DATE: August 29, 2008

CONTACT: Contact information listed below

WRITER: Teresa C. Hopkins, 864-656-1222 or 864-207-1163
hopkin1@clemson.edu

EXPERT: Bruce Ransom

EXPERT: David Woodard

Clemson political scientists react to vice president decision

CLEMSON — Clemson University political scientists J. David Woodard and Bruce Ransom have followed the 2008 race to the White House for several years and have some thoughts on Sen. John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice-presidential running mate.

“This is a disaster,” says former GOP consultant David Woodard (864-356-4408 or judithw@clemson.edu), who believes McCain handed the Oval Office to Sen. Barack Obama with that move.

Bruce Ransom (864-656-0214 or bruce@strom.clemson.edu) said McCain’s choice is a transparent move to woo supporters of Hillary Clinton and that voters likely will see through it.

Additional political experts can be found here or at www.clemson.edu/election2008/.