Following are experts who can discuss various topics expected to be addressed
by President Obama in his first State of the Union address, as well as the
Republican rebuttal:
2. JERRY GORSKI, P.E., president of GORSKI ENGINEERING, INC., in Collegeville, Pa., is a chairman of ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS (ABC), a national association composed primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the construction industry. Gorski leads ABC's executive committee and board of directors, guides the association's national initiatives and serves as its spokesperson. News Contact: Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-683-5004, ext. 105 Web site: http://www.abc.org (1/27/10)
3. DAVID ADAMO, CEO of LUXURY MORTGAGE, can speak to any current mortgage/housing trend in the market today, and can also provide his thoughts and forecast where the mortgage market, rates, etc., will be this spring. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 Web site: http://www.luxurymortagage.com (1/27/10)
4. ALAN ROSENBAUM, CEO of GUARDHILL FINANCIAL, can speak to any current mortgage/housing trend in the market today, and can also provide his thoughts and forecast where the mortgage market, rates, etc., will be this spring. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 Web site: http://www.guardhill.com (1/27/10)
5. DIANE SAATCHI is a senior vice president with SAUNDERS & ASSOCIATES, a top luxury residential and commercial real estate firm in Bridgehampton, N.Y. She can speak very well to what consumers want these days from a residential end, and provide information on current trends, popular amenities, general state of the housing market, etc. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 (1/27/10)
6. NEIL GARFINKEL is a partner with AGMB LAW in New York City. He can speak to any current real estate trend, particularly as it relates to the legal end of buying or renting a property. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 Web site: http://www.agmblaw.com (1/27/10)
2. LEONARD GOODMAN, criminal defense attorney and adjunct professor of law at DePAUL UNIVERSITY, can discuss homeland security, U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and what the Obama administration needs to be doing: "Obama has changed the rhetoric of the Bush administration but not the destructive policies that make us less safe. By kidnapping hundreds of Muslim men and sending them to Guantanamo Bay for 'harsh interrogation,' we forfeited our reputation as a leader of civilized nations and in return gained no useful intelligence about any future plots on our homeland. Many of these detainees committed no crimes but were turned into our CIA by foreign bounty hunters and informants seeking cash rewards. The sooner the Obama administration stops asserting false claims of 'national security' and lawless doctrines like 'preventative detention' to bury these mistakes, the sooner we can begin to repair our great nation's reputation and put this sad chapter behind us." Goodman is located in Chicago. News Contact: Amy Solomon, [email protected] Phone: +1-917-693-5339 (1/27/10)
3. RITU SHARMA, founder and president, WOMEN THRIVE WORLDWIDE, a leading Washington, D.C.-based organization advocating for U.S. international assistance and trade programs that help lift poor women out of poverty, can discuss U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan and foreign assistance reform: "With the massive relief efforts underway in Haiti, we are seeing more clearly than ever the need for the United States to fix its foreign assistance programs. And while these efforts are difficult now, the long-term task of rebuilding will be infinitely more daunting. It's time for us to get development right. With regard to Afghanistan and Iraq, it is critical for the U.S. to include in its diplomacy and defense an equal measure of development, particularly as those programs can benefit women who form the majority of the world's poor." News Contact: Leslie Levine, [email protected] Phone: +1- 847-205-9853 Cell: +1-847-370-6784 Web site: http://www.womenthrive.org (1/27/10)
4. Following are AMERICAN UNIVERSITY professors in Cairo who can speak specifically to the impact of the president's remarks and influence in the Middle East. Please be advised there is a seven-hour time difference:
-- DR. BAHGAT KORANY, professor of political science and director of the Middle East studies program, is the author of "Foreign Policies of Arab States and The Changing Middle East." Korany is also an honorary professor in the department of political science at the University of Montreal. Korany's education includes B.A. (honors), Cairo University; M.A. (international relations), University of Sussex, England; diploma in development studies (economics and sociology), Institute of Development Studies in Geneva; and a Ph.D. (political science), University of Geneva.
-- DR. JERRY LEACH is a professor and director of the American Studies Center. Leach has held a number of positions in government and in the private sector. He is the former national president of the World Affairs Councils of America. He has also been the Peace Corps regional director for Eastern Europe, the Soviet Republics, Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. In the U.S. government, Leach served as the national security council director of international economic affairs at the White House, as the deputy director in the Office of Strategic Technology Affairs, State Department, and as a consular officer in the U.S. Embassy, on post in London. Leach has also been an assistant lecturer at Cambridge University, instructor at the University of Papua New Guinea, and a Peace Corps volunteer in Turkey.
News Contact: Morgan Roth, [email protected] Phone: +1-646-341-7436 (1/27/10)
5. ROBERT RABIL is an assistant professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Political Science at FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY. His areas of expertise include national and international security; U.S. foreign policy; U.S.-Arab and U.S.-Muslim relations; the Arab-Israeli conflict; and politics and economies of the Arab world, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan and Israel. He is fluent in Arabic. News Contact: Lisa Freed, [email protected] Phone: +1-561-297-3022 (1/27/10)
6. RENAT SHAYKHHUTDINOV is an assistant professor of political science at FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY. His teaching and research interests include comparative and international politics, ethnic conflict, research methods, power-sharing arrangements, decentralization, and the politics of the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe. Shaykhutdinov is a native of the Eastern European city of Kazan located in the Middle Volga Region, and is fluent in Tatar, Russian and Turkish. News Contact: Lisa Freed, [email protected] Phone: +1-561-297-3022 (1/27/10)
7. AIMEE KANNER is an assistant professor of political science at FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY. Kanner's interests include comparative politics and international relations, particularly in the areas of Europe and Latin America. She is fluent in Spanish. News Contact: Lisa Freed, [email protected] Phone: +1-561-297-3022 (1/27/10)
8. DR. JOYCE KAUFMAN, professor of political science and director of the Whittier Scholars Program at WHITTIER COLLEGE in Whittier, Calif., is a specialist in international relations, American foreign policy, and Asian politics. News Contact: Ana Lilia Barraza, [email protected] Phone: +1- 562-907-4912 (1/27/10)
2. THOMAS P. VARTANIAN, corporate partner and chair of the financial institutions transactions group FRIED, FRANK, HARRIS, SHRIVER AND JACOBSON LLP, can discuss financial services re-regulation: "The re-regulation challenge is in picking the right fix for the future, rather than an expedient political fix for the past. The benefits to the public of bank taxes, unwinding financial services businesses and creating new consumer financial watchdogs will not offset the potential reductions in credit availability that they will create in the markets." Vartanian is located in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Somna Maraj, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-859-8342 (1/27/10)
3. CRAIG S. NICKERSON, president of the NATIONAL COMMUNITY STABILIZATION TRUST, a national nonprofit organization that was created to simplify the property transfer process between financial institutions and localities: "The unprecedented size and scope of America's subprime mortgage collapse and the subsequent bursting of the housing bubble represent a new frontier for all players involved. For federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds to reach their fullest potential, local communities and financial institutions must collaborate more closely than ever before." The Stabilization Trust works to stabilize and strengthen neighborhoods nationwide by providing access to foreclosed and abandoned properties and flexible financing opportunities for the purchase and rehabilitation of those properties. Serving as a bridge between large financial institutions and local government agencies and nonprofits, the Stabilization Trust works with HUD to ensure that NSP guidelines are understood and that the impact of government dollars is wisely maximized -- not just spent or clogged up. Nickerson is based in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Andrew Conn, [email protected] Phone: +1-646-805-2023 Web site: http://www.stabilizationtrust.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/_NCST (1/27/10)
4. MARY NAYLOR, CEO and co-founder of VIPDESK, and career entrepreneur: "Small business plays a vital role in U.S. economic recovery and job creation -- as such, policymakers must make support for new businesses a priority. The 600,000 small businesses founded every year in the United States will serve as the foundation on which economic recovery is based through job creation; all net job creation in the past 30 years has taken place in firms less than five years old. We must look to the government to pass small-business-friendly legislation. Policymakers need to change the political landscape and provide incentives for small businesses to grow. Billions of dollars have been given to large corporations to help them through the current economic crisis. Now, increased attention needs to be given to entrepreneurs, enabling them to generate new jobs vital to our economic recovery through policies, including tax incentives for an alternate workforce and tax benefits for hiring and training. For small businesses, every penny saved in taxes matters; all dollars that go out the door are crucial. Every dollar that a small business has to pay in taxes is a dollar that otherwise can't be used to create jobs and, thus, increase the tax base for our entire economy." Naylor is located in Alexandria, Va. News Contact: Linda Dickerhoof, [email protected] Phone: +1- 703-837-3507 (1/27/10)
5. BEN MANGAN, president, CEO and co-founder of EARN, a California-based nonprofit that is the nation's leading provider of matched savings accounts: "The history of prosperity in the U.S. shows us that it is saving and investing in assets like education, small business and homeownership that ultimately lift people out of poverty. America's low-income families need investment tools that help them attain these goals. One such tool is matched savings account programs that help low-income American families to save, build assets and ultimately enter the financial mainstream. While skeptics might equate matched savings accounts with a 'free money' giveaway, matched savings accounts are akin to some of the greatest generators of wealth in the history of our nation. From the G.I. Bill to the creation of the 401(k)s and Roth IRA, our nation has been very deliberate in choosing tools that help Americans build wealth -- and prosperity has followed for those able to enjoy these government efforts. Even more impressive, for each federal dollar invested in matched accounts, five dollars were pumped back into the national economy in various forms. It's hard to argue against this kind of ROI in an environment where the government is unsure of recouping billions in bailout funds." Mangan is located in San Francisco. News Contact: Andrew Conn, [email protected] Phone: +1-646-805-2023 Web site: http://www.earn.org (1/27/10)
6. Following are experts from the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ACTUARIES who are urging policymakers to adopt four cornerstones to focus the nation's domestic policy agenda to improve the financial security of all Americans and restore the nation's fiscal health:
-- CORI UCCELLO, senior health fellow: "One of these four cornerstones is health security. Curbing health care spending growth, reducing the number of uninsured, increasing the access to affordable health coverage, and improving health care quality are fundamental to providing health security to all Americans. We are encouraging policymakers to continue to resolve differences regarding health care reform proposals with these goals in mind and in an actuarially sound manner." Uccello is based in Washington, D.C.
