Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Today’s Response
Middle Tennessee State University

MTSU Poll—McCain reigns.

As expected, Tennessee remains a red state in the latest 2008 MTSU Poll. The telephone survey of 635 randomly chosen people conducted Sept. 15-27 finds the Republican ticket of John McCain and Sarah Palin preferred by 48 percent to 36 percent for the Democratic ticket of Barack Obama and Joe Biden with 10 percent undecided and the rest either supporting someone else or declining to comment. Dr. Jason Reineke, associate director of the poll, says, “The Republican lead grows larger among likely voters in Tennessee, 55 percent of whom would vote for McCain and Palin and 35 percent of whom would vote for Obama and Biden. Just seven percent of likely voters are undecided.” (Likely voters are defined as those who say they voted in the 2006 U.S. Senate race, are registered, and plan to vote in November. There are 357 in this sample.)

Contact Reineke at 615-494-7746.
jreineke@mtsu.edu

MTSU Poll—It’s money that matters.

The number one problem in the country is the economy coupled with job issues, according to the latest MTSU Poll of 635 randomly chosen Tennesseans surveyed by phone. Fifty-three percent say the economy is the top national priority, with only eight percent mentioning the energy crisis and only five percent naming the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Respondents also believe the economy is the biggest state problem, says Dr. Bob Wyatt, Director of Communication Research. “A little over one-third (34 percent) name the economy as the top state problem,” he says, “followed by education at 12 percent and health issues at 10 percent. The ranking represents a marked shift from last spring’s poll, when 20 percent mentioned education as number one, followed by health issues (18 percent) and the economy (16 percent).”

Contact Wyatt at 615-477-8389.
rwyatt@mtsu.edu

MTSU Poll—Lamar’s in the lead.

U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander is ahead of Democratic challenger Bob Tuke in the latest MTSU Poll of 635 Tennesseans chosen at random and interviewed by phone Sept. 17-27. However, a large percentage of respondents say they are undecided. Alexander, a Republican, leads with 50 percent to Tuke’s 26 percent among likely voters, but 23 percent say they don’t know who they would support. Dr. Ken Blake, director of the poll, says, “Among these likely voters, Republicans overwhelmingly support Alexander (81 percent) with most of the rest (16 percent) undecided. … Similarly, most Democrats support Tuke (60 percent), but 17 percent favor Alexander, and 21 percent are undecided. Alexander has the lead among independents, 47 percent of whom say they favor him. But 36 percent of independent likely voters are undecided, and 15 percent favor Tuke.”

Contact Blake at 615-210-6187.
kblake@mtsu.edu

TR EXTRA

HABLAMOS ESPANOL--MTSU’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month is in full swing through Oct. 15 with numerous cultural and informational events on tap. On Wednesday, Oct. 1, Dr. Sidney McPhee, MTSU President, will attend a reception for Hispanic students from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Room 316 of the Keathley University Center (KUC). On Monday, Oct. 6, Sidelines, the student newspaper, will feature a crossword puzzle with a Hispanic history theme. Prizes will be awarded in KUC Room 326 for the first five correct submittals. Also, ongoing Hispanic Poetry Periods and Latin music experiences will be conducted near the KUC Knoll, and special programming will be shown in dormitory lobbies. WMOT-FM (89.5) will air Latin jazz every Sunday. All events are free and open to the public. For additional information, contact the Office of Intercultural and Diversity Affairs at 615-898-5812.

NO NEED FOR THE TIM RUSSERT MEMORIAL DRY ERASE BOARD (FLORIDA! FLORIDA! FLORIDA!)—MTSU students will prepare and broadcast their own election night roundup live on MTTV, Channel 10, from 8 p.m. to 11 or possibly later, on Election Night, Tuesday, Nov. 4, depending on how close the tallies are. “It becomes more than just an organizational exercise, which is important,” says Dr. Bob Pondillo, who teaches “Electronic Media Production: Election Night News Coverage.” “However, it’s one thing to know how to make great television, but it’s quite another to know how to engage the community.” Although arrangements are subject to revision at a moment’s notice depending on the circumstances, the class is planning on three bases for live shots. The percentages in each race will be displayed at the bottom of the television screen through a black box Associated Press interface device. Contact Pondillo at 615-904-8465 or pondillo@mtsu.edu.

CAREER WITHOUT FEAR--More than 125 organizations and professional/graduate schools are registered to attend the MTSU Fall Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 1, on the track level at Murphy Center. Students are advised to research the companies, be prepared and dress professionally. The goal at the Career Fair is to demonstrate that one is the best candidate and deserves a follow-up interview. For a complete list of the participating companies and to watch a video with tips on how to make the best impression possible, go to http://career.web.mtsu.edu. For more information, contact the Career Development Center at 615-898-2500 or career@mtsu.edu.

THE HORRORS AT HOME--The June Anderson Women’s Center (JAWC) at MTSU will augment its constant concern for the health and safety of women and girls in October with observances of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Janine Latus, author of If I Am Missing or Dead—A Sister’s Story of Love, Murder and Liberation, will be the keynote speaker for Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities. Latus will deliver her address at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 7, in Tom H. Jackson Hall with a reception and book signing to follow. If I Am Missing or Dead chronicles Latus’ courage in breaking out of a repressive marriage only to learn that her younger sister, Amy, had been murdered by her boyfriend. Contact the JAWC at 615-898-2193 or jawc@mtsu.edu.