Election News

Obama Cabinet candidates to face intensive scrutiny, Gannett News Service, 11/21/08
To make the final cut for Obama's inner circle, top candidates face the most intense vetting process in recent memory, experts say. David Lewis, professor of political science, is quoted.

Obama still fundraising even after taking in hundreds of millions, CNN.com, 11/18/08
After raising a staggering amount of money for the general election, President-elect Barack Obama must now rake in more cash for his transition and inauguration. David Lewis, professor of political science, is quoted. The story was also covered by United Press International.

Young U.S. voters say, 'Yes, we can', Voice of America, 11/18/08
Young Americans played a big role in this year's election. From the beginning of the election cycle, young people were energized and actively involved in the campaigns. Student Erica Williams, spokeswoman for Campus Progress, a nonpartisan group that helps young people make their voices heard on a variety of issues, is quoted.

Sen. Alexander retains GOP leadership post, The Tennessean, 11/19/08
Tennessee Sen. Lamar Alexander vowed Tuesday to continue his brand of bipartisan, moderate Republicanism as he won another term as the No. 3 GOP leader in the Senate. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Absent Obama still a presence in the capital, Associated Press, 11/16/08
President-elect Barack Obama is an invisible force as foreign leaders and Congress convene separately in Washington, the economy at center stage. David Lewis, professor of political science, is quoted.
 
Shot at unthinkable: an end to cronyism, The Tennessean, 11/16/08
David Lewis, professor of political science, wrote this opinion piece about President-elect Obama’s opportunity to quell political cronyism though political appointments.

Several issues preceded economy on U.S. agenda, The Tennessean, 11/16/08
James Ray, professor of political science, wrote this opinion piece about challenges besides the economy that the new president will face.

Civil rights leaders discuss impact of Obama's historic win, The Tennessean, 11/16/08
Naomi Tutu, daughter of South Africa’s Archbishop Desmond Tutu, was part of a gathering in Nashville last week of local leaders who met to talk about the meaning of the Obama victory. Members of the group last week had expertise and experience in the Civil Rights movement and included the Rev. James Lawson, Distinguished Visiting Professor, and Lucius Outlaw, professor of philosophy.

Will Obama's copyright czar help save the music?, Reuters, 11/15/08
Music executives are wondering whether President-elect Obama will appoint a copyright czar, and if so, who it will be. Bill Ivey, director of the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy, is named as a consultant to Obama’s transition team.

Science transition team named, Politico, 11/14/08
President-elect Barack Obama’s transition team heading up efforts on science, technology, space and the arts has former NASA administrators and White House technology experts, and former Virginia lieutenant governor Don Beyer. Bill Ivey, director of the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy, is named as an adviser on cultural issues.

For black women, Michelle Obama is new role model, Associated Press, 11/14/08
While Condoleezza Rice has kept her personal life private, Michelle Obama’s more public role as a wife and working mom have helped African American women identify more readily with her. Tracy Sharpley-Whiting, director of African American and Diaspora Studies, is quoted.

Envoy can be enviable gig, Chicago Tribune, 11/14/08
Since the Kennedy era, both Democratic and Republican administrations have given away about one-third of ambassadorships in desirable cities abroad as political rewards. The 25-year-old academy of diplomacy has called for fewer political appointees this time, citing the number of foreign challenges facing the incoming administration and the importance of promoting seasoned diplomats. David Lewis, professor of political science, is quoted.

Obama gives hope to those who adopted America as their own, The Tennessean, 11/12/08
John Thatamanil, assistant professor of theology, wrote this opinion piece about how immigrants who have become U.S. citizens view the election of Sen. Obama to the presidency.

Obama transition team heavy with big fundraisers, USA Today, 11/9/08
President-elect Barack Obama says moneyed interests won't have an inside track in his White House, but six of the 15 people he named to his transition team are top fundraisers. David Lewis, professor of political science, is quoted. The story also appeared in The Tennessean.

Obama is urged to find middle, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, 11/9/08
Although President-elect Obama will enjoy a Democratic majority in Congress, he will still need to find common ground among republicans and conservative Democrats. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Obama won early vote in Hamilton, Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 11/9/08
Until Election Day, Barack Obama was winning the race for the White House in Hamilton County, a sign of how passionate his supporters in the area were. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Blue Dog Democrats could be force, The Tennessean, 11/9/08
Tennesseans may have voted for Republican Sen. John McCain by a wide margin Tuesday, but Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives representing the middle of the state could play an important role during the presidency of Barack Obama. Harold Ford Jr., visiting professor of political science, and Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, are quoted.

Election may benefit hospitals, The Tennessean, 11/9/08
On the campaign trail, President-elect Obama promised to improve access to health insurance. He also vowed to lower premiums, make it harder for insurers to drop people because of pre-existing conditions, and to improve quality and cut costs. Harry Jacobson, vice chancellor for health affairs, is quoted.

Rapid CIA briefing starts crash course in presidency, The Guardian (United Kingdom), 11/7/08
Barack Obama received his first classified intelligence briefing from the CIA yesterday, lesson one in a 75-day crash course in how to be a U.S. president. Roy Neel, adjunct professor of political science, is quoted.

Press release 11/7/08: Experts: Obama will move quickly to show he's ready to govern

Obama's next task: Form cabinet, White House staff, Newsday, 11/7/08
Now that he's won the presidency, Barack Obama faces the complex challenge of forming a cabinet that can both run the federal bureaucracy and satisfy the political, geographic and ethnic interests vying for representation on it, experts said yesterday. David Lewis, professor of political science, is quoted.

Nashville arts advocate Ivey joins Obama team, The Tennessean, 11/7/08
According to this newspaper, Bill Ivey, director of the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy, has been invited to join President-elect Barack Obama's transition team for arts and culture.

Tennessee: A deeper shade of red, Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 11/06/08
While most of the nation has shifted toward the Democratic party since the last election, Tennessee is among a few states that has become more solidly Republican. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

GOP wins show Tennessee's true color, The Tennessean, 11/6/08
In a historic election in which Democrats swept much of the nation, Tennessee remained true to its conservative leanings by voting for Republicans from the presidency on down to the State House. Christian Grose, assistant professor of political science, is quoted.

Sen. Lamar Alexander re-elected in landslide, Associated Press, 11/5/08
Student Sean Tierney was among the voters mentioned in this election analysis.

Obama sella la victoria tras una campaña de masiva movilización de votantes, EFE (Spain), 11/5/08
This Spanish news wire analysis of Sen. Obama’s successful presidential bid credits the campaign’s ability to get out the vote. Erwin Hargrove, emeritus professor of political science, is quoted. Professor Hargrove is also quoted in a related story about the impact of Sen. Obama’s win on Civil Rights-era leaders: Las lágrimas del reverendo Jesse Jackson (Español)
 
Win thrills Nashville-area Democrats, The Tennessean, 11/5/08
An election-night party held by Metro Councilwoman Megan Barry and Bruce Barry, professor of sociology and management, is mentioned.

McCain wins Tennessee by wide margin, The Tennessean, 11/5/08
It was a bittersweet Election Night for party loyalists in Tennessee as John McCain won the state, but Barack Obama won the night. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
 
2008 election stirs emotions of Midstate voters, The Tennessean, 11/5/08
Holly Spann, administrative assistant in the pathology department and active member of the League of Women Voters and the Democratic Party’s Women’s Caucus, is one of the voters interviewed in this election story

Press release, 10/31/08: 2008 presidential election signals transition: Vanderbilt experts

Tennessee election chief says voters must be in line by closing time to get in the door, Associated Press, 11/4/08
Election officials predicting a record turnout have a warning for Tennessee voters: Get in line before the polls close Tuesday night or you won't get in the door. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. The story has run in papers across the country.
 
McCain visits 7 states, heads home to Ariz., Arizona Republic, 11/4/08
The Republican presidential nominee seems determined to finish strong, even though the odds appear to be against him. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

McCain and Obama could both help Alabama congressional candidates, Montgomery Press-Register (Ala.), 11/2/08
Alabama will probably go for John McCain in Tuesday's presidential election, observers say, but Barack Obama's presence on the ballot might help Democrats in three competitive congressional races. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Race question bedevils pollsters, local voters, The Tennessean, 11/2/08
National pundits have all but declared Obama the country's next president and the first African-American to hold the office. Yet the race factor is the complicated, elusive, often uncomfortable subject that's been working its way around the edges of the campaign for months. Carol Swain, professor of law and political science, is quoted.

 Voters deserve a serious health-care debate, The Tennessean, 11/1/08
John Sergent, professor of medicine, wrote this opinion piece about the health care policies of Senators Obama and McCain.

A big Obama win could give him a mandate to govern, McClatchy News Service, 10/31/08
On Election Day, voter turnout will decide not only whether Barack Obama or John McCain becomes the next president, but also how much of a mandate the winner can claim. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Stop calling me!, Newsweek, 10/31/08
Of the hundreds of millions of political robo-calls launched this year, the bulk have landed in the last two weeks, with still plenty more to come, since some of the country's largest automated-dialing vendors do 80 percent of their business in the final 10 days before an election. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. (Online only)

 Sarah Palin: la "diva" que aspira a ser "reina," EFE (Spain), 10/31/08
This Spanish news wire reports that some critics characterize Gov. Sarah Palin as a “diva” who wants to be “queen.” Erwin Hargrove, emeritus professor of political science, is quoted. (Español)

Bush-o-crats burrow in, Mother Jones, 10/30/08
Political appointees are usually swept out of power with a change in administration. But some find a way to protect their paychecks by transferring to a career slot in the federal government—a practice called “burrowing in.” David Lewis, professor of political science, is quoted.

