his decision to leave Congress at the end of his term and run for Florida's agriculture commissioner.

via Rep. Putnam To Run For Ag. Commissioner In Fla. : NPR.

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).

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