RAY C. BLISS INSTITUTE OF APPLIED POLITICS SPRING 2008 FIRST CLASS U.S. POSTAGE PAID THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON AKRON, OHIO Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics Akron, OH 44325-1914 The Bliss Institute would like to thank you for your support and wish you a joyous and prosperous New Year. On the Move Making Democracy Happen Padi Hallum (M.A. 2007) The University of Akron’s Bliss Institute of Betty Sutton for Congress Campaign Applied Politics hosted the American Association of Political Consultants (AAPC) Fifth Academic Brian Schuler (M.A.P. 2006) Outreach Conference, “Making Democracy Paul Schiffer for Congress Campaign Happen,” Oct. 11-12, 2007. Congratulations to recently More than 300 people attended the conference. elected alumni: Students from more than 40 colleges and Adam Booth (M.A.P. 2005), universities across the country came to the Columbiana County Educational conference to discuss professional political Service Center Governing Board consulting and public affairs with some of the nation’s top political consultants and researchers. Jason Haas (former staff member), Students network with consultants at the opening Akron Public Schools Board Conference panels were made up of both political reception of the conference. consultants and academics specializing in campaigns Cyril Kleem (M.A. 2002), Mayor, and elections. Panelists explained career trends, City of Berea technical expertise and ethical issues as they The American Association of Political discussed the following topics: news, bloggers and James Walters (M.A. 1997), Consultants, founded in 1969, is a bipartisan new media; challenges of modern campaigning; Jackson Township Trustee organization of political professionals. Association communicating with voters; micro targeting voters; membership is composed of political consultants, Good luck to alumni and students and candidates and campaigns for 2008. media consultants, pollsters, campaign managers, currently running for office: “I was proud to watch so many young students corporate public affairs officers, professors, University Calendar Adam Booth (M.A.P. 2005), glued to the conference panels,” said Tony Fazio, fundraisers, lobbyists, congressional staffers and Columbiana County Recorder AAPC president. “Such enthusiasm for politics and vendors. Membership is open to everyone Registration is now open for the distance- public affairs is most encouraging for the future of associated with politics — from the local level to Craig Brown (M.A.P. 2003) learning classes offered in Columbus. All our profession. It’s wonderful how our association has the White House. Columbiana County Recorder classes listed here are held in Columbus. become a stepping stone for tomorrow’s campaign The AAPC started the Academic Outreach Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics Randy Cole (B.S. 1982), consultants. Of course, none of this would be Conference to increase the involvement of Jan. 14 Spring classes begin The University of Akron 41st Ohio House District possible without the tireless commitment of AAPC academia and students. “By all measures, the Jan. 14 New Age Marketing class begins Akron, OH 44325-1914 John Green veterans Raymond Strother and Nancy Todd Tyner.” Academic Outreach Conference was a total Adrian Sims (B.A. Candidate) Jan. 14 Research Methods in Political Science Phone: 330-972-5182 Director A mentoring luncheon gave students a chance to success,” noted Anthony Bellotti, AAPC class begins Ohio House, 44th District executive director. “The Bliss Institute created a Fax: 330-972-5479 Stephen Brooks interact with political consultants and network with Jan. 15 Campaign Finance class begins 2006-2007 MASTER OF people in their field of interest. Afterward, speakers compelling program and broke all attendance and E-mail: [email protected] Associate Director APPLIED POLITICS talked about their career paths and gave advice on fundraising records. The Akron conference will Jan. 16 Political Influence and Organizations Web sites: www.uakron.edu/bliss class begins Gail Garbrandt RECIPIENTS how to break into their field and succeed in the become the model for our future outreach to the www.winningpolitics.com student community.” Jan. 16 Seminar in National Politics class begins Manager, Internships Adam Clapp consulting business. Allison Hamilton Jan. 17 Campaign Battleground class begins The Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics Kim Haverkamp Jennifer Harry Manager, Marketing & Events Jan. 17 Campaign Management II class begins is a bipartisan research and teaching institute Michael Komaschka dedicated to increasing understanding of the Angela McMillen Jan. 21 Martin Luther King Holiday Janet Bolois political process with special emphasis on Administrative Assistant Cyndra Miller