MU expert says presidential debates likely to be as significant as 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debate
With many polls showing presidential candidates Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain in a dead heat, many are predicting that the first presidential debate on Sept. 26 could be a turning point in the election. In addition, with the surprising selection of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as John McCain's running mate, the St. Louis vice presidential debate could be the most viewed in U.S. history. Mitchell McKinney, University of Missouri associate professor of communication and internationally recognized scholar of presidential debates, has identified the specific conditions necessary for debates to be influential in the outcome of an election. McKinney assessed key elements in the current presidential race:
- voters' familiarity or comfort level with the candidates
- how close the race remains at the outset of a debate series
- the number of undecided or leaning voters
- the strength – or weakness – of traditional party allegiances
McKinney says the upcoming presidential debates have the potential to be as significant as the 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debates and the 1980 Reagan-Carter encounters.
Source: University of Missouri-Columbia
Articles on the same topic
- Presidential debates are mostly positive and emphasize policyWed, 24 Sep 2008, 20:07:47 UTC
- Report offers advice to McCain, Obama on science and technology appointmentsWed, 17 Sep 2008, 15:36:27 UTC
- Presidential science and technology appointmentsWed, 17 Sep 2008, 8:43:57 UTC
Other sources
- Obama and McCain offer their visions of a scientific Americafrom LA Times - ScienceSun, 28 Sep 2008, 18:14:13 UTC
- Obama and McCain offer their visions of a scientific Americafrom LA Times - ScienceFri, 26 Sep 2008, 17:07:16 UTC
- TierneyLab: Obama's Science Quizfrom NY Times ScienceFri, 26 Sep 2008, 4:42:10 UTC
- Who advises McCain and Obama on science issues?from Science BlogFri, 26 Sep 2008, 2:42:05 UTC
- Who advises McCain and Obama on science issues?from Science BlogFri, 26 Sep 2008, 0:07:07 UTC
- Presidential Debates Likely To Be As Significant As 1960 Kennedy-Nixon Debatefrom Science DailyThu, 25 Sep 2008, 4:28:42 UTC
- Presidential debates are mostly positive and emphasize policyfrom PhysorgWed, 24 Sep 2008, 20:21:05 UTC
- US election: Questioning the candidates, part twofrom News @ NatureWed, 24 Sep 2008, 20:14:09 UTC
- US election: The home stretchfrom News @ NatureWed, 24 Sep 2008, 17:14:18 UTC
- US election: Questioning the candidatesfrom News @ NatureWed, 24 Sep 2008, 17:14:12 UTC
- MySpace to connect users with US presidential debatesfrom PhysorgWed, 24 Sep 2008, 9:28:12 UTC
- MU expert says presidential debates likely to be as significant as 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debatefrom PhysorgTue, 23 Sep 2008, 17:14:56 UTC
- McCain vs. Obama: The Web Sitesfrom Live ScienceMon, 22 Sep 2008, 17:56:13 UTC
- Presenting science questions to John McCain and Barack Obamafrom LA Times - ScienceSun, 21 Sep 2008, 14:07:10 UTC
- Presenting science questions to John McCain and Barack Obamafrom LA Times - ScienceFri, 19 Sep 2008, 17:56:13 UTC
- McCain and Obama take science testfrom The Guardian - ScienceFri, 19 Sep 2008, 17:42:13 UTC
- Science Funding: What McCain and Obama have to sayfrom Science BlogFri, 19 Sep 2008, 10:07:21 UTC
- Report Offers Advice To McCain, Obama On Science And Technology Appointmentsfrom Science DailyThu, 18 Sep 2008, 13:35:27 UTC
- Presidential Candidates’ Positions on Science Issuesfrom NY Times ScienceWed, 17 Sep 2008, 8:42:16 UTC
- Science Funding: What McCain and Obama have to sayfrom Science BlogTue, 16 Sep 2008, 18:07:26 UTC
- Obama beats McCain by five to one ... on social networking sitesfrom PhysorgMon, 15 Sep 2008, 20:28:17 UTC