Quick analysis #4 from SMU political experts
To assist journalists covering tonight’s presidential debate, SMU election experts are providing real-time insights throughout the evening.
DALLAS (SMU) – Toassist journalists covering tonight’s presidential debate, SMU election experts are providing real-time insights throughout the evening.
NEED A TISSUE, MR. TRUMP?
jbatsell@mail.smu.edu
On social media’s response to Trump’s cold…
- “Trump had been sniffling a lot at the start of the debate. There was lots of snarky tweeting about him possibly having a cold.”
- “Howard Dean suggested Trump is a cocaine user on his official Twitter account. Wow.”
Batsell is an SMU associate professor of Journalism and a social media specialist.
WHO NEEDS BRAINS WHEN THEY CAN YELL?
jmwilson@smu.edu
On Trump’s embrace of anti-intellectualism…
- “I love the way Trump derisively spits the word ‘knowledge.’ He’s going full-bore anti-intellectual, and it might work. When you clearly have less policy expertise, you need to denigrate the very idea of expertise. It clearly resonates with his base and may reach beyond that. People are pretty fed up with ‘experts’ these days."
Wilson is an SMU associate professor of Political Science with specific expertise in politics and religion.
TRUMP MISSING MARK ON PRIME OBJECTIVES
samartin@mail.smu.edu
On Trump reaching his goals, or falling short…
- “Trump had three debate goals: 1. Help with women. 2. Win over moderates. 3. Stem tide with black voters. Might be a bad night.
- “I’d say Clinton is winning. Trump actually shouted ‘I have a better temperament!’ And he lost his mind over Iraq. Nobody cares about that.”
Martin is an SMU assistant professor of Communication Studies in the Meadows School of the Arts.
DISAPPOINTMENT OVER HOLT’S PERFORMANCE
bvoth@smu.edu
On who is winning the end of the debate…
- “Hillary is ahead near the debate’s end. I think Hillary is fact checking fairly well, though Trump’s vacuum argument about foibles in the Middle East has been his strongest segment.”
On moderator Lester Holt’s performance as Trump engages him…
- “Holt is not doing well. His questions have a clear pattern of challenging Trump vs Clinton about six to one. Repetition indicates he doesn’t believe Trump. Anytime Trump attacks Holt it probably helps Trump."
Voth is SMU’s director of debate and an associate professor of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs.
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SMU is a nationally ranked private university in Dallas founded 100 years ago. Today, SMU enrolls nearly 11,000 students who benefit from the academic opportunities and international reach of seven degree-granting schools.
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