@DebraLeiter profile picture
Debra Leiter @DebraLeiter

Associate Professor of Political Science at UMKC. Proud Comparativist. Warning: be prepared to hear about political science. All opinions expressed are my own.

Joined November 2014
  • Tweets 677
  • Following 1,033
  • Followers 651
31 Photos and videos
Thanks to @Delta for really great customer service! It’s really appreciated (especially on my birthday!)
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This is one of my fave APSA initiatives.
APSA@APSAtweets
May 14
Help APSA recognize teaching excellence! Did you or a colleague win a campus teaching award in the 2025-2026 academic year? The deadline to submit is August 14, 2026, to be featured in the November issue of Political Science Today. 🏅 buff.ly/QXwcCrv
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This is the most German story I have ever read about Germany. Next time I teach German Politics, I am assigning it. nytimes.com/2026/05/07/world…

Deprived of a Poolside Lounge Chair, German Man Sues and Wins

A tourist won a refund after a court ruled that the hotel’s staff had failed to stop guests from reserving sun beds using towels.

nytimes.com
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Interrupting my usual poli Sci posts to ask …for a vote! My bad, Mighty Mo Jazz Orchestra, has been nominated by Pitch as Best of KC Jazz! Please vote for us to support local community Jazz! vote.thepitchkc.com/arts-and…
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Fun read about new strategies in youth engagement!
USA TODAY
@USATODAY
Apr 25
These influencers stoke online backlash and invite criticism from the right while charming casual fans and Democratic loyalists. usatoday.com/story/news/poli…
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We are hiring in Philosophy! We are looking for an NTT Assistant Teaching Professor to join us for Fall 2026. More information can be found below. Come join us! erecruit.umsystem.edu/psp/ta…
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Som fantastic political science going on at Great Plains Political Science Association, today @UMKC
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Awards shelf grew by one! Congrats to all the MyVita winners and Thanks @umkc !
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Want to shape the future? Support our undergraduate legislative and government internship program! This program helps create the next generation of political leaders. UMKC students are amazing and this experience is unbeatable. giving.umkc.edu/giving-day?p…

Giving Day

Join me in making a gift to UMKC's Giving Day!

giving.umkc.edu
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Support student leadership and public service through legislative internships. #UMKCGivingDay giving.umkc.edu/schools/Univ…

Student Legislative Internships

Support student leadership and public service through legislative internships.

giving.umkc.edu
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I remember my internship at the City of Chula Vista Planning Department; a chance to learn how government worked from the ground up, & work with an amazing crew of dedicated civil servants. I want our students to get the same chance. If you had a smiliar experience, let me know!
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Help our UMKC students become the leaders of tomorrow! Our government internship program places students from DC to Jeff City to KC, giving them the chance to shape the future of their community. Helping students makes you feel good! #UMKCGivingDay giving.umkc.edu/schools/Univ…

Student Legislative Internships

Support student leadership and public service through legislative internships.

giving.umkc.edu
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This is a fantastic opportunity for undergrads considering graduate school!
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At the start of the term, voters seemed skeptical of the “iron rule” of midterm loss. More recent data from @verasight_data paints a more complex picture. Check out our @MaryStegmaier @mlewisbeck new piece @Center4Politics. centerforpolitics.org/crysta…

Rust on the Midterm Iron Law? Voter Expectations for 2026 - Sabato's Crystal Ball

In the early parts of the Trump administration, citizens were skeptical that Democrats could retake the House or Senate, but more recent surveys indicate that we may see a dead heat.

centerforpolitics.org
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Exciting new book out!
Laron K Williams@LaronKWilliams
15 Aug 2025
Happy to announce that my Cambridge Elements with @DavidFortunato and @ThiagoNSilva_ is available for free! Check it out 👇 doi.org/10.1017/978100941779…
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Does resentment drive policies attitudes that impact women and families? Nicole Kalaf-Hughes and I find clear impacts in our new article in ConLawNow. Open access! ideaexchange.uakron.edu/conl…

It's Not About Children: How Gender Resentment Shapes Public Opinion on Abortion in the United...

The debate around women’s reproductive health care, and particularly restrictions on abortion, remains a hotly contested area of American politics. Increasingly, restrictions on abortion access have...

ideaexchange.uakron.edu
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Will 2026 see the classic midterm loss? Voters aren't so sure. Using @verasight_data, @MaryStegmaier @mlewisbeck and I see voters uncertain of the "iron law" of midterm loss. @Center4Politics crystal ball today! centerforpolitics.org/crysta…

The Midterm Loss Rule: What Do Voters Expect in 2026? - Sabato's Crystal Ball

The public's early assessment of which party will win control of Congress in 2026

centerforpolitics.org
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Thanks very much to @kkondik for truly excellent editing!
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In this project, we examine how resentment shapes how people feel about the political system and their place in it. Belief about the responsiveness of the system drops drastically as resentment rises. But internal efficacy effects are split. Very proud of this one!
Political Research Quarterly@PRQjournal
23 Apr 2025
In #FirstView by Nicole Kalaf-Hughes and @DebraLeiter: "The Efficacy Gap: Resentment and its Impact on External and Internal Political Efficacy" journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.…
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As a quick note, PRQ was so wonderful to work with. Great editors, timely process, and reviews that were substantively helpful and really helped expand the impact of the paper.
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