Against all odds, third-party candidates fight on, The Tennessean, 10/30/08
Independent candidates come to their races with a kind of special grit and humor, aware that the chances of success are low but determined to fight their way through to Election Day and beyond, proudly advocating their views no matter how long the odds of winning. Bruce Barry, professor of sociology and management and moderator of a recent third-party debate at Vanderbilt, is quoted.

Experts: Plot detracts from race progress in South, Associated Press, 10/29/08
An alleged plot by two young white supremacists to go on a killing spree and assassinate Barack Obama, though far-fetched by most accounts, reflects lingering racist attitudes that most Southerners have left behind. The Rev. James Lawson, Distinguished Visiting Professor and civil rights activist, is quoted. The story has run in newspapers across the country.

Third party politics a ticket to obscurity, CQ Politics, 10/29/08
Third-party candidates are having a difficult time attracting voters because the mainstream candidates this year are more appealing to independents. Bruce Barry, professor of management and sociology and moderator of the third-party presidential debate at Vanderbilt, is quoted.

Politics in a purple household, Los Angeles Times, 10/29/08
Scott Talkov, a white Obama supporter, and Erick Harris, an African American McCain supporter, are law school roommates, great friends and political junkies at Washington University in St. Louis. Harris is a Vanderbilt alumnus.

Young voters look to make impact, The Tennessean, 10/29/08
Vanderbilt University registered 1,300 new voters this semester, and has organized shuttle vans to take students to the polls. Junior Erika Hyde is quoted, and a Hustler poll is mentioned.

Minnesota Public Radio interviewed Marc Hetherington, associate professor of political science, on the decline of political trust in the U.S.

Americans spared nightmare as assassination plot against Obama foiled, Canadian Press, 10/27/08
Officials for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives said they disrupted plans by two young neo-Nazi skinheads to rob a gun store and target a high school attended predominantly by African-Americans. Their plan would culminate in an attempt on Sen. Barack Obama’s life. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Race tightens in Middle Tennessee, The Tennessean, 10/26/08
John McCain and Barack Obama are polling in a dead heat among Middle Tennessee voters. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Lobbyists still wield influence in elections, The Tennessean, 10/25/08
A 2006 ethics law outlawed direct lobbyist contributions to political campaigns, but it allowed a key element of their influence to persist. Lobbyists were allowed to continue directing political action committees or advising them on whom to support with campaign contributions. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Obama’s South L.A. forces fight for crucial votes in battleground states, Los Angeles Wave, 10/23/08
An unprecedented operation is under way in L.A.’s historically Black community, with hundreds of volunteers making tens of thousands of campaign calls around the clock in support of Sen. Barack Obama. Rev. James Lawson, Distinguished Visiting Professor, was among the volunteers.

How political campaigns use advertising to trigger emotions and change minds, WebMD, 10/22/08
The strategy for political advertising is not too different from product advertising. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Negative ads leave undecideds decidedly unmoved, Associated Press, 10/22/08
In a new AP survey, voters were asked to watch two of the presidential candidates' negative ads. On the whole, the ads had little effect on undecided voters. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. The story ran in newspapers across the country.

Spank your kids? You likely vote Republican, Slate.com, 10/22/08
Research led in part by Marc Hetherington, associate professor of political science, on the relationship between politics and child-rearing is discussed.

In Tennessee, 37205 donates most to presidential candidates with $377,468, The Tennessean, 10/21/08
More donations have gone to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, but larger gifts to McCain put the Republican on top financially in 37205, according to donation records updated Sept. 20. Vanderbilt Chancellor Nicholas Zeppos and law professors Michael and Lisa Bressman contributed to the Obama campaign.

Omar Ali, assistant professor of African American and Diaspora Studies, was interviewed on “Inside Politics” about the important role of African American, Hispanic and young voters in this year’s presidential election. The show aired on WTVF, Channel 5, and cable affiliate Channel 5+.

‘Terrorist’ ad called reckless, Las Vegas Sun, 10/18/08
A Nevada Republican Party mail piece that accuses Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama of having “close ties to [a] domestic terrorist” is reckless and inflammatory, historians say. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Heart of the matter: Health care disconnect, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 10/19/08
A panel of national health policy experts who convened here on the morning of the Belmont debate agreed that there seems to be more pressure for fundamental reform of the health system in this year's presidential election than any since 1992. David Osborn, executive director of the Center for Better Health, is quoted.

Alexander's name recognition dwarfs Tuke, The Tennessean, 10/20/08
Lamar Alexander has a long track record in public office, including two terms as governor and stints as U.S. secretary of education and president of the University of Tennessee, while Bob Tuke in many ways is still introducing himself with just weeks left in the race. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Ready, aim, backfire, Wall Street Journal, 10/16/08
This year’s negative political ads may be the least successful ever. Research on negative advertising by John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is mentioned.

Associate Professor of Communication Studies Vanessa Beasley was a guest on “Open Line” on Channel 5+ (cable) to preview the third presidential debate.

Associate Professor of Political Science Marc Hetherington was interviewed on XM Satellite Radio’s “POTUS” show about what to expect from the candidates in the third presidential debate.

Frist's choices setting stage for gubernatorial run, Associated Press, 10/15/08
Former U.S. Senate majority leader and surgeon Bill Frist is returning to Vanderbilt University to teach a healthcare business course at the Owen Graduate School of Management, leading many to think he is raising his profile in advance of a run for the governor’s office in 2010. The story is also covered in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press and The Tennessean. The Nashville Business Journal and Nashville Post covered Frist’s return to Vanderbilt.

McCain slams pork; Obama says it isn't the real problem, McClatchy Newspapers, 10/15/08
Sen. McCain proposes a complete ban on earmarks while Sen. Obama prefers a case-by-case review. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted. The story ran in newspapers across the country.

Wilson, FDR, LBJ, Reagan . . . Obama?, Campaign U., 10/15/08
The Chronicle of Higher Education’s political blog posts an opinion piece by former visiting professor Michael Nelson, who mentions a book he co-authored with Erwin Hargrove, emeritus professor of political science.

What's good about McCain-Obama mudslinging, Christian Science Monitor, 10/14/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, wrote this opinion piece about the value of negative political advertising.

Monumental election spurs spike in new voters in Tenn., The Tennessean, 10/14/08
New voters could be an important force in Tennessee elections next month — if they vote. Marc Hetherington, associate professor of political science, is quoted.

Being on stage with both candidates made for an amazing evening, The Tennessean, 10/14/08
Law student Ben Raybin writes about his experience as a participant in the recent town-hall debate between Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama at Belmont.

The 'unitary executive' question, Los Angeles Times, 10/11/08
Dana Nelson, Gertrude Conaway Vanderbilt Professor of English and American Studies, wrote this opinion piece commenting on the current presidential and vice-presidential candidates’ attitudes toward executive power.

Those negative ads are a positive thing, Washington Post, 10/10/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, wrote this opinion piece on the value of negative advertising.

Ready, aim, fire! Newsweek, 10/11/08
Negative advertising may be nasty, but it can also be informative. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Campaign ads going negative, Chicago Tribune, 10/10/08
As Sen. John McCain trails behind Sen. Barack Obama in the polls, the volume of negative advertising has increased sharply. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Presidential hopefuls agree on need to simplify tuition aid, Times Higher Education (United Kingdom), 10/9/08
Republican Senator John McCain and Democratic Senator Barack Obama both say it should be easier for students and their families to get financial aid and tax credits to help pay for tuition. But while the ends are similar, the means are different. Christopher Loss, assistant professor of public policy and education, is quoted.

Web ads offer campaigns freedom at the margins, National Journal, 10/9/08
While TV spots continue to target undecided voters in key battleground states, online political content is usually aimed at another, very specific, target audience: the news media. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Negative ads aren't all bad, Politico.com, 9/29/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, wrote this opinion piece about the value of negative campaign ads.

Alternative debate has its own issues, The Tennessean, 10/7/08
Bruce Barry, professor of management and sociology, moderated a third-party candidates’ debate at Vanderbilt University's Stevenson Science Center on Oct. 6. Related: Third-party supporters have impromptu protest

Moments that pleased voters, The Tennessean, 10/8/08
Ben Raybin, a law student at Vanderbilt, participated in the town-hall presidential debate at Belmont Oct. 7.

Cindy McCain makes appearance at Children's Hospital, The Tennessean, 10/8/08
Sen. John McCain’s wife stopped by Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to visit a few patients and comment on her husband’s campaign.

WSMV, Channel 4, and WTVF, Channel 5, included reports on Cindy McCain’s visit to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt on Oct. 7 prior to the presidential debate at Belmont.

Assistant Professor of Political Science Christian Grose was interviewed on XM Satellite Radio’s “Potus” show about what the presidential candidates needed to do to win voters in the Belmont debate. The interview was conducted in the VUStar broadcast studio.

