Newswise — Faculty experts at the University of Arkansas study the nuts and bolts of elections " fundraising, voter mobilization, targeted messages, wedge issues and negative campaigning, as well as the role of the Web and blogs, and the impact of candidate debates. Political scientists also consider the larger questions of the effect of the contemporary election process on democracy and the comparison of the campaigns of Barack Obama and Jesse Jackson. Experts are available to comment on the 2008 presidential election campaigning as it proceeds:
Andrew Dowdle has employed an extensive database from the past eight presidential elections to examine factors emerging before the caucuses and primaries that can predict ultimate success. He has researched the role of funds and fundraising in the pre-primary period. Recent research includes: "Campaign Changes Bring Small Donors Back" - http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/13225.htm Andrew Dowdle, assistant professor, political science; editor, American Review of Politics
Pearl K. Ford will attend the 2008 Democratic Convention to survey individual delegates about their attitudes and decision-making. Her research has compared the candidacy of Barack Obama to campaigns by Jesse Jackson. Pearl K. Ford, assistant professor of political science
Janine Parry has conducted the statewide Arkansas Poll for the past nine years, including data on voter preferences. She draws on the findings to comment on presidential elections. She has studied voter mobilization, particularly of infrequent voters. Recent research includes: "Research Finds Campaigns May Be Leaving Some Votes on the Table" - http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/13261.htm .Janine Parry, associate professor, political science; director, Arkansas Poll
Todd Shields, co-author with D. Sunshine Hillygus of The Persuadable Voter: Wedge Issues in Presidential Campaigns (2008), examined the 2000 and 2004 campaigns and can comment on voter segmentation and targeted messages and the impact of such practices on democracy. Recent research includes: "In a 'My Campaign' Era, Wedge Issues Trump National Interests" - http://dailyheadlines.uark.edu/12828.htm .Todd Shields, professor, political science; director, Blair Center of Southern Politics and Society
Robert H. Wicks has studied how interactive Web sites and blogs are having an impact on election outcomes. Previous research includes use of Web sites in the past two presidential elections, use of negative campaigning and the impact of candidate debates on voter behavior. Robert H. Wicks, professor, communication; director, Center for Media Communication and Research
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