BOSTON COLLEGE FACULTY EXPERTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT ON ISSUES RELATED TO AMERICAN POLITICS:

PROFESSOR PATRICK J. MANEY, HISTORY DEPARTMENT, BOSTON COLLEGE

On  President Obama's strategy to reach out to Republicans: “Not only did President Franklin D. Roosevelt reach out to the opposition, Bill Clinton did as well. The most striking parallel with FDR came after a bitter, 1940 presidential election in which FDR defeated Wendell Willkie to win an unprecedented third term.  After the election, FDR reached out to Willkie and sent him on diplomatic mission around the world, a mission that resulted in a book, One World, written by Willkie.  FDR even talked with Willkie about the possibility of them forming a third party - a genuinely progressive or liberal third party which liberal Republicans and Democrats could join.  How serious FDR was it's hard to know.  And Willkie died in 1944, before anything could come of their new party discussions.  

“Following his reelection in 1996, Clinton began meeting with Newt Gingrich about the two of them working to reform entitlements, such as Medicare and Social Security.  They both knew nothing could be done unless both parties worked together.  But then came the Monica Lewinsky and impeachment matters, and all bets were off.  The facts about this abortive effort have only recently been uncovered by historians.”

Patrick Maney is a professor of history with expertise in presidential, congressional and political history. He has written a book on Franklin Delano Roosevelt and is currently working on a detailed look at the Clinton Presidency.
Office: 617-552-3260; maneyp@bc.edu

 
PROFESSOR MARC LANDY, POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, BOSTON COLLEGE 

On the retirement announcement made by US Senator Evan Bayh: "It is not a good day for the Democratic Party when its most prominent moderate chooses to retire and blames 'excessive partisanship' for his decision. Evan Bayh aimed an uppercut at the Democratic congressional leadership and a strong jab at Obama. We have not heard the last from him.”

Marc Landy is an expert on the American presidency, American politics and elections. He is co-author of the book Presidential Greatness.

617-552-4172; marc.landy@bc.edu 

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR DENNIS HALE, POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, BOSTON COLLEGE

Dennis Hale is an expert on state, local and national politics and elections.

617-552-4165; dennis.hale@bc.edu 

PROFESSOR ALAN WOLFE, DIRECTOR, BOISI CENTER FOR RELIGION & AMERICAN PUBLIC LIFE, BOSTON COLLEGE

Alan Wolfe, is widely recognized for his studies and observations on American politics and religion; the intersection of religion, morality and public policy; and cultural issues. He is author of Return to Greatness: How America Lost Its Sense of Purpose and What it Needs to Do to Recover It.

617-552-1862; alan.wolfe@bc.edu 

 

PROFESSOR KAY SCHLOZMAN, POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT, BOSTON COLLEGE

Kay Schlozman, BC’s J. Joseph Moakley Professor of Political Science, has done extensive research on American politics that includes gender and politics, political behavior and public opinion.

617-552-4174; kay.schlozman@bc.edu

 
 

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR RICHARD ALBERT, BOSTON COLLEGE LAW SCHOOL

Richard Albert specializes in constitutional law and democratic theory. He has taught courses on presidential and congressional leadership.

617-552-3930; richard.albert@bc.edu


 

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Reid Oslin
Boston College News & Public Affairs
Main Office: 617-552-3350
Direct: 617-552-3630