Associate Professor of Communication Studies Vanessa Beasley was interviewed on XM Satellite Radio’s “Tim Farley” show about the impact of the town hall format for last night’s debate on the presidential candidates. The interview was conducted in the VUStar broadcast studio.

Assistant Professor of Political Science Christian Grose was interviewed on Fox 17’s “Tennessee Mornings” about the presidential debate at Belmont.

Assistant Professor of Political Science Christian Grose was interviewed on CNN.com about the presidential debate at Belmont. The interview was conducted in the VUStar campus broadcast studio.

Candidates reach for Tennessee's evangelical voters, USA Today, 10/7/08
The conservative Protestant evangelical vote is probably John McCain’s to lose, but Barack Obama’s platform of social justice is also attractive to that bloc. Marc Hetherington, associate professor of political science, and James Hudnut-Beumler, dean of the Vanderbilt University's Divinity School, are quoted. The story also appeared in the Tennessean.

Politics need to stay out of the pulpit, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 10/7/08
The Rev. C. Joshua Villines, a doctoral candidate at Vanderbilt, wrote this opinion piece about how religious leaders should not incorporate politics into their devotional speech.

Music City sways today to the beat of politics, The Tennessean, 10/7/08
Peter Cooper, senior lecturer at Blair, wrote this commentary about Nashville’s opportunity to highlight its non-musical assets.

Debate Day timeline, The Tennessean, 10/7/08
A forum at Vanderbilt’s First Amendment Center is included in this roundup of the day’s events.

Candidates' stand on funding for NIH is vitally important, The Tennessean, 10/7/08
Andrew Gore, a third-year medical student at Vanderbilt, wrote this opinion piece about the importance of knowing the candidates’ positions on health research funding.

Dead heat in Colorado, Denver Post, 10/6/08
A new poll shows Colorado voters support McCain and Obama equally. Eight percent are still undecided. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Electoral College marginalizes Tennessee, Memphis Commercial Appeal, 10/6/08
Because Tennessee is a “winner-takes-all” state in the electoral college—meaning whoever wins the majority wins all of Tennessee’s electoral votes—and because McCain has such a strong lead, neither candidate is likely to pay much attention to Tennessee or its issues in this election. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Voter questions add element of surprise to Tuesday’s debate, Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 10/6/08
While Tennessee is not a presidential battleground state, residents will supply some “ammunition” Tuesday as Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama square off here in the second presidential debate. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Political volunteers can breathe later, The Tennessean, 10/6/08
Local political volunteers are working round the clock for their candidates. Kathy Chambers, a doctoral candidate at Vanderbilt Divinity School and an Obama volunteer, is quoted.

Palin: Wolf in sheep’s clothing, Huffington Post, 10/5/08
Vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin’s recent statements about presidential candidate Barack Obama’s association with an education reform organization founded by a former member of the Weather Underground could backfire in light of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and the current financial crisis. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Watching parties, The Tennessean, 10/5/08
Linda Manning and Stacy Nunally of The Margaret Cuninggim Women’s Center will speak at a debate-watching party for women at Village Real Estate Oct. 7.

Economy trumps other worries, The Tennessean, 10/5/08
With job losses mounting, consumer confidence on the decline and Congress passing a $700 billion debt-buyout plan for Wall Street, voters across the country and in Middle Tennessee have turned their attention back to financial issues in resounding numbers. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

CODA offers “debate alternative” at Vanderbilt University, Clarksville Online, 10/4/08
This Clarksville news blog notes the third-party presidential debate taking place at Vanderbilt on Oct. 6. Bruce Barry, professor of management and sociology, will moderate the debate, which will be available on Vanderbilt’s YouTube page, here.

College students let issues, faith guide vote, Nashville Register, 10/3/08
Although Sen. Barack Obama is very popular among younger voters, deeply religious young adults are still struggling with a decision. Student Geoff Smith, vice chairman of the Vanderbilt Catholic Community executive board, is quoted.

Costly debates bring attention to their hosts, Associated Press, 10/3/08
The colleges hosting this year’s presidential and vice-presidential debates have spent millions, canceled classes and altered campus policies to accommodate the campaigns and press, in return for international exposure. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Associate Professor of Communication Studies Vanessa Beasley was interviewed on "Inside Politics" on Channel 5+ about what the presidential candidates need to do to win over voters at the Oct. 7 debate.

Bill Ivey, director of the Curb Center for Art, Enterprise and Public Policy, and Carol Swain, professor of law and political science, participated in a panel discussion on the state of America hosted by the BBC and broadcast on WPLN, Nashville Public Radio.

Press release 10/02/08: Vanderbilt Virtual School brings election to 5th-12th graders across the country

It’s the economy…again, Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 9/30/08
The economy and jobs are the issues at the front of most Tennesseans’ minds, a statewide poll of voters shows, but other issues may factor into how they cast their ballots for president. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

2008 presidential candidates' alternative debate, Nashville Scene, 9/30/08
A debate for third-party presidential candidates will take place on Oct. 6 at Vanderbilt and will be moderated by Bruce Barry, professor of management and sociology.

My team vs. your team: The political arena lives up to its name, Washington Post, 9/29/08
The schism between moderates and partisans has intensified in this election, says Marc Hetherington, associate professor of political science.

Nashville wants to put on best face for debate visitors, The Tennessean, 9/28/08
Nashville leaders hope that when the presidential debates come to Belmont University next week, the country will see a city that is cosmopolitan, green and modern. Dan Cornfield, professor of sociology, is quoted.

Tennessee fundraising race is nearly even, The Tennessean, 9/28/08
Although Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama have raised nearly equal amounts from Tennesseans, the odds are heavily in Sen. McCain’s favor. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

McCain se résout à descendre dans l'arène du débat télévisé face à Obama, Agence France Presse, 9/26/08
This French news wire story reports on Sen. John McCain’s decision to debate Sen. Barack Obama in Mississippi a day after asking his opponent to delay the event. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. (Français)

Campaign voices, Newsweek, 9/26/08
A small group of actors provide the voice-overs for most political advertisements, and have become highly sought-after masters of the art. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. (Online only)

Here's some advice for Palin if she wants to help kids with disabilities, The Tennessean, 9/26/08
Nancy Nolan, adjunct professor of counseling and psychology and the mother of a child with an autistic-spectrum disorder, writes this opinion piece about what vice-presidential nominee Sarah Palin should focus on in order to advocate for children with special needs.

Press release, 9/22/08: Hip-hop, presidential election and youth vote discussed Sept. 25 at Vanderbilt University

Ads define the day, but have short life, Associated Press, 9/23/08
John McCain and Barack Obama are releasing a daily assault of real and barely aired campaign ads at such a fast clip that the resulting blur threatens to drown out their campaign messages. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Dems want $50 billion stimulus on top of $700 billion bailout, McClatchy News Service, 9/22/08
Congressional Democrats are pushing for a new $50 billion economic-stimulus plan as a way not only to jolt the economy but also to help themselves politically in November's elections. Nicholas Bollen, associate professor of management, is quoted. The story has run in local papers nationwide.

E-mail, texts, hacked email accounts: technology a big part of U.S. election, Canadian Press, 9/19/09
Modern technology is playing a vital role in the U.S. presidential campaign despite the fact that some voters, and even candidates, wouldn't know a text message from a toasted bagel. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. The story has run widely across Canada.

Press release, 9/18/08: Multiculturalism and the Bush presidency topic of Stahlman inaugural lecture

Historians say McCain camp not sleaziest, Politico.com, 9/17/08
Members of Sen. Obama’s campaign staff have characterized Sen. John McCain’s campaign tactics as the “sleaziest,” but experts say previous candidates have behaved far worse. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Palin shifts outlook for undecideds, Denver Post, 9/16/08
Sen. John McCain’s VP pick raises new issues for "Wal-Mart moms" who think that, at least on the surface, Gov. Sarah Palin represents them, but many say they haven't made a final decision. Bonnie Dow, associate professor of communication studies, is quoted.

Roundtable: Palin heats up discussion, USA Today, 9/15/08
A recent roundtable discussion about Sarah Palin hosted by The Tennessean at the First Amendment Center is reported. The story originally appeared in The Tennessean.

Negative ads strip away the lipstick and rouge, Globe and Mail (Toronto), 9/12/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, discusses negative political ads and the recent “lipstick on a pig” spat between Sens. McCain and Obama.

McCain, Obama call a truce for 9/11 anniversary, McClatchy News Service, 9/11/08
In a departure from the increasingly nasty environment of the presidential campaign, Barack Obama and John McCain will make a joint appearance on Thursday in New York to honor the victims of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Candidates should extend 9/11 truce, Dallas Morning News, 9/11/08
This editorial about how the presidential candidates should comport themselves on the anniversary of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, quotes John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science.CNN’s “American Morning” interviewed John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, on the Democrats’ economic stimulus package and the politics surrounding that plan. The interview was conducted using VUStar, Vanderbilt’s campus broadcast facility.

CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight” included a discussion on the upcoming election. Carol Swain, professor of law and political science, was among the panelists.

