Hamm

"Judging from their behavior, both Republican and Democrat strategists think that, once again, absentee voting, especially from abroad, is bound to play a key role in the 2004 presidential election, as it did in 2000," said ISU political scientist Patricia Hamm. "The vote of approximately 7 million American expatriates has become one of the most coveted, which is why Republicans and Democrats alike, including the Kerry and the Bush sisters, and nephew George P. Bush, are busy courting them in places like Mexico City, where about 700,000 Americans live."

Baum

"The challenge for George W. Bush and the Republican Party is to convince voters that their emphasis on faith is not meant to divide or exclude people," says ISU associate professor of philosophy and religious studies Robert Baum, "or to remove the separation of church and state that has guided this country since the time of Jefferson."

Dimitrova

"The Internet has become vital to the 2004 campaign giving both parties access to information and ideas not provided by the big national media," says ISU political scientist Daniela Dimitrova. "For instance, the Internet is an important source of information on the Iraq War. Americans holding negative views toward the war have been particularly motivated to go online and seek alternative views. Blog sites such as 'Where is Raed' is a good example."

ISU political experts on election year issues.

Schmidt

"This is a crucial moment for the Democratic Party as it tries to re-gain its reputation on defense and domestic security and, in a sense, recapture the American flag from the Republicans," says ISU political scientist Steffen Schmidt. "Both defense and security are top priority issues on American's minds."

ISU political experts on election year issues.

McCormick

"States like Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ohio are crucial to the selection of the next president," says ISU political scientist James McCormick. "As the Midwest goes, so goes the presidency."

ISU political experts on election year issues.

Lowry

"2004 is already the longest, most expensive presidential campaign in history," says ISU political scientist Robert Lowry. "This is likely a sign of things to come."

ISU political experts on election year issues.

Conger

"Evangelical voter turnout will be a big question for the GOP in the 2004 election," says ISU political scientist Kim Conger. "The party that turns out its base will be in the best position to capitalize on the swing voters they can attract."

ISU political experts on election year issues.

Dearin

"Since Richard Nixon in 1960, it has been customary for nomination accepters in both parties to include in their speeches 'personal vision statements' of the American dream," says ISU political scientist Ray Dearin. "Republicans have stressed the pioneer, individual liberty, and 'opportunity society'; Democrats have leaned toward the immigrant, 'huddled masses,' and communitarian version. Expect this trend to continue in New York."

ISU political experts on election year issues.

Bystrom

"The Bush/Cheney campaign is doing more than it did four years ago to try to win the women's vote," says ISU political scientist Dianne Bystrom. "This includes a greater reliance on the president's wife to campaign. For example, she is featured in an ad on the Bush campaign's Web site devoted to women, talking about the administration's record on education."

ISU political experts on election year issues.