May 5, 2024

Farnsworth Lectures on Political Humor at American University

Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth

Professor of Political Science and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of Political Science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently presented a lecture, “Late-Night Comedy Never Tires of Donald Trump” at American University in Washington. The talk was derived from portions of Dr. Farnsworth’s recently published co-authored book,  Late-Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency.

In addition, recent media mentions for Farnsworth include:

General Assembly opens with bipartisan skepticism of Youngkin’s proposed sales tax increase (Cardinal News)
“I think primarily this session will be about defining Democratic and Republican visions for the elections to come,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. “Youngkin’s proposal to adjust taxes did not get a warm welcome from the Democratic majority, and that early impasse may be a sign of continuing partisan disagreements in 2024.”
Iowa GOP caucuses: The key support level for Trump to hit, and how Haley becoming the nominee looks ‘possible — just not probable’ (MarketWatch; Morningstar)
“There’s an incentive to stay in the race because of the possibility that Trump may be convicted of a criminal offense,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington in Virginia.
Trump’s Immunity Hearing Concludes (CTV News)
“If you look at the questions, this looks to be a bad, bad ruling for Donald Trump when it comes out,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Prof. Stephen J. Farnsworth as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar in Spring 2024 (University of Warsaw)
We are delighted to announce that next semester ASC will be hosting Professor Stephen J. Farnsworth as a Fulbright Distinguished Scholar.
3-year anniversary of Jan 6. Capitol riot (CTV News)
“Well, what you see now is a very different perspective on the events of January 6th from many Republicans,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=2841468
Biden Campaign Kicks Off for 2024 Election (CP24 Toronto)
“This is very much a keyway for Joe Biden to shape the conversation to his advantage. One, he was born in Pennsylvania. Two, Pennsylvania is a big swing state,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Biden to Launch Campaign Today (CTV News Channel)
“The big challenge that Joe Biden faces right now as he is running for re-election is the possibility that a lot of people who were enthusiastic about him four years ago won’t be turning out in a 2024 election,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Multiple venues on the 2024 presidential campaign trail (Fox News)
“Without evidence, you simply cannot persuade those suburban voters who will sometimes vote Republican and sometimes vote Democratic, that the Republicans are doing the right thing in the House,” said University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth. “As much as the far-right conservatives in the safe seats are going to want this impeachment inquiry to move forward, the reality is that doing so may very well cost the Republicans their majority.”
Town Talk: UMW’s Dr. Stephen Farnsworth (News Talk WFVA)
Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington looks at the Presidential election and the Virginia General Assembly.
More than three dozen House members not seeking re-election (Fox News)
“The reality in doing so is they may cost the Republicans their majority,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
This Year Was A Warning To Republicans Running On Anti-Abortion Platforms In 2024 (The Huffington Post)
“Republicans might have had a more appealing environment for talking about abortion when Roe v. Wade was the law of the land because then the conversation was theoretical,” Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington, told HuffPost ahead of the Virginia elections in November.
Supreme Court reject to fast-track Trump decision (CP24-TV Toronto)
“Well, of course, the Supreme Court did not decide on the merits of the claim either way. What they did say is that we are not going to expedite the process,” said Stephen Farnsworth.
Lots of talk, perhaps not much action in 2024 General Assembly (The Daily Progress; Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“I think the session will be about signaling for upcoming elections,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington.
Fierce battle looms as parties vie for House majority in upcoming election (Your Alaska Link)
“The reality is that doing so may very well cost the Republicans their majority,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor at the University of Mary Washington.
Republicans’ Turbulent Year Comes to an End (Newsweek)
Dr. Stephen J. Farnsworth, professor of political science and international affairs and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, told Newsweek the GOP “did not do itself any favors with all the infighting during 2023” but that policy issues will dominate the 2024 elections.
From holiday to hustings, Virginia’s election cycle begins anew (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“It’s clear that Virginia needs a new slogan — Virginia is for election junkies,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the Center for Media and Leadership Studies at Mary Washington University in Fredericksburg.

Third Parties could decide 2024 elections in the United States (Brazil de Fato)
“It’s not to say that a third-way candidate can’t win an election in the US, but the Electoral College system makes it very unlikely that a third-party presidential candidate will be anything more than a small part of the debate,” said Professor Stephen Farnsworth, from the University of Mary Washington.
https://www.brasildefato.com.br/2023/12/20/terceira-via-pode-decidir-eleicoes-de-2024-nos-estados-unidos

How proposed budget would eliminate ‘most hated tax in Virginia’ (WTOP-FM)Getting rid of the long-standing car tax would likely be popular, but it’s an unoriginal idea, according to Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, Virginia.https://wtop.com/virginia/2023/12/how-proposed-budget-would-eliminate-most-hated-tax-in-virginia/

Youngkin budget proposal seeks income tax decrease, sales tax increase (VPM Media)“A governor’s year-three budget is the last major effort to shape the trajectory of Virginia,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. “For a governor, the proposal is written with an eye to the future of the governor’s professional trajectory.”https://www.vpm.org/news/2023-12-20/virginia-legacy-budget-taxes-mental-health-glenn-youngkin

Race to Replace Rep. Jennifer Wexton in Northern Virginia Gets Crowded (The Washington Post, The New York Ledger)
“Virginia 10 is a more competitive district than a lot of them, and, as such, it represents an uncommon chance for both celebrations to challenge for a critical home seat in a critical state,” stated Stephen J. Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2023/12/16/wexton-10th-congressional-district-crowded/
https://thenyledger.com/news/race-to-replace-rep-jennifer-wexton-in-northern-virginia-gets-crowded/

‘The Briefing’ With Steve Scully (Sirius XM)
“I think that one of the things we need to recognize is that today’s young people are really not getting the news from the traditional sources,” said UMW Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth. “Now increasingly we find that young people are finding out about politics through political humor, through these late-night shows.”