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Podcast – Jeremy Mayer on Foreign Policy & the Election

Jeremy Mayer, GMU School of Public Policy

Professor Rodger Smith, GMU Communications Department and WGMU Faculty Advisor interviews Dr. Jeremy Mayer, GMU School of Public Policy.

Jeremy Mayer is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Master of Public Policy Program in the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. Most recently he is the co-author of Closed Minds? Politics and Ideology in American Universities (Brookings, 2008), co-editor of Media Power, Media Politics, 2nd ed. (Rowman and Littlefield, 2008), co-author of Deconstructing Reagan: A Critical Analysis of Conservative Mythology (2006), and the author of American Media Politics in Transition (McGraw Hill 2006). He has written articles on diverse topics such as presidential image management, Christian right politics, federalism and gay rights, and comparative political socialization, in journals such as Presidential Studies Quarterly, Social Science Quarterly, and The Historian.

Part 1 of the interview analyzes foreign policy of the Obama administration and Mitt Romney’s focus on foreign policy.

Part 2 continues the discussion of Part 1 and provides detail on why college students should care about foreign policy.

mayervision — Jeremy Mayer, GMU School of Public Policy

Harvard Institute of Politics releases Fall 2012 National Poll on young voters

[youtube]http://youtu.be/bs70ivV-HOU[/youtube]

Cambridge, MA – A new national poll of America’s 18- to 29- year olds by Harvard’s Institute of Politics (IOP), located at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, finds President Barack Obama continuing to widen the gap between himself and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney leading by a nineteen-percentage point margin (55%-36%) among young adult “likely” voters. Just weeks before the presidential election, the poll also shows voting enthusiasm slipping as only forty-eight percent (48%) of America’s young adults say they will “definitely” vote this fall.

In addition, the IOP’s newest survey results – its 22nd major release since 2000 – show a solid majority of 18- to 29- year olds (62%) more comfortable with the view that President Obama inherited problems unable to be fixed in one presidential term rather than the viewpoint that he has failed (33%) – see below for more information. A detailed report on the poll’s findings is available on the Institute’s homepage at www.iop.harvard.edu.

The KnowledgePanel® survey of 2,123 18- to 29- year old U.S. citizens with a margin of error of +/– 2.1 percentage points (95% confidence level) conducted with the Government and Academic Research team of GfK for the IOP between September 19 and October 3, 2012. Here are some of the findings –

President Obama more trusted than Gov. Romney to handle major issues; majority believe problems President inherited are complex and require more time to solve. When America’s 18- to 29- year olds were asked which presidential candidate they trust more to handle a number of top issues, late-September IOP polling shows President Obama favored over Governor Romney on health care (+23 percentage points), foreign policy (+23), to be the Commander-in-Chief of the military (+22), immigration reform (+20) – and the economy (+19). Obama was also trusted more to handle “issues of concern to someone your age” (+31) and “issues of concern to women” (+33).

In addition, six-in-ten Millennials (62%) said the statement: “the problems that President Obama inherited are so complex it takes more than four years to do the job” came closer to their own view, while only a third (33%) said the same about the statement: “despite his best efforts, President Obama has failed.”

Romney voters more likely to turnout than Obama voters; less than half of America’s young adults expected to “definitely vote” in November. 18- to 29- year olds favoring Governor Romney are more likely (65%) than those favoring President Obama (55%) to say they will “definitely” vote this fall. Overall, forty-eight percent (48%) say that they will “definitely” vote in the November elections, with another ten percent (10%) saying “probably” and sixteen percent (16%) saying “50-50.” African Americans (59%) and Whites (54%) are both significantly more likely to say they will vote this fall than Hispanics (31%), as are college students (55%).

