College in National Media Spotlight Again During S.C. Democratic Primary

Just one week after South Carolina’s Republican primary for president, College of Charleston faculty, students and events were caught in the media spotlight again during the run-up to the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary on Feb. 27, 2016.

Here is a sampling of the coverage:

CNN

African-American voters hold the key for Democrats in South Carolina

“Who can do well between Clinton and Sanders among African-Americans will win South Carolina,’ said Gibbs Knotts, chair of the College of Charleston political science department.”

Fox News

Cracks in Hillary’s firewall? Black voters divided between Dem candidates

“College of Charleston politics professor Kendra Stewart said the endorsements that really matter in South Carolina are those of (S.C. Rep. Justin) Bamberg and 12-term Rep. James Clyburn, the most influential Democratic lawmaker in the state, who still remains neutral in the race.”

Chelsea Clinton appearing on the Showtime political program “The Circus.”

Los Angeles Times

Clinton’s edge with black S.C. voters is deeply rooted through decades

“She has a three-decade head start,” said Gibbs Knotts, chairman of the political science department at the College of Charleston. “It’s hard for Sanders to make up that kind of ground in a pretty short period of time.”

CBS News

Politics with a shave and a haircut in South Carolina

“As a College of Charleston student from Columbia, Bradley Burkett thinks being from Vermont is a problem for Sanders. ‘He has done a lot for many communities like many impoverished and minority communities.”

Miami Herald

Can Democrats’ love for Bill Clinton carry over to his wife?

Jeri Cabot, 61, dean of students at the College of Charleston, acknowledged there’s always “a little shadow cast” on Clinton because of his history with women, but she said voters examine the whole person. “He has an issue there, I wouldn’t whitewash it,” she said. But she added, “We look at promises made and kept, accomplishments, what was delivered to the country.”

WHYY ( NPR IN Philadelphia)

Ballot Talk

Program guest is College of Charleston political science professor Jordan Ragusa talking about money in the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary

Huffington Post

Explaining Hillary Clinton’s Strength in South Carolina(op/ed)

By Gibbs Knotts

Hillary Clinton is expected to win convincingly in South Carolina. She’s had the lead in every pre-election poll and she is currently up 26.6% according to the Real Clear Politics polling average.

Gibbs Knotts on the set of WCIV-TV.

Charleston Post and Courier

What a difference eight years makes: How Hillary Clinton won the S.C. Democratic Primary

“She probably could have phoned it in,’ said College of Charleston political science professor Gibbs Knotts. “But it was smart of her not to.”

South Carolina Gives Clinton Big Boost for Super Tuesday (op/ed)

by Gibbs Knotts and Jordan Ragusa

It didn’t take a Ph.D. in political science to predict Hillary Clinton’s convincing victory in South Carolina’s Democratic primary, but it might take one to know exactly when this primary fight will end.

Bernie Sanders leaves South Carolina but insists he’s fighting here ‘as hard as we can’

“College of Charleston political scientist Kendra Stewart said the fact that Sanders is going elsewhere means he understands there’s not much to gain by staying here.”

Hillary Clinton to campaign in S.C. daily, while Bernie Sanders splits his time elsewhere

College of Charleston political scientist Gibbs Knotts said the view that South Carolina remains a “firewall” state for Clinton doesn’t seem to be weakening

Savannah Morning News

Jack Bass: The religious side of Hillary Clinton (op/ed)

“Hillary Clinton isn’t much given to talking about religion while on the campaign trail, but she veered off that path in Iowa in a detailed response to a voter’s question a few days before the Iowa caucuses.”

WCBD-TV

Chelsea Clinton to speak at CofC Town Hall on Friday

“Hillary Clinton’s daughter, Chelsea Clinton, will participate in a Town Hall at the College of Charleston on Friday, February 26.”

Christian Science Monitor

Did Bernie gain credibility with that photo of him being arrested?

“’It’s a really interesting race, and Clinton’s ability to do well among African-American voters is one of the biggest stories so far, in part built on the fact that she’s been building relationships in the African-American community for a very long time,’ Gibbs Knotts, a political scientist at the College of Charleston, told The Christian Science Monitor’s Patrik Jonsson Saturday.”

In South Carolina primary, young black voters weigh their choice

“‘In a conservative-but-changing city known mostly for textiles, Bob Jones, and Baptists, as one resident says, the fits and starts of the Democratic campaign reflect larger realities and challenges, and give a glimpse into a future where African-Americans command increasing power over federal elections,’ says Gibbs Knotts, a political scientist at the College of Charleston. ‘At the same time, the black vote is becoming more diverse than ever before.'”

The (Columbia) State

Clyburn to endorse Hillary Clinton for president

“‘Clyburn’s backing further demonstrates Clinton’s support among the African-American community and elected officials,’ said College of Charleston political scientist Gibbs Knotts.”