-- FRANK TODISCO, senior pension fellow: "One of these four cornerstones is fiscal security. The 2009 trustees' reports highlight the imperative to act immediately to address the challenges facing Social Security and Medicare. The financial condition of the nation's retirement programs continues to deteriorate, and inaction will only make future efforts to restore the programs' financial viability more extreme and burdensome to future generations. The actuaries are hopeful that these findings will spur all stakeholders to act in an objective, nonpartisan way to resolve these solvency concerns. Another cornerstone is retirement security. In addition to entitlement reform, the actuaries are calling for a long-term national retirement policy framework focusing on the increasing challenges facing retirees as a result of longevity risk, inflation risk and investment risk. The transition away from traditional defined benefit pension plans has shifted more retirement risks from employers to individuals, which requires new public policies to enable employees and retirees to manage and mitigate these risks. The actuaries are also stressing the need to include efforts to increase financial literacy as part of broader retirement policy reforms." Todisco is based in Washington, D.C.
-- NANCY BENNETT, senior life fellow: "One of these four cornerstones is financial systemic risk management. The actuaries are also calling on policymakers to reform the nation's financial services regulatory framework to better anticipate and manage future systemic risk. Fundamental regulatory change should incorporate sound risk management principles, including key requirements for effective regulation: identifying systemic risk, measuring and monitoring risk, and limiting the growth of systemic risk. Any new federal reforms should employ the appropriate oversight, expertise and accountability to safeguard the country against the type of risks that contributed to the current economic challenges facing the country." Bennett is based in Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis.
News Contact: Andrew Simonelli, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-785-7872 (1/27/10)
7. MARK MCKINNON is the spokesman for WORKFORCE FAIRNESS INSTITUTE, which is focused on educating the public on the damaging effects of the deceptively named "Employee Free Choice Act" or "card check." For 25 years, McKinnon has been helping solve complex strategic challenges for causes, companies and candidates, including President George W. Bush, Sen. John McCain, Gov. Ann Richards, Congressman Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong and Bono. Bush appointed McKinnon to serve as a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the independent, autonomous entity responsible for all U.S. government-sponsored, non-military, international broadcasting. He currently serves on the board of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and lectures at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. McKinnon is based in Austin, Texas. News Contact: Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-683-5004, ext. 105 Web site: http://www.workforcefairness.com (1/27/10)
8. TOM OCHSENSCHLAGER, vice president of taxation for the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, is available before and after the president's State of the Union message to discuss relevant tax topics. Prior to joining the AICPA in 2004, Ochsenschlager was a partner with Grant Thornton, LLP, in Washington, D.C., where he served as a liaison between the firm's offices nationwide and the national office of the Internal Revenue Service. At Grant Thornton, he was also responsible for tracking federal tax legislative developments. Ochsenschlager is located in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Shirley Twillman, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-434-9220 (1/27/10)
9. FRED BECKER, president and CEO of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONS in Arlington, Va., can address issues relating to financial regulatory reform -- specifically, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and small-business lending issues. News Contact: Patty Briotta, [email protected] Cell: +1-703-200-4600 (1/27/10)
HEALTH CARE REFORM
1. LAURA OLSON, professor of political science at LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, Bethlehem, Pa., is an expert on the American presidency and can provide a unique perspective on the upcoming State of the Union address: "I believe Obama will reaffirm his commitment to enacting health care legislation and offer the middle class more assistance -- particularly, the 'sandwich' generation. However, unlike most State of the Union addresses, which routinely are used by the administration to brag about success, I believe Obama will instead be a bit more modest and most likely use this opportunity to re- energize the American people, rather than brag." In addition to having expertise on the presidency in general, Olson is a health policy expert who has published several books related to health care, the most recent of which is "The Politics of Medicaid: Stakeholders and Welfare Medicine," one of the few comprehensive studies of Medicaid. After researching issues related to aging for the past three decades, Olson published several books, including "The Political Economy of Aging: The State, Private Power and Social Welfare," "Aging and Public Policy: The Politics of Growing Old in America" and "The Graying of the World: Who Will Take Care of the Frail Elderly?" News Contact: Sally Gilotti, [email protected] Phone: +1-610-758-3224 (1/27/10)
2. DR. RICK MAYES, associate professor of public policy, UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND: "In consultation with Democratic leaders in Congress, President Obama will have to make some very difficult decisions in the coming days about what to pursue in terms of health care reform. The ambitious goal of dramatically expanding health insurance coverage is out of reach now, but he may be able to challenge the Republicans to find areas of agreement (specifically, new health insurance regulations) that can be turned into bipartisan health legislation. Politically, Obama and Democrats in Congress really need some kind of health reform legislation that the president can sign. Moreover, with the job losses in this recession, millions of Americans need health insurance safeguards and laws." Mayes is author of the book "Universal Coverage: The Elusive Quest for National Health Insurance" and co- author of "Medicating Children: ADHD and Pediatric Mental Health." He teaches a course on health care policy and politics. News Contact: Linda Evans, [email protected] Phone: +1-804-289-8056 (1/27/10)
3. DR. ROBERT D. RUSSO, radiologist at RUSSO M.D. & ASSOCIATES RADIOLOGY, can speak to the pros and cons of health care reform and how it will affect medical practices, patients, costs, etc.: "Inner-city specialty medical practices (i.e., radiology) are having increased concerns about patients' ability to access their services, if the proposed health care legislation is passed. Those M.D.s that subsidize their charity care by using their other incomes (from sources that actually meet or exceed the actual costs) are finding the proposed fee cuts will end their ability to cross-subsidize the underfunded social programs such as Medicaid. This lack of access will be greater than the access problem in the rural regions in the country. Both groups will suffer as the new rules on the fee calculations are based on faulty data about utilization." Russo can also discuss why tort reform and medical malpractice reform must be part of any national healthcare bill. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 Web site: http://www.russomd.com (1/27/10)
4. NANCY M. SCHLICHTING, president and chief executive officer of the HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM in Detroit: "I continue to support improved access to health care for all Americans. With 30 percent unemployment in Detroit and $200 million in uncompensated care in our health system, and growing at 15 to 20 percent per year, the current situation is unsustainable. Whatever is decided with health care reform, one core item that must be mandatory is giving insurance to as many people as possible. We've been dealing with the issue of people lacking basic insurance and therefore basic care, and it must come to an end." Schlichting is credited with leading the health system through a dramatic financial turnaround and for award-winning patient safety, customer service and diversity initiatives. News Contact: Dwight Angell, [email protected] Phone: +1-313-850-3471 (1/27/10)
5. JAMES LANSBERRY, vice president of SAMARITAN MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL and president of the ALLIANCE OF HEALTH CARE SHARING MINISTRIES, is available for comment following the State of the Union address: "Certainly, Tuesday's election has changed the face of reform efforts in Congress. Right now, it is too early to say what this means for health reform, except that the pace will slow somewhat. Our prayer is that this means we will see a sound, bipartisan reform bill that will address the key issues of portability and cost while retaining essential freedoms for choice in health care, particularly for members of health care sharing ministries." Lansberry is located in Peoria, Ill. News Contact: Mike Miller, [email protected] Phone: +1-877-764-2426, ext. 142 (1/27/10)
6. CLYDE W. YANCY, M.D., president, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, can respond to President Obama's and Gov. Bob McDonnell's comments on health care reform and other budgetary health issues, such as biomedical research funding, childhood obesity and funding for prevention programs: "As Congress and the Obama administration determine next steps with health care reform legislation, the American Heart Association (AHA) remains committed to championing reform consistent with the needs of our patients, many of whom need affordable and adequate health care. We remain hopeful that members of Congress can work together to pass comprehensive, meaningful reform for all Americans this year. The American Heart Association has actively worked with congressional leadership to ensure that health care reform legislation aligns with our principles for reform, which include making health care affordable, adequate and accessible for all Americans. Specifically, these principles focus on access to care, preventive services, quality health care, the elimination of health disparities, continued biomedical research to improve the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke, and an adequate and diverse workforce." Yancy is located in Dallas. News Contact: Suzanne Ffolkes, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-785-7929 (1/27/10)
7. KARL HOFMANN, president and CEO of global health organization POPULATION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL (PSI), can speak directly to global health issues raised in President Obama's State of the Union address, including the global health initiative, Haiti relief efforts, HIV/AIDS funding, maternal and child health or other health issues such as malaria and tuberculosis. Hofmann is located in Washington, D.C., and is fluent in French. Editor's Note: Hofmann has a profile listed in the ProfNet Experts Database. To view the profile, go to http://www.profnet.com and, after logging in, click on "Search Expert." News Contact: Anna Dirksen, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-469-6673 (1/27/10)
8. ROBERT KARCH is the executive director for the National Center for Health Fitness and a professor of health and fitness in the College of Arts and Sciences at AMERICAN UNIVERSITY. Karch is an expert on employee health and fitness programs; the design, implementation, operation, and evaluation of health promotion programs; health and fitness trends; and the health promotion aspects of health care reform. News Contact: Maralee Csllar, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-885-5952 Web site: http://www.american.edu/media/auexperts.cfm (1/27/10)
POLITICS/MEDIA
