The Leader is reporting that Bill Lipinski is stepping down and working to hand the seat over to Dan Lipinski, a PhD from Duke who teaches at University of Tennessee (a university much maligned for its rather moronic law school faculty that blogs). I’ve heard Dan is a nice guy and bright who is a stellar teacher and researcher, though I can’t be too excited about handing over a seat to a son.
I believe there is only one other PhD in political science currently serving in Congress though Jeff Smith running in the 3rd essentially is editing his dissertation down so that he might well be a PhD by the time he takes office.
Generally, a PhD in Political Science means one is likely to have a five sided discussion with oneself and thus is a disqualifier for public office.
Hi,
Not to take anything away from Prof Lipinski, but I think the best chance to send a PhD in Poli-Sci to Congress is to check out Tari Renner in IL-11. Prof Renner is a Political Science Professor from Illinois Weselyan University. His PhD and MA are both from American University in Washington DC. I have been lucky enough to meet Prof Renner and he does not meet the usual PhD stereotype and he is a candidate who understands the everyday working class people of the 11th district. Prof Renner will make a fine United States Congressman…
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Nick J.D.
Remember, Paul Wellstone, the late Senator from Minnesota was a Ph.D. in Political Science–from Chapel Hill.
Woodrow Wilson was also a political scientist. Lets hope Dan Lipinski is more like Wellstone!
The joke, for those not getting it–is I’m ABD in polisci.
Just off the top of my head:
Woodrow Wilson was a PhD in political science
NC CD4 congressman David Price
Condi Rice. NSA to President Bush
Cynthia McKinney is an ABD at Tufts
David Boren was a political science professor (and is again)
There have been several others, including legislators from Alabama, Florida, and Texas off the top of my head.
I actually know Dan Lipinski and he is super-sharp, outstanding mind. I’m not sure about his campaigning skills, so I expect folks to underestimate him. But, for at least one term, he’ll be “congressman.”