Obama leads Romney by nineteen points with young adult “likely” voters, continues to be preferred candidate among 18- to 29- year olds generally and is ahead on college campuses. At the time the IOP’s new fall poll was conducted, 18- to 29- year old “likely” voters gave President Obama a nineteen-percentage point (19%) lead over Governor Romney (55%: Obama; 36%: Romney), a slight improvement from March IOP polling (51%: Obama; 34%: Romney). Among young adults enrolled in a four-year college “likely” to vote, Obama leads 48%-38% with fourteen percent (14%) undecided. The IOP’s latest poll also shows Obama has continued to grow his lead among young adults generally to twenty-two points (48%: Obama; 26%: Romney; don’t know: 22%), five percentage points greater than seen in March IOP polling (43%-26%) and eleven points greater than December IOP polling (37%-26%). Obama leads Romney among 18- to 24- year olds by twelve points (41%-29%) and 25- to 29- year olds by 23 points (46%-23%).

President Obama enjoys strong leads in “Blue” and “Swing” states – and also ahead in“Red” states. President Obama is favored over Governor Romney among likely 18- to 29- year old voters in Swing states by 16 percentage points (54%-38%) and in Blue states by 34 points (61%-27%) – he leads by 6 points in Red states (49%-43%).

Governor Romney’s VP pick unhelpful. When young adults were asked how Governor Romney’s selection of Congressman Paul Ryan as his running mate affected their likelihood to vote for him, by more than a 4:1 margin more respondents say the Ryan pick made them “much less likely” to support Mitt Romney (40%: much less likely; 9%: much more likely). Among likely Republican voters, thirty-four percent (34%) say that the Ryan pick makes them “much more likely” to vote for Romney, with six percent

(6%) saying “much less likely;” among likely Independent voters, nine percent (9%) said the Ryan pick makes them “much more likely” to support Mitt Romney, with thirty-seven percent (37%) saying that it makes them “much less likely;” and among likely voters who are Democrats, three percent (3%) report that the pick made them “much more likely” to vote for Romney, with 65 percent saying “much less likely.”

Four-in-ten young adults prefer a Democrat-controlled Congress. A plurality (40%) of America’s 18- to 29- year olds prefer that Democrats control Congress after the November elections, with one-quarter (25%) saying they support a Republican-controlled Congress and 30% saying Congress should be split.

Obama’s Improved Perfomance

Fully understanding the implications of his disastrous performance during the first presidential debate, President Obama came back in full swing at last night’s Town Hall. He was able to not only rebut Governor Romney’s falsehoods with the passion and aggression he was so heavily criticized for not having two weeks ago, but did so in a setting that calls for much more tact; which Romney did not seem to realize.

The night was filled with moments in which the Governor seemed completely flustered and combative, acting disrespectfully to not only the President of the United States, who at times he looked like he was going to punch, but the moderator, Candy Crowley. While both candidates ignored the debate rules on occasion, Romney was not only the first to do so, but was more frequent and more hostile.

Not only was Romney’s performance rocky at best, but the content of his responses to the questions asked were continuously void of specifics. While, he was persistent in reiterating that he “know[s] how to make an economy work” or “what it takes to create jobs again” or “what it takes to balance a budget,” he refused to share with the American people his supposed knowledge. When asked about how he would go about solving the problem of pay inequality for women in the workforce, the Governor took a page out of the Ryan playbook with an anecdote regarding how he hired women once; and then stated that we need a stronger economy. While it is great that he hired women, his answer lacked any mention of discrimination, which has existed long before the Great Recession and is the obvious root cause of pay inequity.

One thing did become clear last night, the contempt that the candidates have for one another is more than just a professional rivalry; but it was President Obama that was better able to hide his disdain. The debates are the best place for Governor Romney to exemplify to the American people that he has the gravitas to be “presidential” and last night’s incessant whining did not do it.

*The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

President Barack Obama to Visit Mason for a Second Time

Obama to visit GMU Friday, Oct. 19, 2012

On Friday, October 19, President Barack Obama will visit the Mason Fairfax campus for the second time this election cycle. He will hold a grassroots rally at Robinson Field adjacent to the Recreational Athletic Complex (RAC).

Students can register for a ticket online at: http://OFA.BO/BarackGMU . Students can text GMU to the number 62262 to receive a link to the e-ticket registration page.Tickets will also be distributed for Mason faculty and students in Johnson Center room 116. The Johnson Center ticket distribution begins Thursday, October 18 at 9 a.m. Students and faculty will need to show their Mason ID in order to obtain a ticket.

