John Nordin

John Nordin is a Mint Press columnist who divides his time as a professor and a researcher between the Twin Cities and Greece, where he specializes in Greek politics, international relations and the economy. John holds a Ph.D. from MIT, and has worked as a Lutheran pastor, a computer science teacher in Kenya and a writer.

Watching The 2012 Presidential Election: A Guide To Election Night

As the presidential election votes roll in from across the nation on Tuesday evening, it can be hard to detect the really significant data from the blizzard of words being thrown at you by the mass media. This guide will help sort that out by telling you what is expected and allow you to see quickly […]

John Nordin
By John Nordin
Voters stand in line to pick up their absentee ballots in Doral, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

As the presidential election votes roll in from across the nation on Tuesday evening, it can be hard to detect the really significant data from the blizzard of words being thrown at you by the mass media. This guide will help sort that out by telling you what is expected and allow you to see quickly if things are departing from what is expected.

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A Look At The Numbers: Job Growth And The Election

Recently, the Des Moines, Iowa newspaper, the Register, endorsed Mitt Romney for president, basing its decision on economics. It did endorse the 2009 economic stimulus, giving credit to Obama for that, but now wrote that what would put America back to work was “a renewed sense of confidence will spark renewed investment by American companies” and that […]

John Nordin
By John Nordin
In this Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2012, photo, Patricia Mazza, left, meets job seekers, including recent college grads Ashley Deyo, 22, second from left, and Chyna Dama, 23, second from right, during a National Career Fairs' job fair, in New York. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)

Recently, the Des Moines, Iowa newspaper, the Register, endorsed Mitt Romney for president, basing its decision on economics. It did endorse the 2009 economic stimulus, giving credit to Obama for that, but now wrote that what would put America back to work was “a renewed sense of confidence will spark renewed investment by American companies” and

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Concentrating On The Minor Details, Sidestepping The Bigger Issues — Our Libya Moment

In the second presidential debate, on Oct.17, there occurred an exchange that seemed to illustrate all that is disappointing with how we debate issues in our elections. It was the “Libya moment” for the United States. Gov. Mitt Romney had launched an attack on President Barack Obama’s Middle East policy. He made a claim about the […]

John Nordin
By John Nordin
Libyan security forces stand guard as people turn in weapons in Benghazi, Libya, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Alaguri)

In the second presidential debate, on Oct.17, there occurred an exchange that seemed to illustrate all that is disappointing with how we debate issues in our elections. It was the “Libya moment” for the United States. Gov. Mitt Romney had launched an attack on President Barack Obama’s Middle East policy. He made a claim about the mythical

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Moderators, Candidates And Facts: Improving The Presidential Debates

(MINNEAPOLIS) —The presidential debates are winding down now, and while this round has so far produced more lively moments and drama than most, we are still left with the feeling that the debates do not produce the clarity and insight we would like. How could they be improved?   Better moderators? This year highlighted what […]

John Nordin
By John Nordin
In this Oct. 16, 2012 file photo, President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney exchange views during the second presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/David Goldman, File)

(MINNEAPOLIS) —The presidential debates are winding down now, and while this round has so far produced more lively moments and drama than most, we are still left with the feeling that the debates do not produce the clarity and insight we would like. How could they be improved?   Better moderators? This year highlighted what a good

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A Mistake: The Disproportionality Of Representation In The Senate

That the U.S. Constitution is a work of genius is taken for granted by many Americans.  It is “bedrock,” our “sacred text.” One might think its text was immutable, but it did contain a provision for amendments, which would tend to imply that its authors knew it wasn’t going to be perfect. The Constitution has […]

John Nordin
By John Nordin
In this Aug. 28, 2012, file photo Arizona Republican Senate candidate and current U.S. Rep. Jeff Flake, R-Ariz., speaks at a primary election night party at his home in Mesa, Ariz. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

That the U.S. Constitution is a work of genius is taken for granted by many Americans.  It is “bedrock,” our “sacred text.” One might think its text was immutable, but it did contain a provision for amendments, which would tend to imply that its authors knew it wasn’t going to be perfect. The Constitution has been modified 27 times, with another

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Ayn Rand: Not The Champion Conservatives Hope For

Ayn Rand is the Russian-born author whose philosophy is iconic for many conservative intellectuals, former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan being perhaps the most famous. Raul Ryan cites her as a major influence. Her ideas find a welcome in the libertarian and tea party movements. John Stossel has devoted a flattering show to her. As a result […]

John Nordin
By John Nordin
A collection of Ayn Rand novels line a shelf on August 23, 2008. (Photo by david__jones via Flikr)

Ayn Rand is the Russian-born author whose philosophy is iconic for many conservative intellectuals, former Federal Reserve chairman Alan Greenspan being perhaps the most famous. Raul Ryan cites her as a major influence. Her ideas find a welcome in the libertarian and tea party movements. John Stossel has devoted a flattering show to her. As a

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The Power Of A Vote: Elections Have Consequences

A couple of weeks ago, I was with a group of students at an Obama rally. The lead speaker was Walter Mondale, now 84, who was vice president under Jimmy Carter and lost the 1984 presidential election to Ronald Reagan. While I was old enough to remember voting for Mondale for president, almost everyone else […]

John Nordin
By John Nordin
Former Vice President Walter Mondale addresses a crowded Minneapolis, Minn. Convention Center at a rally for Democratic Senatorial candidate Al Franken, Oct. 30, 2008. (Photo by Shawn T. Perry)

A couple of weeks ago, I was with a group of students at an Obama rally. The lead speaker was Walter Mondale, now 84, who was vice president under Jimmy Carter and lost the 1984 presidential election to Ronald Reagan. While I was old enough to remember voting for Mondale for president, almost everyone else in the room was young enough that they

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