Diane Heith, St. John’s University, heithd@stjohns.edu

The division invites proposals for papers that will contribute new empirical or theoretical insights to the study of the presidency. In keeping with the 2008 conference theme, “Categories and the Politics of Global Inequalities,” the division encourages papers which consider the “construction, interpretation and maintenance of categorical boundaries” in our understanding of the presidency as well as the role of the presidency in global perspective.

In addition, papers and roundtables which evaluate the 2008 presidential election are especially welcome, particularly papers and roundtables that address the complexity of the 2008 processes and the diversity of categories. Papers which consider the compressed primary calendar, media challenges, campaign finance, as well as the role of groups and gender are encouraged. The division also invites papers and panels to consider the totality of the Bush Presidency, particularly in terms of its impact on the institution.