Decisionmaking in Congress

Switching sides on the filibuster and rules changes
 PFAW (at 17 minutes)
Reid 2005 and Reid 2013 and McConnell 2017
(See Davidson 255-56 and this post)

• Senate Procedure and Rule XIV
• Reconciliation and the filibuster
• Motion to table
• Vote-a-Rama 
• Hotlining
• Phonemarking
• BTU'd
• Ping-ponging

Polarization in the Public

Congressional Mitosis:

"CQ Vote Studies: Party Unity." CQ Magazine (February 12, 2018). http://library.cqpress.com.ccl.idm.oclc.org/cqweekly/weeklyreport115-000005263236 .

TO ANALYZE A ROLL-CALL VOTE, LOOK AT THE EXCEPTIONS

Interest group ratings

• WHY IS THE NRA POWERFUL? IT IS NOT THE MONEY
• Of US households, 42% have a gun.
• Intensity
• The "Daschle Loophole" -- his ill-fated HHS nomination
• A graphic
• Deregistration
• Soft lobbying 
• Think tanks
• Consultants
• Recognition and awards
• Philanthropy
• Politicians' charities (see the rule, pp. 347-349)
• Rent-a-friend as deep lobbying
• Lobbyist cites letter that he ghost-wrote!
• A summary