Former McCain, Obama Aides Schmidt and Plouffe Join at University of Delaware
By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers
In an unusual alliance fostered by their alma mater, the top aides to 2008 presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama are joining forces to build a new political center at the University of Delaware. Obama campaign manager David Plouffe and McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt are working to develop the university's first Center for Political Communication, a coup for the Blue Hens, who also count Vice President Joe Biden among their alumni.
Their teaming comes as Schmidt and Plouffe are trying to finish their degrees: Both attended UD, but neither graduated. Schmidt says he is finishing up three hours at the university, and Plouffe is working toward a full degree, too. Plouffe has deep Delaware roots, having grown up in Wilmington. More recently, he bought a Ford hybrid from his brother at a dealership in Wilmington.
The two have been instrumental in the development of the Center for Political Communication, which will combine several academic disciplines—political science, communication, visual communication, marketing, sociology, business, and perhaps others. Plouffe and Schmidt are helping to develop courses and areas of instruction at the campus in Newark, Del. "We've adopted the moniker of 'epicenter of politics' as a kind of banner under which to develop the initiative and conduct the programs," says Ralph J. Begleiter, the university's Rosenberg Professor of Communication. "Among other things," he tells our Suzi Parker, "we're working on new courses—and combinations of courses—around significant developments in digital communication technologies used in the 2008 political campaigns. And we're especially proud to be doing all this in a completely and appropriately nonpartisan manner, evidenced by the strong support and input of Schmidt and Plouffe."
At the Clinton School of Public Service in Little Rock, Ark., this month, Schmidt said that "institutions that do this kind of work where they [students] can be involved in public policy are very important." He referred to Plouffe as a "fantastic guy."
Biden holds double degrees from the University of Delaware. During the 2008 campaign, Biden said of Schmidt, "Blue Hens can go astray occasionally."
The university hopes that Biden will throw his weight behind the new center. "It would be presumptuous of me, or anyone at the university, to think that the vice president doesn't already have more than enough on his plate in his service to the nation," says Begleiter. "He has always been welcome at UD, and he's been here several times since his election to the vice presidency. If a day comes when Vice President Biden would like to work with us on this initiative and others, I'm absolutely sure his alma mater, the University of Delaware, will welcome it."
Tags: Barack Obama | John McCain
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Mike Schmidt and plouffe
It all has become clear now, that Mike Schmidt was working against McCaine winning and probably was casting his lot early for Obama.His career as a political operative is over and he should go back to his true calling in life - flipping burgers.
To add
Whoever first suggested Joe Biden for VP was brilliant.
Many crossed party lines to vote for such a strong ticket. Bravo bravo.
Great to read that they will be able to finish their degrees
Have read that UD is offering some distance learning courses, and that this is how one (or both) will partially complete their degrees.
Political science has got to be one of the best liberal arts majors, as it covers everything from healthcare policy to provision of public goods to the justice system to electoral politics to international relations.
Hopefully, more quality institutions will begin to offer at least partial online offerings, so that ambitious types with time constraints, such as these two gentlemen, can complete degrees that might otherwise have been put off.
That well-regarded state universities are offering some courses online is a welcome turn of events that should nicely serve non-traditional student populations, but in stark contrast to some of the for-profit proprietary schools that have been in the news for financial aid ethics investigations. I've been reading that there's a new crackdown related to for-profit schools, and it's just a shame that some have resorted to dubious recruitment tactics in an effort to fill as many slots as possible.
Next to local community colleges, state universities and private universities are the only truly trustworthy institutions to attend, and if more begin to offer even partial credit online, this would be an excellent way to counter the negative stereotypes of distance learning that are out there.
True, nothing beats an in-class experience (I have never taken an online course), but if you just need that math credit, or whatever else, and you are so close to a degree, then allowance of partial distance learning credit should become the norm in America, especially for busy folks.
Just one little negative note to mention, though.
Isn't UD the school that got into all kinds of negative PR over the creepy Residence Life program?
http://www.thefire.org/article/8555.html
Having also majored in political science (and being a strong supporter of freedom), it's unbelievable that a campus watch organization had to work so hard to expose this bizarre and disturbing ideological program, let alone with regards to a state university, of all places.
Hope those politically active UD students keep a heads-up about attempts at thought control. Opening one's mind is one thing, but this program sounds intrusive, ideological and just plain creepy.
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