1. DR. DAN PALAZZOLO, professor of political science, UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, can provide a general overview of President Obama's first year and upcoming challenges: "It's all about the agenda. Obama misread the message of the 2008 campaign, which was as much a vote against Bush and the status quo as it was a vote in favor of expanding the role of the federal government. He also flooded Congress with big, complex issues that divide along party lines; even the most popular presidents have trouble with Congress when they ask the institution to do too much. Finally, he should have focused on economic issues -- banking, credit problems and job growth -- rather than health care and cap and trade." Palazzolo teaches courses on American politics, campaigns and elections, and public policy. He is the author of two books, author or co-author of 20 articles or book chapters, and co-editor of "Election Reform: Politics and Policy." Palazzolo frequently provides political analysis on WWBT/NBC 12 in Richmond, Va., has been a guest on various radio stations, including National Public Radio, and has been cited in a variety of national and local Internet and print news publications, including The New York Times, Associated Press, Boston Globe, Fox News, Los Angeles Times, Reuters News Service and Richmond- Times Dispatch. News Contact: Linda Evans, [email protected] Phone: +1-804- 289-8056 (1/27/10)
2. DR. EDWARD A. LYNCH, professor of political science, HOLLINS UNIVERSITY: "President Obama's biggest challenge in the State of Union address will be to make it clear he can tell the difference between the state of the union, and the state of his own party. Both are bad, but the president's viewers will want to know what he's going to do about the economy, jobs and terrorism, not about what went 'wrong' in Massachusetts. His second challenge is going to be finding a face-saving way to give up on health care, without seeming cowardly, petty, condescending and without seeming to blame Democrats in Congress. Finally, having failed to deliver on the 'change,' the president has to prove he can still provide the 'hope.'" Lynch has wide-ranging interests and expertise. He teaches U.S. foreign policy, international relations, and state and local politics. He combines his academic background with hands-on experience in the real world of politics. He worked on Capitol Hill for four years, served in the White House and is a long-time political activist. Lynch is located in Roanoke, Va. News Contact: Jeff Hodges, [email protected] Phone: +1-540-362-6503 (1/27/10)
3. DR. JOHN O. RA, professor of political science, HOLLINS UNIVERSITY: "A good leader inspires a sense of optimism and fortitude in people in difficult times. A great leader is at once responsive to people's calls and responsible for his action informed by a set of principles. Obama must artfully remind us of the three most formidable sources of hindrance to governing effectively today's citizenry: 1) impatience and inability for deferred gratification induced by the culture of the media and cyber-world; 2) the myth of exclusionary individualism in this post-industrial society of ours; and 3) the increasingly scorching denunciation of the culture on the Hill crafted and perpetuated by both parties. In doing so, he must critique to correct and denounce to abolish. In the end, he must unambiguously portray a crystalline impression of how he will not yield on responsible governance in case of a tension between principled responsibility and political responsiveness." Ra holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and has taught at Hollins since 1969. His interests include political belief, attitude formation, and behavior of individual political participants that take place in the life-long process of political socialization in the U.S.; U.S. elections and voting behavior of the American electorate; gender and politics; and religion and politics. Ra is located in Roanoke, Va., and is fluent in Korean. News Contact: Jeff Hodges, [email protected] Phone: +1-540-362-6503 (1/27/10)
4. DR. MARTIN J. MEDHURST, distinguished professor of rhetoric and communication, professor of political science, BAYLOR UNIVERSITY, and co- director of PRESIDENTIALRHETORIC.COM: "The 2010 State of the Union address may be the most important speech of Barack Obama's career. The reason is simple -- his presidency hangs in the balance. He can fight on, retreat or fold. My prediction is that he will retreat. He will say that mistakes have been made, but that the stakes are too high to simply give up. He will set forth (once again) the health care challenges facing the nation, especially their long- term financial dimensions, and say that solutions that the majority endorses must be found. For the moment, however, President Obama will move the health care debate to the back burner -- still on the stove, but not so hot politically -- and address Americans' pocketbook issues. President Obama has one chance to right his political ship of state. Failure to do so in the State of the Union address could spell doom to his entire first term." Medhurst is located in Waco, Texas. News Contact: Lori W. Fogleman, Lori_Scott- [email protected] Phone: +1-254-710-6275 Web site: http://www.presidentialrhetoric.com (1/27/10)
5. DR. ROBERT ALEXANDER, associate professor of political science at OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY: "Given President Obama's fiery speech in Ohio last week, I expect he will strike a similar tone in his State of the Union address. Many Democrats are suggesting that the loss of Ted Kennedy's seat in Massachusetts was more of a sign of anger at Washington than a swipe at health care reform. Obama will likely show that 'he gets it' and will look to simplify his message on health care reform and link its passage to an economic recovery. The key to the president's popularity at this point hinges on his handling of the economy. Consequently, viewers should expect him to highlight what he has done thus far and what he intends to continue to do to help improve the economic situation of citizens across the country. He will also spotlight achievements he has had over the past year. While he laid out an ambitious agenda last year at this time, many believe he has not lived up to his campaign promise of change in Washington. He will address this by pointing out examples of ways he has looked to change the politics and policies of Washington. If past is prologue, then pollsters can expect a bump in Obama's approval ratings after his address to the nation. His greatest asset thus far has been seen in his rhetorical ability." News Contact: Mary A. Wilkin, [email protected] Phone: +1- 419-772-2089 (1/27/10)
6. DR. MATTHEW R. KERBEL, professor, department of political science, VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY in Villanova, Pa., is an expert on politics and the media, American government and the presidency: "Following the loss of their 60-seat supermajority in Tuesday's special senate election in Massachusetts, President Obama has a chance to reset the national debate in his State of the Union address Wednesday. The tone and substance of his speech will indicate the lessons he drew from the Massachusetts reversal and how he intends to address them. With his domestic agenda hanging in the balance, it will be a gut-check moment for his presidency." Kerbel recently published the book, "Netroots: Online Progressives and the Transformation of American Politics" (Paradigm Publishers, 2009). News Contact: Kathleen Scavello, [email protected] Phone: +1-610-519-6733 (1/27/10)
7. KENNETH FERNANDEZ, Ph.D., political science professor at the UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS, is an expert in public policy, public opinion, and the role of race relations in politics: "The State of the Union address will be an opportunity for President Obama to try to rally and support Congress. It's also a conversation with Congress and the public and an opportunity for him to do some credit claiming, despite problems with the economy. In last year's speech, Obama talked moderately about the war on terror. I think you're going to see much more discussion on national security, especially in light of the attempted attacks on Christmas Day. And you're going to see the president much more passionate -- the same way he was during his campaign to activate his base and activate the independent voters who have been unsure about his job performance." Fernandez discusses his viewpoints on the upcoming State of the Union address, including the expected Republican response, in a video at the link listed below. News Contact: Afsha Bawany, [email protected] Phone: +1-702-895-5515 Web site: http://www.youtube.com/unlvnews (1/27/10)
8. SCOTT MEINKE, associate professor of political science at BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY in Lewisburg, Pa., can discuss Obama's administration priorities for the coming year: "I would expect that he is going to look beyond health care and that he is going to look toward jobs and employment. He is going to be aware that that is the no. 1 policy issue on many Americans' minds and he is going to be aware, politically speaking, that that is the most important thing for Democrats in the coming year. That will be a major emphasis, if not the primary emphasis." Meinke's "Ask the Experts" interview discussing the upcoming State of the Union address is available at the link listed below. News Contact: Sam Alcorn, [email protected] Web site: http://www.bucknell.edu/x58163.xml (1/27/10)
9. DAVID DAMORE, Ph.D., political science professor at the UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS, is an expert in American politics, elections and campaigns: "It's going to be a tough sell for President Obama. There's a lot of cynicism toward government right now, there's obviously splits in his party over some of his big policy initiatives. On top of that, you have an opposition that's been unwilling to reach across the aisle. It's a very tough task. It's a whole lot easier to be president when it's peace and prosperity than when we're in a war and in an economic downturn. You'll see him try to be upbeat but, at the same time, realize that this is the reality we're in." Damore discusses his viewpoints on the upcoming State of the Union address, including the expected Republican response, in a video at the link listed below. News Contact: Afsha Bawany, [email protected] Phone: +1-702-895-5515 Web site: http://www.youtube.com/unlvnews (1/27/10)
10. Following are experts from IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY who can comment:
-- DIANNE BYSTROM, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, is a co-author, co-editor and contributor to 13 books on politics, including "Gender and Elections" (2006) and "Anticipating Madam President" (2003): "He [Obama] campaigned on working with both political parties, but perhaps found out that is harder to accomplish in action than words. My guess is that there is more cooperation behind the scenes than we see in media coverage. Maybe he needs specific examples of areas in which Democrats and Republicans are in agreement." Bystrom authored a chapter for a book on Hillary Clinton's failed presidential campaign.
-- JIM McCORMICK, professor and chair of political science, is author of the book "American Foreign Policy and Process," and co-editor of "The Domestic Sources of American Foreign Policy: Insights and Evidence" (fourth edition) -- both popular college textbooks: "I believe President Obama is likely to highlight his efforts to re-engage the United States with the rest of the world and his perceived success in doing so over the past year. I also believe that those comments will be juxtaposed against some that he made in Oslo at the Nobel Prize ceremony in which he pointed to the need, for just cause, to use force of arms and to fight wars and the important role that the United States continues to play in maintaining peace and security."
-- STEFFEN SCHMIDT, professor of political science, has been known as "Dr. Politics" as a long-time political commentator by that nickname on a weekly statewide call-in show over Iowa Public Radio. A frequent national media expert on presidential politics -- including serving as a political analyst on CNN en Espanol, and as a featured blogger on The Des Moines Register's Across the Spectrum political blog -- he is the lead author of the country's most widely adopted introductory college textbook "American Government and Politics Today" (17th Edition, Wadsworth Publishing). Schmidt: "He [Obama] will lament the Republican blockade of most of his legislative initiatives, especially health reform, and call them 'The Party of NO.' He will then outline how he saved the economy from a second Great Depression, how he's winding down the 'optional' war in Iraq -- with U.S. casualties drastically down -- and why the U.S. is returning to the 'necessary' war in Afghanistan to stabilize that country and Pakistan. He will explain why health care reform is urgently necessary to stem the financial bleeding of the nation in skyrocketing health costs, bringing health care to the millions who are not covered."
