Professor of Government at Harvard University
Bradlee Professor of Government and the Press at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and author of The Vanishing Voter: Involvement in an Age of Uncertainty
PROFILE
Thomas Patterson
Guest
FROM Thomas Patterson
To the Point
Parties Gear Up for Legal Battle The latest polls show Republicans picking up steam among likely voters, meaning that more races for the Senate and Congress could be closer than ever. With the possibility of more challenges at various stages of the electoral process, both parties are mobilizing thousands of lawyers. Republicans are concentrating on possible fraud, Democrats are focused on access, and the federal Department of Justice is sending 800 lawyers to 65 cities in 20 states. How long will it take before we know who’s in charge on Capitol Hill? Will challenges and delays damage confidence in American democracy? We hear about possible challenges to voter ID, electronic voting and absentee ballots.
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To the Point
Will the Senate write a healthcare bill in secret? While Democrats and Republicans argue White House relations with Russia, another question is being decided behind closed doors: who gets help buying health insurance and who doesn't? We hear how the pros and cons are being shrouded in secrecy.
To the Point
White House budget proposal slashes and burns President Trump's first budget request is considered dead on arrival in Congress — a familiar development in Capitol Hill. We hear what it reveals about the priorities of the new administration. What's likely to die… and what might survive?
To the Point
Janesville and the American Dream Janesville, Wisconsin is the hometown of Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan. But he couldn’t prevent the closing of the General Motors factory after 100 years. On this Memorial Day rebroadcast of To the Point, we hear what’s happened to what once was a model of American middle-class unity.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.