Kathleen Jamieson Quotations

When you define yourself as a protector-in-chief, your accountability is higher. On Sept. 11, you could reasonably say he hadn't had time to take charge, whereas at the beginning of your second term you really can't say it's someone else's responsibility.

Neither candidate has found a compelling argument that knocks out the other or is decisive for their candidacy. It's like when there's parity in commercial products. After you've thrown everything at the other side, you bring in everything else you can and try to give this the standing of a national contest.

As our country grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and the death of Chief Justice William Rehnquist, Constitution Day offers young people an opportunity to learn how a cornerstone of our democracy -- the concept of federalism -- shapes our lives,