Please be aware that tickets obtained online or in paper form from the Johnson Center distribution grant the same access to the event. There is no difference between the tickets.

Doors for Friday’s grassroots event open at 8:45 am.

Mason Votes will update this story as more information becomes available.

Obama to visit GMU Friday, Oct. 19, 2012

Flash Lecture Today

Second Presidential Debate Gets Rough

Well the verdict is in: The President did show up tonight. But as opposed to the empty chair President Obama featured in the first debate, this time it was the truth that was often times missing from his performance.

In terms of style, Mitt Romney did not change all that much from debate one. He still vigorously went after Obama’s record and repeated one of his main lines that, “we don’t have to settle for this.” The big change was the demeanor of the President. He definitely had the fire and had what seemed like a rhetorical bloodlust for Romney all night. Every answer featured an attack on Romney’s personal finances or his record. He wasn’t as outwardly rude as Vice President Biden was, but he still poked his way into Romney’s answers.

The questions were from uncommitted voters from New York State and mainly dealt with the economy and domestic issues. Obama attacked Romney for saying that Detroit should “go bankrupt.” However, it was the President that actually let the auto companies go bankrupt and then rebuild. The President assailed Romney as having a one-point plan for the economy, which was based around helping the wealthy. Again, that might be what Obama wants to think Romney’s plan is, but Romney actually centers the plan on the middle class and broad economic growth.

One of the first angry exchanges of the night was about gas prices. Romney attacked Obama for not allowing drilling and new pipelines, while Obama asserted that it was the recession that began under President Bush that was to blame for the price of gas fluctuating. When talking coal and natural gas, Romney attacked Obama by telling him, “I don’t think anyone believes that you will fight for oil, coal, and natural gas.”

On taxes, Obama again went after Romney for being too nice to the top wage earners. As much as Romney keeps saying the rich won’t pay less, Obama keeps hammering the point. Especially in this section, it seemed President Obama’s only response to the Romney plan was to call it untrue. Beyond that he never said why cutting taxes would, in his mind, be a bad thing for the economy. His plan would raise taxes on the wealthy even though it’s mathematically impossible to pay for all of the President’s new spending while only taxing the rich. The question needs to be asked, who else will the President have to tax? I wouldn’t mind hearing some specifics on that.

After that there were a series of questions that really were right up Obama’s alley. Questions on equal pay, contraception, and how Romney compared with President Bush all fit into the Obama campaign’s own attack lines against Romney. That he’s anti-woman or that he’s the same old Republican. The President also had a four-minute edge in total time for the night.

The last big exchange was on the terrorist attack in Libya that killed four Americans including Ambassador Chris Stevens. Romney attacked Obama for mishandling the aftermath and giving out false information to the press in the week following the attack. The administration’s claim that the attack was a protest, and not a terrorist act was the point Romney hammered home. Obama was indignant on this and accused Romney of playing politics with dead Americans. It seemed that moment was when Obama was at his most animated and almost visibly angry.

Overall, my partisan opinion would be that Romney continued a well-oiled prosecution of the Obama record. However, based on Obama’s resurgence and actually showing he possessed a pulse, I think I’d honestly call the debate a draw. Both men did what they needed to do to energize their respective bases. Going into the final debate next Monday, both men seemed more eager and more fervent in their ambition to win this race.

