Richard Harwood Available For Election Commentary: Beyond the Talk, Were This Year's Elections Patriotic?

11/2/2002

From: Melinda Patrician of the New Patriotism Project, 301-656-3669 or 703-283-3053 (cell)

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1 -- Richard C. Harwood, founder and president of The Harwood Institute and director of the New Patriotism Project, is available to discuss the ideas and research behind the work in New Patriotism communities around the country. Citizens, journalists and politicians who have committed themselves to a new standard of political conduct have much to say about aspirations and expectations during this political season and beyond. How have this year's elections stacked up?

"In our poll with the Gallup organization in January 2002, just months after 9/11, Americans said they expected the conduct of political leaders, news media and citizens to be just about the same or worse than in previous years," Harwood says. "They said it again in our civic forums. And all of these predictions have come true. This political season's deplorable conduct-in language, in advertising, in voter turnout -- just confirms people's worst expectations

For more information, or to schedule an interview with Harwood, please contact Melinda Patrician at 301-656-3669 (office) or 703-283-3053 (cell).