Brown U. Professors Weigh In On 2008 Election

This story was written by Jenna Stark, Brown Daily Herald

Professor of Political Science Darrell West, Associate Professor of Political Science Wendy Schiller and Assistant Professor of Political Science Jennifer Lawless each gave 10-minute overviews of their analysis of the upcoming election before opening up the discussion to questions.

West, the director of the Taubman Center for Public Policy, opened the meeting with his prediction that Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., will win the election and make history as the first female president of the United States.

"I think the most important factor that's conditioning the 2008 election is Bush fatigue," West said. "One of the most interesting public opinion numbers of this election is that about two-thirds of Americans feel our country is heading in the wrong direction. This is great news for the opposing party."

West said Clinton's success would continue a historical pattern. In times of war, the American public has consistently chosen the more hawkish candidate for president.

West also predicted Mitt Romney will be the Republican candidate since former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani neglected Iowa and New Hampshire in their presidential primaries.

Following West's argument, Schiller did not predict any particular candidate. Instead, she noted the significance of Rudy Giuliani as the current frontrunner among Republicans nationally.

Voters are most concerned with basic human needs, such as the economy and health care, Schiller said. Republican voters are placing greater importance on Giuliani's leadership in times of crisis and ignoring his liberal tendencies, such as his pro-choice stance.

"I want to persuade you, especially the younger generation in the audience, that this is a landmark election," Schiller said. "It used to be the candidate shaped his platform to win the nomination. Now, the candidate will shape the party's platform," she added. Lawless, the final panelist, had a different view from both West and Schiller. "I think that Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee and Hillary Clinton as the Democratic nominee, so Romney will end up our president," Lawless said.

The panelists then answered the audience's questions regarding the media's role in the election, the impact of independent parties and the importance of the new generation of voters. The panelists agreed this election is significant not only for the important issues but also for the diversity among the candidates, especially the possibility for the first African-American, Mormon or female president.

West said, "I think we will have a high-turnout election. Typically, when there are very important things on the agenda, people will respond. This time, they understand politics does matter."

Students said they were pleased with the discussion. "I thought it was very informative," said Becca Berwick '08. "I thought they each presented differing opinions and backed them up well."

Max Chaiken '09, chapter coordinator of Students for Barack Obama said, "I always think it's very interesting to hear about what professors think personally." He added, "It's important to get students to engage and not be apathetic about the most important election of our lifetime."

Lawless said she was also happy with the turnout of the event. "It was terrific," she said. "As panelists, we didn't all agree on a lot of different things. At this point it's still really an open election. That makes it even more interesting for students to follow over the next 40 days."

The event was partof the Campus Conversation Series, which aims to present research and work at Brown to the campus community and is part of the Plan for Academic Enrichment.
© 2007 Brown Daily Herald via U-WIRE