Center for Leadership and Media Studies Archives

Farnsworth Comments in the News

March 30, 2021 by Guest Author

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

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently commented on the following news stories:

‘Election integrity’ becomes key buzzword in VA GOP race (The Washington Post; Star Tribune; Las Vegas Sun; CBS19 News)

Local Va. House of Delegates races draw a crowd (Prince William Times)

Biden Convenes First Cabinet Meeting (CTV News Channel)

Virginia Republican convention candidates set for May 8 (WINA)

Supporters Say McClellan is ‘Voice That Virginia Needs to Hear’ (RVA)

Johnny Carson and Political Humor (C-SPAN)

McClellan Vies for VA Governor Seat After 15 Years in Legislature (Virginia Patch)

The Never-ending Gun Debate (CTV News Channel)

McClellan vies for governor seat after 15 years in legislature (NBC12; Fauquier-Times)

Still barred from major platforms, Trump weighs launching new social network (KIMA CBS 29; NBC 15; abc6onyourside.com)

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, sfarnswo

Farnsworth Lectures on American Democracy to Malaysian Students

March 8, 2021 by Guest Author

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

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently delivered an online lecture, “Reviewing the 2020 U.S. Elections: Challenges to American Democracy in the Post-Trump Era,” at Methodist College Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Dr. Farnsworth served as a Fulbright Specialist at MCKL during 2019.

Dr. Farnsworth also commented on the following news stories:

Lawmakers vote to remove Jefferson Davis’ name from highway (The Washington Post; WFXR TV; Inside NOVA; WTVR; Prince William Times)

State GOP looks to using more than one site for convention (The Washington Post)

Northam Endorses Herring Rival in Attorney General Race (WVTF)

Examining Next Steps for Legislation Passed During 2021 Session (WVTF)

Effort to Eliminate Mandatory Minimums Met a Disappointing End, But Will Likely be Back (WVTF)

U.S. Accelerates Vaccine Timeline (CTV News Channel)

U.S. Congress Passes $1.9T Rescue Plan (CTV News Channel)

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Studies, sfarnswo

Farnsworth Comments in the News

February 21, 2021 by Guest Author

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, has been quoted in several regional, national and international news stories:

How blue is Trump’s shadow in Virginia? This year’s governor’s race is already shaping up as a key barometer. (The Washington Post)

Census delay could complicate some Fredericksburg-area supervisors, school board elections (The Free Lance-Star)

Snyder pushes to fully reopen schools, businesses in GOP bid for Virginia Governor (Potomac Local News)

Trump Eyes a Political Comeback (CTV News Channel)

MCKL holding free live webinar on reviewing the 2020 U.S. Election (Citizens Journal)

Biden’s $1.9T Rescue Package (CTV News Channel)

From savior to bully: Is Cuomo’s hardball style falling out of favor? (The Christian Science Monitor)

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, sfarnswo

Farnsworth Pens Editorial on Johnny Carson for ‘Great Lives’ Lecture

February 5, 2021 by Guest Author

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth, who is also the director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, penned an editorial piece in advance of his Great Lives lecture on late-night legend Johnny Carson. He is the author or co-author of seven books, most recently, “Late Night with Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency.”

FOR THREE decades, from 1962 to 1992, Johnny Carson dominated late night television in a way that no entertainer ever has or ever will.

In a career containing more than 5,000 episodes of “The Tonight Show,” Carson tucked Americans in at night with his signature mix of mostly gentle barbs directed at political figures and his immense roster of usually compelling guests.

Of course, to say that Carson dominated television during his era is to understate the case. By every measure, not only was he first—he was so far ahead of the competition that it hardly mattered who placed second.

At its peak, Carson’s 90-minute show generated roughly 17 percent of all NBC’s profits, an astonishing share of income from a single program, and one that aired after the prime television viewing hours.

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, sfarnswo

Farnsworth Lectures on Electoral College

January 25, 2021 by Guest Author

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently delivered an online lecture, “The Electoral College and U.S. Presidential Elections: Continuing Controversies,” to the City of Manassas Museums for its Stories of Preservation and Progress Series. Watch here.

He also offered insight in a number of recent regional, national and international news stories:

Short and … sweet? (Virginia Business)

The challenges ahead of a Biden Presidency (CTV News Channel)

‘Others will continue to fan the flames of extremism’: Political scientists on how Trump’s legacy will change America (The Independent UK)

Midlothian supervisor Leslie Haley to run for attorney general (Chesterfield Observer)

President Trump, Impeachment, and the Republican Identity Crisis (CJAD)

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, sfarnswo

Farnsworth and Seltzer Deliver Research Paper on Political Humor

January 14, 2021 by Guest Author

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, and Kate Seltzer, a UMW senior double majoring in political science and communication, are co-authors of a research paper, “Late Night Political Humor and the 2020 Presidential Nomination Campaign: A Democratic Field Competes with Donald Trump,” which was delivered (online) at the Annual Meeting of the Southern Political Science Association earlier this month. The paper is an update of Professor Farnsworth’s recent co-authored book, Late Night With Trump: Political Humor and the American Presidency.

Farnsworth also recently delivered an online lecture, “Reviewing the 2020 U.S. Election: The Challenges of Democracy in Practice,” to the University of Malaysia, Sabah. Professor Farnsworth was a Fulbright Specialist at Methodist College Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during Summer 2019.

