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.

What Kind Of Green Jobs Will Stimulus Spawn?

236 students: This NPR story discusses the costs and benefits of using federal economic stimulus money to create green jobs. Is it more efficient to spend money creating green jobs, versus regular jobs such as road construction? That's exactly the kind of thinking you should be doing as you study cost-benefit analysis in this class. Have a listen to the story.

The economic stimulus plan will provide roughly $70 billion for the nation's energy economy, most of it for "green" energy. Whether that will buy more jobs than spending the money elsewhere is open to debate, but green energy advocates view it as good news.

via What Kind Of Green Jobs Will Stimulus Spawn? : NPR.

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.

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.