Presidential debate experts

* What to watch for in the debates, TV and social media

* Prof on Latino issues, political psychology

* 'Showbiz Politics' prof on parties' history, debates' entertainment factor

* Media coverage and impact on public opinion

* How presidential were the candidates?

What to watch for in the debates, TV and social media

Josh Scacco, an assistant professor in the Brian Lamb School of Communication who specializes in political communication, can discuss the 2016 presidential debates. Scacco, who also holds a courtesy appointment in the Department of Political Science, studies the communicative role elites and organizations play in American politics. He also can talk about debate history, related political polling and social media.

CONTACT: Scacco is available via email, phone or Skype. jscacco@purdue.edu

Prof on Latino issues, political psychology

James McCann, professor of political science, can talk about Latino issues and the emergence of third parties. He can also comment on the electoral process and political psychology.

McCann is a co-principal investigator of the "2012 Latino Immigrant National Election Study" (LINES), and is an expert on the political incorporation of immigrants in the United States.

CONTACT: McCann is available for phone, email or television interviews in West Lafayette. 765-494-0738, mccannj@purdue.edu

'Showbiz Politics' prof on parties' history, debates' entertainment factor

Kathryn Cramer Brownell, an assistant professor of history and author of "Showbiz Politics: Hollywood in American Political Life," can discuss relationships between media, politics and popular culture. Her expertise also is in the political history of cable television, and the American presidency and pop culture.

CONTACT: Brownell is available for phone or email interviews via brownell@purdue.edu.

Media coverage and impact on public opinion

Rosalee Clawson, professor and head of the Department of Political Science, can talk about media coverage and how that has changed over the years. Clawson, whose research is in public opinion, mass media and politics, and political psychology. Her expertise also focuses on the politics of race, class and gender. She is co-author of the recently published "Public Opinion: Democratic Ideals. Democratic Practice."

CONTACT: Clawson is available for phone, email or television interviews in West Lafayette. clawsonr@purdue.edu

How presidential were the candidates?

Bert Rockman, professor emeritus of political science, is a presidential scholar. He can talk about expectations about the candidates' performance at the debate as well as how the candidates appear in the debate. Rockman is the editor or author of 16 books, including "The George W. Bush Presidency: Appraisals and Prospects," "The Clinton Presidency: First Appraisals," "The Clinton Legacy" and "The Bush Presidency: First Appraisals," as well as "The Oxford Handbook of Political Institutions" and "Presidential Leadership: The Vortex of Power." He also is contributing to and editing a volume on "The Obama Legacy."

CONTACT: Rockman is available for interviews starting Monday (Sept. 26) barockma@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service contacts: Howard Hewitt, hhewitt@purdue.edu

Amy Patterson Neubert, 765-494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Note to Journalists: These Purdue University experts are willing to discuss topics related to the 2016 presidential election and debates.