Newswise — Glenn C. Altschuler, Dean of the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions and the Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Professor of American Studies at Cornell University. He is the co-author of Rude Republic: Americans and Their Politics in the 19th Century. He believes that Republican candidates play a dangerous game when they give Trump a free pass.

Altschuler says:“Donald Trump’s rivals – and the Republican Establishment – are playing a dangerous game. Convinced that somehow the Donald will falter, the other candidates are attacking each other (and not him) to position themselves for the long run and to inherit his supporters.

“The Establishment, including, for example, Bob Dole, which believes that a Trump candidacy will be a disaster for the GOP but loathes Ted Cruz, is attacking the Texas Senator and giving Trump a free pass. The game is dangerous because if Trump wins Iowa, New Hampshire and South Carolina he may have enough momentum to go all the way.”

 

Robert C. Hockett is a Cornell University Law Professor, former advisor to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and current advisor to the Bernie Sanders campaign. He is author of the paper, The Way Forward, a reassessment of the global economic crisis. He expects the Iowa Caucuses to show whether enthusiasm will translate into actual votes.

Hockett says:“'Generation Occupy,' and all who are convinced that the nation and its middle class are in deep need of restoration and renewal, have found their voice in Senator Sanders. The Senator has accordingly generated great enthusiasm among Democrats and independents.

“Today we'll begin to learn how well the enthusiasm translates into votes - and thus how well it translates into real renewal that will move us forward.”

 

Adam Seth Levine, assistant professor of government at Cornell University, is author of the recent "American Insecurity: Why Our Economic Fears Lead to Political Inaction." He believes a key challenge in the Sanders campaign is getting people to caucus.

Levine says:“The Democratic race in Iowa is close, and turnout will matter. Many observers are focused on Sanders and how he’s trying to mobilize young voters that haven’t caucused in the past. Yet I would argue there’s another key turnout challenge lurking beneath the surface.

“When you have a campaign that is, at least in part, built on reminding people about their personal economic insecurity — not having jobs, facing stagnant wages, having huge college loans — those kinds of reminders can be very powerful at building support. Yet reminding people about personal financial constraints also reduces their willingness to devote money and time to politics. And caucusing, far more than simply standing in line at a primary, involves a time commitment.

“So, psychologically, there’s a big difference between stating support in a survey, even going to a big rally that might have musical performances, and spending time going to caucus that is a fundamental reminder of your insecure economic situation.

“Essentially, a key challenge for the Sanders campaign is to get lots of people to spend time on politics without reminding them of one of the major reasons why they might support him in the first place.”


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