This paper analyzes Obama's relationship to the Democratic Party in historical perspective. It shows that Obama has established a complex and ambivalent relationship with the Democratic Party, in some ways strengthening, and in others enervating, his party. Nonetheless, nationalized,...

George W. Bush's presidency presents two major puzzles. The Republican Party has traditionally stood for “limited government,” but Bush's principal legacy for federalism is centralization of power in the federal government and the executive branch. Most modern presidents have neglected their...

This paper analyzes Obama’s relationship to the Democratic Party in historical perspective. It shows that Obama has established a complex and ambivalent relationship with the Democratic Party, in some ways strengthening, and in others enervating, his party. Nonetheless, nationalized,...

What are the dynamics of partisan rhetoric in presidential campaigns? (How) has presidential candidate partisanship changed over time? Analyzing a comprehensive dataset of party-related statements in presidential campaign speeches over the 1952-2012 period, we show that Democratic and Republican...

While recent research has advanced our understanding of the relationship between wealth and representation, this work has been hampered by limitations in existing data sources. To date, research on economic biases in representation has depended almost exclusively on cross-sectional survey data....

George W. Bush's presidency presents two major puzzles. The Republican Party has traditionally stood for "limited government," but Bush's principal legacy for federalism is centralization of power in the federal government and the executive branch. Most modern presidents have neglected their...