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Campaign Tactics & Strategy
Washington University in St. Louis has a strong connection to modern presidential politics, having been selected to host presidential candidate debates in each election since 1992. Presidential debates were held here in 1992 and 2000; the 1996 debate scheduled to take place here was cancelled. WUSTL will host the second presidential debate of the next elections on Oct. 8, 2004. WUSTL also is home to a top-rated graduate program in political science, which includes leading experts on presidential politics and policies.
| Faculty Experts: |
Showing Campaign Tactics & Strategy Experts 1 through 5 of 9.
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Charles Burson
Visiting Professor of Law
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| Burson |
Charles Burson has an extensive professional career including Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary at Monsanto Company from 2001-2006; Counsel to the Vice President, Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff at The White House, Office of the Vice President from 1997-2001; Attorney ...
Expertise: Bush v. Gore, Supreme Court and presidential elections, lawyer's role in corporate crisis management
Direct contact: (314) 935-8166
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cwburson@wulaw.wustl.edu
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James Davis
Professor Emeritus of Political Science in Arts & Sciences
Davis, an expert on defense and public policy, health care policy, presidential campaigns and party platforms, is a close follower of current issues in politics. Davis has taught courses focusing on the presidency, military history and political literacy and is a frequent commentator on news events, ...
Expertise: presidency, campaigns, budget battles, American politics, military history, politics of war on terrorism, U.S. intelligence operations, …
Direct contact: (314) 935-5828
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davis@artsci.wustl.edu
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Wayne Fields
Lynne Cooper Harvey Distinguished Chair in English
Fields is a nationally known expert on American literature, non-fiction prose, rhetoric and American political argument. His book, "Union of Words: A History of Presidential Eloquence" (1996) examines the use of rhetoric in presidential speeches, from declarations of candidacy to nomination acceptances, ...
Expertise: Presidential speechmaking, American political argument, American literature, rhetoric, non-fiction prose, rhetoric, Mark Twain, …
Direct contact: (314) 935-5216
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wdfields@artsci.wustl.edu
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William Lowry
Professor of Political Science
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| William Lowry |
William Lowry studies American politics, public policy and political institutions with a special emphasis on natural resources, public lands and related environmental policiy issues. In recent years, Congressional Quarterly has called upon Lowry to write an updated chapter for the annual CQ Press ...
Expertise: American politics, environment, environmental policy, natural resources, public policy, American rivers, environmental restoration, …
Direct contact: (314) 935-5821
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lowry@artsci.wustl.edu
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Mark Rank
Herbert S. Hadley Professor of Social Welfare
Rank's work centers on poverty, social welfare, economic inequality and policy, including the use of welfare myths, class division and economic inequalities as political campaign issues. His recent research has explored the life course probabilities of experiencing poverty in America. His most recent ...
Expertise: social policy, poverty, social welfare, social stratification, family, demography, research methodology
Direct contact: (314) 935-5694
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markr@wustl.edu
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| News Stories & Tip Sheets: |
Showing Campaign Tactics & Strategy Stories 1 through 3 of 48.
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ACORN controversy
Voter fraud allegations are pure bluster, says election law expert
Oct. 24,
2008 --
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| Magarian |
"No evidence exists of any serious threat of voter fraud, at present or in any recent election cycle," says Greg Magarian, J.D., election law expert and professor of law at Washington University in St. Louis. The current cries of 'fraud' focus on the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), a public interest organization that advocates for low- and moderate- income and minority citizens. "Filing false registration forms does not constitute voter fraud," he says. "Voter fraud requires voting by a person who is not legally entitled to vote. That is a difficult trick to pull off, and simply turning in a registration form for 'Captain Crunch' does almost nothing to enable it."
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Flashback to 1952?
For all the talk of change, the candidates and campaigns are similar to elections throughout the years, says history and culture expert
Sept. 26,
2008 --
"These are unprecedented candidates in an unusual election year, but what's striking is how these candidates are positioning themselves and describing themselves in ways very similar to previous presidential candidates, and in ways that are very typical of their parties," says Peter Kastor, Ph.D., history and American culture studies professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
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Flashback to 1952?
For all the talk of change, the candidates and campaigns are similar to elections throughout the years, says history and culture expert
Sept. 26,
2008 --
"These are unprecedented candidates in an unusual election year, but what's striking is how these candidates are positioning themselves and describing themselves in ways very similar to previous presidential candidates, and in ways that are very typical of their parties," says Peter Kastor, Ph.D., history and American culture studies professor at Washington University in St. Louis.
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Showing Campaign Tactics & Strategy Stories 1 through 3 of 48.
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Obama takes more questions than Bush
The Washington Times
April 28,
2009 -- President Obama has gotten off to a busy start, fielding more questions in formal press conferences in his first months in office than the American people saw from his predecessor. WUSTL history professor Peter Kastor comments.
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Stimulus fight gives Obama lessons early
USA Today
and 1 others
Feb. 12,
2009 -- WUSTL political science professor Steve Smith comments on some lessons learned by Obama and his team in the push for the stimulus bill.
