Clemson University
Professor of Political Science at Clemson University in South Carolina and Director of its Palmetto Poll, a statewide poll; author of The New Southern Politics; former Republican consultant to national candidates from the South, including Senators Lindsay Graham and Jim DeMint
Indian American Politicians South Carolina governor Nimrata Randhawa - better known as Nikki Haley - called for the Confederate flag to come down in Charleston yesterday. And Louisiana governor Piyush - or Bobby - Jindal is expected to announce his run for the Republican Presidential nomination tomorrow . Both are rising Indian-American stars of the Republican Party. And there’s been a renewed focus on Nikki Haley and her racial identity in the aftermath of the killings of nine black worshippers in a historic Charleston church last week. We take a look at the politics of Indian Americans in the GOP.
Can 'Moral Mondays' Change the South? Occupy Wall Street's accused of crying, "Wolf." Weeks of protests failed to move Republicans in Wisconsin. Will it be different in North Carolina? In 2008, Barack Obama carried the state and there was talk of another Southern State turning purple. But last year, he lost there and Republicans won the governorship and super-majorities in both legislative houses for the first time since the Civil War. The GOP has exercised its power, giving rise to "Moral Mondays." Since April, increasing crowds from various walks of life have gathered every Monday near the State House in Raleigh. Hundreds have been arrested. So far, they've being ignored by Republicans, who've used new-found power to cut unemployment benefits, healthcare and education. But, harking back to the civil rights movement, protesters say demographic change and civil disobedience will transform the state and the entire region.
Romney Hitches a Ride on Ryan's Rising Star Five days after choosing Paul Ryan to be his running mate, Mitt Romney is still being asked the same question: do Ryan's controversial proposals — especially on Medicare — distract voters from jobs and the economy?
Paul Ryan and the Race to the White House In less than a week since Mitt Romney's choice of Paul Ryan , it's been called a triumph of Reaganesque proportions -- and a political disaster. In fact, few potential voters know much about the 42-year-old from Wisconsin, a staff member on Capitol Hill until his election to Congress in 1999. But it's already clear that the focus of the presidential campaign has shifted from jobs and the economy to the size and power of the federal government. How radical are Ryan's budget proposals? How much does he want to change Medicare? Will his presence on the Republican ticket clarify the differences between the parties or produce more confusion than ever?
From New Hampshire, It's on to South Carolina and Florida New Hampshire Republicans had just 12 delegates to give in yesterday's primary. Mitt Romney got seven; Ron Paul took three and Jon Huntsman got the remaining two. Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum were shut out, and Rick Perry wasn't even campaigning. But, in less than two weeks, they'll be waiting in South Carolina, where Gingrich, Perry, Santorum and Paul are ready to give Romney trouble. Meanwhile, Republican power brokers and fundraisers are beginning to talk Party Unity.
Next Up: South Carolina New Hampshire Republicans had just 12 delegates to give in yesterday's primary . Mitt Romney , who got seven, clobbered Newt Gingrich and Rick Santorum , who were shut out. Ron Paul and Jon Huntsman split the remaining five, and Rick Perry wasn't even campaigning. South Carolina could be a very different story, with allegations of closet liberalism, attacks on Bain Capital and Perry as part of the mix. But the anti-Romney forces are deeply divided, and GOP stalwarts — fundraisers and even Rush Limbaugh — don't like what sounds like anti-business rhetoric. Can Perry, Santorum, Gringrich or Paul become the anti-Romney conservative they think Republicans are looking for?
Election Preview around the Country The Gallup Poll says the Republicans' 15-point lead among likely voters nationwide is "unprecedented." But the GOP lead among registered voters is only four points, so the big question across the country is how many of those likely voters will turn out and where. We hear reports on important races in regions across the country.
The Michigan Primary and the Economy After one caucus and two primaries, there have been three Republican winners--or a whole field of losers , depending on how you see it. After Romney 's victory in Michigan , he, Huckabee and McCain are on to South Carolina where Thompson awaits while Giuliani looks on from Florida . We update the Republican contest and look at what more and more evidence shows is becoming the dominant issue: the economy. Do voters blame President Bush and Republicans? Do they have confidence in the Democrats? What are the candidates saying?
Guns, Abortion and Political Realities This week's tragedy at Virginia Tech and a decision by the US Supreme Court have revived debate on the right to bear arms and a woman's right to abortion. Based on public opinion, it ought to be easier to enact new gun controls than to limit abortion but, in fact, it's not. Majorities of Americans support both--with restrictions, but conservative minorities are dominating the debates on policy. Why are Democrats backing away from an issue that matters to their liberal base? Will Republicans end up hurting their cause by pushing too hard to please conservatives? Has framing both issues in absolute terms made compromise unattainable?
Is the threat from Russia missing from the Russia meddling probe? There's much being made about the Trump administration's possible ties with Russia. But the bottom line is Russia's effort to influence American democracy. Do the President and his aides care enough to take action before voters go back to the polls?
The longest US war: Will Trump send more troops to Afghanistan? The Trump White House is divided over the Pentagon's request for more troops in Afghanistan—where the US has been fighting for the past 16 years. Is there a formula -- either for "victory" or a political settlement? Is there an end in sight for America's longest war?
Who's to blame for the opioid crisis? Some of the lawyers who took on Big Tobacco are now going after Big Pharma. It’s all about the deadly epidemic of opioid use. Are the drug companies to blame? What about the users? Later, on today’s Talking Point: making sense of Britain’s upset election.
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?