Understanding American Politics and Government, Brief Edition
John J. Coleman — The University of Wisconsin, MadisonJohn J. Coleman is Chair of the political science department at The University of Wisconsin at Madison.  His teaching and research interests center on political party coalitions, factions, and organizations, and American political development. Professor Coleman is the author ofParty Decline in America: Policy, Politics, and the Fiscal State(Princeton University Press, 1996) and numerous articles on political parties, elections, public knowledge, Congress and the presidency, and campaign finance. His current research includes projects on campaign spending, party accountability in elections, and the relationship between income distribution and voter turnout. Kenneth M Goldstein — The University of Wisconsin, MadisonKen Goldstein is a Professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Director of the University of Wisconsin Advertising Project.  He is the author ofInterest Groups, Lobbying, and Participation in America(Cambridge University Press, 1999) andCampaign Advertising and American Democracy(Temple University Press, 2007) as well as over 30 journal articles and book chapters on political communication, voter turnout, campaign finance, survey methodology, Israeli politics, presidential elections, and news coverage of health issues.  Professor Goldstein is currently a consultant for the ABC News elections unit and a member of their election night decision team.  He has worked on network election night coverage in every U.S. federal election since 1988. William Howell — The Harris School, The University of ChicagoWilliam Howell is an Associate Professor at the Harris School of The University of Chicago.  Professor Howell has written widely on separation-of-powers issues and American political institutions, especially the presidency. Howell is the co-author (with Jon Pevehouse) ofWhile Dangers Gather: Congressional Checks on Presidential War Powers(Princeton University Press, 2007); author ofPower without Persuasion: The Politics of Direct Presidential Action(Princeton University Press, 2003); co-author (with Paul Peterson) ofThe Education Gap: Vouchers and Urban Schools(Brookings Institution Press, 2002); and editor ofBesieged: School Boards and the Future of Education Politics(Brookings Institution Press, 2005).  His research also has appeared in numerous professional journals and edited volumes. His current research examines the impact of war on presidential policymaking.