Super Tuesday and the Barber Shop Poll

On election day for over 15 years, I stopped by Roy Sullivan’s Little Rock barber shop to get his predictions. About 95 percent of the time Roy correctly called the outcome. I never missed an election–and Roy never missed offering a prediction.

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Campaign Veteran at 21

“Kids for Hillary” founder David Helfenbein is featured in today’s New York Times. David is a friend of the Clinton School, having spent time here working on a project for his University of Pennsylvania history professor David Eisenhower. Eisenhower, who is also a friend, is the grandson of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. 

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Presidential Election Update and Thoughts

John McCain won the Republican primary in South Carolina, but he’s lucky that his good friend Fred Thompson was also on the ballot. Thompson took enough votes away from Mike Huckabee to deny him the victory. Without Thompson, Huckabee most likely would have won. Still, Huckabee’s second place showing and his national appeal among evangelicals and conservatives makes him an attractive vice presidential choice if he doesn’t win the presidential nomination.

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A Day in the Delta

Throughout our two year masters in public service degree curriculum, Clinton School students are engaged in three major public service projects at the group (Practicum), international and individual (Capstone) levels. Our group projects are currently in progress–including some in the Arkansas/Mississippi Delta region.

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Iowa Post-Election Reflections

Surprised at the victory margins of both Barack Obama and Mike Huckabee. Encouraged by the record turnout in both the Democrat and Republican caucuses. Shocked that the fourth-place finisher in the Democratic race (Bill Richardson) received only about 2 percent of the vote.

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2007 Winding Down

It’s been a relaxing break with family and friends. Good people, good food, and good conversation. Also, I recommend two good movies: “The Great Debaters”  starring Denzel Washington, which is based on a true and very remarkable story, and “Charlie Wilson’s War,” which has been nominated for several Golden Globes and is based on a book by George Crile

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Post Graduation Reflections

While we have our graduation festivities in December, the MPS degree is actually a two-year program (though it can be completed in 18 months) so some of our students will be completing their capstone (individual) projects over the next few months before embarking on their professional careers. Graduation also brought back about half of our inaugural class and it was good to see them. They are working across the state, the country and the world.

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Dean Rutherford looks at 2008 elections

Speaking at Lyon College in his hometown of Batesville last night, Clinton School Dean Skip Rutherford accessed the unpredictability and excitement of the coming presidential primary season. We are 56 days from the Iowa caucus, the earliest in history, and Dean Rutherford predicts both parties will have clear nominees by Super Tuesday on February 5 when 19 states, including Arkansas, will hold their primaries.

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On Immigration

a statewide advocacy group which believes immigration is a federal issue and should be dealt with at the federal level, not by state and local governments. While I understand immigration is a highly charged political issue, I believe we should treat those who are seeking a better life in our country with dignity and respect and with strong sensitivity and compassion regarding their children.

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