A Senator Once Isolated on Trade Now Finds a Chorus
Tuesday, June 01, 2004
by Elizabeth Becker
Refer to Chapter
Essence of the Story
- Senator Ernest "Fritz" Hollings of South Carolina has stood almost alone as a longtime opponent of free trade (at least as embodied in NAFTA).
- In the 1980s and 90s, Hollings was accused of old fashioned protectionism.
- As Americans have become more critical toward free trade, Hollings seems to have suddenly become mainstream, just in time for his retirement, after 40 years in Congress.
Political Analysis
- There has been little to separate the two political parties on trade since NAFTA, a trade pact signed by a Democratic president (Clinton) but passed largely with Republican votes.
- Is trade best thought of as a foreign policy issue, where the norm of bipartisanship reigns, or is it a bread and butter, economic issue, precisely the ground upon which the Democrats and Republicans have battled for a century?
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Campaign Ads Are Under Fire for Inaccuracy
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
by Jim Rutenberg
Refer to Chapter
Essence of the Story
- An ongoing study from the University of Pennsylvania found that Bush and Kerry campaign ads are having an impact. Respondents seem to have "learned" the "facts" contained in the ads.
- Public interest groups express concern because the ads are widely identified as misleading or erroneous.
- Campaign consultants respond that ads must simplify in order to distill a complex political message into a 30 second bite.
Political Analysis
- The Annenberg Center's survey is an ongoing project, both monitoring ads and linking ads to survey data. They are trying to affect the quality of political dialogue during the presidential campaign.
- What is the proper role of the media? The media have been criticized for focusing on the "horserace" and strategic aspect of campaigns. Annenberg is trying to redirect the media back to a watchdog role, what some identify as its central contribution to democracy.
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Conservatives Use Gay Union as Rallying Cry
Sunday, February 08, 2004
by David D. Kirkpatrick
Refer to Chapter
Essence of the Story
- The recent controversy over gay marriage has revitalized the Christian conservative movement.
- Some compare the organizing potential of gay marriage to the issue that gave birth to the Christian right movement: abortion.
- Groups managed to get Bush to sign on to an effort to pass a Constitutional ban.
Political Analysis
- Activist groups often are most energetic when they are out of power; once in power, they have to make the kinds of compromises that may alienate true believers. The Christian right has faced this dilemma with Bush in office.
- The national focus on terrorism has also frustrated these groups, who are mainly concerned with domestic social issues.
- The movement faces an important strategic choice: push for a strict ban, even on civil unions, to energize their followers, or focus on protecting "marriage" and appeal to a wider segment of the public.
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