He also offered insight in a number of recent regional, national and international news stories:

Taking a Look at What to Expect from the 2021 General Assembly Session (WVTF)

After fueling a blue tide, Democrats in changing Virginia suburb aim high for more influence (The Washington Post; Stamford Advocate)

Big ideas face the hard reality of coronavirus as Virginia General Assembly prepares to convene (The Washington Post)

Trump supporters engage in historic attacks on U.S. democracy on a day reserved to celebrate it (The Globe and Mail)

U.S. Capitol on Lockdown (CTV News Channel)

Facebook Blocks Page of Virginia State Senator Who Spread Conspiracy Theories on Capitol Riot (dcist)

Analysis: What changes Republicans, Trump and Biden face after the storming of the Capitol (Globe and Mail, Toronto)

Divide deepens in Virginia GOP as Democrats renew calls for Trump’s early ouster (Virginia Mercury)

Democrats Unveil Articles of Impeachment (CTV News Channel)

Trump Faces Second Impeachment (CTV News Channel)

Can President Trump issue pardons while impeached? Experts at odds (ctvnews.ca)

“It will be very difficult for Biden to govern with the scenario that Trump leaves him” (La Razon of Spain)

“I didn’t see a focus on issues,” says Lee Carter in explanation of candidacy for Governor (Virginia Scope)

McAuliffe announces huge fundraising numbers (Virginia Scope; Henrico Citizen)

Saturday Night Live seeks fresh Biden as political comedy faces new era (The Guardian)

Viewpoints with Todd Vanderheyden (iheart.com)

3 Prince William Supervisors Walked Out Of Unconscious Bias Training In Protest (dcist.com)

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, kseltzer, sfarnswo

Farnsworth Comments in the News

December 12, 2020 by Guest Author

Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth

Trump Supporters Rally in Washington (CTV News Channel)

Virginia Parole System Scrutinized After COVID Missteps (Courthouse NewsService)

Noted professor addresses Mary Washington ElderStudy (The Free Lance-Star)

Trump’s Lawsuits (CP24.com)

McAuliffe’s ‘powerful trifecta,’ advantages heading into race for Virginia Governor (WSET)

Former Virginia Governor Wants Old Job Back (Courthouse News Service)

Biden to Americans “Wear Mask for 100 Days” (CTV News Channel)

Terry McAuliffe to seek a second term as Virginia governor (The Washington Post; WBAP; Laredo Morning Times)

As Carroll Foy Resigns, Other Lawmakers Weigh Options for 2021 Campaigning (WVTF)

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, sfarnswo

Farnsworth Lectures on Presidential Election Results

December 2, 2020 by Guest Author

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently delivered an online lecture, “Reviewing the 2020 Election: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly,” to The Woman’s Club of Richmond. Professor Farnsworth also fielded more than 90 news media calls on the US Presidential Election during October and November.

Professor Farnsworth also has been quoted in several regional, national and international news stories:

Transition agreed, but no concession yet (CP24.com)

A Look at Why So Many House of Delegates Members are Running for Statewide Offices (WVTF)

Trump Pardons Michael Flynn (CTV News Channel)

Examining the Future of the Republican Party Post Trump? Look No Further than Virginia (WVTF)

Virginia Lawmakers Could Run for Two Seats at Once (VPM NPR)

Viewpoints with Todd Vanderheyden (CJAD Radio Montreal)

Can Trump pre-emptively pardon himself? (CTV News Channel)

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, sfarnswo

Farnsworth Comments in the News

November 15, 2020 by Guest Author

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies

Election 2020: Winners and losers from Virginia, Maryland and D.C. (The Washington Post)

Like state and nation, Fredericksburg area voters split between early voting and Election Day (The Free Lance-Star)

Trump and Voter Fraud Postings on Twitter (Voice of America)

Biden Slams Transition Delay (CTV News Channel)

Trump Seemingly Acknowledges Biden Victory (CTV News Channel)

Next Steps for Joe Biden (CTV News Channel)

Trump vs. Biden: the Final Showdown (CJAD)

Biden wins Chesterfield, easily. Can Republicans win it back? (Chesterfield Observer)

Spanberger navigates partisan winds, defeats Freitas (Chesterfield Observer)

The joke’s on us: what happens to comedy post-Trump? (brisbanetimes.com)

Virginia Republicans see 2021 as an opportunity to compete statewide (Virginia Scope)

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, sfarnswo

Farnsworth Interview Broadcast on C-SPAN

October 14, 2020 by Guest Author

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies

Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science and director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, recently delivered an online lecture, “Political Humor and the American Presidency,” that was broadcast on C-SPAN. The talk was part of the UMW’s “Mary Talks” program.

Watch here: https://www.c-span.org/video/?475970-1/late-night-trump

Dr. Farnsworth also has commented on the following national or regional news stories:

Red to Blue in the 2020 Election (podcasts.apple.com)

Senate Questioning Amy Coney Barrett (CTV News Channel)

Trump’s First Sit-Down Since COVID-19 Diagnosis (CVT News Channel)

VP Debate (CP24.com)

House race outspends presidential campaign in Virginia (The Washington Post; CBS News 19)

5th District Congressional Race Called “Toss-Up” (Fauquier Channel 1)

While spending large amounts of cash, Democrats and Republicans take a different approach in the field (Virginia Scope)

Spanberger, Freitas race outspends presidential campaign in Virginia (Culpeper Star-Exponent)

Filed Under: Professional Notes Tagged With: Center for Leadership and Media Studies, Department of Political Science and International Affairs, sfarnswo