TIPSHEET: Is Sarah Palin woman enough for the national stage? Vanderbilt University expert available on images of women in media

Press release, 9/9/08: Vanderbilt professor: U.S. presidency is too powerful

Hub City gets GOP office, Jackson Sun, 9/9/08
The Madison County Republican Party opened a Jackson campaign headquarters in the Hamilton Hills Shopping Center for Sen. John McCain. Marc Hetherington, associate professor of political science, is quoted.

Southern political report: What to watch for, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 9/7/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, contributes his opinions to this roundup of expert campaign watchers.

EEUU se prepara para poner fin a la supremacía presidencial del hombre blanco, EFE, 9/6/08
This Spanish newswire article discusses the implications of a nonwhite president. Erwin Hargrove, professor emeritus of political science, is quoted. (Español)

Attack ads: kaboom or bust, The Globe and Mail (Toronto), 9/5/08
The groundbreaking “Daisy” spot was one of the first and most memorable negative campaign ads. But 44 years later, experts still aren't sure whether they work. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Congressman sees Obamas as part of a class ‘that thinks they’re uppity’, Congressional Quarterly, 9/4/08
Georgia Republican Lynn Westmoreland, who represents several Atlanta suburbs in Congress, characterized Barack and Michelle Obama as “uppity” during a media event on Capitol Hill. Vanessa Beasley, associate professor of communication studies, is quoted on the word’s connotation to Southerners. The story was reprinted on Yahoo and USA Today’s Web site.

A multitude of 'my friends,' Washington Post, 9/4/08
Sen. John McCain’s habit of addressing his audience with “my friends” is a window into McCain's rhetorical style. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

The age-old question: McCain's, Chicago Tribune, 9/4/08
Presidential candidate John McCain’s choice of a 44-year-old running mate with minimal national exposure has drawn potentially unwelcome attention to issues of experience—Gov. Palin’s—and age—Sen. McCain’s. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Sarah Palin speech to Republican National Congress: U.S. bloggers' view, Channel 4 News (U.K.), 9/3/08
Britain’s national news channel looks at U.S. bloggers’ response to Gov. Sarah Palin’s speech at the Republican National Convention. A post by Katherine Miller, a student blogger at Vanderbilt’s Right Wing Vitriol, is mentioned.

Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer was a guest on “Morning Line” on News Channel 5+ to discuss the Republican convention and impact of Gov. Sarah Palin’s selection as the GOP vice presidential nominee.

Carrie Russell, a lecturer in political science, was interviewed by WZTV, Channel 17, about Sen. John McCain’s choice of Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate. 

Assistant Professor of Political Science Christian Grose did a live interview on WZTV, Channel 17, about the Democratic Convention and Sen. Barack Obama’s selection of Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential running mate.

Analysis: Is Obama ready for world's toughest job? Associated Press, 8/25/08
Sen. Obama’s youth and relative inexperience with national politics leads some to question whether he is ready for the challenge of leading the United States. Erwin Hargrove, professor emeritus of political science, is quoted.

Analysis: With Biden, Obama aims to close experience gap, Chicago Tribune, 8/23/08
With the choice of Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware to be his running mate, Sen. Barack Obama shored up what many perceive to be his own glaring weaknesses. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Tennessee Democrats bullish on Biden, Gannett News Service, 8/23/08
Tennessee Democratic Party leaders and activists on Saturday praised Barack Obama's choice of Delaware Sen. Joe Biden as his vice presidential partner, even though it’s unlikely to improve the party's chances of taking Tennessee in the fall election.

Democrats have huge problems to overcome, The Tennessean, 8/24/08
Carol Swain, professor of law and political science, wrote this opinion piece about what Democrats need to focus on in order to win the presidency. The column is referenced in an article on BlackAmericaWeb.

Obama has to show he's ready for the job, The Tennessean, 8/24/08
Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer wrote this opinion piece outlining what Obama needs to do to win over a majority in the presidential election this fall.

Young evangelicals destined for Obama, UWire, 8/22/08
An editorial by junior Katherine Miller that originally appeared in The Hustler appears on this online college news site.

CSPAN-2 featured a speech by Erwin Hargrove, professor emeritus of political science.

CNN International featured an interview with John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, on the role the economy will play in the upcoming presidential election.CNN's “Lou Dobbs Tonight” included an interview with Carol Swain, professor of law and political science, on the presidential campaigns of Barack Obama and John McCain. The live interview was conducted using VUStar.

CNN’s “Situation Room” included an interview with John Seigenthaler, founder of the First Amendment Center and long-time Kennedy family friend, on Caroline Kennedy’s role as an adviser to Barack Obama in his search for a vice president. The interview was conducted using VUStar, Vanderbilt’s campus broadcast facility.

Republicans plan to grab some Denver limelight, Wall Street Journal, 8/21/08
John McCain and the Republican Party have their own plans for next week in Denver, including a parade of high-profile surrogates, a Web site touting new attack videos, and a tagline for the Democrats' convention: “A mile high and an inch deep.” John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted in the online edition.

WPLN, Nashville Public Radio, 8/18/09: Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer was interviewed about the reasons that expected presidential nominees John McCain and Barack Obama have not raised as much money in Tennessee as former candidate Fred Thompson.

Press Release, 8/15/08: Wal-Mart put chill on free expression in the workplace, says VU professor

Press release, 8/14/08: Vanderbilt political scientist honored for book on presidential appointments

Press release, 8/14/08: Study shows nurses are pivotal voice in upcoming presidential election

Obama and McCain: As much alike as different? The Chronicle of Higher Education, 8/13/08
The magazine’s Brainstorm blog features a post by Michael Nelson reflecting on a course he taught at Vanderbilt on the American presidency.

Young, gifted, black ... and leading America, The Observer (U.K.), 8/10/08
Barack Obama's success reflects the rise of 'post-racial' black politicians who distance themselves from the old politics and civil rights of Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. But many fear this new generation fails to understand the concerns of some black Americans. Devin Fergus, assistant professor of history, is quoted.
Tennessee primary remains in limbo, The Hill (Washington, D.C.), 8/8/08
Thursday's Republican primary in Tennessee may not be resolved until Aug. 18 as the upset incumbent, David Davis, is refusing to concede even as his opponent, Phil Roe, has declared victory. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Supremacistas apuestan por victoria de Obama para lanzar "Revolución Blanca" EFE (Spain), 8/9/08
This Spanish news wire story reports that white supremacists are looking forward to an Obama presidential victory, in the hopes that it will inspire whites to rise up and remove members of other races from power. Carol Swain, professor of political science and law, is quoted.

Will the real Gary Davis stand up? Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 8/9/08
Gary G. Davis didn’t raise a penny, plant a single campaign sign, campaign in Hamilton County or even have a Web site, but he won the county’s U.S. Senate Democratic primary by almost 1,750 votes. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Tenn. Democrat beats lawyer who linked him to KKK, Associated Press, 8/8/08
In yesterday’s primary to select the Democratic candidate to represent Tennessee’s majority-African American ninth district in Congress, incumbent Rep. Steve Cohen trounced opponent Nikki Tinker, who ran an ad linking Cohen to the Ku Klux Klan. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. The story has run in many news outlets nationally and abroad, including the San Francisco Chronicle, Chicago Tribune and The Guardian (U.K.).

Obama extends reach with TV ads, USA Today, 7/29/08
More Americans will see presidential campaign ads before election day because of Democrat Barack Obama's deep pockets. Obama's strong fundraising means he can afford to run ads in states that rarely see general election TV spots – as well as air his commercials nationally. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

John McCain: Mr. Nice Guy or back alley mugger? The Huffington Post, 7/31/08
Facing gale-force anti-Republican headwinds, John McCain must cut Barack Obama down to size in order to be competitive. But McCain's track record using negative ads has been and may still be problematic. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Election to be experiment on race, Baltimore Sun, 7/27/08
There is growing evidence that race is losing its potency as a determining factor in U.S. politics. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

What's behind all those negative ads in the campaigns, Detroit Free Press, 7/27/08
Negative advertising is almost unique to political campaigns. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Obama-McCain matchup: blowout or trench warfare? Huffington Post, 7/27/08
This political blog post forecasts the upcoming presidential election. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Ralph Nader petitions Tenn. for ballot spot, The Tennessean, 7/26/08
Tennessee voters probably will have at least one other candidate to choose from when they cast ballots in this fall's presidential election: Ralph Nader. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Dean bound for South to stump for Obama, The Washington Examiner, 7/18/08
Today, Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean is beginning an effort to boost support for Sen. Barack Obama in Southern states, but many think he might be just whistling Dixie. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Parties want '08 version of the 'Bush push' City Paper, 7/11/08
Four months from this presidential election, the impact of the battle between John McCain and Barack Obama on legislative races is of course yet to be determined, but could have similar effects as Bush’s re-election in 2004 on who controls state government. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

More funds can mean increased information, The Tennessean, 7/6/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, wrote this opinion piece about Sen. Barack Obama’s decision to opt out of the federal funding program for his presidential campaign.

New drive to ban race preferences, Christian Science Monitor, 7/3/08
In Arizona, Nebraska, and Colorado, supporters of ballot initiatives that would ban "preferential treatment" based on race are counting up petition signatures to see if there's enough support to bring the issue to voters in November. Carol Swain, professor of law and political science, is quoted.

