The race for the White House is heating up.

One day after Sen. Barack Obamaaccepted the Democraticpresidential nominationin Denver,Sen. John McCain ofArizonanamed Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate on the GOP ticket. Both are historic firsts: Obama is the first black to lead a presidential ticket, and Palin is the first Republican woman tapped for national office.

McCain introduced Palin as his vice presidential pick Friday (Aug. 29) at a rally in Dayton, Ohio. He is expected to accept theRepublican presidential nod at the Republican National Convention, which is Sept. 1-4in Minneapolis-St. Paul.

The two conventions showcase the partiesrespective tickets and refine their platforms before Americans head to the polls Nov. 4.

West Virginia University has professors who can comment about the presidential race throughout the election season:

  • Robert DiClerico is a professor of political science in WVU s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences . He is an authority on political parties and elections and the politics of agenda setting. DiClerico is the author ofVoting in AmericaandThe American Presidentand the co-author ofChoosing Our ChoiceandFew Are Chosen.He was previously named a West Virginia Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He can be reached at ” robert.diclerico@mail.wvu.edu rel=nofollow> robert.diclerico@mail.wvu.edu , 304-293-3812 ext. 5276 or 304-599-0776.

*