Matthew Kerbel, PhD
Professor of Political Science | College of Liberal Arts and Sciences | Villanova University
Villanova, PA, UNITED STATES
Matthew Kerbel, PhD, is the go-to source for stories about political communication.
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Areas of Expertise (8)
Political Science
Political Parties
Presidency and Governorship
American Government
Media and Politics
Presidential Elections
Presidential and Congressional Elections
Politics
Biography
More and more, getting elected and staying in office hinges on a politician's skill in using technology and new media. Dr. Kerbel is the "go to" source for stories about political communication - how politicians, political parties and governmental bodies interact with traditional media - newspapers, radio and television - and use new media - Internet Web sites, blogs, social media and podcasts, to gain advantage. With his firsthand experience as a television and radio writer, and as a leading researcher and author on politics and media, Kerbel is frequently interviewed on this vital subject.
Education (3)
The University of Michigan: PhD
The University of Michigan: MA
State University of New York at Binghamton: BA
Links (1)
Select Media Appearances (5)
Democrats claim open seats in notorious Republican strongholds
6ABC
2017-11-08
n Chester County, where the registered Republicans far outnumber the registered Democrats, the four countywide seats up for grabs in Tuesday's election went Democratic … Villanova Political Scientist Matt Kerbel said it is a first in the county. "We have never really seen anything like this before," said Kerbel. "It was a sweep in Delaware and Chester County for Democrats."
From Obama to Trump: Get ready for a 'jarring switch,' presidential scholars say
The Philadelphia Inquirer
2017-01-17
Last week, President Obama gave a farewell address ringing with calls to optimism, reason, and civic engagement. The next day, President-elect Donald Trump held a raucous news conference, berating perceived enemies in the media before launching into a Twitter-fueled battle with civil rights icon John Lewis, days before Martin Luther King's Birthday. ... "The president is asked to be a policy leader and a symbolic leader," said Matthew Kerbel, chair of Villanova's political science department.
Toomey, McGinty in dead heat for Senate race
WPVI-TV
2016-10-11
The presidential election is weighing heavily on Pennsylvania's race for the U.S. Senate. Democrat Katie McGinty is trying to unseat Republican Pat Toomey, but the latest poll has the two in a statistical dead heat. ... "The problem facing Republicans on the ballot with Donald Trump is that they need the Trump voters, but they also need Republican voters who don't support Trump," said Prof. Matthew Kerbel of Villanova University.
Ted Cruz victory shows GOP's impossible conundrum
The Christian Science Monitor
2016-04-06
Ted Cruz accomplished what he set out to do in the Wisconsin Republican primary: beat front-runner Donald Trump soundly, winning most of the state’s delegates and raising the probability of a contested GOP convention in July. ... “In all likelihood, Donald Trump will go to the convention with the most delegates. Wisconsin doesn’t really change that,” says Matthew Kerbel, chairman of the political science department at Villanova University in Philadelphia.
In consequential week, Trump uses pen to shape immigration, health care, Iran nuclear deal
The Philadelphia Inquirer
2017-10-13
President Trump this week provided a robust example of the old political adage that “elections have consequences.” Unable to muscle much through Congress, Trump nevertheless took multiple steps that could have lasting consequences on immigration, health care and the Iran nuclear deal, using pronouncements and pen strokes to reshape some of the country’s most charged debates. ... “A president can be hamstrung by the legislative process and see his agenda stall in Congress, and yet exercise executive authority in order to shape events and move policy in his direction,” said Matthew Kerbel, chair of Villanova’s political science department. “We are certainly seeing that.”
Select Academic Articles (1)
Obama, Netroots, Progressives, and Health Care Reform
iPolitics: Citizens, Elections, and Governing in the New Media Era2011
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