Leatherwood goes after Blackburn on effectiveness, ethics, but faces fund-raising troubles, City Paper, 7/3/08
Since 1974, no incumbent member of the U.S. House of Representatives has been beaten in Tennessee. But U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn may break that streak, with strong opposition from Shelby County Register of Deeds Tom Leatherwood. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

What if Obama isn't a game changer? The Huffington Post, 6/20/08
Columnist Thomas Edsall examines whether presidential candidate Barak Obama has the potential to change American politics. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight” included an interview with Carol Swain, professor of law and political science on July 3.

NPR's “Weekend Edition” aired an interview with John Geer, professor of political science, about negative ads in the 2008 presidential campaign on July 5.

Campaigns on guard for racial ugliness, Arizona Republic, 6/7/08
Barack Obama's unprecedented ascension to the top of the Democratic Party's presidential ticket is a dramatic breakthrough in the African-American experience. Although his opponent, Sen. McCain, has pledged to keep his campaign civil, he acknowledges that he is unable to control what independent political organizations say. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Can $200m Obama win vital votes of 'poor white folk?, The Scotsman (United Kingdom), 6/5/08
The impact of Sen. Barack Obama’s presumptive win of the Democratic presidential nomination is analyzed. Erwin Hargrove, professor of political science emeritus, is quoted.

Fool me once, On Faith, 6/5/08
Kathleen Flake, associate professor of American religious history, writes this commentary on Sen. Barack Obama's decision to leave his Chicago church, which has been the focus of media scrutiny for some time.

Montana y Dakota del Sur ponen fin a unas primarias historicas, EFE, 6/4/08
This Spanish news service article covers the wrap-up of the Democratic primaries in Montana and South Dakota. Erwin Hargrove, professor of political science emeritus, is quoted. A related story, covering the apparent end of Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign, quotes Thomas Schwartz, professor of history: Que quiere Hillary Clinton? Both articles appear widely in the Spanish-language media. (En espanol)

Obama shatters another racial barrier, McClatchy News Service, 6/3/08
Sen. Barack Obama has become the first African American to win the presidential nomination of a major political party. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. The story appeared in many papers across the country, including the Sacramento Bee, Miami Herald, Fort Worth Star-Telegram and was also mentioned on the Carpetbagger blog.

Racism, security threats issues for Obama, ABCNews.com, 5/28/08
With Sen. Barack Obama on the verge of becoming the first African-American to receive a major party's presidential nomination, racism and potential security issues are emerging as factors in the race to the White House. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Obama, ante el delicado equilibrio del diálogo y la firmeza en su estrategia de política exterior, EFE, 5/23/08
This Spanish news service story reports on Sen. Barack Obama's proposed foreign policy strategies, including his plan to hold talks with leaders of Iran and other pariah states and organizations. Thomas Schwartz, professor of history, is quoted. (En español)

Viral e-mails attack Obama’s life story, Politico.com, 5/21/08
Spurious claims about Sen. Obama’s religion in widely circulated e-mails have spiraled into a broader assault that portrays him as a threat to mainstream, white America. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Obama tells Tennessee's GOP: 'Lay off my wife', The Tennessean, 5/20/08
The Tennessee Republican Party has received widespread attention for an online video it produced teasing Michelle Obama, wife of Sen. Barack Obama, for saying that the occasion of her husband's candidacy for president was the first time she felt proud of America. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Bredesen looks to end party rift, Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 5/19/08
Gov. Phil Bredesen warned if Democrats take too long to choose a nominee, the party may be split beyond repair. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Candidates must adapt to new kind of politics, The Tennessean, 5/18/08
Beverly Moran, professor of law and sociology, wrote this opinion piece suggesting that Sen. Obama’s appeal across demographic lines indicates a shift in American politics.

Black superdelegates in Congress who support Clinton resisting calls to switch to Obama, Black America Web, 5/13/08
The 14 Congressional Black Caucus members who support Sen. Hillary Clinton are standing firm on their commitment even as Sen. Barack Obama closes in on the Democratic nomination. Carol Swain, professor of political science and law, is quoted.

Candidates turn to mother, The Baltimore Sun, 5/10/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted in this article on the roles candidates' mothers play in political campaigns. The story also ran in the Chicago Tribune's online edition.

Experts: Ad cash not enough, McClatchy News Service, 5/4/08
It’s not just how much money a politician spends on advertising, but what he or she says that influences voters. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.
Volverá a jugársela Hillary el martes en Indiana, EFE, 5/2/08
This Spanish news service article covers Sen. Hillary Clinton's campaign for the Indiana Democratic primary on May 6. Thomas Schwartz, professor of history, is quoted. (En español)

McCain's health info put on hold, The Arizona Republic, 4/12/07
John McCain's presidential campaign has delayed disclosing the 71-year-old cancer survivor's health information, but has asked his doctors to comprehensively address lingering questions about his medical history, including the prominent scar on the left side of his face. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

La candidatura de Barack Obama hace realidad el sueño de Martin Luther King, EFE, 4/3/08
Erwin Hargrove, professor of political science emeritus, is quoted in this Spanish newswire article about how Sen. Barack Obama's candidacy for president reflects Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream for an equal place in society for African Americans. (En español)

Briefing: Going negative, The Week Daily, 4/1/08
This article explaining the history of negative political campaign cites Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer’s research on the subject.

Professor: Don't be too quick to criticize negative ads, The Wisconsin State Journal, 3/31/08
Negative campaigns ads may be getting a bad rap, says Ken Goldstein, director of UW-Madison's Wisconsin Advertising Project, which is tracking political advertising in the country's top 100 television markets for the 2008 presidential campaign. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Bredesen is media's hot guest of week, The Tennessean, 3/28/08
Gov. Phil Bredesen has been working the talk show circuit all week, pitching his idea for a superdelegate primary in June to alleviate the increasingly bitter Democratic presidential nomination deadlock. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

McCain says no to Secret Service help in campaign, The Arizona Republic, 3/26/08
Republican presidential candidate has chosen not to request Secret Service protection during his campaign, although he is eligible for it. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Archivos televisivos dejan a Hillary Clinton en evidencia, Efe (Spain), 3/26/08
This Spanish-language article discusses Sen. Hillary Clinton’s recent misstatements about landing in Bosnia under sniper fire while serving as First Lady in 1996. Erwin Hargrove, professor of political science, emeritus, is quoted. (En español)

Obama remonta el vuelo gracias a un oportuno apoyo, Efe (Spain), 3/24/08
This Spanish-language article discusses Gov. Bill Richardson’s endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign for president. Thomas Schwartz, professor of history, is quoted. (En español)

Analysis: Will a Democrat cross the line to finish first? The Dallas Morning News, 3/22/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted in this article about negative campaigning in the race for the Democratic nomination for president.

Bredesen says superdelegate primary should resolve Clinton-Obama battle, The City Paper, 3/20/08
Gov. Phil Bredesen has proposed a special primary for superdelegates in June, in order to begin focusing on the general election earlier. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted. Oppenheimer also commented on this issue in the Chattanooga Times-Free Press.

Obama calls for end to US racial 'stalemate', The Boston Globe, 3/19/08
In response to calls to condemn provocative sermons by his former pastor, Barack Obama yesterday delivered one of his own: a frank reflection on the problems of race in America that rejected the minister's words but also drew a broader personal and historical context in which to read them. Vanessa Beasley, associate professor of communications, is quoted. The story, also quoting Prof. Beasley, was covered by Congressional Quarterly’s CQPolitics blog.

Bill Clinton maintains low profile in campaign as popularity declines, The Washington Examiner, 3/19/08
With recent polls showing a sharp drop in his public standing, former President Bill Clinton has been ducking the limelight as he helps his wife campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

In politics, negativity can be positive, The Los Angeles Times, 3/17/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, co-authored this op-ed about the value of negative campaigning.

Political embrace often happens, McClatchy Newspapers, 3/16/08
Even a vicious primary race can result in opponents sharing a ticket. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Ford Jr. would be viable Clinton running mate, The Memphis Commercial Appeal, 3/17/08
Harold Ford Jr. could round out a Clinton ticket nicely. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Obama crushes Clinton in Mississippi primary, The Detroit Free Press, 3/12/08
Sen. Barack Obama won overwhelming support from black voters today to crush Sen. Hillary Clinton in Mississippi's Democratic presidential primary. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Sciences, is quoted.

'YouTube' becomes 'YouTuke', The Nashville Post, 3/7/08
Former Tennessee Democratic Party chairman and adjunct law instructor Bob Tuke has unveiled the first campaign commercial for this year’s Senate race. But instead of running on TV, it’s playing on the popular online video site, YouTube.

Superdelegates still in play, The Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 3/11/08
Many uncommitted superdelegates say they'll stay that way until the Democratic National Convention in late August, unless the neck-and-neck race between Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama is decided by voters before then. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

McCain faces different tests in crucial states Ohio, Texas, The Arizona Republic, 3/2/08
John McCain may be able to relax in Ohio, but still faces competition from Mike Huckabee in the Texas primary. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Rally 'round the flag, Dems, The Los Angeles Times, 3/3/08
Gary Gerstle, the James Stahlman Professor of History, is quoted in this opinion piece about liberal patriotism.

CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight” featured an interview with John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, on how the Democratic candidates for president are handling questions about the economy, in particular fair trade issues, in the upcoming Ohio primary. The interview was conducted using VUStar, Vanderbilt’s campus broadcast facility.

CNN’s “Lou Dobbs Tonight” featured an interview with Carol Swain, professor of political science and law, on how independents will affect the upcoming primaries in Texas and Ohio. The two live interviews were conducted using VUStar, Vanderbilt’s campus broadcast facility.

Gnashing their teeth, The Economist, 2/22/08
Mormons, perhaps disappointed by what they perceive as rejection from Republican Party, may not be as enthusiastic about backing John McCain for the presidential contest as former candidate Mitt Romney is. A study conducted in part by John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, and Brett Benson, associate professor of political science, showing that evangelical Christians tend to be prejudiced against Mormons, is mentioned.

Don't assume super delegates would make unwise decisions, The Tennessean, 2/17/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, wrote this opinion piece about the battle for delegates in the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.

Huckabee begins campaign for VP slot, The Associated Press, 2/11/08
Trailing presumptive nominee John McCain in the hunt for delegates, Huckabee's decision to stay in the Republican presidential race is widely viewed now as a tryout for running mate. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Hillary y Obama enfrentan hoy otra pulseada electoral, Efe (Spain), 2/11/08
Erwin Hargrove, professor of political science, emeritus, is quoted in this Spanish-language news-service article about the three U.S. presidential primaries that took place over the weekend. It ran widely in the Spanish-language press.

Romney's religious dilemma, The Chronicle of Higher Education, 2/11/08
Associate professor of American religious history Kathleen Flake’s 2004 book, The Politics of American Religious Identity, is discussed in this essay on the role of Mormonism in American politics.

Romney's faith: Recent history made wooing conservative evangelicals an uphill battle, The Salt Lake Tribune, 2/11/08
Brett Benson, assistant professor of political science, is quoted about a recent study he helped conduct that showed a strong bias against Mormonism among evangelical Christians.

Politics Today: Democrats' turnout shows enthusiasm, for now, The Memphis Commercial Appeal, 2/11/08
In Tennessee and elsewhere in the South, far more people participated in the Democratic primaries than in the Republican primaries. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Local GOP voters cool to McCain, The Tennessean, 2/11/08
Tennessee Democrats seem likely to unite behind whichever candidate wins the nomination, but local Republicans seem less excited about their party’s new frontrunner. Christian Grose, assistant professor of political science, is quoted.

Hillary y Obama se preparan para el próximo "asalto" tras el "supermartes" Efe (Spain), 2/6/08
Christian Grose, assistant professor of political science, and Thomas Schwartz, professor of history, were quoted in this Spanish-language article about Super Tuesday.

Tenn. voters set record for primary turnout, The Tennessean, 2/7/08
Nearly 1.2 million Tennesseans voted on Super Tuesday, shattering the record set in 1988 when Al Gore was running for president. Christian Grose, assistant professor of political science, is quoted.

Could Huckabee’s southern charm lure McCain? The City Paper, 2/7/08
While success in Southern states on Super Tuesday helped Huckabee's own presidential bid, it also may have improved his chances of becoming Sen. John McCain's running mate. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Tennessee win heartens Clinton backers in South, The Tennessean, 2/6/08
Sen. Hillary Clinton showed Tuesday she could win in the South with a Tennessee victory boosted by a personal appearance. Clinton carried at least 88 counties statewide. Christian Grose, assistant professor of political science, is quoted.

Huckabee, Clinton win in Blount County, state, The Maryville Daily Times, 2/6/08
Blount County voters mirrored statewide results on Super Tuesday. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Super Tuesday fallout: Where the race goes from here, RealClearPolitics.com, 2/6/08
A less-than-decisive Clinton victory yesterday suggests to some political experts that Obama’s campaign is still viable. Marc Hetherington, associate professor of political science, is quoted.

College paper endorsements back Obama, McCain for Super Tuesday noms, CBSNews.com, 2/6/08 
The Vanderbilt Hustler was among the student newspapers to endorse Sens. Barack Obama and John McCain for their respective parties' nominations.

Americans weigh racial impact of 2008 election campaign, Voice of America, 2/6/08
Carol Swain, professor of law and political science, comments on the historic implications of Sen. Barack Obama's strong campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

For Democrats, more to come after Super Tuesday, Reuters, 2/6/08
The race for the Democratic presidential nomination remained as tight as ever after polls closed on Super Tuesday. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. The story was carried in many papers across the country, including the Boston Globe, New York Times and the Washington Post.

The blessing of the pols, The Hartford Courant, 2/4/08
Politicians, pollsters and academics cite a variety of opinions and statistics, but most agree that candidate endorsements don’t mean very much. Of course, others disagree. Marc Hetherington, associate professor of political science, is quoted.

Historic Super Tuesday has black voters young and old fired up, ready to cast ballots, Black America Web, 2/5/08
The presidential campaigns of Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton have energized African American voters in unprecedented ways. Carol Swain, professor of law and political science, is quoted.

What pundits, polls, voters say before Super Tuesday, Gannett News Service, 2/3/08
Campaign experts, stung by unexpected turns so far, are shy about predictions and say nothing is certain in this unusual election. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Democrats, Republicans happy Tennessee is voting on Super Tuesday, The Associated Press, 2/3/08
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted in this article about the gradual creep forward of Tennessee’s presidential primaries over the years.

Southern voters will bring strong opinions on Feb. 5, Congressional Quarterly Politics, 1/31/08
CQ Politics continues its series of talks with political observers on the issues important to regional voters with a look at the Southern states holding primaries on Super Tuesday. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. (Online only)

Southern voters seek someone to tolerate, The Chicago Tribune, 2/4/08
Voters all over the South are struggling with what they call an "unusual election" with candidates they are not sure represent their values on issues such as immigration, the economy or the war in Iraq. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Dispirited Republicans seek galvanizing candidate. The Tennessean, 2/3/08
With Fred Thompson out of the picture, Tennessee Republicans are as fractured over the presidential field as the rest of the country. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Historic choice creates dilemma for Democrats, The Tennessean, 2/3/08
Democratic women and African Americans, in particular, find choosing between Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama in the presidential primaries especially difficult. Carol Swain, professor of political science and law, is quoted.

While Dems down to 2, post-Fred Republicans look for an answer, The City Paper, 2/4/08
In an election where Democrats are especially energized, Republicans have a perceived frontrunner in Sen. John McCain, whom some GOP stalwarts in Tennessee can’t seem to get excited about. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Presidential daybook: Primary eve, The Nashville Post, 2/4/08
On Saturday, Montgomery Bell Academy hosted Sen. John McCain and about 600 of his supporters. Chelsea Clinton was at Sunset Grill for her mother, Sen. Hillary Clinton, yesterday and former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus stumped for Sen. Barack Obama at Vanderbilt on Friday.

Presidential daybook, The Nashville Post, 2/1/08
As Super Tuesday approaches, only one contender will be in Nashville to campaign personally: Arizona Sen. John McCain. Former Mississippi Gov. Ray Mabus will be on the campuses of Vanderbilt and MTSU today to meet with students on Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's behalf.

Obama to open Jackson office, The Jackson Sun, 1/31/08
Barack Obama's presidential campaign will open an office in Jackson today. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Newfound support has McCain on a roll, The Arizona Republic, 1/31/08
With his recent victory in Florida, John McCain is angling for a big injection of money in the run-up to Super Tuesday. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Disillusioned with Republicans, and disappointed in the alternatives, The New York Times, 1/30/08
Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted in this article about how rural Southern voters may swing in the upcoming Super Tuesday primaries. The story also ran in the Sarasota Herald Tribune.

Lies, damned lies and campaign advertising, Miller-McCune Magazine (Santa Barbara, Calif.), 1/30/08
While Americans say they don’t like negative campaign advertising, observers say they actually play a positive role. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Obama still fighting for votes here, campaign director says, The City Paper, 1/30/08
Sen. Barack Obama’s conspicuous absence from Tennessee does not mean he is conceding the state, his local political director says. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Assistant Professor of Political Science Christian Grose did a live interview about the GOP’s Florida primary on RTÉ, Ireland’s public broadcast service. 

Economy talk may challenge McCain in Fla., The Arizona Republic, 1/26/08
John McCain is trying to shift the national conversation back to his strong suit: the war in Iraq. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

"Two against one" in Clintons' vs Obama campaign, Reuters, 1/24/08
Thomas Schwartz, professor of history, is quoted in this article about former president Bill Clinton’s heavy involvement in his wife’s campaign against Barack Obama for the Democratic presidential nomination. The story ran in the New York Times, the International Herald Tribune and ABCNews.com.

Fred Thompson exits without fanfare, The Tennessean, 1/23/08
Fred Thompson’s withdrawal a week before the Florida primary came as no surprise, given Thompson's third-place showing in Saturday's South Carolina primary. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted. The story also ran in the Honolulu Advertiser and the Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle.

On Super Tuesday Tennessee will be lost in crowd, The Memphis Commercial Appeal, 1/23/08
Super Tuesday probably won’t bring many candidates to Tennessee, but there will be a lot of ads. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

House races may be immune from presidential fallout, The Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 1/21/08
Even though public opinion seems to favor the prospect of a Democratic White House, Tennessee's Republican representatives appear well-poised to hold their seats after the November election.

