From Michelle DeArmond’s article in the Press-Enterprise: “Candidates have to talk about their differences in experiences,” said Jack Pitney, a government professor at Claremont McKenna College. “That’s also why primaries can get particularly nasty because if you agree with the other candidate on most issues, you’re going to have to tell the voters why that… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Rose Report
Dr. Pitney on Polarized Democrats
From Ken Herman’s article on the Statesman.com: Jack Pitney, professor of American politics at Claremont McKenna College, said the Democratic race is similar to the two most recent presidential elections, with very few competitive states. Continue Reading
House Republicans in the Red
Dr. Pitney’s article on the National Review Online: Remember Ideas for Tomorrow, Choices for Today? You know, it was the January 1985 “red book†in which the House Republican Research Committee laid out an ambitious agenda for the 99th Congress. Remember its concise analyses of current policies and future challenges? Remember its 252 specific proposals?… Continue Reading
Nunez Campaign Cash Could Aid Redistricting Effort
James Sweeney has a retrospective on former Speaker Fabian Nunez in the San Diego Union Tribune. Sweeney notes that Nunez leaves office with a large balance of campaign funds that could be used to assist his redistricting proposal. Núñez will leave the Democratic Party with more than $4 million for future Assembly races, party spokesman… Continue Reading
Matt Peterson Advocates Transparency and Unlimited Donations in Campaign Finance
An excerpt from Matt Peterson’s editorial on the Press Enterprise: Increased transparency will lead to greater accountability from our local candidates; yet another set of laws limiting donations may do more harm than good. The late Jesse Unruh’s observation that “money is the mother’s milk of politics” is more a succinct statement of political fact… Continue Reading
Dr. Pitney on Ted Kennedy's Illness
From Laura Litvin’s article on Bloomberg: Kennedy’s absence cuts the Democratic margin and sidelines one of the party’s best negotiators, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. “It’s a significant blow,” Pitney said. “It’s a problem for the Senate Democrats because their margin is so narrow. And Ted… Continue Reading
Modesto Bee on the Need for Redistricting Reform
Ben van der Meer has an interesting piece in the Modesto Bee, explaining the need for redistricting reform in California: If you need to know why redistricting reform matters, take a look at next month’s primary ballot. Around the Northern San Joaquin Valley, there isn’t a single contested seat in any of the party races.… Continue Reading
Dr. Pitney on Ted Kennedy's Illness
From Laura Litvan’s article on Bloomberg.com: Kennedy’s absence cuts the Democratic margin and sidelines one of the party’s best negotiators, said Jack Pitney, a political science professor at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California. “It’s a significant blow,” Pitney said. “It’s a problem for the Senate Democrats because their margin is so narrow. And Ted… Continue Reading
Dr. Pitney on Wrong Absentee Ballots
From Fred Ortega’s article in the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin: Given the complex nature of the American electoral process, it is not surprising for mistakes like these to occur, said Jack Pitney, politics professor at Claremont McKenna College. “Absentee voters should take a careful look at their ballot to make sure they got the… Continue Reading
Dr. Pitney on What Obama Needs to Do in the General Election
From Amanda Paulson’s article in the CS Monitor: “This puts an exclamation point on the message from earlier primaries, that Obama needs to expand his base of support to have a firm grasp on the electorate in the fall,†says John Pitney, a politics professor at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif. “None of this… Continue Reading