The UVA Political Science Dept takes itself waay too seriously. Well, most PolySci depts do, but this one is especially aggressive.
PolySci attempts theoretical "models" of history and politics that can predict outcomes. It is on its face a conceit, as no one can "model" the world, much less the weather, climates, or the next election. Political Science is built on the idea that it can figure it all out.
That the Dept can be involved in actual REAL politics is too much temptation. Whoever this guy is, and whatever his motivation, just seeing his name in the news is reason enough.
"Politics is a good thing!" … is the slogan of Dr. Larry J. Sabato (sabato@virginia.edu). According to the Wall Street Journal, Dr. Sabato is "probably the most quoted college professor in the land," while the Washington Post called him "the Mark McGwire of political analysts" and he is dubbed by Fox News Channel as "America's favorite political scientist." More recently, the Washingtonian magazine has called him the "Dr. Phil of American politics." As founder and director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, Dr. Sabato bridges the gap between the ivory tower and the real world on issues of critical importance to American democracy and the challenges facing our political process.
Mark McGwire or Dr. Phil? We report. You decide.