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John Samples
Director, Center for Representative Government
John Samples directs Cato's Center for Representative Government, which studies campaign finance regulation, delegation of legislative authority, term limits, and the political culture of limited government and the civic virtues necessary for liberty. He is an adjunct professor at Johns Hopkins University. Prior to joining Cato, Samples served eight years as director of Georgetown University Press, and before that, as vice president of the Twentieth Century Fund. He has published scholarly articles in Society, History of Political Thought, and Telos. Samples has also been featured in mainstream publications like USA Today, the New York Times, and the Los Angeles Times. He has appeared on NPR, Fox News Channel, and MSNBC. Samples received his Ph.D. in political science from Rutgers University.
Media Contact: 202-789-5200
To Book a Speaking Engagement: 202-789-5226
E-Mail: jsamples@cato.org
Books and Book Chapters
"The Delegation of Legislative Powers," Chapter 7 of the Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th edition.
"Term Limits," Chapter 8 of the Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th edition.
"Campaign Finance," Chapter 9 of the Cato Handbook for Policymakers, 7th edition.
The Fallacy Of Campaign Finance Reform, (2006)
The Marketplace Of Democracy: Electoral Competition and American Politics, coeditor (2006)
Cato Studies
"Broadcast Localism and the Lessons of the Fairness Doctrine," Policy Analysis no. 639, May 27, 2009.
"A Critique of the National Popular Vote," Policy Analysis no. 622, October 13, 2008.
"Three Myths about Voter Turnout in the United States," Policy Analysis no. 524, September 14, 2004.
"The Failures of Taxpayer Financing of Presidential Campaigns," Policy Analysis no. 500, November 25, 2003.
"Why Subsidize the Soapbox? The McCain Free Airtime Proposal and the Future of Broadcasting," by John Samples and Adam D. Thierer, Policy Analysis no. 480, August 6, 2003.
Opinion and Commentary
"Let Millionaires Spend," by John Samples and Ilya Shapiro, New York Sun, June 27, 2008
"So Long, 'Campaign Reform'," New York Post, June 25, 2008
"What Sort of Country?," American Spectator (Online), June 18, 2008
"No, You Can't," American Spectator (Online), May 30, 2008
"What’s So Great About the Great Society?," American Spectator (Online), May 19, 2008
Cato @ Liberty Blog Posts
"The Correct Question for the Supreme Court," July 2, 2009
"The Roberts Revolution to Come," June 30, 2009
"Citizens United Case to Be Reargued in Supreme Court," June 29, 2009
"Trouble in Obamaland," June 23, 2009
"Money in Politics, Virigina Edition," June 12, 2009
Events
"What to Do about Self-Funded Campaigns ," April 21, 2008 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"The End of Campaign Finance Reform?," August 2, 2007 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"The Dangers of Disclosure: The Unintended Consequences of Campaign Regulations for Free Speech and Privacy," March 27, 2007 [Policy Forum]
"A Skeptical Look at Grassroots Lobbying Disclosure," March 9, 2007 [Capitol Hill Briefing]
"Election 2006: A Look Back and Forward," November 9, 2006 [Policy Forum]
Speeches and Testimony
"House Bill 1028 Regarding the National Popular Vote," Congressional Testimony, October 18, 2007.
"An Evaluation of the Campaign Accountability Act of 2007," Congressional Testimony, April 18, 2007.
Multimedia
"SCOTUS to Rehear Hillary: The Movie Case" featuring John Samples, July 1, 2009 [Flash Audio, 08:49]
"Fairness Doctrines New and Old" featuring John Samples, May 29, 2009 [Flash Audio, 09:42]
Free Speech v. The Federal Election Commission May 1, 2009 [Flash Video, 05:48]
"Reading the GOP's Tea Leaves" featuring John Samples, April 20, 2009 [Flash Audio, 11:29]
Cato scholars address Obama's first speech to Congress. February 25, 2009 [Flash Video, 09:04]