PoliticalScience

The latest Baltimore Sun column by Thomas Schaller, professor of political science, explores critiques of U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice’s potential nomination for secretary of state given her role in providing inaccurate information to the American public following the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. Schaller writes that although he questions the motives of those critiquing the nomination, they “are asking important questions about what the State Department and the White House did before, during and especially after the attacks,” such as, “Why weren’t requests by U.S. officials in Benghazi for upgraded security in advance of the anniversary of… Continue Reading Thomas Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun

Political science professor Thomas F. Schaller’s latest Baltimore Sun column responds to the claim that “President Obama won re-election because Americans want ‘free stuff’.” He argues that “contrary to what talk-show conservatives imply, many government programs skew toward middle-class and upper-income Americans” and usage of federal benefit programs is near universal, rather than tied to political affiliation. Schaller writes, “according to political scientists Suzanne Mettler and John Sides, 96 percent of Americans have benefited from at least one (and typically more) of just 21 federal programs, ranging from student loans to the mortgage interest deduction, from the employer health care… Continue Reading Thomas Schaller in the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post

Today’s Gazette reports on clergy in Prince George’s County who are encouraging parishioners to vote against the referendum to expand gambling in Maryland and in Prince George’s County in particular. But Laura Hussey, assistant professor of political science, remarks in the article that clergy who talk politics from the pulpit are less common than some might expect. Hussey suggests that this is in part because the multifaceted nature of ballot questions, such as the gambling referendum, can make it difficult to take a clear religious stance. “It’s an issue that doesn’t lend itself to being easily decided by the average… Continue Reading Laura Hussey, Political Science, in the Gazette

A new Salon column by UMBC political science professor Thomas F. Schaller responds to what Romney strategist Eric Fehrnstrom called “hit[ting] a reset button for the fall campaign.” Moving from the primary to the general election, Fehrnstrom remarked, “everything changes. It’s almost like an Etch-A-Sketch. You can kind of shake it up, and we start all over again.” Schaller argues that the Etch-a-Sketch metaphor is apt in that Romney aspires to “invite all center-right voters, be they hardcore conservatives or libertarian Republicans or fence-sitting moderates, to compose whatever sketch of him they find most appealing — and then vote, accordingly, for… Continue Reading Thomas Schaller, Political Science, in Salon and the Baltimore Sun

In his latest Baltimore Sun column, UMBC political science professor Thomas F. Schaller critiques conservative pundits’ concerns about “redistributive welfare” in the U.S. today. Schaller argues, “the threat of socialism swallowing America is as imaginary as a Martian invasion.” He writes: In fact, on almost any measure — from the growing share of income earned or wealth controlled by either the top 1 percent or 10 percent; the geometric rise in CEO-to-worker pay ratio; the declining rates of intergenerational mobility that reinforce and exacerbate these disparities — America is not becoming more socialist, nor is the country’s wealth being redistributed.… Continue Reading Thomas Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun

Washington City Paper has been covering a story about D.C.’s Certified Business Enterprise (CBE) contracting system and today responded to Mayor Gray’s statement that he’ll soon announce “a number of reform efforts” to the CBE. Gray has not provided details about those reforms, though they might involve additional staffing at the Department of Small and Local Business Development, which currently has no employees dedicated to investigating fraud in the CBE program, despite perceptions of fraud. Where should they look for expertise on how to fix the program? UMBC political science professor George R. LaNoue told the paper, “I don’t know… Continue Reading George LaNoue, Political Science, in Washington City Paper

UMBC political science professor Roy T. Meyers commented in today’s Baltimore Sun story, “Leopold attorney bills taxpayers almost $21K for two weeks.” Anne Arundel County has so far been billed $20,743 by a private lawyer to defend County Executive John Leopold in a discrimination lawsuit, raising questions about who should pay the growing tab. Responding to the case, Meyers asked, “What level of defense is a county executive entitled to?” questioning whether the county would act similarly on behalf of other employees. He noted, “The question to ask is whether a mid-level supervisor, say in the public works department, accused… Continue Reading Roy Meyers, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun and on ABC7

UMBC political science professor Thomas F. Schaller appeared on television, radio and online media across Australia yesterday in coverage on the U.S. presidential election. Schaller told “The World Today” and news.com.au that he expects the Democrats to hold the Senate and the Republicans to hold the House, by small margins, and President Obama to win the election by three or four points. Although one might expect high unemployment to hurt Obama’s chances, Schaller noted, many in the U.S. still blame former President Bush for current economic woes. In a television interview on Australia World News, Schaller discussed Romney’s remarks about… Continue Reading Thomas Schaller, Political Science, in Australian Media

UMBC political science professor Thomas Schaller has tough news for Americans frustrated with government gridlock. In his latest Baltimore Sun column, Schaller writes: Americans sent divided governments to Washington in both 2006 and 2010, and will likely do so again this November. Since the conventions, President Obama’s lead over Republican nominee Mitt Romney has widened, and almost no sane analyst thinks the GOP will lose the U.S. House this November. So buckle up for two more years of stalemated, sometimes ugly governance in the nation’s capital. The one remaining toss-up for Schaller is the Senate race, which might offer election… Continue Reading Thomas Schaller, Political Science, in the Baltimore Sun