DATE: July 01, 2008

CONTACT: Contact information listed below

WRITER: Teresa C. Hopkins, (864) 656-1222
hopkin1@clemson.edu

Clemson University experts for the 2008 presidential election

Updated July 1, 2008

CLEMSON — The race for the White House is now down to three major-party candidates: Republican John McCain, Democrat Barack Obama and Libertarian Bob Barr. Each candidate continues to tout his own record while questioning that of his opponent. Clemson University academic experts are available to help dissect this year’s campaigns.

Bob Barr, the Libertarian candidate for president, may pull some votes from Barack Obama and John McCain, but not since George Wallace in 1968 has a third-party candidate received electoral votes. Contact Clemson political science department chairman Joseph Stewart at (864) 656-3234 for details.

Clemson University political scientist and pollster Dave Woodard has strong opinions about how the presidential race is shaping up. The GOP consultant foresees the Republican ticket being worse than “when Jack Kemp ran with Bob Dole in 1996.” For further insight contact Woodard at (864) 656-3551.

For speculation on vice presidential candidates and how the choices Barack Obama and John McCain make will influence their electability, contact Clemson political scientist Bruce Ransom (864) 656-0214.

Adam Warber, author of “Executive Orders and the Modern Presidency: Legislating from the Oval Office,” researches the history-making terms of presidents in the United States. For insight into how the Bush presidency will be remembered and for perspective on what we can expect from the Bush White House between now and January 2009, contact Warber at (864) 656-1828.

Since 1833, the stock market historically has done much better in the last two years of a presidential administration than in the first two years of the tenure, according to John Alexander, Breazeale Professor of Investments. However, it appears the market may not see a recovery in 2008. “Originally, many analysts were anticipating this soft spot to be similar in duration to other soft spots we have had in the past. But in my opinion there are several items that will come into play to lengthen the duration of this slowdown,” he said. For an explanation contact Alexander at (864) 656-0547.

Religious and moral issues continue to find their way into politics. Clemson political science professor Laura Olson (864) 656-1457 or laurao@clemson.edu can provide insight into the voting potential of various religious faiths.

For assistance contact Teresa Hopkins in News Services (864) 656-1222.