Jan. 31 Political Science Insight speaker series political parties, grassroots activity and ethical Megan Pappada begins, UA campus Dan Coffey behavior. Students can pursue a Master of Glen Stolburg Christina Worthington Feb. 19 Presidents Day – no classes Applied Politics, Juris Doctor/Master of Applied Institute Fellow Late February Summer registration begins Politics, or Certificate in Applied Politics. The Dave Cohen 2006-2007 CERTIFICATE OF Spring Break Bliss Institute offers a nationally recognized Institute Fellow APPLIED POLITICS March 17-23 RECIPIENTS internship program and sponsors public Karl Kaltenthaler Late March Fall registration begins Jeffrey Banyas programs, conferences and research on topics Institute Fellow May 5-11 Final Exam Week such as campaign finance, campaign advertising Leslie Bell Catherine Breck For more information, contact Kim Haverkamp and political organizations. Panelists give career advice at the mentoring luncheon. From left: Anthony Belotti, American Association of Political Marie David Consultants; Gail Garbrandt, Bliss Institute and AAPC Academic Outreach Conference Chairman; Jim Crooks, JC at 330-972-5182, [email protected], or visit our Jeffrey Gower Power Strategic Communications; Alan Melamed, Melamed Communications; Brett Sciotto, American Strategies; Web site: www.WinningPolitics.com. The University of Akron is an Equal Education and Employment Institution Emma Lieberth Cathy Allen, The Connections Group; and Nancy Todd Tyner, Nancy Todd, Inc. © 2008 by The University of Akron / 108-AS-13 Diane Wilkinson NOTES FROM THE FIELD Summer is always our busiest time with interns. Jones; Superior Beverage Group; Judge Robert G. Bliss Institute Collaborates with Akron Press Club It seems as the rest of the University winds down Lavery; attorney Dave Eager; Cuyahoga Falls Fire into summer, we gear up for some exciting Department; McDonald Hopkins LLC; Key It all started when I suggested to John Green events and speakers. These included a 2006 debate exchanges! Our Ottawa, Canada internship Center Properties; security at Best Buy; attorney that the Bliss Institute host a debate between the between the candidates for the Ohio 13th program has really grown. We had a mix of graduate Curt P. Bogen, LLC.; Wayne County Public candidates for Ohio Auditor of State in 2006. Since Congressional District (which was later broadcast and undergraduate students who spent five weeks Defender; John Heinz School of Public Affairs and both Barbara Sykes (D-Akron) and Mary Taylor (R- on C-SPAN) and the Democratic primary debate in Ottawa, each assigned to a member of federal Management at Carnegie Mellon University; Green) are from Summit County, and both are for Akron mayor in August 2007. parliament. In all, 11 students had summer North Royalton Police Department; and the women who have degrees from The University of This collaboration will continue into the internships in Canada. Harper Law Office LLC. Akron, I felt strongly that the Bliss Institute should foreseeable future. In 2007, I joined the press club’s Four students did internships in Columbus, Fall 2007 was a busy time for Bliss Institute host a debate if there was to be one. Dr. Green board and assisted Abe Zaidan with programs. In Ohio, with legislators, and one graduate student interns as well. We had a guest student from Hiram agreed, with one caveat. He wanted the Akron January 2008, I became vice president in charge of worked for the Ohio Republican Party. College intern with the Hillary Clinton for Press Club to co-sponsor the event. “Call Abe activities and programs, when he retires from the Intern Colleen Shaver with Sen. Kevin Coughlin. Zaidan,” he said. We sent nine interns to Washington, D.C. New President Campaign in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; one APC Board after more than three decades of placements included the AARP office of Legal student interned in Washington, D.C., with the And my call to Abe was, to quote Humphrey service. He promises to continue to help me and I Counsel and the Jordanian Embassy. National Conference of State Legislatures; three Bogart’s character in the 1942 film Casablanca, “the am very appreciative. I am determined to build students were placed in Columbus, Ohio, – one start of a beautiful friendship.” The debate took upon this collaboration that benefits the institute, Our 52 local interns worked on campaigns, in with State Rep. Shannon Jones and one with place on Oct. 13, 2006, and it was the only debate the press club and the public at large. law offices, with political parties and in criminal Rep. Vernon Sykes; a graduate student was placed Candidates Craig Foltin (R) and Betty Sutton (D) at the held for that office. Dr. Dave Cohen is an associate professor in the justice internships. New placements included: with a political