Media advisory: Political experts can discuss issues surrounding Democratic National Convention


Fri, 07/22/2016

author

George Diepenbrock, Mike Krings

LAWRENCE — As Hillary Clinton defeated Bernie Sanders in a tougher-than-expected Democratic primary, many pundits will look to see if she can unite the party’s base as she leads Donald Trump in most battleground states.

Republicans at this week’s convention also attempted to seize her low polling on trust issues as they used as a talking point the FBI’s criticism of her handling of classified emails as secretary of state, though she avoided prosecution in the case.  

University of Kansas political experts are available to talk with the media about issues surrounding the Democratic National Convention, which begins July 25 in Philadelphia.

Patrick Miller, assistant professor of political science, monitors national polling made available and tweets analysis at Twitter.com/pmiller1693. His broad research interests include national politics and attitudes of partisanship.

"Can the Clinton campaign do anything to change her image with voters? Can they project an image of her that is more likable? What kind of convention bump does she get, and does it last?” Miller said. “Like a typical convention, the Democratic convention this year will be highly staged and produced with little drama. So the most important thing to look at what the effect is on the public, both in terms of how they evaluate the candidate and how, if at all, the horse race numbers change.”

Burdett Loomis, professor of political science, researches Congress, U.S. politics and lobbying. He has edited nine editions of the book "Interest Group Politics," which details various influences on American politics.

Loomis said Clinton’s campaign likely will seek to take advantage of any openings Trump might provide after the Republican convention and that an announcement of her running mate will be an attempt to mitigate any post-convention bounce for the GOP.

“Other than that, I foresee two major elements. First will be a relatively conventional convention, with a host of policies discussed, along with credit taken for Obama administration. Sanders and Elizabeth Warren will get their due, as will Obama, all in a buildup to Clinton accepting the nomination. Maybe there will be a few fireworks, but not many,” Loomis said. “Which leads us to the second part — Trump is such a huge and inviting target. All attention will be focused on Philadelphia and Democrats, and they can train a lot of it on Trump. It will be a real preview of the fall campaign — trying to make Clinton look as good as possible while just relentlessly attacking Trump on a multitude of fronts.”

Christina Bejarano, associate professor of political science, researches women and Latinos in U.S. electoral politics, both their voting trends and political candidates. She has written two books: "The Latino Advantage: Gender, Race and Political Success" and "The Latino Gender Gap in U.S. Politics."

“It will be very interesting to see the stark contrast between the two party conventions,” Bejarano said, “especially in their attempts to mobilize women and minority voters.”

To arrange an interview with Miller, Loomis or Bejarano, contact George Diepenbrock at 785-864-8853 or gdiepenbrock@ku.edu.

William “Bill” Lacy, director of the Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, can discuss the upcoming Democratic National Convention, the nomination process, the difference between the parties’ respective conventions, the response to the Republican National Convention, the importance of the conventions, the campaign leading to this point and the upcoming general elections following the convention.

“This has been a completely unpredictable election season to this point,” Lacy said. “It will be interesting to see if the Democratic convention plays out traditionally, how they choose to react to the happenings of the Republican convention and how they set up for the stretch run to November.”

Lacy has been director of the Dole Institute for Politics since 2004 and has played a major role in seven presidential campaigns, including senior roles in Bob Dole’s 1988 and 1996 campaigns, Ronald Reagan’s 1980 and 1984 bids, and George H.W. Bush’s 1988 and 1992 campaigns. He was also President Reagan’s White House political director. In 2007 he took a leave of absence from the institute to manage the presidential campaign of former U.S. Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn).

During his tenure as director, Lacy has established the Dole Institute as a highly respected venue for bipartisan, philosophically balanced political programming. Under his leadership the institute has hosted numerous national and international political leaders, including sitting and former heads of state, practitioners and journalists.

To arrange an interview with Lacy, contact Mike Krings at 785-864-8860 or mkrings@ku.edu.

Fri, 07/22/2016

author

George Diepenbrock, Mike Krings

Media Contacts

George Diepenbrock

KU News Service

785-864-8853