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Under Obama, 'war on terror' catchphrase fading
Associated Press
and 18 others
Feb. 2,
2009 -- The "War on Terror" is losing the war of words. The catchphrase burned into the American lexicon hours after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, is fading away, slowly if not deliberately being replaced by a new administration bent on repairing the U.S. image among Muslim nations. Includes comments by WUSTL English and American culture studies professor Wayne Fields, who is an expert on presidential rhetoric.
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A moment in history: The American story renewed
Associated Press
and 32 others
Jan. 21,
2009 -- WUSTL cultural historian Peter Kastor comments on Obama's place in America's history.
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Obama's speech a quiet call to arms for Americans
Associated Press
and 37 others
Jan. 21,
2009 -- Barack Obama used his inaugural address Tuesday to sketch a portrait of the nation as it is, and as it should be. Includes comments by WUSTL presidential rhetoric expert Wayne Fields.
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SPIN METER: Obama stresses dire economy at start
Associated Press
and 32 others
Jan. 14,
2009 -- In hard times, the man in the Oval Office usually is the cheerleader-in-chief, looking ahead optimistically. Not Barack Obama, who is taking office full of gloom and doom about the nation's economy, warning that things are dire and bound to get worse. WUSTL American culture studies director and political rhetoric expert Wayne Fields comments.
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Obama Dips Into Think Tank for Talent
The Wall Street Journal online
Nov. 17,
2008 -- The Center for a New American Security, a small think tank here with generally middle-of-the-road policy views, is rapidly emerging as a top farm team for the incoming Obama administration. Includes comments by WUSTL economics professor Murray Weidenbaum, who wrote a book on Washington think tanks.
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Segment on Vote 08 and Missouri
ABC News 'Good Morning America'
Nov. 4,
2008 -- Kate Snow reports from St. Louis and asks why it is that "As Missouri goes, so goes the nation." WUSTL political rhetoric expert Wayne Fields weighs in with his answer.
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Story on a state that's politically divided right down the middle
CNN American Morning
Oct. 31,
2008 -- In this segment, Kiran Chetry talks with WUSTL law students Erick Harris and Scott Talkov, two politically divided roommates in a politically divided state -- Harris supports McCain and Talkov supports Obama.
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Young voters could rock the polls this year
Associated Press
and 19 others
Oct. 27,
2008 -- There's always talk about the impact young voters could have in choosing the next president, but some barriers stand in the way, such as access to college campuses. WUSTL persuaded the county to put a polling place on campus for this election.
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McCain camp insists he can overcome funding mismatch
USA Today
and 1 others
Oct. 21,
2008 -- Statewide polls show Obama and McCain are essentially tied in Missouri. No one ideology or business interest dominates the state and the electorate tends to be practical, says WUSTL American culture studies professor Wayne Fields.
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If Elected . . . How would President McCain govern?
Associated Press
and 31 others
Oct. 20,
2008 -- McCain styles himself as a Teddy Roosevelt Republican, eager to be in the arena. If elected, he could be expected to pick certain issues and push them to the limit. WUSTL political science professor Steve Smith comments on the impact the financial crisis will have on whichever candidate becomes president.
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The Next President: Battlegrounds
CNN National Programming
Oct. 20,
2008 -- Another story on the impact of the presidential race includes comments from WUSTL political science professor Michael Minta on the expected turnout of black voters.
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On campus, the debates continue
USA Today online
and 4 others
Oct. 17,
2008 -- The three presidential and one vice presidential debates traversed regions, traditions and history. Belmont proved that small places with big ambitions could be world-class stages. WUSTL, which has hosted more debates in the modern age than any other place, became part of history by hosting the first vice presidential debate involving a Republican woman.
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Schools Spend on Debates, but Gain Prestige
The New York Times
and 1 others
Oct. 16,
2008 -- Financial outlays to host a debate, not to mention the strain on human resources on campus, might seem a lot for a university to pay for some visibility and a one-time enhancement of its student experience. But consider the potential payoff, especially for smaller schools. WUSTL spokesman Steve Givens comments on the subject.
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While spending millions on debates, universities hope to draw attention and educate students
Los Angeles Times
and 11 others
Oct. 6,
2008 -- WUSTL officials comment on support measures in place to cover production expenses, facilities work and campus grounds maintenance related to hosting the vice presidential debate.
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Palin - Biden: The Main Event/ Behind the Scenes
ABC News 'Good Morning America'
Oct. 3,
2008 -- Kate Snow reports on pre-debate preparations of both VP candidates. Snow asks WUSTL psychology professor and memory expert Mark McDaniel if there's any risk to cramming too much.
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Unusually high stakes in vice presidential debate
The Christian Science Monitor
Oct. 2,
2008 -- On Thursday, Sarah Palin has a chance to restore her image, while Joe Biden must avoid being long-winded or aggressive.
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The new bailout pitch: It's NOT a bailout
Associated Press
and 19 others
Oct. 1,
2008 -- Wayne Fields, WUSTL political rhetoric expert, comments on the federal government's financial rescue plan and the pitfalls of calling it a bailout.
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Debate offers Palin, Biden high risks, big rewards
Associated Press
and 24 others
Oct. 1,
2008 -- Thursday's debate at WUSTL between VP candidates Biden and Palin offers unusually large pitfalls — and promise.
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