William Rosenberg Drexel University Professor of Political Science at Drexel University

The professors involved were Rose Corrigan, an assistant professor of law and politics and director of the women's studies program; Scott Barclay, a professor and director of the history and politics program; and Bill Rosenberg, a professor of history and politics and director of the Drexel University Survey Research Center. Some topics included the future of the Supreme Court by Corrigan; the diminished role that the issue of same-sex marriage is taking this election season by Barclay; and how polls, ads and the media affect campaigns by Rosenberg.

"He is very much a known quantity in terms of name recognition," said Drexel University political-science professor Bill Rosenberg.He's also been hiring new PR staff, making more public appearances and putting out near-daily statements on topics ranging from John Chaney's resignation to the future of the Daily News and the Inquirer.There's also the problem, Rosenberg noted, of peaking too early."If you're thought to be the front-runner, you have everybody sniffing at your heels," Rosenberg said.

"Candidates are using social media in ways they never have before," says William Rosenberg, a political science professor at Drexel University For instance, both parties are using online search ads, which analyze a person's Web browser history, to determine if they are likely to vote Republican or Democrat. Then, they hit up their most likely voters for money, says Rosenberg. Candidates are increasingly using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter to ask for donations, energize supporters and announce campaign events. Indeed, spending on Internet media is taking off: Obama's reelection campaign spending on social media, online advertising and website maintenance totaled $53.7 million by mid-October. That's nearly three times the amount he had spent by the same time in the 2008 election, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Pollsters, which often cite the opinions of "likely voters," have different methodologies for selecting those voters, says Rosenberg. "There are going to be a lot of things that are very important that we have no ability to predict," says Rosenberg.

"The 2012 election is going to be one of the most stealth political campaigns," says William Rosenberg, a political science professor at Drexel University. "Candidates are using social media in ways they never have before." For instance, both parties are using online search ads, which analyze a person's web browser history, to determine if they are likely to vote Republican or Democrat. Then, they hit up their most likely voters for money, says Rosenberg. Pollsters, which often cite the opinions of "likely voters," have different methodologies for selecting those voters, says Rosenberg. "There are going to be a lot of things that are very important that we have no ability to predict," says Rosenberg.