Faculty Weigh In on the 2008 Presidential Election

Before voters across the country cast their ballots for the 44th president of the United States on November 4, 2008, candidates John McCain (Republican Arizona senator) and Barack Obama (Democratic Illinois senator) continued to educate voters about their platforms, where they stand on issues such as the economy, taxes, and wars, and why their knowledge and expertise make them the better person for the position.

As members of the local media reported the claims, the events, the slogans, the misspeaks, and all the buzz surrounding this historic national election, they sought out faculty from the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences at Nova Southeastern University to provide objective insights and analysis about the candidates. The college has helped put NSU on the map and has enhanced its reputation as a valuable community resource for the press and the public.

Jennifer Reem – Division of Humanities

Jennifer Reem, coordinator of the communication program and instructor, was interviewed by CBS4 reporter Joan Murray on September 12, 2008. Reem provided insights about the body language of Sarah Palin, Alaska governor and Republican vice-presidential nominee, in her interview with ABC’s Charles Gibson.

According to Reem, a speech coach and body language expert, more than 80 percent of communication can come from non-verbal messages. Reem said Palin’s forward posture and direct eye contact during the interview indicated confidence and assertiveness. However, when Palin blinked more often during a question about the Bush Doctrine, Reem said this showed nervousness.

— Watch the Full CBS4 Interview with Jennifer Reem.

Focusing on McCain and Obama, Reem also analyzed their speech and debate styles and provided deeper meanings to the candidates’ distinct hand movements. The Sun-Sentinel newspaper published an article—“When Hands Speak Louder than Words”—on September 21, 2008, detailing Reem’s thoughts.

When speaking to crowds, McCain often lifts his arms and extends his hands. This is the candidate’s way of reaching out to listeners, “as if to embrace them,” Reem said. Obama points his fingers as a way to include audience members, “to get them involved in the excitement of the moment,” she said. McCain tends to remain behind his podium when addressing crowds, which Reem said indicates that he’s nervous. Obama often speaks away from the podium, moving with a rhythm that resonates with his message and communicates his ease in speaking, according to Reem.

The Christian Science Monitor also featured Reem's analysis of the candidates' body language during the second presidential debate on October 7, where McCain and Obama fielded pre-selected questions from an audience of undecided voters in a "town hall" format—a favorite of McCain's.

Gary Gershman, Charles L. Zelden – Division of Humanities

Gary Gershman, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor, and Charles L. Zelden, Ph.D., professor, sat down with reporter Neki Mohan from ABC’s Local 10 News to view and to comment on the Palin and Gibson interview. The story aired on September 12, 2008, during the 11:00 p.m. broadcast.

Following the first presidential debate between McCain and Obama on September 26, 2008, Gershman talked with the Sun-Sentinel to evaluate the candidates’ performances. Gershman scored McCain at 40 out of 50 points and gave Obama 41 points (out of 50). According to Gershman, McCain benefited by stressing his experience and by using specific examples to do so. Obama showed good command of foreign policy and effectively countered McCain's criticisms, Gershman said. When discussing the economy—a primary concern of voters—both focused on their own agendas, but Gershman said McCain came closer to actually answering the questions asked. On message delivery, Obama sometimes was wordy and McCain stumbled over some of his words, Gershman said. The Sentinel reached out again to Gershman following the second presidential debate. Again, Obama scored one point higher than McCain, but at a score of 38 out of 50. Click here to see how Gershman broke down the scores.

Gershman recently published a textbook, The Legislative Branch of Federal Government: People, Process, and Politics, which focuses on the U.S. Congress, its history, constitutional powers, daily workings, and the politics that affect its operation. Spanning the history of the U.S. federal government system, the text looks at the evolution of the U.S. Congress over the past 225-plus years, and then describes its current structure, responsibilities, and daily operations.

With America still talking about the 2000 presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore, Zelden released Bush v. Gore: Exposing the Hidden Crisis in American Democracy on September 4, 2008. The book is an in-depth, nonpartisan look at the controversial election results in Florida, which were deemed “too close to call.”

After numerous recounts led to Bush v. Gore, the law suit challenging the recounts’ constitutionality, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of Bush, ended the recounts, and effectively decided the election in favor of the former Texas governor. Yet, as Zelden points out in his book, the post-election crisis was much more than just a fight to name a new president. It was also a serious warning of a hidden crisis in the American electoral system; warnings that were effectively ignored not only during the post-election crisis, but in the years since 2000.

Click here to read an ABC News article, featuring commentary from Zelden, about attempts at voter fraud in Virginia (October 29, 2008).

Contacts

Jennifer Reem, reemj@nova.edu | (954) 262-8409
Gary Gershman, ggershma@nova.edu | (954) 262-8211
Charles L. Zelden, Zelden@nova.edu | (954) 262-8218