March 7, 2008
Political Rivals by Day; Co-Instructors by Night
In what they’re billing as the first arrangement of its kind, the heads of Pennsylvania’s Democratic and Republican parties have come together to teach a course on presidential politics, the Harrisburg Patriot-News reports.
The course, which is being offered at Dickinson College, in Carlisle, Pa., focuses on the political process, the dynamics of the presidential race, and the impact endorsements and media coverage have on campaigns, according to the article. The guest lecturers so far have included Vince Galko, who managed former Republican Sen. Rick Santorum’s campaign, and Sandi Vito, a confidante of Democratic Gov. Ed Rendell who was recently named acting secretary of labor and industry. Mr. Santorum and Mr. Rendell themselves are scheduled to speak to the class on April 16.
“It’s a network that no professor could ever put together,” said James Hoefler, the political-science professor overseeing the class.
The course was the idea of Luke Bernstein, executive director of the state GOP and the son-in-law of a former provost at the college. Mary Isenhour, his Democratic counterpart, is the co-instructor.
“I think the students will enjoy Mary and I battling back and forth,” Mr. Bernstein told the paper, adding “I’m going to feel bad when I beat her so bad in November.”
“I felt bad one day when I beat him in ’06, but then I got over it quickly,” said Ms. Isenhour, referring to Governor Randell’s re-election and U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr.‘s victory over Mr. Santorum.
Kelly Field | Posted on Friday March 7, 2008 | Permalink
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