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Obama in Austin: University Experts Offer Political PerspectiveFebruary 22, 2007 AUSTIN, Texas—Barack Obama, U.S. senator and presidential candidate, will speak at a public rally in the Texas capital Friday, Feb. 23. Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin are available to provide commentary on how issues such as party polarization, Latino politics and the psychology of "blue" and "red states" are shaping the 2008 presidential elections. National Politics and the Presidency Bruce Buchanan Buchanan specializes in presidential and American politics, American institutions, public policy and political behavior. His books include "The Presidential Experience," "The Citizen's Presidency," "Electing A President" and "Presidential Campaign Quality." Campaigns and Political Behavior Daron Shaw Shaw serves on the editorial board for American Politics Research and on the national decision team for Fox News. He was a strategist during the 2000 and 2004 presidential election campaigns. Congress and Party Polarization Sean Theriault Theriault researches party polarization in the U.S. Congress and the differences between elected officials' goals, ideas and attitudes and those of their constituencies. He examines the ethical considerations presented when the viewpoints of constituents and their representatives don't connect. He is the author of "The Power of the People: Congressional Competition, Public Attention, and Voter Retribution." Psychology of Red and Blue States D. Conor Seyle Seyle examines the perceived cultural differences between "red" and "blue" states in American politics. In "A House Divided? The Psychology of Red and Blue America," the researchers conclude the terms are inaccurate, incomplete and increase the conflict between political groups. Political Language and Psychological Insights James Pennebaker Richard Slatcher Cindy Chung Pennebaker and his students have analyzed language in political speech to evaluate a candidate's psychological state. The researchers found the words used in interviews provide insight into how a candidate thinks and relates to people. They have examined the language and personalities of George Bush, John Kerry, Dick Cheney and John Edwards. Politics and Personality Sam Gosling Gosling studies how people create environments that provide insights into their personalities and how they would like to be perceived. For example, Gosling and his colleagues at New York University and Harvard University have found differences between how liberals and conservatives decorate their offices or bedrooms. The Hispanic Vote Jason Casellas Casellas examines Latino politics, including representation in Congress, and legislative, state and local politics. David Leal Leal specializes in Latino politics, particularly public opinion and political behavior, state and local politics, and the U.S. Congress. He is the co-editor of "Latino Politics: Identity, Mobilization, and Representation" and the author of "Electing America's Governors: The Politics of Executive Elections." African-American Issues Eric McDaniel McDaniel's research areas include religion and politics, African-American politics and organizational behavior. His work targets how and why African-American religious institutions choose to become involved in political matters. In addition, his work targets the role of religious institutions in shaping African-American political behavior. Tasha Philpott Philpot specializes in African-American politics, public opinion and political behavior, Ismail White White examines the role African-American political elites play in shaping racial divisions in American public opinion and the effect of racial cues on candidate evaluations. White researches felony disenfranchisement provisions, the representation of black elites in news media and beliefs about the genetic origins of race and gender. Texas Politics Jim Henson Henson directs the Texas Politics project and researches Texas and U.S. politics, and the political impact of the Internet. Gary Keith Keith specializes in Texas political dynamics and environmental politics. He has worked for the Texas legislature, for a statewide elected official, and in political campaigns and public interest groups. For more information contact: Christian Clarke Cásarez, director of public affairs, College of Liberal Arts, 512-471-4945. |
