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Expert Alert
February 2008

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Vetoing the veto: the rare occurrence of an override
February 25, 2008

It’s a tense day at the Capitol as Minnesota lawmakers vie for enough votes to override Governor Pawlenty's transportation bill veto. Minnesota has only seen 13 such gubernatorial overrides since 1939. A University of Minnesota expert who can give some perspective on the issue is:

Paula O’Loughlin, University of Minnesota, Morris political science professor
O’Loughlin can explain how unusual veto overrides are and what one today would mean for the rest of the legislative session. She can also give perspective on the public response to an override.

MEDIA NOTE: Professor O’Loughlin is available only via phone.

To interview professor O’Loughlin, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

NWA and Delta carrier unlikely to lead to more profits
February 20, 2008

With a merger between Minnesota-based Northwest Airlines and Delta appearing imminent, discussion will soon turn towards the viability of the proposed new carrier.  A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss this issue is: J. Myles Shaver, professor and department chair of Strategic Management and Organization at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota Shaver’s research interests include corporate expansion through diversification and mergers and acquisitions.  Shaver feels a new Delta-NWA carrier will struggle to be profitable because, "it's unlikely to solve the root cause of the problems that are hurting the profitability of airlines, most notably high oil prices and competition from existing carriers."

To interview Shaver, contact Ryan Mathre at (612) 625-0552 or mathre@umn.edu; or Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu.

A Cuba without Castro
February 19, 2008

The modern face and voice of communism, Fidel Castro, resigned this morning as Cuba’s president. A University of Minnesota expert who can discuss the repercussions is:

David Samuels, political science professor at the University of Minnesota
Professor Samuels is a specialist in the area of Latin American politics. He can comment on Castro’s legacy and influence, as well as the past and current relations between the United States and Cuba. He can also give insight into what could develop with Castro’s departure.

To interview Samuels, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

U.S. interests hinge heavily on the results of today’s Pakistani elections
February 18 , 2008

After being delayed by the assassination of former premier Benazir Bhutto in December, Pakistanis will go to the polls today in parliamentary elections. Much is to be determined for the U.S. with these elections as the stability of Pakistan is considered an important part of anti-terrorism strategy. A University of Minnesota expert who can analyze the country and its politics is: William Beeman, University of Minnesota chair and professor of anthropology Beeman says, as a nuclear weapons carrying nation with alleged ties between its intelligence agency and the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, a more chaotic Pakistan would, in simple terms, “be very bad.” Also at play is the multi-ethnic nature of the population, the large disparity gap in income levels and unresolved conflicts with India.

To interview Beeman, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Elizabeth Giorgi at (612) 624-0214 or egiorgi@umn.edu.

A scientific perspective on chocolate this Valentine's Day
February 11, 2008

Valentine’s Day means flowers, hearts ... and chocolate. Nearly everybody likes chocolate and Americans consume more than 3 billion pounds of it each year. But why does chocolate come in so many different forms and flavors? A University of Minnesota expert who can explain why is:

Gary Reineccius, professor of food science and nutrition at the University of Minnesota
Reineccius (Re-NEX-sis) is an expert on how chocolate is manufactured and how flavor is formed in it. He can explain where chocolate comes from, its nutritional content, current trends in the market and the differences in quality and price in chocolates.

“Quick Quotes” sound bites package with Reineccius available here.

To interview Reineccius, contact Drew Swain at (612) 625-8962 or dswain@umn.edu; or Becky Beyers at (612) 626-5754 or bbeyers@umn.edu.