EagleEye

Farnsworth Lectures on Research Techniques in Political Communication

Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Affairs Stephen Farnsworth recently presented a public lecture, “Researching Political Communication: Using Public Opinion Data and Content Analysis,” at Lady Shri Ram College of the University of Delhi. The talk drew on Farnsworth’s recently published book, “Presidential Communication and Character: White House News Management Strategies from Clinton and Cable to Twitter and Trump.” Farnsworth recently served as a U.S.-India Fulbright Specialist in New Delhi.

Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:

Why data centers are becoming a top economic issue ahead of this fall’s midterms (WTOP)
With Election Day about three weeks away, political analysts largely agree the economy is the top issue on voters’ minds as they prepare to cast their ballots. But data centers, and the impact they’re having on communities across the country, fall under that category, according to Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington.

Warner seeks a final term as Mizusawa makes his case for change (Virginia Mercury; News from the States; Yahoo News)
“Republicans have not made this race a priority,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington. Warner’s reputation as a centrist works in his favor, Farnsworth said, but Trump’s unpopularity and voters’ frustration over high prices would likely benefit almost every Democrat. 

Canada Learns a Lesson—But not the one that Trump Wanted (FXBG Advance)
With his latest round of trade barriers imposed on our northern neighbor, President Trump boasted that Canada is “being taught a little lesson” in international trade. Well, Canada has learned a lesson, but it is not the one that the president had in mind.

Vindman faces crowded field and economic pressures in Virginia’s 7th District Congressional race (Virginia Mercury; News from the States; InsideNoVa.com)
“A key issue to appreciate in the 7th District is the economic squeeze that people are feeling,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington. “A lot of people in this district have had to deal with very high housing prices, and the cost of living generally is quite high in Northern Virginia.”

Dems Might Just Have a Shot in This Very Unlikely District (The New Republic; MSN)
Experts who spoke to The New Republic emphasized that, despite the favorable political circumstances, the odds are still in Republicans’ favor in Virginia’s 5th district. But there’s a larger story at play. “Democrats can win the House without Virginia five,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington. But “the fact that Virginia five is increasingly seen as competitive speaks to what a challenging environment Republicans are facing this fall.”

Republicans redraw Texas voting districts (Fox News)
“If the close districts, the 52 43 percent Republican districts that could have been 60 percent Republican districts under the old lines flipped to Democrats you may not see any gains at all,” said Stephen Farnsworth.

Looking Ahead: Early Voting in Virginia (DC News; MSN)
Stephen Farnsworth with the University of Mary Washington breaks down the numbers and what kind of impact it could have on the upcoming elections.

Anti-abortion doctors ask Virginians not to think of Trump when voting (WVTF; WHRO)
And University of Mary Washington political science professor emeritus Stephen Farnsworth says midterm elections are famously linked to the sitting president. “The Trump administration and Republican efforts to restrict access to abortion has really nationalized the abortion issue,” Farnsworth said in an interview Friday. “Even though, of course, we’re talking about a state constitutional amendment here in Virginia.”

Interview with Dr. Farnsworth (The Learning Curve)
The key thing to remember about political humor is that it scratches an itch that humans have, wherever they live.

Abortion, gay marriage and felon voting referendums add a twist to midterm ballot in Virginia (Washington Times)
Stephen Farnsworth, professor emeritus of political science at the University of Mary Washington, said Democrats have the momentum on both ballot measures. “The big gains in Democratic voting in Virginia last year, coupled with the president’s unpopularity in Virginia, suggest opponents of all the constitutional amendments have their work cut out for them,” he said.