Apr 30
What Ever Happened to Compromise?
UPDATE: Amy Gutmann and Dennis Thompson discussed compromise and Congressional gridlock with Andrea Mitchell at the National Constitution Center on May 2. Listen to the full podcast: Is compromise a dirty word? Speaker John Boehner spoke for many politicians running for office when he declared “I reject the word.” In the past, political leaders in… [Continue Reading]
Apr 25
Taking advice from the master
In a continuing series of posts, David Thornburgh explores the tools and techniques public leaders use to get things done and move more than just a slim majority of a decision-making body to a conclusion. A few weeks ago, the New York Times Sunday Magazine published a blow-by-blow account of President Barack Obama and House… [Continue Reading]
Feb 14
Constitution Check: Does mandated birth control insurance violate religious freedom?
President Obama and his aides are continuing to struggle over ways to avoid violations of religious doctrine (mainly, Roman Catholic dogma) as they move to implement a provision in the new federal health care law requiring health insurance coverage of birth control for employees.
Jan 10
Constitution Check: Can the Senate block the President’s appointment powers?
The dispute between the former government legal officials and the President’s spokesman – a dispute that has now widened well beyond those combatants – is one of those constitutional controversies that remain truly unsettled even 225 years after the founding document was written.
Nov 21
To have and to hold; to enforce, but not defend … the partisan clash over the Defense of Marriage Act
DOMA stands a good chance of stirring the 2012 presidential election campaign.