News Contact: Mike Ferlazzo, [email protected] Phone: +1-515-294-8986 (1/27/10)
11. JOHN J. PITNEY, JR., Roy P. Crocker Professor of American Politics at CLAREMONT McKENNA COLLEGE in Claremont, Calif., can discuss the Republican response by Gov. McDonnell, as well as GOP reactions more generally: "McDonnell was a good choice. In an anti-Washington year, it made sense to pick a governor. His election represented the shift of an important state away from the Democrats. And his campaign platform was practical, not just ideological." Pitney is the co-author of "Epic Journey: The 2008 Elections and American Politics" (Rowman and Littlefield, 2009). Web site: http://govt.cmc.edu/jpitney (1/27/10)
12. SCOTT WHEELER, executive director of the NATIONAL REPUBLIC TRUST PAC, is leading the charge for conservatives in 2010: "The PAC spent heavily on TV in the recent Massachusetts special election, and has set it sights on vulnerable liberals in Congress in 2010 with its 'Pelosi Index,' which will help decide which races it will play in. The NRT PAC spent almost $8 million in the 2008 election, the third largest independent expenditure in the entire election, and is slated to invest over $3 million this election year." He has recently been quoted in USA Today, Washington Post and Politico, among others. Wheeler is based in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Elizabeth Ray, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-683-5004, ext. 130 (1/27/10)
13. RABBI IRWIN KULA, co-president, THE NATIONAL JEWISH CENTER FOR LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP (CLAL): "We already know the President's speech will be an eloquent and politically astute read on the State of the Union, but there is a second State of the Union that ought to be contemplated -- the actual state of how people are doing; the social contract between people. If this union is not strong, the country cannot deal with its problems. When 81 percent of the country says its leaders are too partisan and not able to compromise, the people have lost confidence in the government. This lack of confidence extends to every major social institution -- from the news media, executive branch of government, congress and financial institutions, to major companies, religion and medicine. The genuine State of the Union is the one we get by looking in the mirror -- as individuals, as families, as neighborhoods, as associations, as religious communities and as citizens." Kula is located in New York and is fluent in Hebrew. News Contact: Rebecca Silver, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-886-6705 Web site: http://www.clal.org (1/27/10)
14. ASHLEY HORNE, federal policy analyst with FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, can talk about health care, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), hate crimes and anything dealing with family or marriage issues. Horne tackles legislation that directly threatens families and religious liberties, such as the ENDA, the Fairness Doctrine and hate crimes. She frequently travels to Washington, D.C., where she meets with lawmakers and decision-makers to represent the concerns of thousands of families who contact Focus on the Family each month. Horne has been featured in The New York Times, The Associated Press and numerous Christian radio stations. She is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law and Boise State University, and currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colo. News Contact: Monica Schleicher, [email protected] Phone: +1-719-648-4590 (1/27/10)
15. GARY SCHMIDT is the president of TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL, the world's leading organization devoted to public speaking and leadership training. Beyond his in-depth knowledge of speaking and leadership skills, Schmidt has spent most of his career working in politics and has served as a key staff member for two United States senators. With his experience as a professional speechwriter and public speaker, he can discuss answers to the following questions re: Obama's delivery of the State of the Union address: 1) Did Obama clearly outline his administration's policy agenda? 2) Were the anecdotes, jokes, major points and themes right for this event? 3) What about his tone, transitions and personable speaking style? 4) Did he connect with his audience? Schmidt's expertise includes public speaking, leadership, commentary on and evaluation of major speeches, business management, successful meetings, time management, impromptu speaking, job interviews, youth leadership and public speaking, Gen Y communication skills and workforce training, corporate communication, corporate training skills, career development, gender-related leadership and communications issues in the workplace, and local community leadership development. Schmidt is based in Oregon. News Contact: Suzanne Frey, [email protected] Phone: +1-949-858-8255, ext. 231 Web site: http://www.toastmasters.org (1/27/10)
16. BRENT BOZELL, president and founder of MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER, runs the largest media watchdog organization in America. Established in 1987, the MRC has made "media bias" a household term, tracking it daily and printing the compiled evidence biweekly in its well-known Notable Quotables, as well as the daily CyberAlert intelligence report on the Internet. He is the author of "Whitewash: What the Media Won't Tell You About Hillary Clinton, but Conservatives Will" (2007) and "Weapons of Mass Distortion: The Coming Meltdown of the Liberal Media" (2004). Bozell is based in Alexandria, Va. News Contact: Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected] Phone: +1-703- 683-5004, ext. 105 Web site: http://www.mediaresearch.org (1/27/10)
17. Following are AMERICAN UNIVERSITY professors in Washington, D.C., who can comment:
-- LEONARD STEINHORN is a professor in the School of Communication, where he teaches political communication, public relations, media studies and courses on American culture and the modern presidency. He is a former congressional speechwriter, press secretary and policy advisor, and frequently comments on the presidency, political campaigns, and the media's role in politics and elections.
-- JENNIFER LAWLESS is the director of the Women and Politics Institute and an associate professor of government. Her teaching and research focus on gender politics, political campaigns, electoral politics and public opinion.
-- ROBERT LEHRMAN is a professor in the School of Communication, where he teaches speechwriting and public speaking. He is the former chief speechwriter to former Vice President Al Gore and to other figures and organizations, including the Democratic National Committee, the chairman and CEO of Pfizer, and a variety of other political and entertainment individuals.
-- DOTTY LYNCH is an executive in residence in the School of Communication and a political consultant for CBS News. She stepped down at the end of 2005 as the senior political editor of CBS News, where she covered politics for 20 years. She is an expert on survey research, polling, campaigns and elections, women in politics and journalism.
-- ALLAN J. LICHTMAN, professor of history in the College of Arts and Sciences, is a leading expert on presidential and congressional campaigns, voting behavior, public opinion and political history. He is well known for his "13 Keys" system, which predicted President Obama's overwhelming win in 2008, George W. Bush's second term, Clinton's victory in 1996, George H.W. Bush's defeat in 1992, and the outcome of the 1988 presidential election when Michael Dukakis was well ahead in the polls.
News Contact: Maralee Csllar, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-885-5952 Web site: http://www.american.edu/media/auexperts.cfm (1/27/10)
18. Following are FORDHAM UNIVERSITY experts in New York City who can comment:
-- JEFFREY COHEN, professor of political science, is an expert on the presidency and the author of "The Presidency in the Era of 24-Hour News" (Princeton University Press, 2008). He can discuss how changes in the news media since the era of the three networks have altered the way presidents communicate with the public and garner popular support.
-- TOM DE LUCA is a professor of political science and the co-author of "Liars! Cheaters! Evildoers!: Demonization and the End of Civil Debate in American Politics" (New York University Press, 2005, with John Buell), which prompted De Luca to start a blog, The Daily Demonizer, that tracks what he calls "the mean season in American politics."
-- PAUL LEVINSON, professor of communication and media studies, is a nationally renowned pop culture critic and the author of "New New Media" (Allyn & Bacon, 2009). He will be blogging throughout the evening, and will be available for post-address analysis and commentary until 11 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 27. He can discuss how the president can use the address to rally the American people in support of his legislative agenda, recapture the spirit that propelled him to the White House and overcome the popular discontent in parts of the country.
News Contact: Syd Steinhardt, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-636-6534 (1/27/10)
19. DR. ANGELA LEDFORD is an associate professor of political science and graduate program director, Department of History and Political Science, THE COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE in Albany, N.Y. Ledford focuses on democratic theory, American political thought, electoral politics and political representation, particularly as it relates to race, class and gender in the U.S. Her courses include U.S. political parties and elections, political ideologies, interest groups and social movements, and the politics of race and representation. Her current research focuses on immigration, nationalism and citizenship. Ledford holds a doctorate in political science from the University of South Carolina and a master's degree in political science from Texas Tech University. News Contact: Benjamin Marvin, [email protected] Phone: +1-518-454-5102 (1/27/10)
20. DR. ERIC LINDGREN, professor of political science at WHITTIER COLLEGE in Whittier, Calif., is an expert in American politics, elections, political parties, the media, methodology, and urban/city politics. His publications include an analysis of the effect of term limits on state legislators, as well as an article that examines the impact of district elections on racial representation in city elections. News Contact: Ana Lilia Barraza, [email protected] Phone: +1-562-907-4912 (1/27/10)
21. DR. RYANE STRAUS is an assistant professor of political science, Department of History and Political Science, THE COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE in Albany, N.Y. Straus is an expert on urban and racial politics and U.S. educational policy. Her courses include introduction to U.S. politics, urban politics, racial and ethnic politics, and public policy. Straus holds doctoral and master's degrees from the University of California at Irvine. News Contact: Benjamin Marvin, [email protected] Phone: +1-518-454-5102 (1/27/10)
22. COSTAS PANAGOPOULOS is an assistant professor of political science, director of the master's program in elections and campaign management, and director of the Center for Electoral Politics and Democracy at FORDHAM UNIVERSITY. He has been widely quoted in the media, and is one of the nation's leading authorities on campaigns, elections, and campaign finance. News Contact: Syd Steinhardt, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-636-6534 (1/27/10)
23. Following are FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY experts who can comment:
-- KEVIN WAGNER, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, is an attorney with a doctorate in American politics with an emphasis on U.S. institutions such as the presidency. Wagner also has expertise in the field of political behavior, including public opinion, campaigning and elections.
-- DUKHONG KIM, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, specializes in American politics, specifically public opinion, political behavior, racial politics, political psychology and the presidency.
-- MARSHALL DEROSA, professor in the Department of Political Science, specializes in American constitutional law and policymaking, international law, law and American society, and the judicial process.
-- KEVIN LANNING, associate professor of psychology at FAU's Wilkes Honors College, has published a number of papers on political psychology, including an analysis of the social psychology of the 2004 presidential election, and is the editor of the just-published volume "Democracy and Disenfranchisement" (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008).
News Contact: Lisa Freed, [email protected] Phone: +1-561-297-3022 (1/27/10)
24. Following are experts from CLEMSON UNIVERSITY who can comment:
-- BRUCE RANSOM is a professor of political science. His areas of expertise include African-American politics, state and local politics, community economic development, political campaigns and elections, legislative redistricting, and gambling policy.
-- JOSEPH STEWART, professor of political science, is the co-author of "Can We All Get Along?: Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics." His areas of expertise include racial and ethnic politics and education policy (K-12).
-- DAVID WOODARD is a professor of political science and Republican political consultant. His areas of expertise include political science, politics, Southern politics, desegregation, busing, mass media and politics, Strom Thurmond, conservatism, and politics and religion.
