NEWS TIP SHEET
Political Advertisements and Debates. Jim Rettew, lecturer of political communication and a former campaign manager for candidates in congressional and statewide elections in Colorado and Florida, can discuss political advertisements, debates and media coverage. He says the public can expect more negative ads in the months leading up to the election. "Voters may not like negative ads, but they are successful because fear is stronger than logic," he said. When it comes to political debates, Rettew says the real winner is the candidate who scores the "zinger" that is replayed on TV news, because that is what most people see. He can be reached at (303) 440-8550 or (303) 579-2005.
Economics of Job Outsourcing. Keith Maskus, chair and professor of economics, can discuss the economic issues of job outsourcing. An expert on international trade and U.S. trade policy, Maskus says job outsourcing is nothing new, but the recent inclusion of middle-class jobs in the trend has increased public awareness. While unpopular, job outsourcing will most likely be good for the U.S. economy in the long run, according to Maskus, because it increases productivity. Attempts to stop the process will not work, he said, so resources would be better directed toward job creation and retraining American workers. Maskus can be reached at (303) 492-7588.
Ethics of Job Outsourcing. Lyla Hamilton, faculty director of the Center for Business and Society and senior instructor at the Leeds School of Business, can talk about the ethics of job outsourcing. According to Hamilton, both pro- and anti-outsourcing advocates can cite credible ethical principles to support their positions. She cautions against the oversimplification that often characterizes political campaigns, quoting social critic and writer H.L. Mencken in saying "For every complex problem, there is a simple solution that is elegant, easy to understand and wrong." She can be reached at (303) 735-0437.
Federal Budget Deficit. Don Roper, professor of economics, can address the growing federal budget deficit and the effects it may have on the U.S. economy. A former economist in the Division of International Finance of the Federal Reserve Board and an expert in monetary policy and debt, Roper says the growing federal debt will continue to lead the Federal Reserve to create more money, which will lead to inflation. He can be reached at (303) 492-7466, or (303) 443-1077.
Rebuilding Iraq. Roland Paris, assistant professor of political science, has extensively researched the challenges of nation-building after wars and contends U.S. forces will need to remain in Iraq for several years in order to succeed in restoring stability to that country. Rushing the process of nation-building does not work, argues Paris, and if the United States succumbs to the temptation to install democracy too quickly or withdraws U.S. forces too early, the result could be a disaster. Paris is on leave in Canada, but can be reached by email at roland.paris@colorado.edu or by phone at (613) 222-9429.
Colorado and National Issues. Michael Kanner, instructor of political science, can address Colorado legislative and statewide issues including proposed changes to TABOR and Amendment 23, ideological diversity and free speech on college campuses. He also can discuss terrorism, American foreign policy and government ethics. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Kanner served in the U.S. Army for 16 years in Germany, Latin America and the United States. He can be reached at (303) 492-7138 or by email at michael.kanner@colorado.edu.
Colorado and National Races. Scott Adler, associate professor of political science, is following all of the Colorado congressional races (U.S. House and Senate) and can comment on any of them. Adler is following many of the national races and the presidential race and can discuss them also. He can be reached at (303) 492-6659.
Congressional and Presidential Elections. Ken Bickers, professor of political science, can address congressional races nationally, as well as the presidential election. Bickers also can be a source on the politics of workforce development and "welfare to work" transitions. He can be reached at (303) 492-2363 or bickers@colorado.edu.