Did you know that the Texas legislature which is 150 members strong meets for 140 days every two years to complete its work? Thank Karl Rove for that statistic. Did you know that the Texas Senate, unlike other state legislatures, does not include majority or minority leaders? Did you know that both Representatives and Senators in Texas are paid $7,200.00 annually? In addition, they are paid a "per diem" of $128 for every day of the legislative session, making their total just over $25,000 per year.
What is "Political Culture"? Let's take a look at this link from the University of Texas.
Simply put, political culture is a people's shared framework of values, beliefs, and habits of behavior related to government and politics. These ideals and patterns of behavior develop over time and affect the political life of a state, region or country.
More specifically, the concept of political culture refers to how we view the following four aspects of politics, government and society:
the relationship between government and the people
rights and responsibility of the people
obligations of government
limits on governmental authority
Political culture is important because it establishes the backdrop against which politics unfolds. It establishes the outer limits of what is possible, or even probable, in the political realm.
An interesting article, Corruption: No Longer an Iffy Proposition in Pennsylvania, from Franklin and Marshall inspired this post. I think their analysis is right on the mark.
The question is no longer a speculative one. No longer can we ask "if" corruption, widespread and systematic, is returning full bloom to Pennsylvania. Instead, it is now time to ask "why" - why after an absence of a quarter of a century, the blight of public corruption has returned to the Keystone State.
4. Pennsylvania's Zero-Sum Legislative Politics - Driving this feverish push for campaign cash is Pennsylvania's not well understood "zero-sum" legislative politics. In the General Assembly power is concentrated in the hands of the majority caucus. The party that holds a numerical majority in each chamber gets to decide almost anything and everything that matters in state government. In the instant case, that means control over the $29 billion Pennsylvania budget and virtually every major policy decision made by state government, such as Governor Rendell's health care, energy, and education recommendations and most certainly how the state closes the $2.3 to $2.9 billion deficit it faces.
Control of the agenda allows the majority to wield virtually dictatorial power, all of which reduces the minority to mere bystander status. Aggravating this is the current closeness of House control - with one party holding a majority by only a few seats - rendering competition fierce. This situation helps to create a legislature where winning is everything, setting in place an inexorable set of dynamics that explain in part the activities that led to the recent "bonusgate" indictments.
Showing posts with label Franklin Marshall. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Franklin Marshall. Show all posts
Friday, April 24, 2009
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Arlen Specter In Trouble For Re-Election
Franklin & Marshall posted a paper called A Certain Uncertainty. The first paragraph states "The sun rising in the morning, inevitable death, and inexorable taxes: these are among the certitudes of life. To these unavoidable experiences might be added one more sure thing--the persistent reelection of political incumbents. In fact, the habitual re-election of incumbents in Pennsylvania and across the nation comprises one of the fixities of modern life."
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Specter could be 'toast' in 2010 election. HARRISBURG -- A new statewide poll shows 53 percent of Pennsylvanians -- and 66 percent of Republicans -- want someone to replace Sen. Arlen Specter.
Asked whether they think Specter, a Philadelphia Republican, has done his job well enough to win re-election or whether they'd prefer a "new person" in that job, registered voters by a 53-38 percent margin said it's time to give someone else a chance, according to the poll by Susquehanna Polling and Research. Eight percent were undecided.
Political analysts generally worry about an incumbent when the reelect numbers fall below 50%.
According to an article in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Specter could be 'toast' in 2010 election. HARRISBURG -- A new statewide poll shows 53 percent of Pennsylvanians -- and 66 percent of Republicans -- want someone to replace Sen. Arlen Specter.
Asked whether they think Specter, a Philadelphia Republican, has done his job well enough to win re-election or whether they'd prefer a "new person" in that job, registered voters by a 53-38 percent margin said it's time to give someone else a chance, according to the poll by Susquehanna Polling and Research. Eight percent were undecided.
