Following are highlights of national news coverage that members of Mason’s School of Public Policy received in the past month.

Tuesday, October 30, The Hindu News
Hawkish RBI Concerned about Liquidity Flushing Around

“The rise in CRR (cash reserve ratio), the sixth this year, will squeeze some liquidity from the financial system. ‘Yet, it should not hurt bank lending much, if at all, since banks are quite flush with liquidity,’ observes Mr Ramkishen S. Rajan, Associate Professor, School of Public Policy, George Mason University, US. ‘This still begets the question why credit growth had slowed down in recent times.’”

Thursday, October 25, WTOP Radio
Region's Real Estate Hotter Than Rest of Nation

“Across the nation houses sit on the market waiting for buyers, but the picture isn't as bleak across the Washington metropolitan area, particularly in the close-in suburbs.

‘The national real estate market is clearly in turmoil. The Washington area is not as bad as that, although the number of sales is still far off their normal pace,’ says Stephen Fuller, director for the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University in Fairfax.

“‘We had several months where sales have exceeded listings, and the days on the market have decreased. In suburban Maryland they're up about 15 percent in September,’ says Fuller, who studies the region's housing market….
 
“Fuller says higher household incomes fueled in part by the federal economy and federal spending make the Washington area more stable than the rest of the nation.

“‘We were less dependent on risky mortgages than other markets, so we have fewer foreclosures. We have the second lowest foreclosure rate in the country.’”

Tuesday, October 23, The Hindu News
PNs: Knee-Jerk Reactions Erode Policy Credibility

“Controls on capital flows cannot be a substitute for sound macroeconomic policy including reform of the monetary policy framework, says Mr Ramkishen S. Rajan, Associate Professor of International Economics, School of Public Policy, George Mason University, Virginia, US.

“Reacting to the recent moves concerning PNs (participatory notes), he argues, ‘What the market does not need is further government-induced turmoil via piecemeal approaches and knee-jerk reactions, which will surely erode the credibility of policy makers and regulators.’”

Sunday, October 21, Philadelphia Inquirer
Religious Right's Giuliani Dilemma

For the leaders of the religious right, the dilemma is obvious and troubling: how to deal with a Republican presidential front-runner when he is not with you on your core issues and you haven't agreed on an alternative.

“Yesterday, the source of their predicament, the pro-choice former mayor of New York, tried to ease their worries, addressing their Values Voters Summit.

“Mark Rozell, a political scientist at George Mason University, said: ‘They have no great options. But the death of the Christian Right—like their taking over the Republican Party—is a story that has been written too many times.’”

Sunday, October 21, Washington Post
2 GOP Lawmakers Allege Democrats Have Ties to Terrorism

“Several political observers predicted the GOP effort to link Democrats to terrorists will backfire and cost the party votes in the Nov. 6 election, when all 140 seats in the legislature are on the ballot.

“‘The idea is such a stretch, so beyond the realm of believability, this just strikes most people as either ridiculous or just political desperation,’ said Mark J. Rozell, a political science professor at George Mason University. ‘The people doing this risk alienating a growing segment of the population and don't really gain anything substantial in return.’”

Friday, October 19, Richmond Times-Dispatch
Dems Get Money, Momentum

“‘The Democratic Party sees it has a real historic opportunity here to take back control of one house of the state legislature and to reduce the Republican margins in the other house,’ said Mark Rozell of George Mason University.

“‘Just a few years ago, we were having conversations about this increasingly conservative, red-leaning state,’ Rozell said. ‘And my, how political fortunes have changed.’”

Thursday, October 18, Brunei Times
Private Infrastructure Financing in Asia?

Professor Ramkishen S. Rajan writes about infrastructure and economics in Asia.

Thursday, October 18, dailypress.com (AP)
With Critical Election Looming, Legislative Dems on Par with Reps

“After a dismal skid of losses in the 1990s through 2000, Democrats have won two straight governors' races, and Democrat newcomer Jim Webb upset Republican Sen. George Allen last fall. And success breeds success, said George Mason University political science professor Mark Rozell. ‘Because Democratic political fortunes have improved, more support financially is drifting in that direction as a natural consequence. People want to make a difference,’ he said. Decisions by donors such as Kirk and Parker to change their giving patterns—even though for quite different reasons—illustrate the poor environment for the GOP, Rozell said. ‘Those are both very good measures to the extent to which people think the Republican Party has lost its way. When you talk about someone who funds a conservative PAC giving to Democrats, that's extraordinary,’ he said.”

