Thomas Gift

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    Why the results of today’s California recall election could have national implications

Why the results of today’s California recall election could have national implications

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California’s Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom will today try to avoid becoming the second leader of the state in two decades to have his position recalled. In this Q&A, Thomas Gift examines the motivation behind the recall, what the process entails, and the potential implications for California—and the country.
What’s the impetus behind the California recall?
The push for Governor Gavin Newsom’s […]

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    Biden’s mishandled Afghanistan withdrawal is unlikely to have a large effect on the 2022 midterms

Biden’s mishandled Afghanistan withdrawal is unlikely to have a large effect on the 2022 midterms

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In the wake of what many experts have criticized as a mishandled withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan, President Joe Biden is now looking to move the narrative elsewhere. In this Q&A, Thomas Gift examines the likely political fallout from Afghanistan on the White House, how it will affect the president’s domestic priorities, and the potential consequences for the […]

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    Biden’s meetings with the G7 and Putin made little concrete progress, reflecting the President’s focus on domestic rather than foreign policy.

Biden’s meetings with the G7 and Putin made little concrete progress, reflecting the President’s focus on domestic rather than foreign policy.

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Joe Biden’s recent trip to Europe—with included meetings with G7 allies in the UK and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Geneva—was the American president’s first major foray onto the world stage since taking office. In this Q&A, Thomas Gift gives his overview of Biden’s trip. He explains what issues were discussed, why we shouldn’t be surprised that the meetings […]

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    Why compromise is inevitable for Biden’s big infrastructure plans

Why compromise is inevitable for Biden’s big infrastructure plans

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Last week, President Joe Biden unveiled a federal budget totaling $6 trillion, which includes significant new spending on infrastructure. If passed in its entirety, the budget would increase federal spending as a portion of the economy to historic heights — reaching sustained levels not seen since World War II. In this Q&A, Thomas Gift examines the implications of this […]

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    Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill is ambitious, but unlikely to pass without compromises with Republicans and moderate Democrats.

Joe Biden’s infrastructure bill is ambitious, but unlikely to pass without compromises with Republicans and moderate Democrats.

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Last week, President Joe Biden announced an ambitious infrastructure plan that he hopes will form the basis of his next major legislative achievement. The $2.3 trillion proposal would devote money toward upgrading America’s roads, bridges, and airports, but also contains other, more controversial provisions that critics say Washington can’t afford. In this Q&A, Thomas Gift examines what the bill […]

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    An impeachment acquittal will embolden Trump’s supporters and frustrate Democrats.

An impeachment acquittal will embolden Trump’s supporters and frustrate Democrats.

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This week, Donald Trump will be the first US president in history to face a second impeachment trial. Although many experts think that a “not guilty” verdict is a foregone conclusion, recent polling suggests that a majority of Americans think that Trump should be convicted and barred from holding federal office. In this Q&A, Thomas Gift examines Trump’s approval […]

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    Corporations are walking away from the Republican Party. But they may not stay away for long.

Corporations are walking away from the Republican Party. But they may not stay away for long.

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In the wake of the Capitol Hill insurrection earlier this month, a number of large corporations have announced that they will stop sending campaign contributions to certain Republican politicians. In this Q&A, Thomas Gift explains the impact that corporate money has in Washington, why the announcement is potentially significant, and why its implications will depend on the timing and […]

January 19th, 2021|Economy, Thomas Gift|0 Comments|
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    A deal on a COVID-19 stimulus package is needed urgently, but hurdles remain.

A deal on a COVID-19 stimulus package is needed urgently, but hurdles remain.

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As COVID-19 numbers spike in the US, and the economy looks increasingly fragile, Democrats and Republicans continue to debate the details of a possible stimulus package. Will the two sides strike a deal soon? In this Q&A, Thomas Gift examines the prospects for compromise, the main hurdles preventing a deal to this point, and the political dynamics at play […]

December 18th, 2020|Economy, Thomas Gift|0 Comments|
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    Joe Biden’s approach to China will not differ greatly from Donald Trump’s

Joe Biden’s approach to China will not differ greatly from Donald Trump’s

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Relations between the US and China have been heated under the Trump administration. But will Biden usher in a radically different approach to dealing with Beijing? Thomas Gift suggests that, in some key respects, it’s unlikely. Although Biden’s policies may grant more predictability to global markets, his administration will inherit challenges that will make it difficult to radically shift […]

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    Biden has won the election, but the Democrats are divided—and Trumpism is here to stay.

Biden has won the election, but the Democrats are divided—and Trumpism is here to stay.

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Although Joe Biden has been declared the winner in the 2020 presidential election, the Democratic Party failed to retake the Senate and lost seats in the US House of Representatives. In this Q&A, Thomas Gift looks at some of the election’s potential lessons for the Democratic and Republican parties and what President Trump’s refusal to concede means for US […]

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