Media Advisory: SF State experts available to comment on presidential election
SAN FRANCISCO, July 25, 2012 -- San Francisco State University has faculty experts from political science, ethnic studies and communication studies available to comment on the 2012 presidential election. For additional assistance reaching an expert, contact the Office of University Communications at (415) 338-1665.
Presidential campaign:
Robert C. Smith, professor of political science, is a nationally recognized expert and author on U.S. politics and African-American politics. Smith can discuss the presidential election, President Barack Obama's first term in office and the impact of candidates' race and religion on their bid for the presidency. His forthcoming book compares how Obama and John F. Kennedy dealt with their racial and religious identities in their election campaigns.
Contact Smith at (415) 338-7524 (office) or rcs@sfsu.edu
Media and campaign communications:
Joseph Tuman, professor of communication studies, is an expert on campaign strategy and communications, and is the author of "Political Communication in American Campaigns." Tuman can comment on campaign advertising and financing, candidates' interaction with the news media, candidates' tone and language choice and the role of gender in campaign politics. He is available to comment for print media only.
Contact Tuman at (415) 338-1813 (office) or joetuman@sfsu.edu
Melissa Camacho, associate professor of broadcasting and electronic communication arts, can discuss how candidates are portrayed in the mass media, particularly television. An expert on feminism, Camacho can comment on the depiction of women involved in the presidential campaigns. She is available for interviews in Spanish and English.
Contact Camacho at (415) 338-6526 (office) or mcamacho@sfsu.edu
Race, religion, ethnicity and immigration:
Russell Jeung, associate professor of Asian American studies, is an expert on Asian American culture and politics. He has conducted research on how race and religion influence Asian American voting behavior. Jeung can discuss the diversity of the Asian American community, which includes nine ethnic groups and 11 religions, the presidential candidates' appeal to this demographic and reasons for low voting rates among Asian Americans.
Contact Jeung at (415) 338-7586 (office) or rjeung@sfsu.edu
David Lee, lecturer in political science, is an expert on Asian American politics including voting rights and bilingual access for civic participation. Lee is a longtime community organizer in San Francisco's Asian American neighborhoods and served for almost 20 years as executive director of the nonpartisan Chinese American Voters Education Committee (CAVEC).
Contact Lee at (415) 397-8133 (office) or cavec1@aol.com
Andrew Jolivette, associate professor and chair of American Indian studies, is an expert on mixed-race identity and is author of the book "Obama and the Biracial Factor: The Battle for a New American Majority." He can discuss how Obama and the media choose to identify his racial identity, Obama's appeal to people of color and whether Obama has changed perceptions of race relations in the U.S.
Contact Jolivette at (415) 338-2701 (office) or ajoli@sfsu.edu
Belinda Reyes, associate professor of Raza studies, can discuss the Latino vote and immigration issues, including the DREAM Act. She is available for interviews in Spanish and English.
Contact Reyes at (415) 405-7586 (office) or reyesb@sfsu.edu
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