UF experts available to comment on convention, upcoming elections

July 26, 2004

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — As the nation’s campaign season kicks into high gear this week with the start of the four-day Democratic National Convention in Boston, the following University of Florida experts are available to comment on it and various aspects of the upcoming national elections:

Richard Conley, an assistant professor of political science, is an expert on the presidency, Congress and executive-legislative relations. He published in 2002 a monograph emphasizing congressional races around the state. He also is the author of the forthcoming “Historical Dictionary of the Reagan-Bush Era” and “The Presidency, Congress, and Dividend Government: A Post-War Assessment,” published in 2002. Conley can be reached at 904-298-2994, or rconley@polisci.ufl.edu.

David Hedge, a professor of political science, is an expert in American and state politics and policy. His current research looks at congressional and presidential control of the bureaucracy, welfare reform and minority representation. He is the author of the 1998 book, “Governance and the Changing American States.” Hedge can be reached at 352-392-0262, ext. 287, or dhedge@polisci.ufl.edu.

Lynda Lee Kaid, a professor of telecommunications in UF’s College of Journalism and Communications, specializes in political communication, political advertising, content analysis, research methods in mass communication and media coverage of public affairs. She is the author/editor of 14 books, including “Videostyle in Presidential Campaigns,” and “The Electronic Election.” Kaid, who will be available after Aug. 2, can be reached at 352- 392-7922 or lkaid@jou.ufl.edu.

Michael D. Martinez, an associate professor of political science, is an expert on American political and electoral behavior. He can talk about the presidential and congressional elections, as well as patterns of voter participation. He can be reached at 352-392-0262, ext 282, or martinez@polisci.ufl.edu.

Richard Scher, a professor of political science, is an expert on voting and civil rights, political campaigns, government institutions, Southern and state politics, electoral behavior and the interaction of the electorate and the government at the state and local levels. As a Fulbright scholar in Hungary in 2002-03, he taught courses on U.S. government, politics and political institutions at the Central European University in Budapest and the University of Debrecen. Scher can be reached at 352-392-0262, ext. 293, or kingsch@polisci.ufl.edu.

Daniel A. Smith, an associate professor of political science, can discuss U.S. and Florida politics. His areas of specialization include ballot initiatives, the politics and processes of direct democracy, political parties and interest groups, and campaign finance reform. He is co-author of “Educated by Initiative: The Effects of Direct Democracy on Citizens and Political Organizations in the American States,” forthcoming with the University of Michigan Press. Smith can be reached at 352-392-0262, ext. 279, or dasmith@polisci.ufl.edu.