GSPM News

POLITICO-GWU Battleground Poll: Romney Polls Even with Obama

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 7, 2012  

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Angela Olson

202-994-3087; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Jill Sankey

202-994-6466; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

WASHINGTON – Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama are essentially tied among voters at 48 percent and 47 percent respectively, according to a new POLITICO-George Washington University Battleground Poll released today.

“With the closing of the Republican nomination race, Mitt Romney has solidified his base in this Battleground Poll,” said Christopher Arterton, GW professor of political management.  “But, whether this is a ‘halo effect’ from that victory or a durable trend remains to be seen.”

In this latest POLITICO-George Washington University Battleground Poll, Romney is winning Republicans by 88 percent, a larger margin than Obama is winning Democrats by 83 percent. Romney also is winning with independents by 10 points.

“Illustrated in this data is that the primary is over and the Republicans are clearly ready to support their nominee in making Obama a one-term president,” said Ed Goeas, Republican pollster and of The Tarrance Group.

"Besides his dominant position on personal favorability, Obama has a wealth of opportunities on issue comparisons where he leads on standing up for the middle class, taxes, foreign policy and shares your values,” said Celinda Lake, Democratic pollster and president of Lake Research Partners. “He needs to translate his advantage on being for the middle class to a clear economic vision and contrast which will put him ahead on the economy and jobs to ensure victory in this election.”

Although a gender gap still exists, Romney has narrowed the gap. Obama leads among women by seven percentage points, while Romney leads among men by seven percentage points. Women over 45 lean towards Romney instead of Obama 50 percent to 45 percent. White women favor Romney over Obama 57 percent to 38 percent. Women of color and unmarried women overwhelmingly favor Obama.

The American public continues to view the economy (28 percent), government spending and the deficit (17 percent) and jobs (14 percent) as the most important issues for Congress to focus on. When voters are asked which presidential candidate they think will be better at handling the economy and handling jobs, Romney is slightly favored at handling the economy with 48 percent to Obama’s 45 percent, while Obama is seen as better at handling jobs with 48 percent to Romney’s 46 percent.

Further analyses of these issues and full results of the latest poll can be found at www.gwu.edu and POLITICO.com.

As the country shifts its focus to the 2012 elections, the POLITICO-George Washington University Battleground Poll results will be a valuable tool in anticipating the outcome and gauging voter attitudes and concerns.

Christopher Arterton, professor of political management at GW; Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research Partners; and Ed Goeas, President/CEO of The Tarrance Group; are all available for comment.  For Professor Arterton, contact Angela Olson at 202-994-3087.  For Ms. Lake, contact Anderson Gardner at Lake Research Partners, 202-776-9066.  For Mr. Goeas, contact Brian Nienaber at The Tarrance Group, 703-684-6688.

Congressman Rush Holt to Address GW’s College of Professional Studies Students at 2012 School Commencement Celebration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 10, 2012

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jill Sankey; 202-994-6466; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Michelle Sherrard; 202-994-1423; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Congressman Rush Holt to Address GW’s College of Professional Studies Students at 2012 School Commencement Celebration

WASHINGTON – Congressman Rush Holt (D-N.J.) will address the graduating class of the George Washington University’s College of Professional Studies (CPS) on Saturday, May 19, 2012. The school’s commencement celebration will take place at GW’s Lisner Auditorium, located at 730 21st St., at 7:30 p.m.

"As a physicist, it is always gratifying to witness a fellow physicist's participation and contributions to our political process,” said Ali Eskandarian, dean of the College of Professor Studies. “I am delighted that our graduates in the College of Professional Studies will be treated to a special graduation ceremony through the appearance of the Honorable Dr. Holt, congressman and physicist, as our graduation speaker this year."

Rep. Holt has represented central New Jersey in Congress since 1999. He currently serves on the Committee on Education and the Workforce and the Committee on Natural Resources. Rep. Holt serves as the Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources, in an effort to develop a long-term strategy to decrease the United States’ dependence on fossil fuels. From 2007 to 2010, Rep. Holt was the chairman of the Select Intelligence Oversight Panel. Created at the start of the 110th Congress in January 2007, the panel worked to strengthen oversight of the intelligence community by ensuring that policymakers receive accurate assessments, civil liberties are safeguarded and the intelligence community is protecting Americans.

“We are thrilled that Congressman Rush Holt has agreed to be the 2012 commencement speaker for the College of Professional Studies,” said the Honorable Mark Kennedy, director of GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, a school within CPS. “Congressman Holt will both inspire as well as educate our 2012 CPS graduates.”

Rep. Holt has received numerous awards and citations for his work, including the Planned Parenthood Community Service Award, the Biotech Legislator of the Year and the Science Coalition’s Champion of Science award. He is one of only two Members of Congress to receive a lifetime 100 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters. Rep. Holt earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from Carleton College in Minnesota and completed his master’s degree and Ph.D. at New York University. 