News Contact: Teresa Hopkins, [email protected] Phone: +1-864-656-1222 (1/27/10)
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BUILDING/HOUSING1. JAMES (JIM) W. ELMER, founder and president of JAMES W. ELMER CONSTRUCTION CO. in Spokane, Wash., is a chairman for the ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS (ABC), a national association composed primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the construction industry. News Contact: Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-683-5004, ext. 105 Web site: http://www.abc.org (1/27/10)
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2. JERRY GORSKI, P.E., president of GORSKI ENGINEERING, INC., in Collegeville, Pa., is a chairman of ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS (ABC), a national association composed primarily of firms that perform work in the industrial and commercial sectors of the construction industry. Gorski leads ABC's executive committee and board of directors, guides the association's national initiatives and serves as its spokesperson. News Contact: Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-683-5004, ext. 105 Web site: http://www.abc.org (1/27/10)
3. DAVID ADAMO, CEO of LUXURY MORTGAGE, can speak to any current mortgage/housing trend in the market today, and can also provide his thoughts and forecast where the mortgage market, rates, etc., will be this spring. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 Web site: http://www.luxurymortagage.com (1/27/10)
4. ALAN ROSENBAUM, CEO of GUARDHILL FINANCIAL, can speak to any current mortgage/housing trend in the market today, and can also provide his thoughts and forecast where the mortgage market, rates, etc., will be this spring. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 Web site: http://www.guardhill.com (1/27/10)
5. DIANE SAATCHI is a senior vice president with SAUNDERS & ASSOCIATES, a top luxury residential and commercial real estate firm in Bridgehampton, N.Y. She can speak very well to what consumers want these days from a residential end, and provide information on current trends, popular amenities, general state of the housing market, etc. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 (1/27/10)
6. NEIL GARFINKEL is a partner with AGMB LAW in New York City. He can speak to any current real estate trend, particularly as it relates to the legal end of buying or renting a property. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 Web site: http://www.agmblaw.com (1/27/10)
DEFENSE/FOREIGN POLICY1. DR. JEFFREY F. ADDICOTT, director of the Center for Terrorism Law at ST. MARY'S UNIVERSITY in San Antonio, is available to address homeland security/terrorism issues discussed in President Obama's first State of the Union address: "President Obama, in his first year of office, has compared unfavorably to candidate Obama in his approach to dealing with homeland security issues: 1) The Obama administration has merely reacted to events, rather than anticipating them (most notably, the Abdulmutallab case); 2) The Obama administration is not consistent in dealing with al-Qaida enemy combatants, sending some to military commissions and some to trial; and 3) Proposals candidate Obama made during the presidential campaign have not yet been pursued -- in fact, Obama's greatest accomplishment in homeland security over the first year was not following through with the pledge to close the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay. I also agree with the latest development with detainees -- to hand control of the detention facility at Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan to the Afghans." Addicott can specifically address any legal questions involving homeland security, as well as speak generally on homeland security issues. News Contact: Phil West, [email protected] Phone: +1-512-879-6460 (1/27/10)
2. LEONARD GOODMAN, criminal defense attorney and adjunct professor of law at DePAUL UNIVERSITY, can discuss homeland security, U.S. involvement in Afghanistan and what the Obama administration needs to be doing: "Obama has changed the rhetoric of the Bush administration but not the destructive policies that make us less safe. By kidnapping hundreds of Muslim men and sending them to Guantanamo Bay for 'harsh interrogation,' we forfeited our reputation as a leader of civilized nations and in return gained no useful intelligence about any future plots on our homeland. Many of these detainees committed no crimes but were turned into our CIA by foreign bounty hunters and informants seeking cash rewards. The sooner the Obama administration stops asserting false claims of 'national security' and lawless doctrines like 'preventative detention' to bury these mistakes, the sooner we can begin to repair our great nation's reputation and put this sad chapter behind us." Goodman is located in Chicago. News Contact: Amy Solomon, [email protected] Phone: +1-917-693-5339 (1/27/10)
3. RITU SHARMA, founder and president, WOMEN THRIVE WORLDWIDE, a leading Washington, D.C.-based organization advocating for U.S. international assistance and trade programs that help lift poor women out of poverty, can discuss U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan and foreign assistance reform: "With the massive relief efforts underway in Haiti, we are seeing more clearly than ever the need for the United States to fix its foreign assistance programs. And while these efforts are difficult now, the long-term task of rebuilding will be infinitely more daunting. It's time for us to get development right. With regard to Afghanistan and Iraq, it is critical for the U.S. to include in its diplomacy and defense an equal measure of development, particularly as those programs can benefit women who form the majority of the world's poor." News Contact: Leslie Levine, [email protected] Phone: +1- 847-205-9853 Cell: +1-847-370-6784 Web site: http://www.womenthrive.org (1/27/10)
4. Following are AMERICAN UNIVERSITY professors in Cairo who can speak specifically to the impact of the president's remarks and influence in the Middle East. Please be advised there is a seven-hour time difference:
-- DR. BAHGAT KORANY, professor of political science and director of the Middle East studies program, is the author of "Foreign Policies of Arab States and The Changing Middle East." Korany is also an honorary professor in the department of political science at the University of Montreal. Korany's education includes B.A. (honors), Cairo University; M.A. (international relations), University of Sussex, England; diploma in development studies (economics and sociology), Institute of Development Studies in Geneva; and a Ph.D. (political science), University of Geneva.
-- DR. JERRY LEACH is a professor and director of the American Studies Center. Leach has held a number of positions in government and in the private sector. He is the former national president of the World Affairs Councils of America. He has also been the Peace Corps regional director for Eastern Europe, the Soviet Republics, Middle East, Asia and the Pacific. In the U.S. government, Leach served as the national security council director of international economic affairs at the White House, as the deputy director in the Office of Strategic Technology Affairs, State Department, and as a consular officer in the U.S. Embassy, on post in London. Leach has also been an assistant lecturer at Cambridge University, instructor at the University of Papua New Guinea, and a Peace Corps volunteer in Turkey.
News Contact: Morgan Roth, [email protected] Phone: +1-646-341-7436 (1/27/10)
5. ROBERT RABIL is an assistant professor and director of graduate studies in the Department of Political Science at FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY. His areas of expertise include national and international security; U.S. foreign policy; U.S.-Arab and U.S.-Muslim relations; the Arab-Israeli conflict; and politics and economies of the Arab world, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Lebanon, Iran, Turkey, Pakistan and Israel. He is fluent in Arabic. News Contact: Lisa Freed, [email protected] Phone: +1-561-297-3022 (1/27/10)
6. RENAT SHAYKHHUTDINOV is an assistant professor of political science at FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY. His teaching and research interests include comparative and international politics, ethnic conflict, research methods, power-sharing arrangements, decentralization, and the politics of the former Soviet Union and Central and Eastern Europe. Shaykhutdinov is a native of the Eastern European city of Kazan located in the Middle Volga Region, and is fluent in Tatar, Russian and Turkish. News Contact: Lisa Freed, [email protected] Phone: +1-561-297-3022 (1/27/10)
7. AIMEE KANNER is an assistant professor of political science at FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY. Kanner's interests include comparative politics and international relations, particularly in the areas of Europe and Latin America. She is fluent in Spanish. News Contact: Lisa Freed, [email protected] Phone: +1-561-297-3022 (1/27/10)
8. DR. JOYCE KAUFMAN, professor of political science and director of the Whittier Scholars Program at WHITTIER COLLEGE in Whittier, Calif., is a specialist in international relations, American foreign policy, and Asian politics. News Contact: Ana Lilia Barraza, [email protected] Phone: +1- 562-907-4912 (1/27/10)
ECONOMY/TAXATION1. PETE SEPP, vice president of policy and communications, NATIONAL TAXPAYERS UNION: "The old adage 'talk is cheap' sure doesn't apply to presidential State of the Union addresses. Many of the grand visions that chief executives outline in their speeches -- from energy policy to health care -- carry steep price tags for taxpayers, and as in previous years, we will be analyzing line by line the actual dollar costs of President Obama's words next week." Sepp is located in Alexandria, Va. News Contact: Kari Scott, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-683-5004, ext. 128 Web site: http://www.ntu.org (1/27/10)
2. THOMAS P. VARTANIAN, corporate partner and chair of the financial institutions transactions group FRIED, FRANK, HARRIS, SHRIVER AND JACOBSON LLP, can discuss financial services re-regulation: "The re-regulation challenge is in picking the right fix for the future, rather than an expedient political fix for the past. The benefits to the public of bank taxes, unwinding financial services businesses and creating new consumer financial watchdogs will not offset the potential reductions in credit availability that they will create in the markets." Vartanian is located in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Somna Maraj, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-859-8342 (1/27/10)
3. CRAIG S. NICKERSON, president of the NATIONAL COMMUNITY STABILIZATION TRUST, a national nonprofit organization that was created to simplify the property transfer process between financial institutions and localities: "The unprecedented size and scope of America's subprime mortgage collapse and the subsequent bursting of the housing bubble represent a new frontier for all players involved. For federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds to reach their fullest potential, local communities and financial institutions must collaborate more closely than ever before." The Stabilization Trust works to stabilize and strengthen neighborhoods nationwide by providing access to foreclosed and abandoned properties and flexible financing opportunities for the purchase and rehabilitation of those properties. Serving as a bridge between large financial institutions and local government agencies and nonprofits, the Stabilization Trust works with HUD to ensure that NSP guidelines are understood and that the impact of government dollars is wisely maximized -- not just spent or clogged up. Nickerson is based in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Andrew Conn, [email protected] Phone: +1-646-805-2023 Web site: http://www.stabilizationtrust.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/_NCST (1/27/10)
4. MARY NAYLOR, CEO and co-founder of VIPDESK, and career entrepreneur: "Small business plays a vital role in U.S. economic recovery and job creation -- as such, policymakers must make support for new businesses a priority. The 600,000 small businesses founded every year in the United States will serve as the foundation on which economic recovery is based through job creation; all net job creation in the past 30 years has taken place in firms less than five years old. We must look to the government to pass small-business-friendly legislation. Policymakers need to change the political landscape and provide incentives for small businesses to grow. Billions of dollars have been given to large corporations to help them through the current economic crisis. Now, increased attention needs to be given to entrepreneurs, enabling them to generate new jobs vital to our economic recovery through policies, including tax incentives for an alternate workforce and tax benefits for hiring and training. For small businesses, every penny saved in taxes matters; all dollars that go out the door are crucial. Every dollar that a small business has to pay in taxes is a dollar that otherwise can't be used to create jobs and, thus, increase the tax base for our entire economy." Naylor is located in Alexandria, Va. News Contact: Linda Dickerhoof, [email protected] Phone: +1- 703-837-3507 (1/27/10)
5. BEN MANGAN, president, CEO and co-founder of EARN, a California-based nonprofit that is the nation's leading provider of matched savings accounts: "The history of prosperity in the U.S. shows us that it is saving and investing in assets like education, small business and homeownership that ultimately lift people out of poverty. America's low-income families need investment tools that help them attain these goals. One such tool is matched savings account programs that help low-income American families to save, build assets and ultimately enter the financial mainstream. While skeptics might equate matched savings accounts with a 'free money' giveaway, matched savings accounts are akin to some of the greatest generators of wealth in the history of our nation. From the G.I. Bill to the creation of the 401(k)s and Roth IRA, our nation has been very deliberate in choosing tools that help Americans build wealth -- and prosperity has followed for those able to enjoy these government efforts. Even more impressive, for each federal dollar invested in matched accounts, five dollars were pumped back into the national economy in various forms. It's hard to argue against this kind of ROI in an environment where the government is unsure of recouping billions in bailout funds." Mangan is located in San Francisco. News Contact: Andrew Conn, [email protected] Phone: +1-646-805-2023 Web site: http://www.earn.org (1/27/10)
6. Following are experts from the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ACTUARIES who are urging policymakers to adopt four cornerstones to focus the nation's domestic policy agenda to improve the financial security of all Americans and restore the nation's fiscal health:
-- CORI UCCELLO, senior health fellow: "One of these four cornerstones is health security. Curbing health care spending growth, reducing the number of uninsured, increasing the access to affordable health coverage, and improving health care quality are fundamental to providing health security to all Americans. We are encouraging policymakers to continue to resolve differences regarding health care reform proposals with these goals in mind and in an actuarially sound manner." Uccello is based in Washington, D.C.
