Campbell Institute News

Shana Gadarian, associate professor of political science, says those who pay attention to politics tend to be more partisan and often set aside information they find inconsistent with their beliefs. "To the extent that you like this administration," she says, "you might say this is just the way business is done. This isn’t a concern."

"If something big is revealed—an impeachable offense by the president—that could be a significant factor in creating a blue (Democratic) wave," says Grant Reeher, professor of political science and director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. On the other hand, he says, if the investigations end with nothing really significant or new "it gives power to President Trump's narrative that it has all been a witch hunt, which could give Republicans a boost."

"It has obviously been an enormous distraction for the administration," says Grant Reeher, professor of political science. "Whatever the amount of political capital [Trump had], it has been diminished."

Kristi Andersen, professor emeritus of political science, discussed Gina Haspel, President Trump's nominee for director of the CIA, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and New York's 22nd congressional district, and the resignation of New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.

"I believe I've spent enough time within sisters' domain to understand it, to speak its language, and to interpret and present it all to others. In this, I may have an advantage that insiders do not in presenting that world to a wider audience that really ought to know about it," writes Margaret S. Thompson, associate professor of history and political science.

"With the mid-term congressional elections coinciding with the gubernatorial primary contest, Nixon and Cuomo are both seeking to project themselves as 'resister in chief',” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science and director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute.

Shana Gadarian, associate professor of political science, argues that stereotypes are a difficulty of a two-party system in which people who disagree with some of the views of their party have two options -- change attitudes or switch parties.

"Certainly, he [President Trump] won't be shy about using executive powers—that will be the same—but Obama also used his remaining time, especially in his second term, to exercise the rhetorical presidency," says Grant Reeher, professor of political science and director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute.

"McSally has voted in favor of funding border fencing and wall construction," Elizabeth Cohen, associate professor of political science, says. "Cautious support may in fact ultimately be quite important to the realization of effective border security given that there are many types of border fences and walls that are ineffective or dangerous."

John Palmer, University Professor and dean emeritus of the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, has been named a Syracuse University mace bearer. The charter mace is an ancient symbol of authority and represents the University’s mission and integrity.

"There are a lot of things that make it tough for mayors to emerge as presidential candidates and I think its because of the fact that their records are always going to be impeachable, and the constituencies that they tend to represent have a harder time being seen around the rest of the country," says Grant Reeher, professor of political science. 

Sean O'Keefe, University Professor and Howard G. and S. Louise Phanstiel Chair in Strategic Management and Leadership, says no one will really know when the Chinese space station will hit the earth until about an hour before it happens and, after the station enters the atmosphere, any debris that remains will fall to the ground in less than 20 minutes, likely flaming.

Thomas Keck writes about shifting tax laws pursued by the GOP that will hit New Yorkers hard, as the tax burden shifts from some taxpayers to others. "One of its most controversial provisions establishes a cap of $10,000 for deducting state and local taxes, the primary source of funding government services and public education in New York.

"If I can just show that you drew this district to punish Republicans, then that’s a violation of the free speech rights and association rights of Republicans, and it shifts the burden onto the state to prove that they weren’t," says Keith Bybee, professor of political science and vice dean of the College of Law.