The 2012 election is heating up fast and few are following it as closely as Matt Levendusky, Assistant Professor of Political Science. From his research for his book The Partisan Sort: How Liberals Became Democrats and Conservatives Became Republicans to his current examination of partisan media outlets, Professor Levendusky offers a unique take on the political process. In this Q&A, Levendusky examines the extenuating factors that can influence an ordinary voter’s political opinions. Listen below for what we can expect to see in the remaining months of the campaign, and how it might affect you, the voter.
Your research examines elite polarization. What are the consequences of this trend?
Does polarization affect Democratic and Republican parties equally?
How influential are partisan media outlets?
Will these outlets continue to build momentum or will they ultimately plateau and become less significant?
How might activity from Super PACs affect the campaign?
What will be the most important issue of the 2012 election?
