Research
INTERESTS:
American Politics (Campaigns & Elections, Public Opinion and Voting, Political Parties, Congress)
Methodology (Econometrics, Experiments)
Applied Politics (Campaign Management and Strategy, Political Communications and Media)
PUBLICATIONS:
BOOKS
Rewiring Politics: Presidential Nominating Conventions in the Media Age (editor),Louisiana State University Press (2007).
All Roads Lead to Congress: The $300 Billion Fight Over Highway Funding (with Joshua Schank), CQ Press (2007).
Politicking Online: The Transformation of Election Campaign Communications (editor), Rutgers University Press (2009).
JOURNAL ARTICLES
“Polls and Elections—Preelection Poll Accuracy in the 2008 Election Cycle.” Presidential Studies Quarterly. (forthcoming, December 2009).
“Grassroots Mobilization in the 2008 Presidential Election.” (with Peter Francia). Journal of Political Marketing. (forthcoming, December 2009).
“Street Fight: The Impact of a Street Sign Campaign on Voter Turnout.” Electoral Studies 28 (2): 309-313. (June 2009).
“Campaign Dynamics in Battleground and Nonbattleground States.” Public Opinion Quarterly 73 (1):119-130. (Spring 2009).
“Partisan and Nonpartisan Message Content and Voter Mobilization: Field Experimental Evidence.” Political Research Quarterly 62 (1): 70-77. (March 2009).
“The Calculus of Voting in Compulsory Voting Systems.” Political Behavior 30 (4): 455-467. (December 2008).
“Polls and Elections—The Ground War 2000-2004: Strategic Mobilization in Presidential Campaigns.” (with Peter Weilhouwer) Presidential Studies Quarterly 38 (3): 347-362 (June 2008).
“Lady Luck? Female Political Consultants in American Campaigns.” (with David Dulio and Sarah Brewer). Journal of Political Marketing (forthcoming).
“Poll Trends—Labor Unions in the United States.” (with Peter Francia). Public Opinion Quarterly 72 (1): 134-160. (March 2008).
“Field Experiments Testing the Impact of Radio Advertisements on Electoral Competition.” (with Donald Green). American Journal of Political Science 52(1): 156-168. (January 2008).
“Online Fundraising and Contributors in the 2004 Presidential Election.” (with Daniel Bergan). Social Science Computer Review 25 (4): (December 2007).
“Size Doesn’t Always Matter: White House Staff and Presidential Success in Congress.” White House Studies 7 (1): 13-34. (June 2007). Reprinted in The Presidency of the United States: New Issues and Developments, Anthony J. Eksterowicz and Glenn P. Hastedt, eds. Nova Publishers (2009).
“The Polls—Cabinet Member and Presidential Approval.” Presidential Studies Quarterly 37 (1): 153-163. (March 2007).
“The Polls—Trends: Arab and Muslim Americans and Islam in the Aftermath of 9/11.” Public Opinion Quarterly 70 (4): 608-624. (Winter 2006).
“Contributions and Contributors in the 2004 Presidential Election Cycle.” (with Daniel Bergan) Presidential Studies Quarterly 36 (2): 155-172. (June 2006).
“The Polls—Public Opinion and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld.” Presidential Studies Quarterly 36 (1): 117-127. (March 2006).
“The Polls—Trends: Obesity.” Public Opinion Quarterly 70 (2): 249-268. (Summer 2006).
“Vested Interests: Interest Group Resource Allocation in Presidential Campaigns.” Journal of Political Marketing 5 (1/2): 59-78. (June 2006). Reprinted in Campaigns and Political Marketing, Wayne Steger, Sean Kelly and J. Mark Wrighton, eds., Binghamton, NY: Hayworth Press. (2006).
“Political Consultants, Campaign Professionalization and Media Attention.” PS: Political Science 39 (4): 867-870. (October 2006).
“Grassroots Mobilization and Voter Turnout in 2004.” (with Donald Green, Alan Gerber and Daniel Bergan) Public Opinion Quarterly 69 (5): 760-778. (2005).
