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Political Science

When it comes to vice presidential candidates, there's a lot at stake for Biden and Sanders

When it comes to vice presidential candidates, there's a lot at stake for Biden and Sanders

Dan Hopkins of the School of Arts and Sciences spoke about the supposed hometown advantage presidential candidates may have when choosing a running mate from that state. “What I found is that presidential candidates used to enjoy a sizable electoral bonus in the state that they were from, but that has declined over time,” he said. “Vice presidential candidates never generated quite that much bonus, but whatever bonus they did generate is now indistinguishable from zero and maybe, on average, about half a percentage point.”

Coronavirus and the election
One person voting behind a curtain in one of a row of three voting booths

Coronavirus and the election

Political science professor Marc Meredith shares his thoughts with Penn Today on what the coronavirus pandemic could mean for primaries, traditional campaigning activities, and voter turnout.

Kristen de Groot

In Ohio, a Republican governor has taken aggressive steps to contain coronavirus before coming an outbreak hotspot

In Ohio, a Republican governor has taken aggressive steps to contain coronavirus before coming an outbreak hotspot

Julia Lynch of the School of Arts and Sciences said it’s not unusual that the U.S. policy response to the coronavirus has varied across states and localities. “What is unusual from a comparative perspective right now is that there is probably less coordinated national level leadership than one would usually see in a crisis,” she said.

Power to the protest: Daniel Gillion on protest movements
rendering of cartoon humans in line with flags and protest signs waiting to climb a ladder to stuff their vote into a life-size ballot box

Power to the protest: Daniel Gillion on protest movements

The political science professor’s new book, “The Loud Minority,” traces the impact of protest movements on legislation, voting, and other aspects of American democracy.

Penn Today Staff

Understanding what makes a fact a fact
Sophie Rosenfeld and Sigal Ben-Porath in College Hall

Understanding what makes a fact a fact

Professor of History Sophie Rosenfeld and Professor of Education Sigal Ben-Porath unite their perspectives on truth for Penn Today's first “Understand This ...” podcast episode.
Super Tuesday takeaways
A line of people waiting to vote outside on a city sidewalk, a child points to a Vote Here sign taped to a colorful wall painted with a mural.

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Super Tuesday takeaways

Super Tuesday votes in 14 states offered some surprises and seem to have dramatically transformed the Democratic bid for president.

Kristen de Groot