January 25, 2016
Yepsen, Jackson to analyze Iowa caucus results
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Two of Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s leading political analysts will dissect the Iowa caucus results and offer their perspectives about this year’s presidential campaign.
David Yepsen, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, and John Jackson, a visiting professor with the institute, will host a Pizza and Politics event, “The Iowa Caucus,” at 5 p.m., Feb. 4. The Iowa caucus is Feb. 1. The nation’s first primary, in New Hampshire, follows on Feb. 9. The Illinois primary is March 15.
The event will be an opportunity for students and the community to interact with Yepsen and Jackson, “two widely recognized and sought-after experts in presidential politics,” Delio Calzolari, institute associate director said.
“People can come, ask questions about the state of this very important presidential election cycle, and how it might play out in Illinois and the rest of the country,” he said.
The discussion will be in the Saluki Stadium Club. The discussion is free and open to the public, although RSVP is required by noon, Feb. 4. To reserve a spot, email rsvp@paulsimoninstitute.org or visit http://paulsimoninstitute.siu.edu/iowacaucus/index.php and fill out the form.
A nationally recognized political analyst, Yepsen covered every Iowa presidential caucus campaign since 1976 prior to coming to the institute in 2009. The Washington Post once dubbed Yepsen “the king of Iowa caucuses,” and in the present election, Yepsen has been a guest on “Hardball with Chris Matthews” on MSNBC, “Anderson Cooper 360” on CNN, and with Bill Hemmer on the Fox News Channel.
Jackson, who is also well known nationally and locally for his political insight and work, has held myriad positions since coming to SIU Carbondale in 1969 while completing his doctoral degree, including interim chancellor. Jackson is also the author of two recent books, “The Essential Paul Simon,” published by SIU Press in 2012, which is an editing of Simon’s works, and “The American Political Party System: Continuity and Change over 10 Presidential Elections,” published by The Brookings Institute in fall 2014. That book examines how the nation’s government became divided and polarized and the impact on the political system and presidents who are trying to get their respective agendas adopted.
For more information on the program, contact the Institute at 618/453-4009 or visit http://paulsimoninstitute.siu.edu/