Is flip-flopping critique of Romney a cover for anti-Mormon feelings? The Boston Globe, 1/21/08
The Globe’s "Political Intelligence" blog covers a recent study authored by John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, Brett Benson, associate professor of political science, and Jennifer Merolla, of Claremont University, about voters' attitudes toward Mormonism.

Minority vote moves center stage, Associated Press, 1/13/08
Carol Swain, professor of law and political science, is quoted in this article about how people of color may vote in the upcoming presidential election. This story ran on ABC News and in the Boston Globe and Washington Post.

Is becoming an active citizen important? 'You betcha!', The Tennessean, 1/6/08
Greg Barz, associate professor of ethnomusicology, writes about his experience traveling with 50 Vanderbilt students to volunteer in the Iowa caucuses last week.

Student volunteers descend on Iowa, Politico.com, 12/31/07
Politically engaged college students, including a Vanderbilt contingent, will brave the frigid terrain of Iowa to volunteer for the presidential caucuses Jan. 3. Senior Elizabeth Bennett is quoted.

Huckabee speaks without speechifying, The Los Angeles Times, 12/28/07
If Huckabee's campaign has a secret weapon, it could well be the candidate's gifts as a communicator. Vanessa Beasley, associate professor of communications, is quoted.

Playing the Christmas card, The Washington Examiner, 12/25/07
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, analyzes the presidential candidates’ Christmas ads.

He hypes the language, the numbers, The St. Petersburg Times (Florida), 12/22/07
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted in this article debunking and explaining presidential candidates’ statements.

Obama's strategy embraces Tennessee, The Tennessean, 12/20/07
This week, presidential candidate Barack Obama became the first Democratic candidate to open a campaign headquarters in Nashville. The only other presidential hopeful with an office in this state is the only Tennessean in the race, Fred Thompson. Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer is quoted.

Thompson: U.S. must 'protect our citizens', The Des Moines Register, 12/19/07
This analysis of presidential candidate Fred Thompson’s political strengths quotes Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science.

Now, a word from our candidates, The Guardian (United Kingdom), 12/15/07
About 400 political adverts run in Iowa every day, and with such a crowded field of candidates, the messages tend to be cautious and polite. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

In election, spirited debate, The Chicago Tribune, 12/16/07
A presidential campaign focused on war, immigration and health care took a theological turn last week, raising questions more often debated in seminaries. Kathleen Flake, associate professor of American religious history, is quoted. The story was also printed in The Deseret Morning News.

Thompson hopes for fast finish in Iowa, The Tennessean, 12/14/07
Fred Thompson, slipping in state and national polls, is heading to Iowa on Monday for a campaign bus tour that will end with the state's Jan. 3 caucuses. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Democrats take civil approach in TV ads (for now), National Public Radio, 12/13/07
Democratic campaign ads so far have remained civil. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

The passion of the candidate, The Phoenix (Boston), 12/13/07
A commentary in this alternative newsweekly mentions a recent study by John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, and Brett Benson, assistant professor of political science, about American voters’ attitudes toward Mormonism.

Romney tough on Huckabee in new Iowa ad, McClatchy News Service, 12/12/07
Mitt Romney, battling to stop Mike Huckabee's surge in the nation's first voting state, has unleashed a television and mail attack on the former Arkansas governor. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. The story ran in The Kansas City Star, The Sacramento Bee and The Charlotte Observer, among many others.

Is issue over competition for souls? The Deseret Morning News (Salt Lake City, Utah), 12/8/07
Brett Benson, assistant professor of political science, is quoted in this article about his recent study with John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, about the attitudes of evangelical Christians toward Mormons. A related story that also mentions the survey may be found here: Theologian-in-chief? Romney's speech spurs questions about faith.

Hucka-boom brings candidate good, bad news, The Memphis Commercial Appeal, 12/10/07
Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s charm and sense of humor may be why he’s leading in the Iowa polls. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Hucka-boom, The City Paper, 12/10/07
Chip Saltsman, a former Tennessee Republican Party chairman, top aide to former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and Mike Huckabee’s national campaign manager, is profiled. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

A reassuring Romney, U.S. News and World Report, 12/7/07
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted in this article analyzing presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s recent speech about his Mormon faith. The Boston Herald ran a related story quoting Professor Geer: I’m a Mormon: take it or leave it, Romney says.

‘The Mormon Question’: Before Romney, Reed Smoot, The Salt Lake Tribune, 12/7/07
Reed Smoot, a Utah Senator elected in 1907, was obliged to defend his Mormon faith before Congress in order to take office. Kathleen Flake, associate professor of American religious history, is quoted.

Romney speech long on theatrics, short on specifics, The Miami Herald, 12/7/07
Presidential candidate Mitt Romney's made-for-TV speech about his Mormon fatih broke less new ground than John F. Kennedy's landmark 1960 address over his Catholic faith. Kathleen Flake, associate professor of American religious history, is quoted, and a recent study on American attitudes toward Mormons by Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer and assistant professor of political science Brett Benson is mentioned.

Romney candidacy may help Mormons explain faith, The Tennessean, 12/7/07
Many in Nashville’s religious community saw presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s speech about his faith Thursday as a chance to learn more about the Mormon religion. Kathleen Flake, associate professor of American religious history, is quoted.

What Romney should say, Newsweek, 12/5/07
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, and Brett Benson, assistant professor of political science, released a study on Wednesday that found "bias against Mormons is significantly more intense among the public compared to bias against women and blacks." The story is also covered in The Chronicle of Higher Education, The Deseret Morning News, The Los Angeles Times,  MSNBC.com, The New York Times and many other news outlets.

Romney’s leap of faith, The Trail, 12/5/07
The Washington Post’s political blog posts this article about an opinion poll conducted by John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, on how voters feel about electing a Mormon to the presidency. The story was also covered by The Boston Herald, Politico.com and The Tennessean.

Giuliani steps back from firm, The Caucus, 12/5/07
The New York Times’s political blog posts this article about former New York City mayor Rudy Giuliani’s relationship to his consulting and law firms. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, comments.

Lone star kick-starts Huckabee campaign, The Wall Street Journal, 12/1/07
Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s endorsement by action star Chuck Norris has had surprising consequences. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Operatives gear up for below-the-belt sucker punches, CNN.com, 11/29/07
Candidates and their supporters are already taking off the gloves for what promises to be a nasty 2008 campaign season. Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer is quoted.

La derecha cristiana de Iowa tiene fe en Mike Huckabee,  EFE (Spain), 11/27/07
Candidate Mike Huckabee’s popularity with the Christian right may account for his unexpectedly strong showing in polls going into the Iowa primaries. Thomas Schwartz, professor of history, is quoted. (En Español)

Singing from similar hymnals, The State, 11/25/07
Douglas Knight, director of the Vanderbilt Project on Religion and Politics, is quoted in this article about presidential candidates and their religious beliefs.

Martin quits campaign, The Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 11/6/07
Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, comments on the resignation of Philip Martin from Republican Fred Thompson's presidential campaign Monday to avoid controversy over a drug-related criminal record from the 1970s and '80s.

Huckabee attacks Thompson position, The City Paper, 11/6/07
Republican presidential candidate and former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee criticized his opponent Fred Thompson for being “cut and run” on social issues like abortion and gay marriage. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Few willing to take on incumbents in Congress, The Tennessean, 10/26/07
Only two challengers have filed to run against incumbents in the state's nine U.S. House Districts next year and only one has any chance to win. No Democrat has declared to run against incumbent Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Boozman donors dot guest list for lunch with president, Arkansas News Bureau, 10/18/07
Many of the Arkansas business leaders who dined Monday with President Bush and Rep. John Boozman have shared more with the congressman than just a barbecue lunch. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Obama ahead of Clinton in cash dash, The City Paper, 10/18/07
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted in this article about the leading Democratic presidential candidates’ war chests.

Nobel Prize renews calls of ‘Run, Al, run!’, The Christian Science Monitor, 10/15/07
Fewer than three months before the Iowa caucuses, Mr. Gore could still jump in, given his fame, campaign experience and fund-raising network, political analysts say. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Expert says Thompson does ‘OK’, The City Paper, 10/10/07
Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, weighed in on Fred Thompson’s debut performance in a Republican presidential debate in Dearborn, Mich., yesterday.

Take two for Thompson's 2008 campaign, Agence France Presse, 10/7/07
This article looks at Fred Thompson’s competing reputations as a folksy, local-boy-made-good, and as a lazy, unserious candidate. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. This story also ran in TurkishPress.com. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, was quoted in The Tennessean’s coverage: Fred Thompson campaign battles conflicting images.

As campaigns near, GOP lawmakers grow restless on Iraq, McClatchey Newspapers, 10/7/07
Republican lawmakers anxious about their 2008 election prospects are growing increasingly frustrated by Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's failure to unify his fractured country and reach the political benchmarks set by Congress. Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer is quoted. The story also ran in the Columbia, S.C., State, The Miami Herald and The Seattle Times.

Congress holds off again on Iraq war legislation, The Chattanooga Times-Free Press, 10/8/07
House and Senate Democratic leaders indicate they will hold off on Iraq policy bills until they consider an emergency war-funding bill, which may not come up until early 2008. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Nomination process still needs much work The Tennessean, 10/5/07
Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer authored an op-ed about political primaries and the effects of states pushing their primaries forward on the calendar.

