SCRI Director Featured on Prestigious Panel

While the Democratic National Convention was in full swing in Chicago, a non-profit dedicated to furthering democracy through observation, reflection and dialogue hosted a major conference there featuring the director of the Siena College Research Institute (SCRI).

The International Leaders Forum presented by the non-partisan National Democratic Institute (NDI) was held August 19-22, attracting many of the same audience members that attended the convention where Kamala Harris accepted her party's nomination for president.

SCRI Director Don Levy, Ph.D. was part of the panel that addressed "Political Trends Influencing U.S. Voters." Also featured were political consultant David Axelrod; New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg; Wesleyan Media Project Co-Director Erika Franklin Fowler; Scott Jennings, founding partner of Runswitch PR; and Randi Weingarten of the American Federation of Teachers and the NDI board of directors.

Levy said not only was it a thrill to speak on a panel with such well-known political commentators, "it was truly eye-opening to spend time with diplomats from nations around the world and learn how engaged they are with American politics as well as SCRI's polling."

Every four years the forum brings together political and business leaders from across the ideological spectrum, as well as members of the diplomatic corps, to gain insights into the U.S. election campaign and observe first hand a political party convention.

Levy said the panel's presentation demonstrated how President Joe Biden's departure from the race has led to a shift in polling.

"Many voters, worried about Biden's age, had moved away from telling us they would support him." He explained. "Now, with Vice-President Harris as the Democratic standard bearer, the race is truly up for grabs."

He said that where voters tend to see former President Donald Trump as more of a strong leader, they tell the SCRI pollsters that they appreciate Harris' empathy. Where voters think Harris is likely to do a better job on social issues, they think Trump is a better steward of the economy.

"We explained to the diplomats present that when it really comes down to it, this election looks to be decided by a small group of persuadable voters in seven key states. Clearly, the foreign guests are riveted on our election."