Political Science and Public Policy

Reporters from outlets such as the National Journal and the Associated Press interviewed Hunter Bacot, an associate professor of political science and director of the Elon University Poll, in recent days regarding public attitudes in North Carolina in the waning days of the 2008 election season.

North Carolinians believe the Democratic Party is better able than the GOP to handle every major domestic policy issue facing the nation and now show greater levels of support for Democratic candidates in the presidential and U.S. Senate races this fall, according to the latest Elon University Poll.

Elon University Poll director Hunter Bacot answered questions from the (Greensboro, N.C.) News & Record in a weekly segment published Oct. 26, 2008.

Republican vice presidential nominee Gov. Sarah Palin electrified thousands of people from across North Carolina on Thursday during a campaign stop at Elon University. Her mission: Explain to the crowd inside the Latham Park baseball stadium why she believes Sen. John McCain is the best man to be the next president.

Elon University undergraduate and law students took the stage Wednesday night in a campus event that matched supporters of Republican Sen. John McCain and Democratic Sen. Barack Obama against each other for a presidential debate on issues chosen by their peers at a recent College Coffee.

Support for school vouchers in North Carolina remains mixed, with no majority of respondents in the latest Elon University Poll showing a strong inclination either for or against such a program.

Forty-eight percent of North Carolinians support the federal government’s efforts to assist banks and other financial institutions on the verge of collapse, according to the latest Elon University Poll, and more than half of respondents believe such aid will have a positive impact on the economy.