Tuesday, October 16, The Politico
GOP Veep Choice Could Get Interesting

Professor Jeremy Mayer writes about the Republican vice presidential contenders.

Monday, October 15, Washington Post
Office Vacancies Up as Contracting Slips

“Vacant office space in Westfields Corporate Center off Route 28 in Chantilly totals about 1 million square feet, or 19.6 percent, according to the commercial real estate services firm Jones Lang LaSalle. That compares with an average vacancy rate in Northern Virginia of 11.2 percent. In the past three years, about 2.7 million square feet of new office space has been added along Route 28 south of Dulles International Airport, causing vacancies in that market to soar, according to Jones Lang LaSalle....

“Stephen S. Fuller, director of the George Mason University School of Public Policy's Center for Regional Analysis, said that while government spending on contractors is not likely to decline in the Washington area, the growth rate has moderated in the past few years. The slowdown is likely to leave the buildings in Westfields and along Route 28 South empty for some time, he said.

"'They are very good, quality buildings, and they will be filled,’ Fuller said. ‘But they are going to have some vacancy for a while.’”

Saturday, October 13, WTOPnews.com (AP)
Over the Top? Ad Duels in Hot Va. Legislative Races Go for the Kill

“But one race, between Republican Del. Timothy D. Hugo and Democratic challenger Rex Simmons, has gotten so mean it has surprised seasoned political analysts and, they say, risks alienating voters….

“But linking Hugo to the torture of Iraqi citizens is a claim so explosive it could backfire on the Democrats, said Mark Rozell, a political science professor at George Mason University.}

“‘These are not the images you expect to see in a Virginia state legislative campaign,’ said Rozell, who lives and works in Fairfax County, by far the fiercest battleground in this year's state House and Senate races.

“‘A lot of the stuff that's coming out of the Democratic Party right now is almost over the top. They smell blood and they're trying to maximize the opportunity they think they have to switch one of the two houses of the Legislature,’ he said.”

Friday, October 12, Science
Newsmakers: Young Blood

“The U.S. Commerce Department has picked a 32-year-old political operative with no scientific background or industrial experience to head a new office intended to foster innovation. Joel Harris, who has worked at the White House and for Republican former Colorado governor William Owens, will direct the Technology Council, which replaces the department's 19-year-old Technology Administration….

“But experts don't hold out much hope for the new council, tucked within the secretary's office and lacking a budget. ‘It's definitely an opportunity lost,’ says Christopher Hill of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, a veteran player in technology issues. ‘I can't imagine that it is a prescription for actually doing anything.’"

Friday, October 12, Washington Blade
Craig Could Retain Senate Seat Despite Inquir

“He faces an ethics investigation and will likely be shunned by peers, but Sen. Larry Craig could retain his seat through it all.

“Political experts said Craig, the Idaho Republican who last week vowed to serve the remaining 15 months of his term despite a court ruling that left intact his guilty plea in connection with a sex sting operation, is unlikely to receive anything beyond a reprimand.

“‘Whether he finishes his term is largely up to him,’ said Mark Rozell, a George Mason University public policy professor. ‘It would be an extraordinary action if he were to be removed from his seat in the Senate.’”

Tuesday, October 9, Washington Post
Democrats Seek Vindication of Loudoun's Shift

“Democratic State Sen. Mark Herring's landslide victory last year, in a district that had for years been led by a Republican, fueled speculation that traditionally red Loudoun County, like the rest of Northern Virginia, was turning purple—maybe even outright blue.

“But observers say the real test for Herring, and of whether political change has really reached Loudoun, could come Nov. 6....

“‘Here's an opportunity for the Democrats to achieve a solid hold on a formerly Republican seat, and that would be quite an accomplishment,’ said Mark Rozell, a professor of public policy at George Mason University. ‘Just several years ago, nobody would have been thinking about having this conversation. It was widely assumed that Loudoun County was solid Republican and would stay that way.’”