“It’s always an exciting opportunity to speak to students who will one day be thought leaders and forces for positive change,” said Congressman Holt. “I wish the class of 2012 the best of luck in the endeavors they pursue after graduating from the George Washington University.”

The George Washington University’s College of Professional Studies offers undergraduate and graduate programs that address the needs, lifestyles and competency requirements of adult learners and working professionals in emerging and rapidly changing professions. CPS programs combine the expertise of university faculty with that of outside partners including government agencies, professional associations, consulting organizations and business and industry leaders.

For more information about GW's College of Professional Studies, visit http://cps.gwu.edu.

-GW-

George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management to Host Conference on Running Successful Political Campaigns

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 7, 2012

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Jill Sankey
202-994-6466; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Michelle Sherrard
202-994-1423; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

**MEDIA ADVISORY**

George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management to Host Conference on Running Successful Political Campaigns

Speakers Include Vice President of the Dominican Republic Rafael Albuquerque, Former President of Guatemala Alvaro Colom, Political Adviser Valerie Biden and Democratic Strategist Donna Brazile

March 12 – 16, 2012

EVENT: The George Washington University’s Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) will host the “XII Elections and Campaign Strategy Seminar: Leaders and Campaigns: Strategic Lessons.” This conference will focus on the tools needed for a successful campaign and will include lessons and tips from global experts who have successfully campaigned or have been a part of the campaign process.

WHEN: Monday, March 12 - Friday, March 16, 2012; 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.         

WHERE: The George Washington University
Jack Morton Auditorium

805 21st St., NW, Washington, D.C.
Foggy Bottom-GWU Metro (Orange and Blue Lines)

RSVP: Media should contact Jill Sankey at 202-994-6466 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

SPEAKERS: 

Vice President Rafael Albuquerque, current vice president of the Dominican Republic (2004 – present); Vice President Albuquerque is a labor law and social security expert and was formerly Secretary of State for Labor.

Jamie Duran Barba, principle adviser to the mayor of Buenos Aires

Valerie Biden, adviser to U.S. Vice President Joe Biden; Ms. Biden has handled all of Vice President Biden’s campaigns since 1972.

Donna Brazile, Democratic strategist; Ms. Brazile worked on several presidential campaigns including those of Jimmy Carter, Jesse Jackson, Bill Clinton and Al Gore.

Maria Cardona, adviser to Hillary Clinton in the 2008 presidential election.

President Alvaro Colom, former president of Guatemala (2008 - 2012); President Colom was the first social Democratic president in the history of Guatemala.

Keiko Fujimori, leader and presidential candidate of Peru's main opposition; In 2011, Ms. Fujimori won more than 48 percent of the vote. She was the youngest first lady of Latin America.

Celinda Lake, president of Lake Research; Ms. Lake is one of the Democratic Party's leading political strategists, serving as tactician and senior advisor to Vice President Biden, the national party committees, dozens of Democratic incumbents and challengers at all levels of the electoral process.

Mark Mckinnon, head of communications for the presidential campaigns of George W. Bush; Mr. Mckinnon also advised campaigns for then Republican candidate John McCain and former Texas Gov. Ann Richards.

Cat Paglo, journalist, producer and news director; Mr. Paglo has worked at Telemundo, NBC, CBS, CNN and Telenoticias and is the winner of two Emmy Awards.

Mark Penn, strategist and pollster; Mr. Penn has worked with Bill Clinton, Tony Blair and Bill Gates. He was the chief campaign strategist for then Sen. Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Democratic presidential campaign.

Eduardo Rivera Perez, current mayor of Puebla, Mexico and president of the National Association of Mayors (ANAC) of Mexico; Mr. Rivera Perez began his campaign with a handicap of 20 points in the polls and won by 15 points over his nearest opponent.

President Martin Torrijos, former president of Panama (2004 - 2009); President Torrijos’ rule was characterized by important structural reforms, the implementation of social programs, the start of the canal expansion and repositioning of Panama in the international arena.

Daniel Ureña, director, MAS Consulting, a firm that has worked for the last few years with the Popular Party in Spain, advising on the last general elections.

BACKGROUND:

This five-day seminar will host more than 150 participants from various Latin American countries who are predominately local and regional politicians, government staff and prospective candidates for office.

This Executive Seminar is sponsored by GSPM International, which has become known as a respected resource for leadership training across Latin America and Europe. The mission of GSPM International’s seminars, conferences and workshops is to professionalize campaigns and elections globally. Over the past decade, the program has educated more than 7,500 leaders from across the political spectrum.

GW’s Graduate School of Political Management

GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, the pioneer school in the study of political management and applied politics, offers graduate programs in political management, legislative affairs, strategic public relations and PAC management, as well as international programs in Latin America and Europe. The school seeks to educate students and professionals in the tools, principles and values of participatory democracy; preparing them for careers as ethical and effective advocates and leaders at the international, national and local levels.

For more information about GW’s Graduate School of Political Management, visit: www.gspm.gwu.edu

-GW-