The 2016 presidential election is one of the most contentious campaigns in recent memory.
To preview her appearance Liasson took some time to discuss the election with ASU Now.
Question: How have President Obama’s policies helped shape both the Democratic and Republican primaries?
Answer: In the Republican primaries, the candidates are running to reverse President Obama’s policies and making it a referendum on how to stop him.
On the Democratic side, the debate is how either to best preserve Obama’s policies or build upon them.
Q: What is helping fuel the rise of anti-establishment candidates in both parties?
A: Several things are fueling the rise of anti-establishment candidates. One is a stagnant middle class income. Another is terrorism abroad and at home. There also are changing demographics of the electorate, and political gridlock in Washington.
Q: As we approach the general election, are candidates going to campaign with a focus on encouraging their base to turnout or appealing to moderate and independent voters?
A: I believe it will be a campaign focusing mostly on each candidate’s base.
Q: How does covering the candidates this year compare to previous cycles?
A: In this cycle there are more candidates, which makes it more difficult to cover them.
However, new technology, such as social media and apps, makes it easier to track their activities and stay informed about them.
More Law, journalism and politics
Cronkite students win 13 Rocky Mountain Emmy Student Production Awards
Students at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication led the field in the prestigious Rocky Mountain Southwest chapter of the National Academy of…
Tribal nations put sovereignty at the center of future with AI
For tribal nations, AI is more than a cutting-edge technology — it raises critical questions about sovereignty, cultural preservation, data privacy and self-governance in a rapidly shifting digital…
Reigniting civic literacy in Arizona and beyond
On July 4, 2026, the United States will celebrate 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. To commemorate the nation’s history, the School of Civic and Economic…