2016 Messaging, Protecting Immigrants, Ballot Victories and More

Posted on November 23, 2016

Don’t Ask Immigration Status Act: Every city and county should direct its employees—including police—not to inquire about anyone’s immigration status unless explicitly required to do so by federal or state law. That’s what the...

Progressive victories by ballot initiative

Posted on November 22, 2016

While the presidential election was a disaster and other candidate elections just so-so, progressives did very well in 2016 by enacting policies through ballot initiatives. Here is a summary: Civil Rights and Liberties California...

Messaging Lesson of the 2016 Election

Posted on November 22, 2016

When I worked as a campaign consultant, I found that most people only learn by losing an election. After a victory, people think they’ve mastered the craft and have nothing new to learn. In...

Reuters News Story

Posted on October 31, 2016

Abortion by prescription now rivals surgery for U.S. women American women are ending pregnancies with medication almost as often as with surgery, marking a turning point for abortion in the United States, data reviewed...

Early Voting, Pay Gap, Housing Policy and More

Posted on October 26, 2016

Absentee and Early Voting Act: If you’re in one of the many states that still do not have a reasonable system of no-excuse-needed absentee and early voting, you must be feeling left out right...

Americans overwhelmingly support abortion rights

Posted on October 26, 2016

Political candidates, consultants and the media generally misunderstand the politics of abortion rights. They tend to believe either that most voters oppose abortion or that the anti-abortion base is larger than the abortion rights...

Column in The Hill

Posted on October 13, 2016

Americans overwhelmingly support abortion rights by Gloria Totten, President, Public Leadership Institute Political candidates, consultants and the media generally misunderstand the politics of abortion rights. They tend to believe either that most voters oppose...

Voter Protection Act, Abortion Rights Poll, Right Wing Watch and More

Posted on October 13, 2016

Voter Protection Act: Too many Americans are prevented from exercising their right to vote because of voter intimidation or suppression, or by mistakes by election officials. The Voter Protection Act bans specific types of...

How to answer ten tough questions

Posted on October 13, 2016

If you are politically active, you know you’ll have some difficult debates over the next four weeks. Sometimes you will have to defend a controversial position. When that happens, remember three messaging rules: (1)...

New Website, How to Debate, Student Debt and More

Posted on September 28, 2016

122 model bills on our NEW WEBSITE: Come visit PLI’s new website! Part of it offers a library of model legislation addressing all areas of state and local policy. If you’re looking for a...

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