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The Adolescent Party

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The following post for members is by Leonard Steinhorn, Professor of Communication and History at American University and a former political speechwriter. 

More than two decades ago the linguist George Lakoff defined Republicans as the “strict father party” and argued that they won elections and maintained power because of their success in appealing to the many Americans who seek a strong authority to guide and protect us in a difficult, dangerous and morally complex world. Lakoff’s analysis soon became conventional wisdom, and many continue to view the two parties through the Lakoff lens: Republicans as “strict fathers” and Democrats as “nurturant parents.”

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About Political Wire

goddard-bw-snapshotTaegan Goddard is the founder of Political Wire, one of the earliest and most influential political web sites. He also runs Political Job Hunt, Electoral Vote Map and the Political Dictionary.

Goddard spent more than a decade as managing director and chief operating officer of a prominent investment firm in New York City. Previously, he was a policy adviser to a U.S. Senator and Governor.

Goddard is also co-author of You Won - Now What? (Scribner, 1998), a political management book hailed by prominent journalists and politicians from both parties. In addition, Goddard's essays on politics and public policy have appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country.

Goddard earned degrees from Vassar College and Harvard University. He lives in New York with his wife and three sons.

Goddard is the owner of Goddard Media LLC.

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