Emory’s top national political experts analyze current developments in national politics as the Republican race moves to South Carolina.  See our Election 2012 page for additional experts.

Merle Black: Composure will be key for Romney

Emory’s Merle Black, the foremost authority on politics in the South, says the biggest challenge for Republican front-runner Mitt Romney is to show leadership through the onslaught of personal attacks coming from fellow candidates in what is so far a typically rough South Carolina Republican primary.  

Black, Emory's Asa G. Candler Professor of Politics and Government, is one of the nation's most incisive commentators and coauthor of "Divided America: The Ferocious Power Struggle in American Politics." The groundbreaking work was the first to detail the country's distinct regional differences to assess the driving forces of partisanship in national politics.  

Ron Paul has potential to leverage influence, support  

Emory political scientist Andra Gillespie, an expert on national politics, political participation and mobilization, analyzes the results of the New Hampshire primary and previews what to expect in the South Carolina vote Jan. 21.  

Gillespie’s recent research examines “post-racial” African American leadership. She is author of the forthcoming book, “The New Black Politician:  Cory Booker, Newark and Post-Racial America.”  

Polls show S.C. likely last stand for some candidates

Emory political science professor and election forecasting expert Alan Abramowitz discusses the polls leading up to the primary and what it would take for a candidate to overtake the front-runner, Mitt Romney.

Abramowitz, the Alben W. Barkley Professor of Political Science, is a renowned expert on national politics, polling and elections. His expertise includes election forecasting models, party realignment in the United States, congressional elections and the effects of political campaigns on the electorate. His election forecasting model has correctly and precisely predicted the popular presidential vote since the 1988 election.  His new book on polarization in American politics, "The Polarized Public? Why Our Government is So Dysfunctional," will be published in 2012.