DATE: August 20, 2007

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

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

Presidential election 2008 academic sources

Updated Aug. 20, 2007

South Carolina is in the unique position of determining who the Presidential candidates will be in 2008 since the state is holding the earliest primaries in the South. According to Strom Thurmond Professor of Political Science J. David Woodard, the last time the state received this much attention in the national news was on April 12, 1861, when the bombardment of Fort Sumter began at 4:30 a.m. Woodard also is faculty adviser for the Young Republicans at Clemson University.
J. David Woodard
(864) 656-3551
judithw@clemson.edu

The political pulse of South Carolina quite often reflects the sentiment of much of the country when it comes to campaigns and elections. Clemson political scientist Bruce Ransom can speak on the 2008 presidential election campaign and strategy, including the African-American vote.
Bruce Ransom
(864) 656-0214 or (864) 656-1650
bruce@strom.clemson.edu    

Political scientist Xiaobo Hu says the U.S. relationship with China isn't affected much by which political party holds the highest office in the nation.  In recent decades, both parties have adjusted their China policy in a similar pattern during each administration.  However, he believes Republicans tend to be more complementary with China in policy areas such as national security and economic development.
Xiaobo Hu
(864) 656-1452
xhu@clemson.edu

Since 1833, the stock market has historically done much better in the last two years of a presidential administration than it does in the first two years of the tenure, according to John Alexander, Breazeale Professor of Investments. Examining the Dow Jones Industrial Average from 1833 through 2001, market data shows the cumulative returns in the last two years of the administration (717.5%) are more than three times higher than the cumulative return from the first two years (227.6%).
John Alexander
(864) 656-0547
alexanj@clemson.edu

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

How will a change in the White House affect national security? Political scientist Matthew Crosston says we are likely to see new trends in national security with a new president, regardless of political affiliation. He also says the United States will continue to have problems with Russia into a new presidency. Additional issues expected to affect a new president include understanding political Islam and corruption issues that undermine national security positions abroad.
Matthew Crosston
(864) 656-3149
mcrosst@clemson.edu