“The Parliamentary Election in Greece, March 2004.” (with Nikos Maratzidis) Electoral Studies 25 (2): 404-409. (June 2006).
“The Frontrunners 2008.” PS: Political Science 38 (4): 803-808. (October 2005).
“Follow the Money: Assessing the Allocation of E-Rate Funds.” Social Science Computer Review 23 (4): 502. (Winter 2005).
“Likely (and Unlikely) Voters and the Measurement of Campaign Dynamics.” (with Robert S. Erikson and Christopher Wlezien) Public Opinion Quarterly 68 (4): 588-602. (Winter 2004).
“The Polls—Trends: Electoral Reform.” Public Opinion Quarterly 68 (4): 623-641. (Winter 2004).
“Boy Talk/Girl Talk: Gender Differences in Political Campaign Communications.” Women & Politics 26 (3/4): 131-. (2004).
CONTRIBUTIONS: BOOK CHAPTERS, ENCYCLOPEDIAS
“Opinion and Election Polls.” (with Kathy Frankovic and Robert Shapiro). In Handbook of Statistics: Sample Surveys: Inference and Analysis, Danny Pfeffermann and C.R. Rao, eds. Amsterdam: Elsevier. (September 2009).
“The Politics of Economic Policy in a Polarized Era: The Case of George W. Bush.” (with Jeffrey Cohen). In Judging Bush, Robert Maranto, Tom Lansford and Jeremy Johnson, eds. Stanford University Press. (September 2009).
“Technology and the Modern Political Campaign.” In Politicking Online: The Transformation of Election Campaign Communications, Costas Panagopoulos, ed., Rutgers University Press (2009).
“Clicking for Cash: Campaigns, Donors, and the Emergence of Online Fund-Raising.” In Politicking Online: The Transformation of Election Campaign Communications, Costas Panagopoulos, ed., Rutgers University Press (2009).
“Special Interests and Political Campaigns,” “Radio and Politics,” “Talk Radio,” “Presidential Radio Address,” “Spin Doctors,” “News Management,” “Media Consultants,” (In Todd Schaefer et al. eds. Encyclopedia of Media and Politics. CQ Press. Forthcoming.)
“Ballot Access,” “Campaign Commercials,” “Campaign Expenditures,” “Hard Money,” “Help America Vote Act,” “Pre-primary Endorsement,” “Run-off Primaries,” “Targeting,” “Swing Ratio,” “Unit Rule,” “Voter Registration,” “Voting—Pocketbook Issues,” In Encyclopedia of American Parties and Elections, Larry J. Sabato & Howard R. Ernst, eds.. Facts on File Inc. (January 2005)
“Consequences of the Cyberstate: The Political Implications of Digital Government in International Context,” in Digital Government: Principles and Best Practices, G. David Garson, ed. Idea Group Publishers. (2003)
“The Political Implications of Digital Government” (with Paul M.A. Baker). In Digital Government: Principles and Best Practices, G. David Garson, ed. Idea Group Publishers. (2003)
BOOK REVIEWS
Allan Lichtman. The Keys to the White House, 2008 edition. Political Science Quarterly (forthcoming)
Michael Malbin, ed. The Election After Reform: Money, Politics, and the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act. Political Science Quarterly (Spring 2006)
George C. Edwards, On Deaf Ears: The Limits of the Bully Pulpit and Douglas A. Lathrop, The Campaign Continues: How Political Consultants and Campaign Tactics Affect Public Policy. Public Opinion Quarterly (Spring 2005).
William G. Mayer and Andrew E. Busch. The Front-Loading Problem in Presidential Nominations. Political Science Quarterly (Summer 2004).
Walter Shapiro, One-Car Caravan: On the Road with the 2004 Democrats Before America Tunes In. Political Science Quarterly (Spring 2004).
William G. Mayer. The Making of the Presidential Candidates 2004. Campaigns & Elections (May 2004).
CONSUMER PUBLICATIONS, OPINION
“Obama Supporter Oprah Takes a Big Dive.” Politico. April 7, 2008.
“Strategy Session: Could Bloomberg Enter in the Middle?” Politico. December 11, 2007.
