How Will Political Rhetoric and Communication Influence the U.S. Midterm Elections?
Washington, DC (October 2018) — With the U.S. midterm elections just weeks away, congressional candidates are hot on the campaign trail. Republicans and Democrats alike are using the full force of social media, advertising, rallies, and media appearances to amplify their message in hopes of persuading Americans to vote for them. Three communication scholars who specialize in political communication can provide expert insight into how the candidates, their supporters, and President Trump are using communication and rhetoric to shape and influence conversation about the election and get their base voters to the polls.
Who
Mary Stuckey, Ph.D.
Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University
Mary Stuckey’s research specializes in political and presidential rhetoric and political communication. She is editor of the Quarterly Journal of Speech, and is currently co-editor (with Mitchell McKinney) of the series, The Frontiers of Political Communication. Her current book project is on the rhetoric of political change.
Mitchell McKinney, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Communication, Director of the Political Communication Institute, University of Missouri
Mitchell McKinney’s research interests include presidential debates, political campaigns, civic engagement, media and politics, and presidential rhetoric. He is the co-author/editor of seven books, including alieNATION: The Divide and Conquer Election of 2012 (with Bystrom, Tedesco, & Banwart); Communication in the 2008 U.S. Election: Digital Natives Elect a President (with Banwart); and Communicating Politics: Engaging the Public in Democratic Life (with Kaid, Bystrom, & Carlin).
Vanessa Beasley, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communication Studies, Vanderbilt University
Vanessa Beasley’s research focuses on presidential rhetoric, U.S. political communication, and rhetorical criticism and theory. She is the author of numerous scholarly articles, book chapters, and other publications, and is the author of two books, Who Belongs in America? Presidents, Rhetoric, and Immigration and You, the People: American National Identity in Presidential Rhetoric, 1885-2000.
Contact
To schedule an interview with any of these experts, please contact Jenna Sauber at jsauber@natcom.org or 202-534-1104.
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