Posts by Dr. Eric Ostermeier
SD 2008 Election Forecast: Will Momentum Towards the Democrats Continue?
South Dakota, one of the most reliably Republican states in the Midwest, will be an interesting state to watch in 2008. First, the state will have a high-profile Senate race, whether or not the state’s senior Senator, Democrat Tim…
Read MoreSmart Politics Live Blogging at Congressman Ramstad Event
Smart Politics will be blogging live covering Republican Congressman Jim Ramstad (MN-03) from the Humphrey Institute on Tuesday, August 14th, from Noon to 1:15 pm. The talk, sponsored by the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, is entitled…
Read MoreLive Blogging at Congressman Ramstad Event
12:00 pm. Jim Ramstad’s speech today is entitled “Life as a Centrist in the New Congress.” Ramstad has touted his moderate, centrist credentials in recent years, and there is evidence in his voting record to bolster this claim. In 2006,…
Read MoreTommy Thompson Ends Presidential Bid
Former Wisconsin Governor Tommy Thompson officially ended his campaign to win the Republican nomination this weekend, after a disappointing 6th place finish in an Iowa Straw Poll that was missing three of the GOP’s top-tier candidates. Thompson had previously…
Read MoreMitt Romney Wins Iowa Straw Poll; Tommy Thompson and Duncan Hunter Fall Short
Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney met expectations by easily winning the GOP Iowa Straw Poll on Saturday, garnering 31.5 percent of the vote. Romney was expected to win because of his strong showing in early scientific polls and due to…
Read MoreIowa Leaning Democratic for ’08 Presidential Election
A new poll conducted by the University of Iowa gives an insight into the inroads the Democratic Party may still be making—building off their success in the 2006 Election. A survey conducted July 29—August 5 of 907 registered voters asked…
Read MoreHow Predictive Are the Iowa Caucuses?
As the first state to select delegates in Election 2008, the Iowa caucuses are understandably considered very important in the presidential nomination process. The caucuses present an opportunity for national frontrunners to solidify their lead as well as underdogs…
Read MoreGOP Holds on to MN 28B House Seat; But What Does It Mean?
Republican Steve Drazkowski defeated DFL candidate Linda Pfeilsticker 52.9 to 46.9 percent in a special election in House District 28B to replace former Rep. Steve Sviggum on Tuesday. While Ron Carey, the state Republican Party Chairman characterized Drazkowski’s win as…
Read MoreABC News / Wash. Post Iowa Poll: Romney Up Big, 3-Way Race for Dems
The first ABC News / Washington Post poll of likely Iowa caucus voters finds it tight at the top on the Democratic side and Mitt Romney with a double-digit lead over his GOP rivals. The poll was conducted July…
Read MoreColeman and Klobuchar Seek $250 Million for I-35 Bridge Reconstruction
Minnesota Senators Norm Coleman and Amy Klobuchar spearheaded federal legislation on Thursday to not only provide funds to rebuild the I-35 bridge, but also improve infrastructure problems nationwide. The Senators first called on the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) to immediately…
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