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.

References:

1. April 28, 2009 — Obama takes more questions than Bush in the The Washington Times

WUSTL political science professor Steve Smith comments on some lessons learned by Obama and his team in the push for the stimulus bill.

References:

1. Feb. 11, 2009 — Stimulus fight gives Obama lessons early in the USA Today

and 1 others.

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.

References:

1. Feb. 1, 2009 — Under Obama, 'war on terror' catchphrase fading in the Associated Press

and 18 others.

WUSTL cultural historian Peter Kastor comments on Obama's place in America's history.

References:

1. Jan. 20, 2009 — A moment in history: The American story renewed in the Associated Press

and 32 others.

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.

References:

1. Jan. 20, 2009 — Obama's speech a quiet call to arms for Americans in the Associated Press

and 37 others.

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.

References:

1. Jan. 13, 2009 — SPIN METER: Obama stresses dire economy at start in the Associated Press

and 32 others.

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.

References:

1. Nov. 16, 2008 — Obama Dips Into Think Tank for Talent in the The Wall Street Journal online

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.

References:

1. Nov. 3, 2008 — Segment on Vote 08 and Missouri in the ABC News 'Good Morning America'

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.

References:

1. Oct. 30, 2008 — Story on a state that's politically divided right down the middle in the CNN American Morning

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.

References:

1. Oct. 27, 2008 — Young voters could rock the polls this year in the Associated Press

and 19 others.

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.

References:

1. Oct. 21, 2008 — McCain camp insists he can overcome funding mismatch in the USA Today

and 1 others.

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.

References:

1. Oct. 19, 2008 — If Elected . . . How would President McCain govern? in the Associated Press

and 31 others.

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.

References:

1. Oct. 20, 2008 — The Next President: Battlegrounds in the CNN National Programming

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.

References:

1. Oct. 17, 2008 — On campus, the debates continue in the USA Today online

and 4 others.

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.

References:

1. Oct. 16, 2008 — Schools Spend on Debates, but Gain Prestige in the The New York Times

and 1 others.

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.

References:

1. Oct. 3, 2008 — While spending millions on debates, universities hope to draw attention and educate students in the Los Angeles Times

and 11 others.

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.

References:

1. Oct. 2, 2008 — Palin - Biden: The Main Event/ Behind the Scenes in the ABC News 'Good Morning America'

On Thursday, Sarah Palin has a chance to restore her image, while Joe Biden must avoid being long-winded or aggressive.

References:

1. Oct. 2, 2008 — Unusually high stakes in vice presidential debate in the The Christian Science Monitor

Wayne Fields, WUSTL political rhetoric expert, comments on the federal government's financial rescue plan and the pitfalls of calling it a bailout.

References:

1. Sept. 29, 2008 — The new bailout pitch: It's NOT a bailout in the Associated Press

and 19 others.

Thursday's debate at WUSTL between VP candidates Biden and Palin offers unusually large pitfalls — and promise.

References:

1. Oct. 1, 2008 — Debate offers Palin, Biden high risks, big rewards in the Associated Press

and 24 others.