Election Day Resources

October 31, 2008

A guide to USC experts’ availability on Election Day, a viewing party and forum on campus, and student broadcasters’ live coverage.

Political Experts

Kareem Crayton, assistant professor of law and political science in the USC Gould School, can discuss the final stretch of the presidential contest. A specialist in presidential politics, Crayton can talk about how the Barack Obama and John McCain campaigns performed in key battleground states. Contact him at (213) 740-2516 or kcrayton@law.usc.edu.

David B. Cruz, professor in the USC Gould School, is an expert in constitutional law and civil rights. Cruz can discuss California Proposition 8, which would ban same-sex marriage, and Proposition 4, requiring parental notification for abortion. Contact him at (213) 740-6830 or dcruz@law.usc.edu.

Ange-Marie Hancock, associate professor of political science in the USC College, is an expert on African American politics, race relations and women in politics. Contact her at (213) 740-3297, (310) 994-5563 or ahancock@usc.edu.

Thomas Hollihan, professor of communication in the USC Annenberg School, is an expert on political rhetoric and campaign language. He will be on campus until about 6 p.m. on Election Night and reachable in his office at (213) 740-3947. Later that evening, he will be available by cell phone at (213) 392-2234.

Patrick James, professor of international relations in the USC College, is a foreign policy and conservative politics expert. He will be available by phone only through USC Media Relations at (213) 740-2215.

Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, political analyst and senior scholar in the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, is an expert in U.S., California and Los Angeles politics. She will be available by phone only on Election Night; contact her through USC Media Relations at (213) 740-2215.

John G. Matsusaka, president of the Initiative and Referendum Institute at USC, can discuss ballot measures across the country, including a surge of initiatives on social issues such as abortion, marijuana and affirmative action. Contact him at (213) 740-0678 or matsusak@usc.edu.

Ricardo Ramirez, assistant professor of political science and American studies and ethnicity in the USC College, is an expert on state and local politics and the presidential election. He is fluent in Spanish. He is available during the day on November 4 and November 5, but not on Election Night. Contact him at (213) 740-1683 or ramirez1@usc.edu.

Daria Roithmayr, professor in the USC Gould School and an expert on race and gender, can discuss the strategic strengths and weaknesses of each campaign. Roithmayr has worked for Edward Kennedy and as a strategist and research specialist on several congressional campaigns. Contact her at (213) 740-6228, (310) 367-1295 or droithmayr@law.usc.edu.

Dan Schnur, director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC, was John McCain’s communications director during the 2000 presidential campaign. Contact him at (213) 740-8511 or (213) 740-8964, or through USC Media Relations at (213) 740-2215.

Janelle Staci Wong, assistant professor in the USC College, is an expert on ethnicity and politics, particularly the Asian American vote. She is available on Election Night by phone only, through USC Media Relations at (213) 740-2215. Other times, contact her at janellew@usc.edu.

Experts on the Economy and the Election
 
Delores Conway, director of the Casden Real Estate Economics Forecast at the USC Lusk Center for Real Estate, can discuss the impact of the election on the housing and commercial real estate markets. Contact her at (213) 740-4836 or dconway@marshall.usc.edu.

Lawrence Harris, professor of finance and business economics at the USC Marshall School, can talk about the election and its impact on the economy. He served as chief economist for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from 2002 to 2004. Contact him at (213) 740-6496 or lharris@usc.edu.

Lars Perner, professor of marketing at the USC Marshall School, can talk about consumer reaction and consumer psychology. Contact him at (213) 740-7127, (760) 412-0154 or lars.perner@marshall.usc.edu.

Aris Protopapadakis, associate professor of finance and business economics at the USC Marshall School, is an expert on stock market volatility, monetary and fiscal policy, international finance and foreign exchange risk. He can discuss the election’s outcome and its impact on policy. Contact him at (213) 740-6537 or aprotopapadakis@marshall.usc.edu.

Student Broadcasters’ Live Coverage of the Election

Annenberg TV News, the USC Annenberg School’s student-run nightly newscast, launched a special Election Central section that will air live coverage on Election Night, starting at 7 p.m. Election Central, launched October 27, is already reporting on election topics and featuring student political blogs. Student crews will cover campaign gatherings and election viewing events. On Election Night, they will send back live shots and reports using Annenberg TV News’ new laptop technology and Skype, including raw, unedited video that will appear on Election Central’s ATVN Uncut. Visitors to Election Central will be able to fill out an election survey and see instant results; in addition, they can monitor an election map that will be updated throughout the evening. Students from Annenberg Radio News are also contributing to Election Central; they will send crews out to do interviews and take still photos, capturing the mood of Election Night.

Election Night Viewing Party

Election Night @ Annenberg — the USC Annenberg School, the Center on Communication Leadership and the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC invite students, faculty and friends to watch a telecast of election returns. The event will also focus on statewide offices and ballot propositions. Students for Obama and Students for McCain will have tables at the event. Refreshments will be served. Annenberg School for Communication, East Lobby, 5-10 p.m. Open to the media. Contact: Megan Baaske at (213) 437-4453 or mbaaske@usc.edu.

Post-Election Forum

The USC Gould School and the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC will hold a panel discussion to explore the candidates, issues and events of the historic 2008 election season. The event, “What Happened and Why? A Post-Election Conversation About Candidates, Strategies and Ballot Measures in the Race of 2008,” will take place on November 6, 12:20-1:10 p.m., Musick Law Building, Room 1. USC’s Kareem Crayton, Dan Schnur and John Matsusaka will take part in the discussion. Contact: Gilien Silsby at (213) 740-9690 or gsilsby@usc.edu.