Cred PhD Indiana University; MA, Indiana University; BA, University of Oregon

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Livelihood University Distinguished Professor of Government, School of Public Affairs; founder and director, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies

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Interests Campaigns, elections, budgets, lobbying, and reform

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Focus Penning books on the first two years of the Obama administration and Eisenhower and Congress

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Recent Awards 2010 Walter Beach Pi Sigma Alpha award, given by the American Political Science Association (National Capital Chapter) for contributions to political science and public service

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Last Book You Read The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larson. (“Lisbeth Salander is the ultimate wonk.”)

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What Keeps You Up At Night? “Major public policy problems facing Americans such as the debt and deficit, global warming, immigration, and the dysfunctionality of Congress.”

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Are You a Wonk? “I’m knowledgeable—or, is that wonkledgeable?—on Congress, lobbying and lobbyists, and U.S. campaigns and elections.”

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Additional Links
AU Profile
Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies
SPA’s Thurber Honored for Scholarship, Service
Take the Super PAC challenge