-- FRANK TODISCO, senior pension fellow: "One of these four cornerstones is fiscal security. The 2009 trustees' reports highlight the imperative to act immediately to address the challenges facing Social Security and Medicare. The financial condition of the nation's retirement programs continues to deteriorate, and inaction will only make future efforts to restore the programs' financial viability more extreme and burdensome to future generations. The actuaries are hopeful that these findings will spur all stakeholders to act in an objective, nonpartisan way to resolve these solvency concerns. Another cornerstone is retirement security. In addition to entitlement reform, the actuaries are calling for a long-term national retirement policy framework focusing on the increasing challenges facing retirees as a result of longevity risk, inflation risk and investment risk. The transition away from traditional defined benefit pension plans has shifted more retirement risks from employers to individuals, which requires new public policies to enable employees and retirees to manage and mitigate these risks. The actuaries are also stressing the need to include efforts to increase financial literacy as part of broader retirement policy reforms." Todisco is based in Washington, D.C.
-- NANCY BENNETT, senior life fellow: "One of these four cornerstones is financial systemic risk management. The actuaries are also calling on policymakers to reform the nation's financial services regulatory framework to better anticipate and manage future systemic risk. Fundamental regulatory change should incorporate sound risk management principles, including key requirements for effective regulation: identifying systemic risk, measuring and monitoring risk, and limiting the growth of systemic risk. Any new federal reforms should employ the appropriate oversight, expertise and accountability to safeguard the country against the type of risks that contributed to the current economic challenges facing the country." Bennett is based in Washington, D.C., and Minneapolis.
News Contact: Andrew Simonelli, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-785-7872 (1/27/10)
7. MARK MCKINNON is the spokesman for WORKFORCE FAIRNESS INSTITUTE, which is focused on educating the public on the damaging effects of the deceptively named "Employee Free Choice Act" or "card check." For 25 years, McKinnon has been helping solve complex strategic challenges for causes, companies and candidates, including President George W. Bush, Sen. John McCain, Gov. Ann Richards, Congressman Charlie Wilson, Lance Armstrong and Bono. Bush appointed McKinnon to serve as a member of the Broadcasting Board of Governors, the independent, autonomous entity responsible for all U.S. government-sponsored, non-military, international broadcasting. He currently serves on the board of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and lectures at the JFK School of Government at Harvard University and the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin. McKinnon is based in Austin, Texas. News Contact: Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-683-5004, ext. 105 Web site: http://www.workforcefairness.com (1/27/10)
8. TOM OCHSENSCHLAGER, vice president of taxation for the AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS, is available before and after the president's State of the Union message to discuss relevant tax topics. Prior to joining the AICPA in 2004, Ochsenschlager was a partner with Grant Thornton, LLP, in Washington, D.C., where he served as a liaison between the firm's offices nationwide and the national office of the Internal Revenue Service. At Grant Thornton, he was also responsible for tracking federal tax legislative developments. Ochsenschlager is located in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Shirley Twillman, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-434-9220 (1/27/10)
9. FRED BECKER, president and CEO of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FEDERAL CREDIT UNIONS in Arlington, Va., can address issues relating to financial regulatory reform -- specifically, the Consumer Financial Protection Agency and small-business lending issues. News Contact: Patty Briotta, [email protected] Cell: +1-703-200-4600 (1/27/10)
HEALTH CARE REFORM
1. LAURA OLSON, professor of political science at LEHIGH UNIVERSITY, Bethlehem, Pa., is an expert on the American presidency and can provide a unique perspective on the upcoming State of the Union address: "I believe Obama will reaffirm his commitment to enacting health care legislation and offer the middle class more assistance -- particularly, the 'sandwich' generation. However, unlike most State of the Union addresses, which routinely are used by the administration to brag about success, I believe Obama will instead be a bit more modest and most likely use this opportunity to re- energize the American people, rather than brag." In addition to having expertise on the presidency in general, Olson is a health policy expert who has published several books related to health care, the most recent of which is "The Politics of Medicaid: Stakeholders and Welfare Medicine," one of the few comprehensive studies of Medicaid. After researching issues related to aging for the past three decades, Olson published several books, including "The Political Economy of Aging: The State, Private Power and Social Welfare," "Aging and Public Policy: The Politics of Growing Old in America" and "The Graying of the World: Who Will Take Care of the Frail Elderly?" News Contact: Sally Gilotti, [email protected] Phone: +1-610-758-3224 (1/27/10)
2. DR. RICK MAYES, associate professor of public policy, UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND: "In consultation with Democratic leaders in Congress, President Obama will have to make some very difficult decisions in the coming days about what to pursue in terms of health care reform. The ambitious goal of dramatically expanding health insurance coverage is out of reach now, but he may be able to challenge the Republicans to find areas of agreement (specifically, new health insurance regulations) that can be turned into bipartisan health legislation. Politically, Obama and Democrats in Congress really need some kind of health reform legislation that the president can sign. Moreover, with the job losses in this recession, millions of Americans need health insurance safeguards and laws." Mayes is author of the book "Universal Coverage: The Elusive Quest for National Health Insurance" and co- author of "Medicating Children: ADHD and Pediatric Mental Health." He teaches a course on health care policy and politics. News Contact: Linda Evans, [email protected] Phone: +1-804-289-8056 (1/27/10)
3. DR. ROBERT D. RUSSO, radiologist at RUSSO M.D. & ASSOCIATES RADIOLOGY, can speak to the pros and cons of health care reform and how it will affect medical practices, patients, costs, etc.: "Inner-city specialty medical practices (i.e., radiology) are having increased concerns about patients' ability to access their services, if the proposed health care legislation is passed. Those M.D.s that subsidize their charity care by using their other incomes (from sources that actually meet or exceed the actual costs) are finding the proposed fee cuts will end their ability to cross-subsidize the underfunded social programs such as Medicaid. This lack of access will be greater than the access problem in the rural regions in the country. Both groups will suffer as the new rules on the fee calculations are based on faulty data about utilization." Russo can also discuss why tort reform and medical malpractice reform must be part of any national healthcare bill. News Contact: Ronald Magas, [email protected] Phone: +1-203-445-8981 Web site: http://www.russomd.com (1/27/10)
4. NANCY M. SCHLICHTING, president and chief executive officer of the HENRY FORD HEALTH SYSTEM in Detroit: "I continue to support improved access to health care for all Americans. With 30 percent unemployment in Detroit and $200 million in uncompensated care in our health system, and growing at 15 to 20 percent per year, the current situation is unsustainable. Whatever is decided with health care reform, one core item that must be mandatory is giving insurance to as many people as possible. We've been dealing with the issue of people lacking basic insurance and therefore basic care, and it must come to an end." Schlichting is credited with leading the health system through a dramatic financial turnaround and for award-winning patient safety, customer service and diversity initiatives. News Contact: Dwight Angell, [email protected] Phone: +1-313-850-3471 (1/27/10)
5. JAMES LANSBERRY, vice president of SAMARITAN MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL and president of the ALLIANCE OF HEALTH CARE SHARING MINISTRIES, is available for comment following the State of the Union address: "Certainly, Tuesday's election has changed the face of reform efforts in Congress. Right now, it is too early to say what this means for health reform, except that the pace will slow somewhat. Our prayer is that this means we will see a sound, bipartisan reform bill that will address the key issues of portability and cost while retaining essential freedoms for choice in health care, particularly for members of health care sharing ministries." Lansberry is located in Peoria, Ill. News Contact: Mike Miller, [email protected] Phone: +1-877-764-2426, ext. 142 (1/27/10)
6. CLYDE W. YANCY, M.D., president, AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, can respond to President Obama's and Gov. Bob McDonnell's comments on health care reform and other budgetary health issues, such as biomedical research funding, childhood obesity and funding for prevention programs: "As Congress and the Obama administration determine next steps with health care reform legislation, the American Heart Association (AHA) remains committed to championing reform consistent with the needs of our patients, many of whom need affordable and adequate health care. We remain hopeful that members of Congress can work together to pass comprehensive, meaningful reform for all Americans this year. The American Heart Association has actively worked with congressional leadership to ensure that health care reform legislation aligns with our principles for reform, which include making health care affordable, adequate and accessible for all Americans. Specifically, these principles focus on access to care, preventive services, quality health care, the elimination of health disparities, continued biomedical research to improve the prevention and treatment of heart disease and stroke, and an adequate and diverse workforce." Yancy is located in Dallas. News Contact: Suzanne Ffolkes, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-785-7929 (1/27/10)
7. KARL HOFMANN, president and CEO of global health organization POPULATION SERVICES INTERNATIONAL (PSI), can speak directly to global health issues raised in President Obama's State of the Union address, including the global health initiative, Haiti relief efforts, HIV/AIDS funding, maternal and child health or other health issues such as malaria and tuberculosis. Hofmann is located in Washington, D.C., and is fluent in French. Editor's Note: Hofmann has a profile listed in the ProfNet Experts Database. To view the profile, go to http://www.profnet.com and, after logging in, click on "Search Expert." News Contact: Anna Dirksen, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-469-6673 (1/27/10)
8. ROBERT KARCH is the executive director for the National Center for Health Fitness and a professor of health and fitness in the College of Arts and Sciences at AMERICAN UNIVERSITY. Karch is an expert on employee health and fitness programs; the design, implementation, operation, and evaluation of health promotion programs; health and fitness trends; and the health promotion aspects of health care reform. News Contact: Maralee Csllar, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-885-5952 Web site: http://www.american.edu/media/auexperts.cfm (1/27/10)
POLITICS/MEDIA
