Entries in MassPoliticsProfs by Jerold Duquette

All police professionals should distance themselves from efforts to mobilize police officers for partisan political combat. The folks manipulating cops and supporters of law enforcement for partisan political gain aren’t the ones whose personal safety depends on the respect of strangers.

“Donald Trump’s Republican lead is only 7 points smaller than Hillary Clinton’s Democratic one”

After reading the mind numbingly inane headline above I was struck by a notion with which I’ve long wrestled, namely that daily intake of commercial media political analysis can make one dumber. As a poli sci prof, I kinda have to pay close attention to do my day job, but I can’t help feeling like one of a few sober folks at a bar full of drunks. Folks who want to test their level of knowledge and understanding of American politics need only peruse the headlines at realclearpolitics.com on any given day. If you don’t feel like laughing, crying, or scratching your head after reading at least 40% of these headlines, then you have some homework to do.

Media analysts are slowly coming around to the reality that the poll numbers of Trump and Sanders are inflated, but not necessarily for the reasons public opinion scholars and experts have been explaining.

Donald Trump’s presidential campaign isn’t a distraction from the race for either party’s 2016 presidential nomination; it’s a made-for-TV pre-game show.

Hillary Clinton is a VERY well known quantity and her critics have nothing new to add to their now decades-old litany of her character flaws and unsubstantiated misbehavior allegations. Gerson’s taunt isn’t going to tempt Clinton into anything that might distract public attention from the ongoing Republican disaster. GOP efforts to ensnare her in scandals involving her conduct as Secretary of State have so far been almost as counter-productive as the antics of the “sweet sixteen” at this point.So far, the New York Times appears to be the only casualty in the Republicans’ “War on Hillary.” Her free ride to the general election amounts to a free ride to the general election narrative and the general election issues that will most impact voters’ choices in November. Republican strategists understand this, which is why they are desperate to lure Clinton into engaging on the “character” issue.If she does so engage, it would help legitimate the candidate-centric narrative Republicans need in order to have any chance of winning back the White House next year.

Hillary Clinton is extremely well positioned presently and is very wisely adhering to that classic bit of political wisdom, “[n]ever write if you can speak; never speak if you can nod; never nod if you can wink.” Right now for Hillary Clinton less is more, whether the media likes it or not.

The Governor’s restrained criticism of Democratic patronage hiring in last year’s campaign showed that he understands how and when it’s appropriate to play a long game rather than to jump on a potentially explosive short term “game changer.” His strategic hiring of failed GOP candidates across the Commonwealth signals that this Governor, unlike his Republican predecessors, is serious about rebuilding his state party. 

The following two increasingly inescapable realities compel me to call the race for the White House now so we can dispense with all the unserious presidential prognostication and start focusing on something about which reasonable doubt remains:

1. None of her competitors (announced or potential) can beat Hillary Clinton in the race for the Democratic nomination.

2.The 2016 presidential election will turn on a choice between four more years of divided government and Republican control of the federal government.

I’ll take your questions now.