The Politics Network meeting convened at the Portland’s Hilton and Executive Towers Hotel on Nov. 5, 2005 to make arrangements for next year’s meeting in Minneapolis from Nov. 2 – 5, 2006. The theme for the next conference will be “Audiences and Publics.” We welcome papers on a wide variety of topics, including but not limited to the following, each of which was suggested during our discussion:

• A retrospective on Reaganism/Thatcherism on the 25th anniversary of Reagan's inaugural.
• The diverse roles that women, minorities, and immigrants play in American politics -- broadly conceived. We hope to take advantage of the conference location in Minneapolis, Minnesota to offer panels on Native American politics and immigrant politics.
• Hollywood and American politics. Given the popularity of such shows as “West Wing” and now “Commander in Chief,” we would welcome a session that explores how television and movies reflect and shape public perceptions of politics.
• Taxation and anti-taxation movements.
• The Farmer Labor Party or other subjects specific to Minnesota's political history.
• The policy of disfranchising felons.
• The challenges and perils of exporting democracy. The American experience in Germany, Japan, Vietnam, the Americas and Iraq is pertinent here, as is British rule in Iraq during the 1920s.
• The 2006 elections will be coming hard on the heels of the conference, and a panel speculating on its import to American politics should draw considerable interest.
• A session on the political uses of polling was suggested.
• The topic of corruption in American politics is very timely. We look for papers and presentations that might address this subject with an historical perspective, perhaps going back to the Gilded Age. Related subjects of interest include networks of political consultants and lobbyists, and the issue of campaign finance.
• A session reviewing the history of the Supreme Court nomination and confirmation process might address the issue of whether the rules have changed in recent years. It might also explore if judges are more narrow- minded in their approach to politics.

Liette Gidlow of the History Department at Bowling Green State University and Tim Thurber of the History Department at Virginia Commonwealth University have agreed to serve as network co-chairs and will take responsibility for working up sessions with the assistance of others in the Network. Proposals are accepted electronically; persons who wish to organize a session or present a paper should submit their proposals via the Social Science History Association’s on-line “call for papers” registration system at www.ssha.org. Preliminary questions and ideas can be directed to Professor Gidlow at gidlow@bgnet.bgsu.edu or Professor Thurber at ththurber@vcu.edu.

The deadline for individual proposals is 1 February 2006 and panel proposals is 15 February 2006. Proposals submitted by those dates will receive the fullest consideration, though panels may be submitted until the electronic submission system is closed. Please note that SSHA requires persons appearing on panels to pre-register for the conference and to join SSHA if not already a member.