EXPERTS ADVISORY

Note: For a complete list, visit 2016 Election Experts Guide.

Republicans and Democrats will formally select their presumptive candidates and outline platforms at the national conventions starting July 18 and July 25, respectively.

University of Michigan experts are available to offer their insights on voters, issues and the candidates:

Josh Pasek is an assistant professor of communication studies.

“With historically high unfavorable ratings for both party nominees, the conventions this year are going to be a particularly important moment for changing the message around both candidates,” he said. “With the rise of social media and rapid-response campaigning, however, the two parties may find it harder to fully control the messaging environment.”

Contact: 484-557-4594, jpasek@umich.edu

Vincent Hutchings, professor of political science, is an expert on public opinion, elections and voting behavior. He says the conventions now seek to galvanize the party base.

“It’s not like it was several decades ago where the conventions helped to decide who the nominees would be—so it’s not going to be as influential as it could be,” he said. “But it will still be important because now conventions mostly serve the role to help generate support and enthusiasm for the nominee.”

Contact: 734-764-6591, vincenth@umich.edu

Michael Traugott, professor emeritus of communication studies and senior research scientist at the Center for Political Studies at the Institute for Social Research, is an authority on political communication, public opinion, media polling and campaign surveys.

“The 2016 conventions present contrasting views of the parties’ nominees as the general election campaign kicks off,” he said. “For the Democrats, once the platform disagreements are resolved, the convention will become political theater that involves an organized script that describes who Hillary Clinton is and her vision for America. On the Republican side, however, there is still too much uncertainty about support for Donald Trump, and the message coming out of the convention is likely to be less well orchestrated and unified, especially given the number of party leaders who are refusing to attend.”

Contact: 734-763-4702, mtrau@umich.edu

Mark Fendrick, professor of internal medicine and health management and policy, can discuss how health care is figuring in this election. He directs the Center for Value-Based Insurance Design.

“While there are many areas where the parties differ on health care, bipartisan support is growing for ways to consider not just the cost, but the value, of screening and treatment options in federal insurance programs,” he said. “These represent areas of opportunity for progress no matter the outcome of the election.”

Contact: amfen@umich.edu

Arthur Lupia, professor of political science and research professor at the Center for Political Studies, examines how people make decisions when they lack information and in how they manage complex information flows. He says that Sen. Bernie Sanders’ unconditional and enthusiastic support of Hillary Clinton during and after the convention will be important.

“Senator Sanders must join Secretary Clinton at key moments after the convention. Such appearances would help signal to many Sanders supporters that Clinton needs their vote,” he said. “Also, watch for Donald Trump to have an attention-grabbing strategy during the Democratic convention. While there has been a tradition for partisans to be somewhat quiet during the other party’s convention, this is exactly the type of long-standing political practice that Trump loves to destroy.”

Contact: 734-647-7549, lupia@umich.edu (Lupia is traveling through July 22, but can be reached by email)