1. DR. DAN PALAZZOLO, professor of political science, UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND, can provide a general overview of President Obama's first year and upcoming challenges: "It's all about the agenda. Obama misread the message of the 2008 campaign, which was as much a vote against Bush and the status quo as it was a vote in favor of expanding the role of the federal government. He also flooded Congress with big, complex issues that divide along party lines; even the most popular presidents have trouble with Congress when they ask the institution to do too much. Finally, he should have focused on economic issues -- banking, credit problems and job growth -- rather than health care and cap and trade." Palazzolo teaches courses on American politics, campaigns and elections, and public policy. He is the author of two books, author or co-author of 20 articles or book chapters, and co-editor of "Election Reform: Politics and Policy." Palazzolo frequently provides political analysis on WWBT/NBC 12 in Richmond, Va., has been a guest on various radio stations, including National Public Radio, and has been cited in a variety of national and local Internet and print news publications, including The New York Times, Associated Press, Boston Globe, Fox News, Los Angeles Times, Reuters News Service and Richmond- Times Dispatch. News Contact: Linda Evans, [email protected] Phone: +1-804- 289-8056 (1/27/10)
2. DR. EDWARD A. LYNCH, professor of political science, HOLLINS UNIVERSITY: "President Obama's biggest challenge in the State of Union address will be to make it clear he can tell the difference between the state of the union, and the state of his own party. Both are bad, but the president's viewers will want to know what he's going to do about the economy, jobs and terrorism, not about what went 'wrong' in Massachusetts. His second challenge is going to be finding a face-saving way to give up on health care, without seeming cowardly, petty, condescending and without seeming to blame Democrats in Congress. Finally, having failed to deliver on the 'change,' the president has to prove he can still provide the 'hope.'" Lynch has wide-ranging interests and expertise. He teaches U.S. foreign policy, international relations, and state and local politics. He combines his academic background with hands-on experience in the real world of politics. He worked on Capitol Hill for four years, served in the White House and is a long-time political activist. Lynch is located in Roanoke, Va. News Contact: Jeff Hodges, [email protected] Phone: +1-540-362-6503 (1/27/10)
3. DR. JOHN O. RA, professor of political science, HOLLINS UNIVERSITY: "A good leader inspires a sense of optimism and fortitude in people in difficult times. A great leader is at once responsive to people's calls and responsible for his action informed by a set of principles. Obama must artfully remind us of the three most formidable sources of hindrance to governing effectively today's citizenry: 1) impatience and inability for deferred gratification induced by the culture of the media and cyber-world; 2) the myth of exclusionary individualism in this post-industrial society of ours; and 3) the increasingly scorching denunciation of the culture on the Hill crafted and perpetuated by both parties. In doing so, he must critique to correct and denounce to abolish. In the end, he must unambiguously portray a crystalline impression of how he will not yield on responsible governance in case of a tension between principled responsibility and political responsiveness." Ra holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and has taught at Hollins since 1969. His interests include political belief, attitude formation, and behavior of individual political participants that take place in the life-long process of political socialization in the U.S.; U.S. elections and voting behavior of the American electorate; gender and politics; and religion and politics. Ra is located in Roanoke, Va., and is fluent in Korean. News Contact: Jeff Hodges, [email protected] Phone: +1-540-362-6503 (1/27/10)
4. DR. MARTIN J. MEDHURST, distinguished professor of rhetoric and communication, professor of political science, BAYLOR UNIVERSITY, and co- director of PRESIDENTIALRHETORIC.COM: "The 2010 State of the Union address may be the most important speech of Barack Obama's career. The reason is simple -- his presidency hangs in the balance. He can fight on, retreat or fold. My prediction is that he will retreat. He will say that mistakes have been made, but that the stakes are too high to simply give up. He will set forth (once again) the health care challenges facing the nation, especially their long- term financial dimensions, and say that solutions that the majority endorses must be found. For the moment, however, President Obama will move the health care debate to the back burner -- still on the stove, but not so hot politically -- and address Americans' pocketbook issues. President Obama has one chance to right his political ship of state. Failure to do so in the State of the Union address could spell doom to his entire first term." Medhurst is located in Waco, Texas. News Contact: Lori W. Fogleman, Lori_Scott- [email protected] Phone: +1-254-710-6275 Web site: http://www.presidentialrhetoric.com (1/27/10)
5. DR. ROBERT ALEXANDER, associate professor of political science at OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY: "Given President Obama's fiery speech in Ohio last week, I expect he will strike a similar tone in his State of the Union address. Many Democrats are suggesting that the loss of Ted Kennedy's seat in Massachusetts was more of a sign of anger at Washington than a swipe at health care reform. Obama will likely show that 'he gets it' and will look to simplify his message on health care reform and link its passage to an economic recovery. The key to the president's popularity at this point hinges on his handling of the economy. Consequently, viewers should expect him to highlight what he has done thus far and what he intends to continue to do to help improve the economic situation of citizens across the country. He will also spotlight achievements he has had over the past year. While he laid out an ambitious agenda last year at this time, many believe he has not lived up to his campaign promise of change in Washington. He will address this by pointing out examples of ways he has looked to change the politics and policies of Washington. If past is prologue, then pollsters can expect a bump in Obama's approval ratings after his address to the nation. His greatest asset thus far has been seen in his rhetorical ability." News Contact: Mary A. Wilkin, [email protected] Phone: +1- 419-772-2089 (1/27/10)
6. DR. MATTHEW R. KERBEL, professor, department of political science, VILLANOVA UNIVERSITY in Villanova, Pa., is an expert on politics and the media, American government and the presidency: "Following the loss of their 60-seat supermajority in Tuesday's special senate election in Massachusetts, President Obama has a chance to reset the national debate in his State of the Union address Wednesday. The tone and substance of his speech will indicate the lessons he drew from the Massachusetts reversal and how he intends to address them. With his domestic agenda hanging in the balance, it will be a gut-check moment for his presidency." Kerbel recently published the book, "Netroots: Online Progressives and the Transformation of American Politics" (Paradigm Publishers, 2009). News Contact: Kathleen Scavello, [email protected] Phone: +1-610-519-6733 (1/27/10)
7. KENNETH FERNANDEZ, Ph.D., political science professor at the UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS, is an expert in public policy, public opinion, and the role of race relations in politics: "The State of the Union address will be an opportunity for President Obama to try to rally and support Congress. It's also a conversation with Congress and the public and an opportunity for him to do some credit claiming, despite problems with the economy. In last year's speech, Obama talked moderately about the war on terror. I think you're going to see much more discussion on national security, especially in light of the attempted attacks on Christmas Day. And you're going to see the president much more passionate -- the same way he was during his campaign to activate his base and activate the independent voters who have been unsure about his job performance." Fernandez discusses his viewpoints on the upcoming State of the Union address, including the expected Republican response, in a video at the link listed below. News Contact: Afsha Bawany, [email protected] Phone: +1-702-895-5515 Web site: http://www.youtube.com/unlvnews (1/27/10)
8. SCOTT MEINKE, associate professor of political science at BUCKNELL UNIVERSITY in Lewisburg, Pa., can discuss Obama's administration priorities for the coming year: "I would expect that he is going to look beyond health care and that he is going to look toward jobs and employment. He is going to be aware that that is the no. 1 policy issue on many Americans' minds and he is going to be aware, politically speaking, that that is the most important thing for Democrats in the coming year. That will be a major emphasis, if not the primary emphasis." Meinke's "Ask the Experts" interview discussing the upcoming State of the Union address is available at the link listed below. News Contact: Sam Alcorn, [email protected] Web site: http://www.bucknell.edu/x58163.xml (1/27/10)
9. DAVID DAMORE, Ph.D., political science professor at the UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA, LAS VEGAS, is an expert in American politics, elections and campaigns: "It's going to be a tough sell for President Obama. There's a lot of cynicism toward government right now, there's obviously splits in his party over some of his big policy initiatives. On top of that, you have an opposition that's been unwilling to reach across the aisle. It's a very tough task. It's a whole lot easier to be president when it's peace and prosperity than when we're in a war and in an economic downturn. You'll see him try to be upbeat but, at the same time, realize that this is the reality we're in." Damore discusses his viewpoints on the upcoming State of the Union address, including the expected Republican response, in a video at the link listed below. News Contact: Afsha Bawany, [email protected] Phone: +1-702-895-5515 Web site: http://www.youtube.com/unlvnews (1/27/10)
10. Following are experts from IOWA STATE UNIVERSITY who can comment:
-- DIANNE BYSTROM, director of the Carrie Chapman Catt Center for Women and Politics, is a co-author, co-editor and contributor to 13 books on politics, including "Gender and Elections" (2006) and "Anticipating Madam President" (2003): "He [Obama] campaigned on working with both political parties, but perhaps found out that is harder to accomplish in action than words. My guess is that there is more cooperation behind the scenes than we see in media coverage. Maybe he needs specific examples of areas in which Democrats and Republicans are in agreement." Bystrom authored a chapter for a book on Hillary Clinton's failed presidential campaign.
-- JIM McCORMICK, professor and chair of political science, is author of the book "American Foreign Policy and Process," and co-editor of "The Domestic Sources of American Foreign Policy: Insights and Evidence" (fourth edition) -- both popular college textbooks: "I believe President Obama is likely to highlight his efforts to re-engage the United States with the rest of the world and his perceived success in doing so over the past year. I also believe that those comments will be juxtaposed against some that he made in Oslo at the Nobel Prize ceremony in which he pointed to the need, for just cause, to use force of arms and to fight wars and the important role that the United States continues to play in maintaining peace and security."
-- STEFFEN SCHMIDT, professor of political science, has been known as "Dr. Politics" as a long-time political commentator by that nickname on a weekly statewide call-in show over Iowa Public Radio. A frequent national media expert on presidential politics -- including serving as a political analyst on CNN en Espanol, and as a featured blogger on The Des Moines Register's Across the Spectrum political blog -- he is the lead author of the country's most widely adopted introductory college textbook "American Government and Politics Today" (17th Edition, Wadsworth Publishing). Schmidt: "He [Obama] will lament the Republican blockade of most of his legislative initiatives, especially health reform, and call them 'The Party of NO.' He will then outline how he saved the economy from a second Great Depression, how he's winding down the 'optional' war in Iraq -- with U.S. casualties drastically down -- and why the U.S. is returning to the 'necessary' war in Afghanistan to stabilize that country and Pakistan. He will explain why health care reform is urgently necessary to stem the financial bleeding of the nation in skyrocketing health costs, bringing health care to the millions who are not covered."