“Ford Won the Public’s Affection.” Baltimore Sun. December 29, 2006.
“Polls: Democrats in Striking Distance for Senate.” (with Sheldon Gawiser and Tiffany Turner.” msnbc.com. October 2, 2006.
“Polls: Democrats Run Strong in Senate Races.” (with Sheldon Gawiser and Tiffany Turner.” msnbc.com. October 1, 2006.
“Calendar Games: Timing and Sequence in Presidential Selection.” Campaigns & Elections. December 2005.
“The Neglected Majority: Resource Allocation in Presidential Campaigns.” Campaigns & Elections, August 2004.
“Calendar Games: Timing and Sequence in Presidential Selection.” Campaigns & Elections. December 2005.
“The Neglected Majority: Resource Allocation in Presidential Campaigns. ” Campaigns & Elections, August 2004.
“Behind the Balloons: Political Consultants and the National Nominating Conventions.” Campaigns & Elections, July 2004.
“Politics After Pinochet: Chilean Election 2005.” Campaigns & Elections, July 2004 (with Raquel Villapando)
“South Africa Decides 2004.” Campaigns & Elections, June 2004. (with Christopher Cullen).
“Don’t Believe the Hype.” (Political Impact of “Fahrenheit 9/11”) Adweek, July 19, 2004.
“Part-E Politics: Investigating the Online Presence of American Political Parties.” Campaigns & Elections. September, 2003.
“Do Image-makers Need a Makeover? (Or, Why Do Americans Hate Political Consultants?) Assessing Public Perceptions About Political Consultants.”(with James Thurber). Campaigns & Elections. October/November, 2003.
“Primaries are Meaningless and Irrelevant for Many.” Op-Ed, Los Angeles Times, February 15, 2004.
“How Political Scientists Have Failed New Yorkers.” Op-ed, New York Sun, October 28, 2003.
“Voters in the Dark.” Letters to the Editor. Newsday, October 21, 2003.
“Buchanan: The No-Poll Pol.” Brandweek. March 4, 1996.
CONFERENCE PAPERS
“Turning Out, Cashing In: Extrinsic Rewards, Intrinsic Motivation and Voting.” Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April 2009.
“Thank You for Voting” Gratitude Expression and Voter Mobilization.” Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April 2009.
“Emotions, Motivation, and Prosocial Behavior: Field Experimental Tests of the Effects of Alternative Civic Duty Appeals on Voter Turnout.” Paper presented at the ISPS 40th Anniversary Conference, Yale University. November 2008.
“Name Recognition and Incumbency Advantage: Evidence from a Mass Media Field Experiment Targeting Latino Voters” (with Donald P. Green). Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, American Political Science Association. Boston, MA. September 2008.
“Spanish-Language Radio Advertisements and Latino Voter Turnout: Field Experimental Evidence” (with Donald P. Green). Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April 2008.
“Billboard Advertisements and Voter Turnout: Evidence from a Field Experiment” (with Shang Ha). Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April 2008.
“Street Signs: Experimental Evidence on the Impact of a Street Sign Campaign.” Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April 2007.
“Leveling the Playing Field: A Field Experiment Testing the Impact of Radio Advertisements on Electoral Competition.” (with Donald P. Green). Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, American Political Science Association. Philadelphia, PA, September 2006.
“The Impact of Newspaper Advertising on Voter Turnout: Evidence from a Field Experiment.” Paper presented at the Annual Meeting, American Political Science Association. Philadelphia, PA, September 2006.
“The Impact of Radio Advertisements on Voter Turnout: Evidence from a Field Experiment.” Paper Presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, April 2006.
“The Ground War 2000-2004: Strategic Targeting in Grassroots Campaigns.” (with Peter Weilhouwer).
Paper Presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, April 2006.
“Campaign Dynamics in Battleground and Non-battleground States.” Paper Presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, April 2006.
“Talk Softly and Carry a Big Stick? Candidate Quality and Campaign Communications Strategies.” Paper presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL. April 2005.
“The Calculus of Voting in Compulsory Voting Systems.” Paper presented at the Public Choice Society Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA. March 2005.
