GSPM News

Ethical Issues in Election Management

The Iranian election fiasco reminds us that all democracies have operational problems in managing fault-free elections.  Not to equate our problems with what appears to be massive and systematic fraud on the part of the Iranian government, but we all remember Florida in 2000 and Ohio in 2004 and Minnesota in 2008.  Here  in the US, voter fraud and voter suppression constitute major ethical (and legal) problems for political managers who will cross the line in an all-out effort to win at the polls. 

The result of their actions systematically undercuts the essential legitimacy of our political institutions.  Republicans firmly believe there is rampant voter fraud, as John Fund argues in Stealing Elections.  Democrats charge that the "ballot integrity" efforts are nothing short of organized efforts to suppress turnout among loyal Democratic constituencies. 

Now, along come two important voices from both sides of the aisle: Trevor Potter and Bob Bauer, who each served respectively as general counsel to the McCain and Obama campaigns.   They argue that a critical step in resolving these problems can be made by advancing the voter registration process out of the 19^th century into the modern world.  Eliminating paper registration will do much to calm the partisan differences over who is entitled to vote.  In adopting their recommendation, we would also be reducing the incentives for political managers to cross over ethical boundaries.

Is politics recession proof?

Over the last few days, people at the Campaigns and Elections "The Art of Political Campaigning" conference here in Washington, DC have commented that the profession of politics is not being hit by the recession like other industries are. When I posted this on Twitter, many disagreed. One tweet commented that the profession has been hit hard by the recession. To find an answer to this debate, I interviewed a number of people at the conference and asked them what they thought. In the end, it seems that the recession has had differing affects on the political profession, dependent upon what sector you are in.

Republican Fundraiser of more than 20 years, Nancy Bocskor. 

 Publisher of Campaigns and Election's "Politics Magazine," Jordan Lieberman.

Chris Jones, President and CEO of PoliTemps.

GSPM Student Michael Ford.

Executive Director of The American Association of Political Consultants, Angela McMillen.

Current Students Talk About The GSPM

A few weekends ago, a group of GSPM students helped to recruit some new students to the program. In return for their help, Professor Chuck Cushman, the Director of The Political Management Program, invited them to dinner at his house. Over pasta a few of them talked about why they like the program, here is what they said. 

Beth Breeding, a first year student, had this to say:

-The people in this program are great. I've really enjoyed meeting them and learning more about politics through their experiences. I've never been one to get into heated debates about anything, but I feel comfortable enough with the people here that I know my opinions would be heard and respected for what they. The understanding of leaving your strict partisan views at the door fosters great discussion and is a good addition to our classroom instruction.
-GSPM is very well known in DC. I like the when I say what I am doing, people know what that is and often know someone who has completed the program.
-The professors are a wealth of knowledge. They come from so many different backgrounds, and are a great representation of the political field.

Meghan Myers, also a first year student, said: 

I have learned a lot since starting GSPM and really appreciate the well-rounded curriculum.  It is a great place to network and meet other young professionals who are "up and comers" in the profession and on the hill.  Also, it is in the best city for doing political things.