Tuesday, October 9, Canada.com
GOP Candidate Thompson Scores Marks with Canadian Content

“Fred Thompson may not yet have won the hearts and minds of Republican voters in the United States.…

“But many GOP voters are still waiting for the curtain to rise on the candidate's crusade. ‘He entered the race late but he is not running a campaign like someone who is playing catch up,’ says Mark Rozell, a presidential scholar at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

“‘Many Republicans complain that he almost seems aloof to the Republican voters. This candidate just doesn't look to have anything of the charisma that Reagan had.’"

Monday, October 8, Washington Post
Car Dealer Tactics on the New-Home Lot

“When the housing market began to weaken, builders responded with incentives such as money toward closing costs and low-interest loans through their mortgage arms, but they did so without cutting their base prices. Faced with a glut of unsold homes and canceled contracts, builders are now turning to tactics typical of car dealerships and department stores. What's even more unusual is that the deals are often accompanied by deep price cuts, which builders had been reluctant to do up until now.

“‘They are using probably whatever techniques and methods to try to sell those houses any way they can,’ John McClain, senior fellow at the Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University, said of the builders.”

Sunday, October 7, The Tennessean
Fred Thompson Campaign Battles Conflicting Images

“‘He is really putting all of his eggs in the basket of image,’ said Jeremy Mayer, a researcher on political image. ‘He is counting on the impression that he sounds presidential and he looks presidential.’

“Mayer, political scientists and professional image consultants give the Thompson image mixed reviews. Many say his physical presence and acting roles give him an advantage. And many agree that whatever image missteps he has made so far are either insignificant or can be overcome….

“Mayer, associate professor at George Mason University's School of Public Policy, said Thompson ‘failed miserably’ in attacking the image that he is lazy. He should have had long days to start his campaign and used other techniques—like the images of Ronald Reagan riding horses and cutting brush—to counter concerns about his vigor and passion.

“But Mayer sees these failures as minor at this point. ‘The vast majority of voters haven't heard those things,’ Mayer said.”

Sunday, October 7, WBAI

Professor Janine Wedel was interviewed by WBAI-FM New York on her Boston Globe op-ed piece. The interview was then aired again on WBAI Sunday News.


Saturday, October 6, Fairfax County Times
Color Fairfax Purple

“In three out of four recent elections, the wide margins tallied in Northern Virginia have swept the Democratic candidate into office statewide. Fairfax County went for John Kerry for President in 2004, the first time the county went for a Democratic candidate since 1964. The area also went for Democrats Webb in 2006, Kaine in 2005 and Mark Warner in 2001.

“‘Virginia has transitioned from being a part of the old solid Democratic South, from a conservative “red” Republican state, to now a competitive two-party state,’ said Professor Mark J. Rozell, a professor at the School of Public Policy at George Mason University. ‘Clearly there are areas of red, blue, and purple in Virginia. But in Northern Virginia, the urban communities closest to D.C. are solid blue, the suburbs are turning increasingly blue, and the exurban communities are turning purple.’"

Wednesday, October 3, The Politico
With So Many Front-Runners, Talk Is Veep

Professor Jeremy Mayer writes about the Democratic vice presidential contenders.

Tuesday, October 2, ABC News
Republican Vote under Threat from Angry Religious Right

“In the United States, conservative Christian leaders are beginning to show their discontent with the current crop of Republican presidential frontrunners....

“Voting for a new president begins in just three months, and the religious right in America has been unable to unite behind a Republican candidate.

“But they know who they don't want: former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani, who is the Republican Party's current frontrunner....

“Jerry Mayer, a professor of politics at George Mason University in Washington, says the conservative Christians' plan threatens to split the Republican vote.

“‘You nominate a pro-choice Republican as liberal on gay issues, as liberal on sexuality as Giuliani is, I'm telling you some right-wing Republican maverick, like Alan Keyes or some other minor figure, will run as a third party candidate, will run as a pro-life candidate of the party of God, and that will hurt,’ he said.

“‘Indeed, it will make it impossible for the Republicans to win.’”