Almanac: Treasure Trove of Political Information
Want to know Sen. Orrin Hatch’s winning margin in his first Senate race against Frank Moss? Or maybe how the ACLU rates the voting record of Rep. Chris Cannon?
The answers to those questions, and a lot more, are available in the just-published 2008 Almanac of American Politics. As usual, the 1,864-page book is a treasure trove of political facts, trivia, data and in-depth information. The almanac is produced by the National Journal Group, with Michael Barone as author; Richard E. Cohen as co-author, and Charles Mahtesian as editor. The table of contents alone covers eight pages, and the index 16.
The book includes a lengthy introduction by Barone and an over view of the 2008 election year, in addition to perspective on House reapportionment after the 2010 Census. It predicts that Utah, along with seven other states, will pick up new House seats (Utah will get one, while Texas will get four and Arizona and Florida will get two each).
The Almanac includes a lengthy political overview of each state, and details about the governor and each member of the congressional delegation. The congressional district profiles includes maps, photos, election history, ratings by various groups, key votes, campaign expenditure data, and much more. The Utah section covers 20 pages. Purchasers of the $74.95 book also get access to the almanac on-line, including updates, current election information and additional material. You can order the almanac here, or purchase it at Amazon.com or other bookstores.
Washington Watch
'08 Challenges for Incumbents?
The Politico: Many members of Congress, including Rep. Chris Cannon, "are being seriously challenged in primaries this election cycle -- and their vulnerability could be the latest piece of evidence that this is shaping up to be a perilous political environment for incumbents."
Today in Political History
Dec. 12, 1787: Pennsylvania joins the Union.
Dec. 12, 1937: The Panay incident occurs wherein the Japanese attack British and American warships on Yangtze. (Source: Perspicuity)
Dec. 12, 2000: The U.S. Supreme Court halts the presidential recount in Florida. (Source: NBC5)
Wise Words
“[N]either the wisest constitution nor the wisest laws will secure the liberty and happiness of a people whose manners are universally corrupt.”
-- Samuel Adams, essay in The Public Advertiser (Source: Patriot Post)
Campaign Tip
Online Opinion Surveys
By Nancy Guthrie
Email addresses are almost as prevalent these days as residential addresses. But so far in political and issue campaigns, online email surveys and polling are largely untapped. Measuring the court of public opinion through online email surveys and polls is affordable, fast, easy and effective. It is an immediate way to take the pulse of the public and gather intelligence that can be used to develop a winning campaign strategy.
Unlike typical response rates of 10-15 percent, email surveys and polls are experiencing response rates between 40-50 percent. The email results are collected over one week compared to the month or longer it takes to collect mail surveys. And case studies suggest that the majority of email surveys and polls are completed and returned within the first 72 hours. Results can be viewed in real time via an online tracking report, and a summary analysis of survey results can be turned over within a day. (Read more about online surveys at Political Resources)
National Politics
Best Stories From . . .
-- New York Times: Columnist David Brooks says the 2008 presidential election has fundamentally shifted to become a “postwar election.”
-- New York Times: "Three weeks before the Iowa caucuses, Republican voters across the country appear uninspired by their field of presidential candidates, with a vast majority saying they have not made a final decision about whom to support, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News poll."
-- Boston Globe: "With wide-open nomination contests in both parties, 2008 is shaping up to be the most expensive White House race in history. But a constellation of new and existing independent political action committees, nonprofits, and so-called 527 organizations ... are poised to play a greater role than ever before."
-- Washington Post: Columnist Eugene Robinson: "Is it foolish to think that a nation stained by centuries of slavery and racism is prepared to elect a black president? Rarely phrased so bluntly, that's the central question posed by Barack Obama's candidacy -- especially for many African-American voters, whose doubts are informed by having seen many an oasis turn out to be a mirage."
Blog Watch
-- At Out of Context, Thomas Burr notes: "It's typical around the holiday season for politicians to send cards to reporters wishing them a Merry Christmas or happy holidays (the latter for the more PC of the bunch). My colleague Matt Canham and I just received our card from Jason Chaffetz, former chief of staff to Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. and now a candidate for the 3rd Congressional District seat held by Rep. Chris Cannon. That's right, we got one card. 'I'm running as the fiscal conservative, so only one card for the two of you,' Chaffetz hand wrote in purple marker inside the card. At least he has Cannon beat so far. We haven't received any holiday wishes from him yet."
Lighter Side
Favorite Headlines
(From James Taranto’s Best of the Web at OpinionJournal.com)
Bad News for Late Risers
"Ukraine Will Be Without PM?"--headline, For-UA.com, Dec. 10
His Wife Begs to Differ
"Man Evolved Recently, Say Researchers"--headline, Sarasota (Fla.) Herald-Tribune, Dec. 11
She Didn't Really Evolve Either
"Darwin Wife Charged With Deception"--headline, Press Association (Britain), Dec. 11 |
