Newswise — Washington, DC (October 29, 2012)—Over the past few decades, the role of the First Lady has evolved well beyond the purely ceremonial into the realm of social issues and politics. The same can be said of candidates’ spouses as they campaign during an election season. Hitting the campaign trail this fall in support of their husbands, Michelle Obama and Ann Romney have fought hard to impact the 2012 presidential election. But, in the end, what effect can a spouse really have on a campaign, and, ultimately, an election?
Members of the National Communication Association who study gender and politics can provide insight and commentary on the following:
• How can a candidate’s spouse help or hinder a campaign?• What role should a candidate’s spouse assume during a campaign season?• Have public expectations of the First Lady changed over the years?
WHO: Keith V. Erickson, Ph.D. Department of Communication Studies, University of Southern MississippiHe studies presidential and political communication.
Nichola D. Gutgold, Ph.D. College of Communications, Penn State University, Lehigh Valley She researches women’s communication styles in male dominated fields.
Mary L. Kahl, Ph.D.Department of Communication, Indiana State UniversityHer research interests include political discourses, and gender & communication.
Shawn J. Parry-Giles, Ph.D.Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, University of MarylandHer research focuses on rhetoric and politics, including the role of first ladies. She is also the director of the University of Maryland’s Center for Political Communication and Civic Leadership.
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About National Communication AssociationThe National Communication Association (NCA) advances communication as the discipline that studies all forms, modes, media and consequences of communication through humanistic, social scientific, and aesthetic inquiry. The NCA serves the scholars, teachers, and practitioners who are its members by enabling and supporting their professional interests in research and teaching. Dedicated to fostering and promoting free and ethical communication, the NCA promotes the widespread appreciation of the importance of communication in public and private life, the application of competent communication to improve the quality of human life and relationships, and the use of knowledge about communication to solve human problems.
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