Newswise — While the nation focuses on an exciting presidential race, the control of the House and Senate are also up for grabs -- and will certainly play a key role in deciding the policy direction of the United States.

Dr. Andrew Taylor, professor and chair of political science at North Carolina State University, is an authority on the White House, Congress and public policy who can provide key insights into both the presidential and congressional races.

Taylor is a widely published researcher, and the author of "Elephant's Edge: The Republicans as a Ruling Party." He has also been featured in dozens of media outlets, including the International Herald Tribune, Reuters, CNN Money and Bloomberg.

Taylor can provide insight into a number of different aspects of the election campaigns, including race. "The issue of race is there in political campaigns and not just this one," Taylor says. "People talk in code. It is the 800-pound gorilla in the room that is ignored by mutual agreement so it never gets dealt with head on."