Humphrey Institute News on-the-go

Where's The Campaigning For Minneapolis Mayor?

2009-11-06T16:56:40Z

WCCO
October 28, 2009

Director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Larry Jacobs responded to the race for the mayor in Minneapolis and how this year there has been no high profile campaigns or opponents to Mayor Rybak.

"Because of Mayor Rybak's success as mayor and his political success in locking up support in the Democratic Party, has resulted in no serious big name challengers. He's basically looks like he's headed for a cakewalk," said Jacobs.

Download the Article

The Perennials

2009-11-04T18:41:38Z

Minnesota Daily
November 1, 2009

Director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Larry Jacobs thinks that many perennials run repeatedly because they believe they have a unique voice that, if they don't run, will not be represented.

"I think there are very passionate beliefs that underlie many perennials," Jacobs said.

Download the Article

City Council President Barb Johnson enjoys perks of office

2009-11-04T18:22:27Z

City Pages
November 2, 2009

Polictical Scientist and director for the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Larry Jacobs includes his reaction to Minneapolis City Council President Barb Johnson charging her campaign supporters for dry-cleaning, haircuts, cell phone, and other perks.

"The fall is when you're campaigning, not six months after when the campaign is over," says U of M political scientist Larry Jacobs. "Dry-cleaning six months later after an election, you kind of scratch your head and say, 'How's that's going to work?'"

Download the Article

St. Paul To Weigh 'Ranked Choice' Voting Option

2009-11-04T18:07:49Z

WCCO
November 2, 2009

Director for the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Larry Jacobs commented upon the election and the choice of an "instant runoff voting" amendment on the ballot in St. Paul.

"We're probably not going to have a high turnout for this election because the incumbent mayor looks pretty comfortable," said Jacobs, "And I also think we'll see a drop-off in those voting for this amendment."

Download the Article

Election For St. Paul Mayor Could Be Record Low

2009-11-04T17:55:48Z

WCCO - TV
November 2, 2009

Director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Larry Jacobs recognizes that this year may not be a high turn out for the mayor race, especially in comparison to last year's 2008 presidential election.

"We're probably not going to have a high turnout in this election," said Jacobs.

Download the Article

Down ticket GOP statewides lean conservative in Rockford

2009-11-04T17:19:29Z

Chicago Daily Observer
November 3, 2009

Director for the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Larry Jacobs was the forum moderator in Rockford, Illinois. The forum was where statewide candidates answered questions raised by Concerned Christians for America.

One of the five questions that Jacobs asked was: "Do you support or oppose a Constitutional Amendment protecting the one-man/one-woman definition of marriage?" All three candidates said "Support."

Download the Article

How does instant runoff voting work?

2009-11-03T17:43:09Z

Minnesota Public Radio
November 2, 2009

Director of the Election Administration Project at the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Rachel Smith offers her knowledge on how instant runoff voting works in a Minnesota Public Radio segment.

Rachel explains how there are still ovals on the voting ballot; however, that the ballot will include be a ranking system, offered in Minneapolis for the November 3rd elections. She also adds that there may still be glitches this year.

Health insurers have 'ignited the case' for regulation, Lois Quam says

2009-10-30T18:11:25Z

MinnPost
October 29, 2009

In the question-and-answer session after a presentation by Lois Quam, former HealthCare Group executive, Larry Jacobs asked Quam whether she supported the opt-out public option proposed by Reid. Such a provision would allow states to decide whether or not they wanted to participate in the health-care program.

"I'd much rather have a public option that does not include opt-out," Quam said. "Having worked in health care for a long time, I've seen that some states like Minnesota do a good job (with public programs) and some states don't."

Download the Article

Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota Announces Scott Leitz as New Director of Child Health Policy and Advocacy

2009-10-30T18:02:53Z

Reuters
October 29, 2009

Graduate from the Humphrey Institute Scott Leitz is announced to be the new Director of Child Health Policy and Advocacy at the Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota.

"Scott has an exceptional background in health policy, and also understands the complexity of the legislative process," said Alan L. Goldbloom, MD, president and CEO, Children's of Minnesota. "In his new role, he will lead our efforts, in collaboration with community partners and legislators, to improve the health of children in our region and across the country."

Download the Article

1-year poll shows changed views on Obama

2009-10-30T16:10:20Z

USA Today
October 28, 2009

Director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Lawrence Jacobs mentions in an article about President Obama's declining support could be because some are waking up and realizing the change he once mentioned may not occur. However, he also mentions that the United States' economy is in very poor condition.

"There's a kind of realism that's taken over, that 'the change you can believe in' -- people have woken up and seen that as kind of a talking point, and I think there's some disappointment, some deflation," says Lawrence Jacobs. "On the other hand, when you take into account he's been president during the sharpest economic decline since the Great Depression, it's astounding that his support is not weaker."

Download the Article

Steering committee to plan U's academic future

2009-10-30T15:35:35Z

MN Daily
October 28, 2009

Humphrey Senior Fellow Jay Kiedrowski served on the initial task force, called Financing the Future Task Force. The new task force is a continum of it and is called "Sustaining Excellence Steering Committee." It has been set up by President Bob Bruininks to determine which activities merit increased investment, which can afford cuts, and which should be eliminated.

Kiedrowski also said it is important to have a "cross-section." "In some ways, I represented that cross-section -- I'm not a dean, I'm just a faculty member. While I was there because of my past expertise, I also knew how it might impact parts of the University," Kiedrowski said.

Download the Article

A few jabs made at Anoka Technical College candidate forum

2009-10-30T15:26:43Z

HometownSource Blogs
October 28, 2009

Professor Steve Kelly spoke of teaching a class on government budgeting and perhaps inviting a well known someone to attend.

"I thought about inviting Tim Pawlenty to the class. But I concluded that he didn't [meet] the prerequisites for it. And I really hate to flunk students," said Kelley.

Download the Article

Minnesota facing both political and budget crises, U political scientist says

2009-10-28T16:35:00Z

MinnPost
October 27, 2009

Director for the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Larry Jacobs discusses how a major political crisis in Minnesota is leading to an economic crisis in regard to the state's budget.

A down economy, evaporating stimulus money, differing political priorities and an upcoming gubernatorial election are only adding to the state's budget-balancing problems, Jacobs said.

Download the Article

Minnesota's "pending political crisis"

2009-10-28T16:22:30Z

Minneapolis City Pages
October 27, 2009

Director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Larry Jacobs is mentioned in an article about politics because he is known to be "something of a political oracle, or at least someone who can put all the political hee-hawing in perspective."

"Both the governor and legislature have used budget gimmicks to hide a massive structural deficit... plus, you have the stimulus money running out, and that's going to pull the rug out for both parties," said Jacobs.

Download the Article

Head Strong: GOP needs new primary process, and fast

2009-10-26T15:41:37Z

Philadelphia Inquirer
October 25, 2009

Director of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance Lawrence Jacobs points to changes instituted in the 1970s as a turning point in the way primary elections were contested. Responsibility for choosing nominees, he said, was transferred from party officials to the voters.

"Frankly, it doesn't matter if Iowa and New Hampshire go first - which certainly have moderate elements - or if it's Georgia and Florida and those states go first," he said. "It's the fact that in each of those states you tend to get this narrow segment of party activists driving the process."

Download the Article