Professors, experts offer takes on election
Professors and political professionals offered their perspectives and predictions for the upcoming presidential election in a panel discussion Monday night.
Don Fowler, former chairman of the South Carolina Democratic Party and Democratic National Committee, led the panel discussion, which consisted of a 15 minute lecture by each of the four panelists followed by a lively question and answer session.
First to speak was Associate Professor Charles Finocchiaro, who discussed the U.S. Congress. He focused on the recently low approval ratings as well as the future allocation of seats in the House of Representatives and Senate.
Associate Professor Todd Shaw followed with discussion on African-American politics and social movements. He paid particularly close attention to the minority voter turnout, which he said is “key to the election’s outcome.”
Associate Director of Women’s Studies Laura Woliver talked about interest groups and gender politics. She made an important note about young voters and their role in elections.
“Young people tend to vote more in presidential elections, and on off-year elections, there can be a downturn in those turnouts,” she said.
This downturn, she said, would hurt the Democratic Party in most cases.
Executive Director of the Institute for Public Service and Policy Research Robert Oldendick commented on public opinion and polling. He stressed that polls vary in accuracy and, in many cases, are not accurate at all due to the omission of many potential voters.
Many of the panelists also discussed Hurricane Sandy and its potential effect on the presidential election.
Oldendick noted that the storm will affect the mood of voters, particularly in relation to how President Barack Obama handles the situation.
The students in attendance appeared satisfied with the panel discussion.
Ryan Strickler, a political science doctoral student, said that the discussion was “interesting” and a “level-headed non-partisan analysis of the different factors affecting [the election].”
Kasim Ortiz, a doctoral student in public health, said that the panel gave “diverse perspectives” and “clear answers.” However, neither student said that the discussion changed the political opinions that he held before the panel.
Fowler closed the panel by asking the panelists to predict the outcome of next week’s election. Of the five individuals on stage, three believed that Obama would be elected due to his advantage in the Electoral College.