S. Carolina key in Republicans' ambitions The Boston Globe, 10/4/07
South Carolina's first-in-the-South primary on Jan. 19 will play a critical role in the campaigns of the top three Republican candidates. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

McCain vs. Thompson, The Arizona Republic, 9/20/07
Differences are subtle: They're rivals for the White House now, but during eight years in the Senate together, Republican presidential hopefuls Fred Thompson and John McCain were close allies. Political science professor Bruce Oppenheimer is quoted.

Thompson faces crucial fundraising period, experts say, The City Paper,  9/18/07
Thompson’s fund-raising totals will be made public in early to mid-October by the Federal Election Commission, and the numbers may impact his campaign. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Civil U.S. presidential race not so good for voters, Reuters, 9/17/07
John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted extensively in this article about negative political campaigns. This story also ran in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Qatar’s Gulf Times, and South Africa’s Independent Online.

Early primary schedule doesn't favor Tennessee, The Tennessean, 9/20/07
Tennessee is part of what's being billed as the "Super Duper Tuesday" primary, which includes big states like California, New York, New Jersey and Illinois, plus 15 other states. Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer is quoted.

Thompson, Huckabee woo same GOP base, The Commercial Appeal, 9/10/07
Presidential candidate Fred Thompson gives rival Mike Huckabee some competition. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Thompson standing out for now, but he has work to do, The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 9/10/07
This article discusses Fred Thompson’s unorthodox entry into the presidential race. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

United States: Can anyone stop the Clinton bandwagon? Monday Morning, 8/31/07
This Lebanese English-language newsweekly looks at Hillary Clinton’s chances for securing the Democratic presidential nomination next year. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Some view Thompson as next 'Great Communicator', Knoxville News Sentinel, 8/19/07
The Knoxville News-Sentinel--Former Sen. Fred Thompson’s admirers, elated over his expected decision to seek the Republican nomination for president, already are hailing his candidacy as the second coming of Reagan, who was know as the Great Communicator. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted

Expectations grow as Fred Thompson announcement awaits, The Tennessean, 8/18/07
Like the hype leading up to the latest movie or video game release, the lead-up to the official announcement of Fred Thompson's Republican presidential bid is raising expectations. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Thompson is sparse on policy positions, The Associated Press, 8/17/07
Former Sen. Fred Thompson has offered few specifics on public policy issues in his campaign for president. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted. The story was published in newspapers and Web sites across the country.
 
For Romney, a nuanced cry for change,  Boston Globe, 8/17/07
Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney is increasingly casting himself as the "change" candidate, promising voters that he's the one who would bring conservative reform to Washington. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Romney is likely a shoo-in in Iowa, The Deseret Morning News, 8/9/07
There's little doubt that GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will win Saturday's non-binding straw poll of Iowa Republicans, which political observers say is the first test of the 2008 race for the White House. Christian Grose, assistant professor of political science, is quoted.

Thompson gets state push but comes up short on goal, The City Paper, 8/1/07
Former Sen. Fred Thompson’s “testing the waters” committee reported raising $3.4 million for his probable presidential candidacy, which is below the $5 million goal Thompson’s camp had set. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Democratic candidates skipping 'national conversation' Chattanooga Times Free Press, 7/31/07
Former President Clinton will attend the upcoming Democratic Leadership Council meeting in Nashville, but neither his wife, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton, nor any other Democratic presidential hopefuls plan to attend. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

GOP field appears to narrow, Christian Science Monitor, 7/25/07
Some analysts are saying the presidential race could come down to a two-man contest between former Sen. Fred Thompson and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Ford Jr. Tries New Democratic Direction, Memphis Daily News, 7/25/07
The Democratic Leadership Council (DLC), the centrist policy group often cited as helping propel Bill Clinton to success in the presidential election of 1992, is holding its annual meeting in the Tennessee capital beginning Saturday. Former Congressman Harold Ford Jr., who teaches at Vanderbilt, is head of the DLC.

Thompson, Guiliani run close in poll, The Tennessean, 7/20/07
The latest poll shows Thompson tied for first place among likely Republican presidential candidates, neck and neck with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Political fallout may pose GOP problems The Tennessean, 7/18/07
Marc J. Hetherington, associate professor of political science, writes in this opinion piece that President Bush’s pardon of Lewis “Scooter” Libby has contributed to his record low public approval score.

Thompson the candidate will face tougher scrutiny, USA Today 7/14/07
Experts believe that once the actor and former Sen. Fred Thompson from Tennessee officially becomes a candidate, his opponents will focus on what they see as the soft spots in his life and political career. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted. The story was also published in The Tennessean.

WSMV, Channel 4, reported on whether voters consider newspaper endorsements of candidates when they vote. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, was interviewed.

Thompson presidential buzz echoes past  The Tennessean, 7/9/07
Now, more than four years after leaving office, former Sen. Fred Thompson seems ready to capitalize on the political fervor that took root early in his Senate career. Many expect him to officially announce his presidential candidacy this month. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Thompson pushes new media, against fairness doctrineThe City Paper, 7/3/07
Advocating for new media, potential presidential candidate and former Sen. Fred Thompson said in a podcast that the “era of controllable media is over” and reinstituting the fairness doctrine on talk radio is “wrong.” John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

Thompson paints down-home image, The Concord Monitor, 6/28/07
Despite his opponents' attempts to paint him as a "Gucci-wearing, Lincoln-driving, Perrier-drinking, Grey Poupon-spreading millionaire," former Sen. Fred Thompson always managed to convince people that he was just a regular guy from Tennessee. John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, is quoted.

ABC News interviewed John Geer, Distinguished Professor of Political Science, about the role of Elizabeth Edwards in her husband’s presidential campaign.

Supreme Court ruling on negative ads to affect presidential race, VUCast Video, 6/27/07
Today's U.S. Supreme Court ruling to allow issues ads funded by corporations and labor unions to air close to an election has major implications for the 2008 presidential campaign, according to Vanderbilt University political scientist John Geer.

Thompson's campaign gets financial boost, The Tennessean, 6/27/07
The Tennessean--Fred Thompson's late entry into the presidential race shouldn't hurt his ability to raise the millions of dollars necessary to mount a competitive campaign, according to political expert and Distinguished Professor of Political Science John Geer.

WZTV-FOX, Channel 17, aired a story about former Sen. Fred Thompson’s fundraiser in Nashville and the possibility of Thompson and former Vice President Al Gore entering the race. Christian Grose, assistant professor of political science, was interviewed live June 26.

Democrats look for 2008 challenger to Alexander, The Chattanooga Times Free Press, 6/26/07
Even as the presidential race moves into full swing, Tennessee's 2008 U.S. Senate race largely has avoided headlines as only incumbent Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., has announced his candidacy. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Thompson stocks up on D.C. veterans, The Tennessean, 6/23/07
The presidential campaign staff former Sen. Fred Thompson has been constructing in recent weeks is populated by skilled Washington veterans with strong ties to President George Bush and former President George H.W. Bush. John Geer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Podcast: Former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson set to shake up presidential race, VUCast, 6/21/07
Fred Thompson is proving to be a formidable challenger to the other GOP presidential contenders, even though he has not yet formally announced. Professor of Political Science John Geer believes that the former Tennessee senator will catch up quickly with regards to name recognition and fundraising. Listen to Ann Marie Deer Owens' InterVU with John Geer.

Past as lobbyist may play into future as candidate, USA Today, 6/7/07
Although former Sen. Fred Thompson recently told USA Today that he would run an outsider, his resumé is that of a longtime Washington operative who has crossed ideological lines to represent corporate and foreign clients. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Former Sen. Thompson's entry could decimate secont tier of '08 hopefuls, The Hill, 6/6/07
Former Sen. Fred Thompson’s (R-Tenn.) seemingly inevitable entry into the presidential race would no doubt steal supporters from the current GOP front-runners, but his foray could potentially wipe out the second tier. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Fred's founders seek $4.6M, The Hill, 6/6/07
Friends of Fred Thompson Inc., the former senator’s exploratory committee, filed with the Tennessee secretary of state, allowing the committee to start raising money. Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, is quoted.

Iraq, Immigration Polarize 2008 Field, Associated Press, 5/31/07 
Marc Hetherington, associate professor of political science, comments.

Fred Thompson expected to transform presidential race, says VU’s John Geer, VUCast, 5/30/07
Fred Thompson will be a formidable, top-tier presidential contender, despite the fact that he has never been driven to be president, said Vanderbilt political scientist John Geer. "Thompson has never been so ambitious that he is willing to do anything to be president, which could certainly be a plus in the campaign," Geer said. "Of course, one of his greatest strengths is his rapport with the camera. Thompson demonstrated this in his recent video directed at liberal filmmaker Michael Moore. He delivered his lines flawlessly."
 
Actor, former Sen. Thompson moves closer to White House bid, The New York Times, 5/31/07
Bruce Oppenheimer, professor of political science, comments.

Thompson taking next steps toward seeking Republican presidential nod, Nashville City Paper, 5/31/07
Professor of Political Science John Geer comments.