“Lady Luck? Female Political Consultants in American Campaigns (with David Dulio and Sarah Brewer); Paper presented at the Southern Political Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA. January 2005.
“Spotting the Running Men (and Women): Political Communication in the 2003 California Gubernatorial Recall Election; Paper presented at the "Faith, Fun and Futurama" APSA Political Communication Pre-conference, Chicago, IL. September 2004.
“The Kingmakers: Assessing Americans’ Attitudes Toward Political Consultants.” Paper presented at the American Association of Public Opinion Researchers Annual Meeting, Phoenix, AZ. May 2004.
“More Nobodies: Challenger Quality in U.S. Senate Elections, 1972-2000.” Paper Presented at the Midwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, April 2004.
“Movin’ On Up: Term Limits and Candidate Quality in U.S. House Elections, 1972-2000.” Paper presented at the Joint Conference on Term Limits and State and Local Government, Akron, OH. April 2004.
“Gender Differences in Challenger Quality in U.S. House Elections, 1972-2000.” Paper presented at the Women and American Political Campaigns Research Symposium, New York University, March 3, 2004.
“The 3/2’s Rule at Thirty: Resource Allocation in Presidential Campaigns.” Paper presented at the Northeast Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. November 6-8, 2003.
“Vested Interests: Interest Group Resource Allocation in Presidential Campaigns.” Paper presented at the Northeast Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. November 6-8, 2003.
“Likely (and Unlikely) Voters and the Measurement of Campaign Dynamics” (with Robert S. Erikson and Christopher Wlezien). Paper presented at the World Association of Public Opinion Researchers Annual Meeting. Prague, Czech Republic. September 19, 2003.
“Great Expectations: The Promise of Digital Government in the American States.” Poster presented at the American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA. August, 2003.
“Virtual Parties: Investigating the Online Presence of American Political Parties.” Paper presented at the New York Political Science Association Annual Meeting. Wagner College: Staten Island, New York. April 11, 2003.
“Not on the Run: Assessing Aggregate Challenger Quality in U.S. House Elections, 1972-2000.” Paper presented at the Midwest Association of Political Science Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. April, 2003.
“Boy Talk/Girl Talk: Gender Differences in Political Campaign Communications.” Paper presented at the Midwest Association of Political Science Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. April, 2003.
“Marching to the Beat of a Different Drum?: Examining the Political Behavior and Attitudes of Young Americans.” Poster presented at the Midwest Association of Political Science Annual Meeting. Chicago, IL. April, 2003.
DISSERTATION
Quality Control: Candidate Quality in U.S. Congressional Elections, 1972-2000.
Committee: Jonathan Nagler (Chair), Robert Erikson (Columbia), Anna Harvey, Richard Fleisher (Fordham)
INVITED PRESENTATIONS
“The Psychology of Choice in Low-Salience Elections.” Department of Political Science, University of California at San Diego, January 2009.
“Denver Showdown? The 2008 National Nominating Conventions.” Dole Institute. University of Kansas, April 2008.
“Presidential Nominating Conventions.” American University, April 2008.
“U.S. Presidential Elections.” China University of Political Science and Law. Beijing, China. May, 2007.
“Women and U.S. Elections.” Womens’ Campaign Fund, New York, May 2004.
“State Parties and the Internet: An Assessment” Democratic National Committee, Washington, DC, July, 2004.
WORK IN PROGRESS
“Turning Out, Cashing In: Extrinsic Rewards, Intrinsic Motivation and Voting.”
“Thank You for Voting: Gratitude Expression and Voter Mobilization.”
“Bringing Home the Bacon: Theory and Evidence on the Distribution of Congressional Earmarks.” (with Diana Evans).
“The Impact of Newspaper Advertisements on Voter Turnout: Evidence from a Field Experiment.”
“GOTV Message Timing and Voter Turnout: Field Experimental Evidence.”
“Cracking the Whip: The Role of Deputy Whips in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIPS
Professor Robert Erikson, Department of Political Science, Columbia University, Summer 2002.
Hon. Dr. John Brademas, President Emeritus, Department of Politics, New York University, Summer 20