OPEN UNIVERSITY SEPTEMBER 13, 2006
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by Michael KazinHas anyone written a good book or essay about what happens to professors who try to get elected to public office? Some manage to deploy their expertise in practical ways, understanding that appealing to voters is not just a matter of stating positions and raising money. But others seem to think that what works in the lecture hall--or on the page--will also play well out in the streets and the polling booths.
In Tuesday's Maryland Democratic Primary, two professors from American University (in D.C.) exemplified these different strategies in their first runs for office. Jamin Raskin, who teaches in the law school, won a landslide victory for a seat in the State Senate over a long-time, but now aged, incumbent. He energetically articulated precise, liberal positions on the issues, but he also persuaded important pols--like the local congressman--to back him and also won the endorsement of The Washington Post. Meanwhile, Allan Lichtman, an excellent political historian, was finishing sixth in his race for the U.S. Senate nomination. Lichtman tried to run as the candidate of the principled left; he called for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq and convinced Daniel Ellsberg and George McGovern to speak at his fund-raisers. But Lichtman only made an impact in the media when he and his wife got arrested for protesting his exclusion from a candidate's debate (only candidates who topped 15 percent in the polls were invited). In the end, he won fewer votes statewide than Raskin did in his one tiny district.
6 comments
Paul Wellstone is probably the most famous prof turned pol, and he did quite alright as a politicians (and is sorely missed.) I read somewhere that Lichtman (who made some funny ads, I thought) wanted his campaign to be a Wellstone-type insurgency.
- hustveit
September 13, 2006 at 4:45pm
Allan, go limp. Allan, lay down. Lay down, Allan. http://youtube.com/watch?v=1-AMpKQTids
- johnclm
September 13, 2006 at 5:08pm
Brown University's Political Science Professor Jennifer Lawless lost yesterday in her campaign to unseat incumbent Congressman James Langevin in Rhode Island's 2nd District. Although she lost, she had a pretty good showing against a strong pro-life incumbent Democrat, garnering 38% of the vote. The Providence Journal has more information. This quote was taken from the article:
"After calling Langevin to congratulate him, Lawless, 31, of Cranston, addressed supporters, saying she was told that 'no one takes on an incumbent in a primary.' But she said, 'In a democracy, no one gets a free ride.' And she emphasized the need to fight the Bush administration and congressional Republicans, saying, 'Too many Democrats are enabling Republicans instead of fighting back.'"
- burntedge
September 13, 2006 at 6:26pm
For what it's worth, one of my old economics professors at CWRU is running for Governor of Ohio. He taught a great public choice course, with a whopping 6 students.
Of course, he's a libertarian so I don't know if that qualifies his as a real campaign or not...http://peirceforohio.com/
- zacwbond
September 14, 2006 at 12:21am
There is a huge difference between State Senate and US Senate. Would be politicians start at Local or State government (Assembly or Senate) before they aspire to the big leagues. The only time this does not apply is when the would be politico is already famous as an athlete, actor, businessman, son of expresident, etc. I don't know many Professors who have such fame.
- blackton
September 14, 2006 at 1:35pm
Perhaps there is a difference between law professors and liberal arts/humanities professors running for office. Lawyers may be better at the political game due to their practical studies of the legislative process, the political structure of government, and advocacy. I might be comparing apples and oranges here - perhaps the original post only referred to humanities professors. However, I will note that Professor Mary Cheh of the George Washington University Law School recently won the democratic nomination for a D.C. Council Seat.
- gciraldo
September 18, 2006 at 8:46pm