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October 24, 2008

November 4 Election Day: A Tip Sheet from UMBC

Students, Faculty Anticipate Presidential Election

CONTACT:
Mike Lurie

Office: 410-455-6380
Cellphone: 443-695-0262
mlurie@umbc.edu


October 24, 2008

BALTIMORE – As the November 4 presidential election approaches, the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) prepares for a week of student engagement supported by a group of leading faculty experts on national and Maryland politics.

UMBC media relations staff look forward to working with news organizations who wish to access the expertise of UMBC faculty in the political science and public policy arenas. The office can be reached at 410 455 6380 or by cell at 443 695 0262.

A summary of campus events, faculty experts and other resources follows below:

Election Night Extravaganza: A mock jousting match between supporters of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and Republican rival John McCain highlights this event. Students, faculty and staff can watch returns on giant-screen TVs in The Commons, beginning at 7 p.m. Participants in the jousting match will use foam lances and wear masks of Obama and McCain. There will be a balloon drop when the national networks declare a winner.

Tom Schaller, Associate Professor of Political Science: A regular contributor to mainstream political journals and blogs, Schaller is the author of Whistling Past Dixie, which argues Democrats should abandon efforts to win the South in favor of making gains in traditionally conservative Western states.

Tyson King-Meadows, Assistant Professor of Political Science: King-Meadows led a group of students at the Democratic National Convention who conducted one-on-one interviews with members of the Black Congressional Caucus about generational divides among African-American political leaders.

Don Norris, Professor of Public Policy and Director, Maryland Institute for Policy Analysis and Research: An authority on state and national politics, Norris comments frequently on voting patterns and political demographics in Maryland.

“Election 2008 – What Happened and Why?” Two days after Election Day, this forum will examine the implications of the 2008 election. Norris will serve as moderator, joined by Schaller, King-Meadows and Baltimore Sun political writer David Nitkin. The 90-minute session will begin at noon November 6 on the 7th floor of the Albin O. Kuhn Library.

www.usdemocrazy.net: This new Web site, designed by Economist magazine cartoonist Kevin “Kal” Kallaugher, artist-in-residence at the UMBC Imaging Research Center, aims to demystify and explore America’s puzzling 50-state-democracy and Electoral College system in a fun and engaging way.

For video blogs and a full list of UMBC faculty experts, see www.umbc.edu/news/.

Posted by mlurie at October 24, 2008 4:46 PM