News Contact: Mike Ferlazzo, [email protected] Phone: +1-515-294-8986 (1/27/10)
11. JOHN J. PITNEY, JR., Roy P. Crocker Professor of American Politics at CLAREMONT McKENNA COLLEGE in Claremont, Calif., can discuss the Republican response by Gov. McDonnell, as well as GOP reactions more generally: "McDonnell was a good choice. In an anti-Washington year, it made sense to pick a governor. His election represented the shift of an important state away from the Democrats. And his campaign platform was practical, not just ideological." Pitney is the co-author of "Epic Journey: The 2008 Elections and American Politics" (Rowman and Littlefield, 2009). Web site: http://govt.cmc.edu/jpitney (1/27/10)
12. SCOTT WHEELER, executive director of the NATIONAL REPUBLIC TRUST PAC, is leading the charge for conservatives in 2010: "The PAC spent heavily on TV in the recent Massachusetts special election, and has set it sights on vulnerable liberals in Congress in 2010 with its 'Pelosi Index,' which will help decide which races it will play in. The NRT PAC spent almost $8 million in the 2008 election, the third largest independent expenditure in the entire election, and is slated to invest over $3 million this election year." He has recently been quoted in USA Today, Washington Post and Politico, among others. Wheeler is based in Washington, D.C. News Contact: Elizabeth Ray, [email protected] Phone: +1-703-683-5004, ext. 130 (1/27/10)
13. RABBI IRWIN KULA, co-president, THE NATIONAL JEWISH CENTER FOR LEARNING AND LEADERSHIP (CLAL): "We already know the President's speech will be an eloquent and politically astute read on the State of the Union, but there is a second State of the Union that ought to be contemplated -- the actual state of how people are doing; the social contract between people. If this union is not strong, the country cannot deal with its problems. When 81 percent of the country says its leaders are too partisan and not able to compromise, the people have lost confidence in the government. This lack of confidence extends to every major social institution -- from the news media, executive branch of government, congress and financial institutions, to major companies, religion and medicine. The genuine State of the Union is the one we get by looking in the mirror -- as individuals, as families, as neighborhoods, as associations, as religious communities and as citizens." Kula is located in New York and is fluent in Hebrew. News Contact: Rebecca Silver, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-886-6705 Web site: http://www.clal.org (1/27/10)
14. ASHLEY HORNE, federal policy analyst with FOCUS ON THE FAMILY, can talk about health care, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), hate crimes and anything dealing with family or marriage issues. Horne tackles legislation that directly threatens families and religious liberties, such as the ENDA, the Fairness Doctrine and hate crimes. She frequently travels to Washington, D.C., where she meets with lawmakers and decision-makers to represent the concerns of thousands of families who contact Focus on the Family each month. Horne has been featured in The New York Times, The Associated Press and numerous Christian radio stations. She is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law and Boise State University, and currently lives in Colorado Springs, Colo. News Contact: Monica Schleicher, [email protected] Phone: +1-719-648-4590 (1/27/10)
15. GARY SCHMIDT is the president of TOASTMASTERS INTERNATIONAL, the world's leading organization devoted to public speaking and leadership training. Beyond his in-depth knowledge of speaking and leadership skills, Schmidt has spent most of his career working in politics and has served as a key staff member for two United States senators. With his experience as a professional speechwriter and public speaker, he can discuss answers to the following questions re: Obama's delivery of the State of the Union address: 1) Did Obama clearly outline his administration's policy agenda? 2) Were the anecdotes, jokes, major points and themes right for this event? 3) What about his tone, transitions and personable speaking style? 4) Did he connect with his audience? Schmidt's expertise includes public speaking, leadership, commentary on and evaluation of major speeches, business management, successful meetings, time management, impromptu speaking, job interviews, youth leadership and public speaking, Gen Y communication skills and workforce training, corporate communication, corporate training skills, career development, gender-related leadership and communications issues in the workplace, and local community leadership development. Schmidt is based in Oregon. News Contact: Suzanne Frey, [email protected] Phone: +1-949-858-8255, ext. 231 Web site: http://www.toastmasters.org (1/27/10)
16. BRENT BOZELL, president and founder of MEDIA RESEARCH CENTER, runs the largest media watchdog organization in America. Established in 1987, the MRC has made "media bias" a household term, tracking it daily and printing the compiled evidence biweekly in its well-known Notable Quotables, as well as the daily CyberAlert intelligence report on the Internet. He is the author of "Whitewash: What the Media Won't Tell You About Hillary Clinton, but Conservatives Will" (2007) and "Weapons of Mass Distortion: The Coming Meltdown of the Liberal Media" (2004). Bozell is based in Alexandria, Va. News Contact: Mary Beth Hutchins, [email protected] Phone: +1-703- 683-5004, ext. 105 Web site: http://www.mediaresearch.org (1/27/10)
17. Following are AMERICAN UNIVERSITY professors in Washington, D.C., who can comment:
-- LEONARD STEINHORN is a professor in the School of Communication, where he teaches political communication, public relations, media studies and courses on American culture and the modern presidency. He is a former congressional speechwriter, press secretary and policy advisor, and frequently comments on the presidency, political campaigns, and the media's role in politics and elections.
-- JENNIFER LAWLESS is the director of the Women and Politics Institute and an associate professor of government. Her teaching and research focus on gender politics, political campaigns, electoral politics and public opinion.
-- ROBERT LEHRMAN is a professor in the School of Communication, where he teaches speechwriting and public speaking. He is the former chief speechwriter to former Vice President Al Gore and to other figures and organizations, including the Democratic National Committee, the chairman and CEO of Pfizer, and a variety of other political and entertainment individuals.
-- DOTTY LYNCH is an executive in residence in the School of Communication and a political consultant for CBS News. She stepped down at the end of 2005 as the senior political editor of CBS News, where she covered politics for 20 years. She is an expert on survey research, polling, campaigns and elections, women in politics and journalism.
-- ALLAN J. LICHTMAN, professor of history in the College of Arts and Sciences, is a leading expert on presidential and congressional campaigns, voting behavior, public opinion and political history. He is well known for his "13 Keys" system, which predicted President Obama's overwhelming win in 2008, George W. Bush's second term, Clinton's victory in 1996, George H.W. Bush's defeat in 1992, and the outcome of the 1988 presidential election when Michael Dukakis was well ahead in the polls.
News Contact: Maralee Csllar, [email protected] Phone: +1-202-885-5952 Web site: http://www.american.edu/media/auexperts.cfm (1/27/10)
18. Following are FORDHAM UNIVERSITY experts in New York City who can comment:
-- JEFFREY COHEN, professor of political science, is an expert on the presidency and the author of "The Presidency in the Era of 24-Hour News" (Princeton University Press, 2008). He can discuss how changes in the news media since the era of the three networks have altered the way presidents communicate with the public and garner popular support.
-- TOM DE LUCA is a professor of political science and the co-author of "Liars! Cheaters! Evildoers!: Demonization and the End of Civil Debate in American Politics" (New York University Press, 2005, with John Buell), which prompted De Luca to start a blog, The Daily Demonizer, that tracks what he calls "the mean season in American politics."
-- PAUL LEVINSON, professor of communication and media studies, is a nationally renowned pop culture critic and the author of "New New Media" (Allyn & Bacon, 2009). He will be blogging throughout the evening, and will be available for post-address analysis and commentary until 11 p.m. EST on Wednesday, Jan. 27. He can discuss how the president can use the address to rally the American people in support of his legislative agenda, recapture the spirit that propelled him to the White House and overcome the popular discontent in parts of the country.
News Contact: Syd Steinhardt, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-636-6534 (1/27/10)
19. DR. ANGELA LEDFORD is an associate professor of political science and graduate program director, Department of History and Political Science, THE COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE in Albany, N.Y. Ledford focuses on democratic theory, American political thought, electoral politics and political representation, particularly as it relates to race, class and gender in the U.S. Her courses include U.S. political parties and elections, political ideologies, interest groups and social movements, and the politics of race and representation. Her current research focuses on immigration, nationalism and citizenship. Ledford holds a doctorate in political science from the University of South Carolina and a master's degree in political science from Texas Tech University. News Contact: Benjamin Marvin, [email protected] Phone: +1-518-454-5102 (1/27/10)
20. DR. ERIC LINDGREN, professor of political science at WHITTIER COLLEGE in Whittier, Calif., is an expert in American politics, elections, political parties, the media, methodology, and urban/city politics. His publications include an analysis of the effect of term limits on state legislators, as well as an article that examines the impact of district elections on racial representation in city elections. News Contact: Ana Lilia Barraza, [email protected] Phone: +1-562-907-4912 (1/27/10)
21. DR. RYANE STRAUS is an assistant professor of political science, Department of History and Political Science, THE COLLEGE OF SAINT ROSE in Albany, N.Y. Straus is an expert on urban and racial politics and U.S. educational policy. Her courses include introduction to U.S. politics, urban politics, racial and ethnic politics, and public policy. Straus holds doctoral and master's degrees from the University of California at Irvine. News Contact: Benjamin Marvin, [email protected] Phone: +1-518-454-5102 (1/27/10)
22. COSTAS PANAGOPOULOS is an assistant professor of political science, director of the master's program in elections and campaign management, and director of the Center for Electoral Politics and Democracy at FORDHAM UNIVERSITY. He has been widely quoted in the media, and is one of the nation's leading authorities on campaigns, elections, and campaign finance. News Contact: Syd Steinhardt, [email protected] Phone: +1-212-636-6534 (1/27/10)
23. Following are FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY experts who can comment:
-- KEVIN WAGNER, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, is an attorney with a doctorate in American politics with an emphasis on U.S. institutions such as the presidency. Wagner also has expertise in the field of political behavior, including public opinion, campaigning and elections.
-- DUKHONG KIM, assistant professor in the Department of Political Science, specializes in American politics, specifically public opinion, political behavior, racial politics, political psychology and the presidency.
-- MARSHALL DEROSA, professor in the Department of Political Science, specializes in American constitutional law and policymaking, international law, law and American society, and the judicial process.
-- KEVIN LANNING, associate professor of psychology at FAU's Wilkes Honors College, has published a number of papers on political psychology, including an analysis of the social psychology of the 2004 presidential election, and is the editor of the just-published volume "Democracy and Disenfranchisement" (Wiley-Blackwell, 2008).
News Contact: Lisa Freed, [email protected] Phone: +1-561-297-3022 (1/27/10)
24. Following are experts from CLEMSON UNIVERSITY who can comment:
-- BRUCE RANSOM is a professor of political science. His areas of expertise include African-American politics, state and local politics, community economic development, political campaigns and elections, legislative redistricting, and gambling policy.
-- JOSEPH STEWART, professor of political science, is the co-author of "Can We All Get Along?: Racial and Ethnic Minorities in American Politics." His areas of expertise include racial and ethnic politics and education policy (K-12).
-- DAVID WOODARD is a professor of political science and Republican political consultant. His areas of expertise include political science, politics, Southern politics, desegregation, busing, mass media and politics, Strom Thurmond, conservatism, and politics and religion.
News Contact: Teresa Hopkins, [email protected] Phone: +1-864-656-1222 (1/27/10)
TRANSPORTATION1. PETER GERTLER, high-speed rail services chair, HNTB CORPORATION, can discuss the Obama administration's commitment to bring high-speed passenger rail to the United States: "It's anticipated the Federal Railroad Administration soon will announce the recipients of $8 billion worth of related ARRA stimulus grants. This initial funding for high-speed rail will yield significant benefits to the states and regions that receive the funds, including new construction projects, job creation and boosting local transit systems. Yet, it is just the first step in a long-term effort that will invigorate America's transportation system." HNTB has worked with states and transportation authorities for many years to advance high-speed rail in the United States. Gertler can provide insights and information. Gertler is located in Oakland, Calif. Editor's Note: Gertler has a profile listed in the ProfNet Experts Database. To view the profile, go to http://www.profnet.com and, after logging in, click on "Search Expert." News Contact: John O'Connell, [email protected] Phone: +1-816-527-2383 (1/27/10)
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