MPSL VLog: Does Salient = Economy?

Even though each candidate has a platform of beliefs and policies, often elections are decided based one one or two key issues.  Will the economy trump all other issues this November? Professor Gaffaney explains.

Weekly Poll: Your Opinion on Romney’s 47 Percent Comment

In a recently released video surreptitiously recorded, Romney is heard saying that he is not concerned about the 47 percent of voters who will vote for Obama because they don’t pay income tax and see themselves as dependents of government funded programs. Some political analysts see this as damaging evidence that Romney is out of touch with the general population. What do you think?

MPSL VLog: Incumbent Here Often?

Are there certain advantages that incumbency brings in the race for the White House? Professor Gaffaney explains.

Weekly Poll: Your Opinion on Ryan as Romney’s VP

Mitt Romney has picked Tea Party darling Paul Ryan as his running mate. However, some political observers wonder if Ryan candidacy is strong enough to help Romney win the White House. What do you think?

The Awesome Power of the Bully Pulpit

A bully pulpit refers to a public office, specifically the presidency, which provides the holder a terrific platform for rallying support for a specific issue or simply to make one’s view public. Due to the stature of the presidency the bully pulpit can bring issues to the forefront that was not initially in debate. For example, Pres. Obama, with the power of the bully pulpit, was able to shift the debate concerning illegal immigration last week by declaring why his administration will stop deporting young illegal immigrants brought to the United States at no fault of their own. Specifically, the U.S. will no longer deport illegal immigrants who meet the following criteria:

• Came to the U.S. before age 16
• Lived in the U.S. for at least 5 years
• In school, graduated, or a U.S. veteran
• No felonies, not a threat to the U.S.
• Not older than 30

As president, Obama has an unparalleled opportunity to make and set policies while the bully pulpit allows the president to announce those policies and rally support. Meanwhile, candidate Mitt Romney, Pres. Obama’s republican challenger, can only react to the agenda of the incumbent president and merely make untested and immaterial promises to the electorate. As a result, Mitt Romney is now faced with the politically difficult task of either alienating independent voters by holding firm with his previously stated hard-line stance on illegal immigration (e.g. self deportation, zero tolerance) or angering the conservative base by flip-flopping on the issue altogether. One reason why Romney is in this problematic situation is due in part to Obama’s ability to set policy as the sitting president and the awesome power of the bully pulpit afforded him.

–TERRANCE MULLINS

Related articles

• Immigration, Obama, Romney and the Republican Party: Who Fumbled the Ball? (themoderatevoice.com)
• Obama Changes the Subject (politicalwire.com)

MPSL VLog: Super PACs’ Flexing Their Muscles

The Citizens United Supreme Court opinion upheld unlimited giving to independent groups as a constitutional right. Will these well-funded groups influence this year’s election? Professor Gaffaney explains.

MPSL VLog: Care to Swing (My Way)?

This fall’s presidential election will likely be decided by a handful of states where there is no clear Democratic or Republican majority, known as swing states. Is it fair that these swing states carry more influence than other states during the campaign? Professor Gaffaney explains.

MPSL VLog: Salient Enough to Get Your Vote?

Even though each candidate has a platform of beliefs and policies, often elections are decided based one one or two key issues.  What will be salient to American voters this November? Professor Gaffaney explains.

They Hate Both Now, But They Will Love Either Tomorrow!

Mitt Romney (Photo credit: Dave Delay)

Democrats are extremely gleeful now that the Republican presidential primary is in full swing between Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich. The idea being the two Republican frontrunners will split the Republican base making their supporters incapable of supporting the rival if he becomes the Republican nominee. However, the same was said during the 2008 Democratic presidential primary battle between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. In the end, Hilary supporters, who were adamant in their refusal to support Barack Obama, became committed to his candidacy once he became the actual Democratic nominee. The same will hold true for Republicans.  The visceral hate some Republicans have for Romney and others for Gingrich will not only subside, it will be replaced with enthusiastic devotion.

–TERRANCE MULLINS

Related articles

• GOP Hands 2012 to Obama With Loser Lineup – Voters don’t want Barack, but they really don’t want these guys: Bret Stephens (tribuneofthepeople.com)

MPSL VLog: GOP Hopefuls Highlight States’ Rights

The 10th Amendment remains relevant today as GOP candidates highlight states’ rights in their bids to be the Republican nominee for President.  Professor Gaffaney explains.