Political analysts generally worry about an incumbent when the reelect numbers fall below 50%.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Kanjorski Stuck At 35% Re-elect
In a new Franklin and Marshall poll Paul Kanjorski is stuck in the mud at 35% re-elect. The poll shows Barletta leads 40-35 even though the new poll has a larger Democrat sample size than normal.
Kanjorski negatives are still fatally low for a 24 year incumbent and 4 months and $4million dollars of ads have not done much to change the dynamic of this race.
Vince Galko, Campaign Manager for Lou Barletta has this to say:
“This is very encouraging news for the people of Northeast PA. Mr. Kanjorski is being rejected by two thirds of the voters in the 11th Congressional District. Lou Barletta will continue to work hard to earn every vote.
Despite what Kanjorski says, he has been at or under 35% for nearly four months. He and his friends have spent $4million attacking Lou Barletta since June. The voters identify with Lou Barletta and they are embarrassed by Mr. Kanjorski’s record. If the Kanjorski campaign spins any harder they may strike oil. Nevertheless, this will be a close race and we are not letting up one bit.”
Ed Micthell and Paul Kanjorski have been trying to convince America that Lou Barletta's polls are not accurate. On October 10, 2008 Mitchell and Kanjorski had their goons at the DCCC released a poll claiming Kanjo was up by 8 percentage points.
Life is a Highway will have meaning in this campaign. Lets move on the media highway from the Times Leader over to the Scranton Times Tribune where Borys Krawczeniuk (pronounced CROUCH-enyook, that's why we just call him "Borys")writes "The Borys Blog." Read this post dated June 16, 2008. The post wasn't flattering to Lou Barletta but one would expect that from the left wing Tribune. However, there was one statement in the post that is germane to this article- "As a matter of policy, Mr. Mitchell never releases any details of Mr. Kanjorski's polls." Right on Ed. But the DCCC will do your dirty work for you.
The public has had enough of Porky Kanjorski and Ed Mitchell. Their antics have planted the seeds of implosion. And the crops are coming home.
The exorbitant amount of money being spent on Kanjorski's behalf by the DCCC and PACS demonstrates that to Mitchell and Kanjorski it's all about money buying the office; nothing about who may be the better person to represent us.
Kanjorski negatives are still fatally low for a 24 year incumbent and 4 months and $4million dollars of ads have not done much to change the dynamic of this race.
Vince Galko, Campaign Manager for Lou Barletta has this to say:
“This is very encouraging news for the people of Northeast PA. Mr. Kanjorski is being rejected by two thirds of the voters in the 11th Congressional District. Lou Barletta will continue to work hard to earn every vote.
Despite what Kanjorski says, he has been at or under 35% for nearly four months. He and his friends have spent $4million attacking Lou Barletta since June. The voters identify with Lou Barletta and they are embarrassed by Mr. Kanjorski’s record. If the Kanjorski campaign spins any harder they may strike oil. Nevertheless, this will be a close race and we are not letting up one bit.”
Ed Micthell and Paul Kanjorski have been trying to convince America that Lou Barletta's polls are not accurate. On October 10, 2008 Mitchell and Kanjorski had their goons at the DCCC released a poll claiming Kanjo was up by 8 percentage points.
Life is a Highway will have meaning in this campaign. Lets move on the media highway from the Times Leader over to the Scranton Times Tribune where Borys Krawczeniuk (pronounced CROUCH-enyook, that's why we just call him "Borys")writes "The Borys Blog." Read this post dated June 16, 2008. The post wasn't flattering to Lou Barletta but one would expect that from the left wing Tribune. However, there was one statement in the post that is germane to this article- "As a matter of policy, Mr. Mitchell never releases any details of Mr. Kanjorski's polls." Right on Ed. But the DCCC will do your dirty work for you.
The public has had enough of Porky Kanjorski and Ed Mitchell. Their antics have planted the seeds of implosion. And the crops are coming home.
