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Politics and the Age Gap
Saturday, September 12, 2009
by Adam Nagourney
Refer to Chapter 11
Essence of the Story
- Traditionally, American politics has been defined by racial, regional, and gender "gaps." Now, many are observing a new "gap"--a generational gap--and believe it creates worrisome divisions in current American politics.
- The health care debate has brought this new gap into clear focus, as older Americans, the one age group that Obama did not win and the one that remains most skeptical of him, remain opposed to health care reform.
- Baby boomers are just entering retirement this year, raising the concern among some administration officials that the oppositional generation will increase over time.
- Some argue, however, that there is little evidence of "generational" issue cleavages. Mainly what is happening, they think, is that older Americans are simply less likely to be comfortable with an African American as president.
Political Analysis
- An age gap worries Democrats because the party has traditionally been able to appeal to older Americans, particularly on issues such as health care and social security.
- It is ironic that older Americans are opposed to health care reform since all retired Americans over the age of 65 are already on a government health care program--Medicare.
- It is quite possible that the retiring baby boomers, who grew up during the turbulent 60s, will end up being far more comfortable with Obama and with social and cultural change generally, than are the older cohorts.
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Supreme Court to Revisit "Hillary" Documentary
Sunday, August 30, 2009
by Adam Liptak
Refer to Chapter 4
Essence of the Story
- The Supreme Court will cut short its summer break to hear an important case concerning campaign finance laws and free speech.
- In a previous case, now referred to as "Austin", the Court upheld a portion of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law which restricted corporate spending in campaigns.
- The key issue in the case turns on whether the government can ban or restrict campaign expenditures by corporations differently from campaign expenditures by individuals.
- The case has interesting alliances, with some liberals on the side of the conservative group that produced the movie.
Political Analysis
- Two very important legal issues are at stake in this court case. First are "corporations" guaranteed the same rights to free speech as "individuals"? Second, how far can the government go in restricting speech in the interest of leveling the campaign playing field.
- The political outcome of this case could be very important because if the campaign finance law is overturned, most predict a new surge in outside group spending.
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For a 2012 Contender, Some Advantages in Leaving Office
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
by Adam Nagourney
Refer to Chapter 13
Essence of the Story
- Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty (who we profiled a few weeks ago in a story) announced that he will not seek renomination as governor.
- This story discusses why it is easier to run for President today if you are not holding elective office.
- As a governor, a contender has a natural stage, can highlight fights with the legislature, and can point to accomplishments.
- On the negative side, though, there is always a chance that you can lose a reelection contest. More of a problem, though, is the need to cooperate and compromise in order to pass legislation, a feature sadly not much valued on the national stage.
Political Analysis
- More and more presidential candidates are choosing to run without holding elective office (Romney, Palin, Pawlenty, Edwards, Clinton, Reagan) to a point where the 2008 contest was quite unusual, pitting two current officeholders.
- The other notable feature of politics in the last decade or two is that most of the contenders are coming from the statehouses, and it has become extremely unusual for sitting Senators and House members to get the nomination and to win the presidency.
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