Media Contact:
For help contacting the expert listed below, contact Chad Austin, NC State News Services, 919/515-3470.

Jan. 16, 2004

NC State Political Experts Can Discuss Impact of Iowa Caucuses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

As the nation’s first candidate nominating event of the presidential season, the Iowa caucuses play a major role in the race for the U.S. presidency. On Monday, each of the 1,997 precincts in Iowa will host a caucus to elect delegates, alternates and convention committee members to the county conventions. Delegates represent a percentage of support for a presidential candidate from a particular precinct. Two North Carolina State University political experts are available to discuss various aspects of the Iowa caucuses with the news media.

Dr. Craig Allen Smith, head of NC State’s Department of Communication who is teaching a class this semester on political campaign communication, will be attending the caucuses and examining how the caucuses are covered on a local and national level as well as how the caucuses impact the democratic process. Smith is able to provide firsthand accounts of his observations from the caucuses. He can be reached on his cell phone at 919/280-3583.

Dr. Andrew Taylor, associate professor of political science at NC State, can be reached at 919/515-8618. He can discuss how caucuses work, their importance in deciding the eventual Democratic presidential nominee and how the caucuses might affect U.S. Sen. John Edwards’ bid for the presidency.

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