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
Professor, Department of Government
512-232-7212
bruceb@mail.la.utexas.edu
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
Associate Professor, Department of Government
512-232-7275
dshaw@jeeves.la.utexas.edu
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
Assistant Professor, Department of Government
512-232-7279 and 832-721-3991
seant@mail.utexas.edu
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
Graduate Student and Researcher, Department of Psychology
512-471-0691
dcseyle@mail.utexas.edu
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
Barbara Pierce Bush Regents Professor in Liberal Arts and
Chair, Department of Psychology
512-232-2781
pennebaker@mail.utexas.edu
Richard Slatcher
Researcher and graduate student, Department of Psychology
512-471-6852
slatcher@mail.utexas.edu
Cindy Chung
Researcher and graduate student, Department of Psychology
512-232-2762
cindyk.chung@mail.utexas.edu
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
Associate Professor, Department of Psychology
512-471-1628
samg@mail.utexas.edu
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
Assistant Professor, Department of Government
512-232-7202
casellas@mail.utexas.edu
Casellas examines Latino politics, including representation in Congress, and legislative, state and local politics.
David Leal
Associate Professor, Department of Government
512-471-1343
dleal@gov.utexas.edu
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
Assistant Professor, Department of Government
512-232-7268
emcdaniel@mail.utexas.edu
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
Assistant Professor, Department of Government
512-232-3681
tsp228@mail.la.utexas.edu
Philpot specializes in African-American politics, public opinion and political behavior,
political communication and political parties. Her research examines the consequences of using racial images in political communication. She is the author of "Inclusion or Illusion? The Politics and Process of Party Image Change."
Ismail White
Assistant Professor, Department of Government
whiteik@gov.utexas.edu
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
Director, Texas Politics project
512-471-0090
jhenson@mail.la.utexas.edu
Henson directs the Texas Politics project and researches Texas and U.S. politics, and the political impact of the Internet.
Gary Keith
Senior Lecturer, Department of Government
512-232-7266
gkeith@gov.utexas.edu
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.
