Presidential Election. Kenneth Bickers, professor of political science at the University of Colorado Boulder, can comment on the U.S. presidential race in Colorado and nationally, campaign issues and tactics, the youth vote and the 2012 election in general. He also can discuss whether a political party gains any advantage in the state where it holds its national convention. He can be reached at 303-492-2363 or bickers@colorado.edu.
Presidential Election and Congressional Races. Scott Adler, associate professor of political science, can comment on the presidential election as well as U.S. House races in Colorado, the 2012 election in general and congressional politics. Adler is best reached by email at e.scott.adler@colorado.edu. His office number is 303-492-6659.
Political Ads, Speeches and Presidential Debates. Peter Simonson, associate professor of communication, can discuss the use of political ads as persuasive efforts as well as the presidential debates and major speeches. He can be reached at 303-492-0718 or peter.simonson@colorado.edu.
Role of Religion and Culture. Stewart Hoover, professor of journalism and mass communication and director of CU-Boulder’s Center for Media, Religion and Culture, is out of the country but available by email to comment on the role of religion and culture in the election season. Hoover can be reached at stewart.hoover@colorado.edu.
Tax Policy. Jules Gordon Kaplan is a senior instructor of economics who specializes in regulation and banking. He has worked for the Colorado governor’s office estimating revenues and the fiscal impact of tax policy as well as for the Federal Reserve Board in Washington, D.C. His research includes work with the telecommunications industry and Colorado fiscal policies. Kaplan is best reached by email at kaplan@colorado.edu. His office number is 303-492-2651.
The Economy. Richard Wobbekind, economist and academic dean at CU-Boulder’s Leeds School of Business, is available to comment on the role of the economy and the job market, both in Colorado and the nation, in the election season. Wobbekind can be reached at 303-492-1147 or richard.wobbekind@colorado.edu.
Campaign Finance and Ballot Initiatives. Sandra Fish, instructor of journalism and mass communication and Washington Post blog contributor on politics and culture, is available to comment on campaign finance, ballot initiatives and Voter’s Edge Colorado, which is an information website prepared by her students. Fish can be reached at 303-589-0584 or sandra.fish@colorado.edu.
The U.S. Supreme Court and Campaign Financing. Richard B. Collins, professor of law at the CU Law School, can discuss the legal impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. the Federal Communications Commission on campaign financing. Collins can be reached at 303-492-5493 or richard.collins@colorado.edu.
Colorado Election Law. Scott Moss, associate professor at the CU Law School, can discuss the state of Colorado election law. Moss lives in Denver and is best reached by cell phone at 720-839-2920. His email address is scott.moss@colorado.edu.
Engaging Youth and Young Adults. Mike McDevitt, associate professor of journalism and mass communication, is available to comment on the role of media, schools, peer groups and families in the campaign engagement of youth and young adults. McDevitt can be reached at 303-735-0460 or mike.mcdevitt@colorado.edu.
Media Coverage of the Candidates. Elizabeth Skewes, associate professor of journalism and mass communication, can speak about media coverage of the candidates this election season. Skewes can be reached at 303-735-1096 or 720-494-0709 or elizabeth.skewes@colorado.edu.
Overestimation of Polarization. Leaf Van Boven, professor of psychology, can discuss how Americans generally overestimate the degree of polarization between Democrats and Republicans, and what influences that overestimation. He also can discuss how this perceived polarization affects voting and campaign involvement. He is best reached by email at vanboven@colorado.edu. His office number is 303-735-5238.
Energy, Climate and Environmental Policy. William Boyd, associate professor at the CU Law School, can discuss energy, climate, and environmental policy. He is best reached by email at william.boyd@colorado.edu. His office number is 303-492-7320.
Energy Technology and Public Policy. Kevin Doran, fellow and assistant research professor at CU-Boulder’s Renewable and Sustainable Energy Institute, is available to comment on energy technology, public policy and the election. Doran can be reached at 303-492-5127 or dorank@colorado.edu.
Climate Change and Policy Implications. Jim White, a professor of geological sciences and director of CU-Boulder’s Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research, is an expert on global change, past climate change and greenhouse gases and can talk about the scientific and policy implications for a warming world. He can be reached at 303-492-7909 or james.white@colorado.edu.
Science, Innovation and Politics. Roger Pielke Jr., a professor in the Environmental Studies Program and former director of the Center for Science and Technology Policy Research, can talk about science, innovation and politics. He can be reached at 303-735-0451 or pielke@colorado.edu.
The Election and Education. Kevin Welner, professor of education and director of the National Education Policy Center, notes that education has not yet been a major focus of the campaign, but that could change. Mitt Romney's campaign has set forth a plan to transform IDEA (special education) and Title I into a voucher program, thereby promoting school choice to include private schools, while President Barack Obama’s campaign is trumpeting claimed successes with Race to the Top and similar reforms, Welner said. Colorado is at the forefront of the sorts of policies favored by Obama, including policies mandating the use, in job evaluations of teachers and principals, of students’ test scores and other measures of students’ academic growth. Welner is best reached by email at kevin.welner@colorado.edu. His office number is 303-492-8370.
The Election and Europe. Joseph Jupille, associate professor of political science, can discuss the European Union, European politics and international relations with the United States. He can be reached at 303-492-5445 or joseph.jupille@colorado.edu.
Contact:
Peter Caughey, CU media relations, 303-492-4007
Elizabeth Lock, CU media relations, 303-492-3117
Keri Ungemah, CU Law School, 303-492-3124