The exorbitant amount of money being spent on Kanjorski's behalf by the DCCC and PACS demonstrates that to Mitchell and Kanjorski it's all about money buying the office; nothing about who may be the better person to represent us.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Paul Kanjorski as Alexander Haig????
Click to view Congressman Kanjorskion CNBC's Squawk Box talking about the economic crisis. Today Paul Kanjorski couldn't wait to get in front of the camera to talk about the deal brokered to solve the out of control financial crisis. He called it "Tremendous progress" and " We've been working for six days to put the bill together to get that accomplished and I would say we have done that..It's almost an accomplished fact that they have done that..they are going to negotiate some fine points between the House and the Senate." He says of the Presidential Candidates.."the faster they can get out of the White House and get back up to the Hill... We'll have the bill done." He continues his criticism of the Presidential Candidates..."They are a delaying force. We know what has to go into the bill..We have negotiated very hard..It's been responsive from both sides..We have the bill basically complete. All we have to do is a sign of...Of this posturing Oh My God we need all the help of these people coming in."
All of this rhetoric reminds me of Alexander Haig. In 1981, after the March 30 assassination attempt on Reagan, Haig asserted before reporters "I'm in control here" as a result of Reagan's hospitalization.
“ Constitutionally, gentlemen, you have the President, the Vice President and the Secretary of State in that order, and should the President decide he wants to transfer the helm to the Vice President, he will do so. He has not done that. As of now, I am in control here, in the White House, pending return of the Vice President and in close touch with him. If something came up, I would check with him, of course." Rather than being seen as an attempt to allay the nation's fear, the quotation became seen as an attempt by Haig to exceed his authority.
Kanjorski is so far behind in the latest poll for a 24 year incumbent that he is desparate to bring any type of good news to the public. Paul, reparations for Cornerstone come this way. "I apologize to the American people for the failure that happened at Cornerstone." It would be harebrained to expect such a declaration of guilt. He refused to apologize to the American troops in Iraq for lying to the public about the real effort that would have been put forth in Congress to end the war and bring our ladies and men home, our families together once again.
His declaration of a deal brokered to end the financial crisis was premature and self serving. The audacity in a techological world of information validates the findings of the Franklin and Marshall poll. "DesRECD. Do you believe that Paul Kanjorski has done a good enough job in the U.S. House of Representatives to DESERVE RE-ELECTION, or do you believe it is TIME FOR A CHANGE?
35% Deserves re-election 54% Time for a change
All of this rhetoric reminds me of Alexander Haig. In 1981, after the March 30 assassination attempt on Reagan, Haig asserted before reporters "I'm in control here" as a result of Reagan's hospitalization.
“ Constitutionally, gentlemen, you have the President, the Vice President and the Secretary of State in that order, and should the President decide he wants to transfer the helm to the Vice President, he will do so. He has not done that. As of now, I am in control here, in the White House, pending return of the Vice President and in close touch with him. If something came up, I would check with him, of course." Rather than being seen as an attempt to allay the nation's fear, the quotation became seen as an attempt by Haig to exceed his authority.
Kanjorski is so far behind in the latest poll for a 24 year incumbent that he is desparate to bring any type of good news to the public. Paul, reparations for Cornerstone come this way. "I apologize to the American people for the failure that happened at Cornerstone." It would be harebrained to expect such a declaration of guilt. He refused to apologize to the American troops in Iraq for lying to the public about the real effort that would have been put forth in Congress to end the war and bring our ladies and men home, our families together once again.
His declaration of a deal brokered to end the financial crisis was premature and self serving. The audacity in a techological world of information validates the findings of the Franklin and Marshall poll. "DesRECD. Do you believe that Paul Kanjorski has done a good enough job in the U.S. House of Representatives to DESERVE RE-ELECTION, or do you believe it is TIME FOR A CHANGE?
35% Deserves re-election 54% Time for a change
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