*The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Student Responses to the VP Debate Video

Connect2Mason was on scene at the Mason Votes Vice Presidential Debate Watch Party October 11, 2012. Here is what students had to say about the debate and Presidential race so far.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CPlnvhJJ7Ns&list=UU1TuP1898FOdPrvng_HGDCA[/youtube]

sl_debate_01 — Charlie Neibergall / AP
Vice President Joe Biden and Republican vice presidential nominee Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin shake hands before the vice presidential debate at Centre College in Danville, Ky., on Thursday, Oct. 11, 2012.
Read more: http://swampland.time.com/2012/10/12/watching-the-vice-presidential-debate-with-the-sound-off/#ixzz29VdoUEyL

Closing the Gender Gap

Photo by: USA Today

It is not unknown that President Obama’s performance at the first debate was less than stellar; substantially decreasing the comfortable lead he once held in the polls. In a USA Today/ Gallup poll released yesterday, it became evident that Governor Romney’s rise can be much attributed to women voters, particularly in swing states. The poll was conducted between October 5-11 in the states of CO, FL, IA, MI, NV, NH, NM, NC, OH, PA, VA and WI, showing Romney only one point behind Obama. The results being 49% of likely women voters stating they would re-elect the President if today were November 6^th and 48% stating they would elect the Governor, with a margin of error of -/+ 4-6%.

There has long been a considerable gender gap between the Democratic and Republican parties, essential for Democrats to get elected to the White House. In the 2008 general election, Obama won with 13% more of the women’s vote, which he has little chance of re-election without.

Although Romney’s performance at the first debate exemplified a moderate Mitt that had gone missing over the past two years of campaigning, it must be remembered that this election will be detrimental for women’s issues.

Not only has the Romney/ Ryan ticket stated their opposition to a women’s choice, but will limit a women’s access to essential health care. They will defund Planned Parenthood, an important source of preventative care, such as cancer screenings for those who cannot afford them. Governor Romney has also refused to state his support for the Ledbetter Equal Pay Act, the first piece of legislation President Obama signed when he took office, allowing women to sue their employers when they are not being paid equally to men in the same position with the same experience.

It must be understood that this election is not just about having the ability to obfuscate your positions to obliteration, as Romney has proven he is so proficient at; but about the actual policies each candidate supports. The implications of November 6^th will affect everyone, particularly women, and it is imperative that people realize what these consequences will be before casting their vote.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/10/15/swing-states-poll-women-voters-romney-obama/1634791/

*The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Preview of the Second Presidential Debate

Tonight at Hofstra University the two candidates for President will face off in what could be characterized as the most anticipated rematches in modern debate history.

Coming off of a less than stellar performance in the first debate, President Obama will be attempting to rebound and seize back the momentum he allowed Mitt Romney to wrestle away from him in Denver. Many aides have said that Obama will attempt to be more aggressive and avoid the perception that he is aloof or distant, as he looked in debate number one. Vice President Biden attempted to show a more aggressive side of the ticket last week in his debate, but Obama will have to mimic it in order for the Democrats to regain the upper hand.

Mitt Romney, on the other hand, will be attempting to repeat what was a masterful performance in the first debate. However, Obama did not invoke many of the controversial aspects of Romney’s personal history. His record at Bain Capitol and his comments about 47 percent of the electorate went unsaid. This allowed him to hammer Obama on his record and not play defense at all. One would expect Obama to be on offense a lot more in this debate. This will force Romney to defend the comments and his wealth in a debate setting.

Almost 70 million people tuned in to watch the first encounter between these two men. Normally there is a diminishing return on debates. Chances are less will watch tonight, but that does not lessen the debate’s importance. There is just three weeks until Election Day and the polls have been tighter than ever. Any nationally televised event is huge. Look for both candidates to make a big play that could sway large swaths of the electorate. The final push is on.

NARAL Paid Canvassing Opportunity

NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia will be canvassing in the Fairfax, VA area every weekend in October, starting this Sunday (October 14th) in Springfield, VA from 2-5pm. Because of a recently received grant, we are able to pay students and supporters who would like to canvass with us.

We will be targeting historically under-represented women voters in Virginia, with a focus on women of color, low-income women, single mothers, and recent college graduates. Although we will be talking about women’s health, we will be operating on a non-partisan basis and are not endorsing one candidate or another in the presidential election – just making sure women are registered, informed about new voter ID laws, and ready to vote on November 6th.

What: Paid Canvassing Opportunity w/ NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia
Where: Fairfax County (Lorton, Springfield, and Fairfax city)
Stipend: $10/hour