CONTACT: Jill Elish, (850) 644-4030

Fall 2008

FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY EXPERTS ON ELECTION 2008

With the presidential campaign season in full swing, Florida State University experts, among the best in the nation on subjects such as public opinion, political communication and election law, are available to provide analysis, commentary and historical perspective.

COMMUNICATION AND RHETORIC

Davis Houck, assistant professor of communication: (850) 644-1607 or (850) 980-2656; davishouck@hotmail.com

• Houck can discuss presidential history, political advertising and speeches. He also is an expert on war rhetoric, propaganda and media campaigns.

Stephen MacNamara, associate professor of communication: (850) 644-7400 or (850) 877-5492; smacnamara@fsu.edu

• MacNamara, who holds a law degree and has served in several positions in Florida government, specializes in mass media law issues and political communications and strategies. He has run a number of statewide candidate and issue campaigns and has argued election cases before the Florida Supreme Court.  

LAW

Charles Ehrhardt, emeritus professor of law: (850) 644-5240; ehrhardt@law.fsu.edu

• The author of “Florida Evidence,” the leading treatise on the topic, and “Florida Trial Objections,” Ehrhardt has been cited as an authority by appellate courts more than 400 times. He can discuss historical issues related to the election of 2000.

Dan Markel, assistant professor of law: (850) 644-3831; dmarkel@law.fsu.edu

• Markel specializes in criminal law. He can discuss some of the comparative and policy angles associated with felon disenfranchisement.

Jim Rossi, Harry M. Walborsky Professor of Law: (850) 644-6022; jrossi@law.fsu.edu

• Rossi is recognized for his scholarship on state and federal administrative procedure, as well as separation of powers. He can discuss administrative law, constitutional law and judicial review and intervention aspects of election law, including the role of federal and state courts in the resolution of election law disputes.

Nat Stern, John W. & Ashley E. Frost Professor of Law: (850) 644-1801; nstern@law.fsu.edu

• A frequent source for national election stories during the 2000 election and the author of many articles on constitutional law issues, Stern teaches constitutional law and American legal history.
   

POLITICAL SCIENCE

William Claggett, associate professor of political science: (850) 644-7326; wclaggett@fsu.edu

• Claggett, whose principal research and teaching interests are electoral behavior, political parties and historical perspectives on political change in the United States, can discuss national election outcomes, voter turnout and long-term changes in electoral support.

Carol Weissert, LeRoy Collins Eminent Scholar Chair and professor of political science: (850) 644-7320 or (850) 297-0111; cweisser@fsu.edu

• Weissert teaches American politics and elections. Her research interests include state politics, intergovernmental relations and federalism, and health policy.

PUBLIC POLICY

Lance deHaven-Smith, professor of public administration and policy: (850) 567-8636 or (850) 878-9808; dehavensmith@earthlink.net

• DeHaven-Smith is the author or co-author of 15 books including “Florida’s Megatrends: Critical Issues in Florida,” “The Florida Voter” and “The Battle for Florida” about the 2000 election. He can discuss demographic and partisan trends and voting behavior in Florida.

HUMAN SCIENCES

Elizabeth B. Goldsmith, professor of textiles and consumer science: (850) 644-6893; egoldsmith@fsu.edu

• Goldsmith’s expertise is on the day-to-day living of first families and inaugural celebrations including the inaugural luncheon. She has published research about the White House and enjoys a level of access rarely extended to academicians, having interviewed chefs, former housekeepers and other staff members.

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