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Surprises in the election campaign cycle so far

In this video, Professor Bruce Buchanan discusses what’s unusual about the Republican primaries, negative ads and the economy’s effect on President Barack Obama in the polls.

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In Elections 2012 coverage on Know, experts from across The University of Texas at Austin will weigh in on the politics and the issues, from the economy, the environment and demographics to immigration, energy, social change and more.

Government Professor Bruce Buchanan discusses what’s unusual about the Republican primaries, the power of negative advertising to change voter turnout and how the health of the national economy affects Obama’s chances at re-election with James Henson, director of the Texas Politics Project at The University of Texas at Austin.

Learn more about our faculty experts:

Bruce Buchanan is a professor in the Department of Government. 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.”

James Henson is a lecturer in the Department of Government and directs the Texas Politics Project, which seeks to educate students and Texans about state government, politics and history through a dynamic website and speaker series. It also conducts regular statewide issues and political polls. The Texas Politics Project is The University of Texas at Austin’s home for the UT/Texas Tribune Poll, a statewide survey of public opinion on issues and elections in Texas.

Stay tuned for more expert analysis of Elections 2012.