L. Sandy Maisel

14 posts

L. Sandy Maisel is the Goldfarb Family Distinguished Professor of American Government (emeritus) at Colby College, where he taught for fifty years and served as the founding director of the Goldfarb Center for Public Affairs. He is the author or editor of more than twenty books, including From Obscurity to Oblivion: Running in the Congressional Primary, which chronicles his own unsuccessful campaign for Congress in Maine's first district. He and his wife, Colby professor Patrice Franko, live in Rome, Maine.

Opinion: An election that will shape much more than the U.S.

The upcoming election presents a time to decide what our role will be in an increasingly complex and dangerous world.

ByL. Sandy Maisel

February 4, 2024

President Donald Trump stands at a podium during an event at the White House with a trio of U.S. flags behind him.

Opinion: Follow the Trump path or veer off. Decision time approaches for GOP politicians

Trump’s nomination would lead to forks in the road for some Republicans. Do they support him and concede the GOP to his brand of MAGA Republicans or do they take another path?

ByL. Sandy Maisel

January 21, 2024

A sign that reads Vote Here outside of a polling location

Column: Iowa’s caucus isn’t worth losing sleep over

The real race is for second place, with nobody seemingly able to derail Donald Trump’s path to the Republican nomination.

ByL. Sandy Maisel

January 7, 2024

Voters stand at voting booths to fill out their ballots on Election Day.

Column: Cast aside the presidential race and look at what might happen in Congress

The Democrats face an uphill struggle to retain control of the Senate, while the House majority is expected to be decided by the few tossup seats.

ByL. Sandy Maisel

December 24, 2023

Senator Edmund Muskie chatting with President Jimmy Carter.

Column: The kids aren’t alright. Biden’s struggle with younger voters recall Ed Muskie’s dilemma

Not since the late 1960s has the generational divide in the Democratic Party been so striking.

ByL. Sandy Maisel

December 10, 2023

Thanksgiving meal set out on a dining table

Column: Let’s talk turkey, and make that list of those we should applaud

From the Middle East negotiators to elite GOP politicians, there are reasons to be grateful, even if it sometimes requires a stretch.

ByL. Sandy Maisel

November 26, 2023

Column: There’s chaos in the capital, with plenty of people to blame

Democrats are arguing with Democrats, Republicans with Republicans, and extremists are demanding their way or no way.

ByL. Sandy Maisel

November 12, 2023