Who will win the vote of Pennsylvanians in this hotly contested battleground state? Will Sen. Barack Obama maintain his lead over Sen. John McCain through the election season? How are the candidates fairing during debates and media appearances? What is the impact of mainstream and digital media? With the presidential election hanging in the balance, Temple University experts and students are watching and reacting:

MICHAEL G. HAGEN
Associate professor of political science

Michael G. Hagen conducts polling and research on public policy and election trends in the Philadelphia region and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. He is co-author of the The Presidential Campaign of 2000 and the Foundations of Party Politics (2004).

Election expertise: Pennsylvania voters, Philadelphia and its suburbs, campaign strategy, public opinion, voting behavior, political parties

CHRISTOPHER HARPER
Associate professor of journalism

Christopher Harper focuses his research on the history of journalism and the role of digital media. He worked for more than 20 years in journalism at the Associated Press, Newsweek, ABC News and ABC 20/20. Harper is co-director of Temple University’s Multimedia Urban Reporting Lab.

Election expertise: citizen journalists, bloggers, video bloggers

JAMES W. HILTY
Professor of history and acting dean of Ambler College

James W. Hilty specializes in U.S. political history for the period since 1928, with particular focus on the Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy administrations. He is the author of Robert Kennedy: Brother Protector (1997).

Election expertise: presidential history, parallels with past campaigns such as Nixon/Kennedy campaigns

THADDEUS MATHIS
Professor of social administration and co-director of the Center for African American Research and Public Policy

Thaddeus Mathis explores the impact of economics, education, health and family life, and criminal justice on the African American community.

Election expertise: African American voters, race in politics

FRANK FARLEY
Laura H. Carnell Professor, Deptartment of Psychological Studies in Education

Frank Farley is a former president of the American Psychological Association and is currently president of APA’s Division on Media Psychology. His research focuses on human behavior, particularly decision making and risk taking.

Election expertise: cognitive psychology of politics, psychology of voting, decision-making, political media, political personality and motivation

ANDY MENDELSON
Associate professor of journalism

Andy Mendelson’s research focuses on how people cognitively and emotionally process visual images such as news photographs and video.

Election expertise: photojournalism, political communication, new media, visual imagery

AMY CAPLES
Assistant professor of broadcasting, telecommunications and mass media

Amy Caples has more than 20 years’ experience as an anchor and Emmy-nominated reporter.

Election expertise: candidate performance in front of the camera

SCOTT GRATSON
Assistant professor of speech communication and director of the communications program

Scott Gratson has two decades of experience as a debate and speech coach.

Election expertise: non-verbal communication and gender

TEMPLE STUDENTS
Elizabeth Hansen is president of the Temple College Democrats.
Brian McGovern is president of the Temple College Republicans.