Andy Taylor

Prof: Bill titles matter to public

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:42:00 -0400

Andy Taylor says bill titles are all about framing.

The N.C. State University professor said that most legislators know the substance of a bill by the time they vote on it, so a misleading or vague title won't help.

"A fancy title or some kind of framing should not fool them," he said. "But bills are also packaged for public consumption as well, and the public is not quite as informed."

He said that one key is whether the media picks up the official title or reports on the effects on the bill instead.

"The media are a very important intermediary here," he told Dome. "It really depends on people like you and people like myself — how political commentators, columnists and reporters discuss these things."

Big win will take Hagan only so far

bniolet — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:37:19 -0500

For now, Democrat Kay Hagan has the power and celebrity befitting someone who has just toppled one of America's best-known political women. Come January, as a freshman in the U.S. Senate, she'll have to translate attention into action.

"She'll be visible because of who she's slain, that's for sure," said Andrew Taylor, a political scientist at N.C. State University. "She's the one who brought down Elizabeth Dole, but that and $3.50 will get you a cup of coffee."

Plenty of Hagan's new co-workers already know her. She has been hosted at fundraisers across the country, and she benefited from millions of dollars in advertising from the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, run by Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York. Several senators visited the Tar Heel state on her behalf.

Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, the calls poured in -- from Schumer, and from Sens. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Amy Klobuchar, Ben Nelson and Claire McCaskill. She appeared on the "Today" show. (N&O)

Taylor: McCain, Dole, Perdue

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 09:47:46 -0500

Andy Taylor thinks it will be the usual N.C. fare.

The N.C. State politics professor and ubiquitous academic commentator picks John McCain, Elizabeth Dole and Beverly Perdue to win in North Carolina.

"I have a feeling that it's going to be all 'incumbents' or all the fresh faces—no mixed result," he writes Dome. "Of the two I have a slight hunch that it will be the former—McCain, Dole and Perdue. All very, very close. Not for any particular reason other than a hunch."

Meet the Pundit: Andy Taylor

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:46:22 -0400

Andy Taylor is the press corps' favorite professor.

As chairman of the political science department at N.C. State University in Raleigh, Taylor is often turned to for an academic take on the day's events.

There are several reasons: Taylor is pithy, neutral and accessible. For television reporters in need of a talking head, he's a short drive away. And his British accent is a nice change-up for radio reporters in need of an expert.

Taylor attributes his readiness to talk to the press to his job.

"It's an important part of our job responsibilities at N.C. State as a public institution," he said. "One of our charges is that we're here not just to serve our students but also the greater community. I take very personally the responsibility to inform the public."

He's also a reliably neutral source, more likely to talk about the history or context of a news story than to take a stand on an issue. He says his students regularly complain in their course evaluations that they don't know where he stands.

For years, Taylor had an excuse: As a British citizen, he couldn't vote.

"I could honestly say I didn't have a dog in the fight," he said.

More after the jump.

Why outside money is pouring into N.C.

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 11:55:20 -0400

Outside money is pouring into North Carolina's races.

N.C. State political science professor Andy Taylor sees several reasons why third-party groups are spending millions attacking U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole and Republican gubernatorial nominee Pat McCrory.

Close Races: Polls in both the Senate and gubernatorial races are closer than expected, giving national groups hope that they can influence the outcome with a well-timed ad.

Stand by Your Ad: Part of a 2002 campaign law requires candidates to personally approve their ads, but outside groups can run harsh attacks without a backlash.

Contribution Limits: State and federal laws limit the amount donors can give directly to candidates, so some give to third-party groups to further their efforts.

Taylor says that the increasing influence of third-party ads means candidates have less control over their message, but they gain "plausible deniability" on attacks.

"You lose control, which is problematic," he said. "But at the same time, the hits can come in and they're at more than arm's length."

He said the current system is an imperfect compromise.

"I think it's a compromise — satisfactory or not — between two competing values: to make elections transparent and fair but at the same time allow our citizens to participate as much as they want," he said.

A distant third?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 16:50:34 -0400

John Edwards will likely raise about $9 million during the second quarter.

That's probably far less than his rivals, Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

As of Friday afternoon, the Edwards campaign reported on its website that it had raised $8.5 million and was making a major last minute push to reach $9 million. But even if reaches the goal by Saturday June 30th deadline, it will be less than the $14 million he raised during the first three months of the year.

A memo from the Clinton campaign suggested that it would raise about $27 million in the second quarter and said it expected Obama to raise even more.

"It's not great news if that is what happens," said Andy Taylor, a political science professor at N.C. State University. "Edwards is mentioned as a top tier candidate. This does not necessarily make him a second tier candidate. But he may be in an intermediate tier all by himself."

More after the jump.