Ashleigh Powers is in her second year as an assistant professor of political science at Millsaps College. Powers received her bachelor’s from Furman University and her master’s from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Powers recently spoke with Northside Sun Staff Reporter Anthony Warren about her career and the role Mississippi played in the recent presidential primary.

Is it usual for Mississippi to play such a large role in a national election or primary?

“No. Mississippi has such a late primary date that usually one candidate has developed such a lead that other candidates have withdrawn from the race by the time we get to vote. This year, on the Democratic side, we still had such a close race with Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton that our delegates and votes were much more important.”

Do you think that played a role in voter turnout as well?

“I believe it did. Prior to the primary Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann predicted 150,000 people would turn out. He thought that was a high number, but it turned out to be very conservative, with more than 500,000 people casting ballots.

“People were also really energized here, particularly about Obama, and because it was such a close race. Many felt that for the first time in a while that they had a choice. It was a combination of factors.”

There was a high turnout in the Democratic primary, but it looked like a lot of Republicans didn’t vote. Why do you think that?

“John McCain had locked up the nomination already. There were some important congressional races going on, though.”

Do you think the turnout will be as high in the general election?

“In terms of turnout, it’s hard to say. Given the level of excitement we see for Obama, if he were to win the nomination, some people who might not turn out probably would. With the general election, everyone’s going to the polls on the same day, so turnout will be higher anyway.”

Will Mississippi remain a red state or will it turn blue?

“It’s hard to say with the excitement about Obama.”

You mention an excitement for Obama quite a bit. What would happen if Hillary wins?

“Turnout might be lower. A lot of his supporters don’t dislike Hillary, they just like him better.”

With so much excitement among the general public, has there also been a heightened sense of excitement among college students?

“Every time there’s an election, we have an increase in the number of students enrolling in political science courses. I do a voting behavior course, which also increases in popularity when elections come around. We talk about it in a lot of classes. It’s an important part of what we do.”

Has race or gender played an important role in Mississippi’s primary?

“Race always plays a huge role. Ninetly percent of the blacks who voted in the Democratic primary voted for Obama, and 70 percent of whites voted for Clinton. There’s less evidence that gender played a role in Mississiippi, with women voting for both candidates.”

There was a recent Rasmussen poll released that said a lot of Democrats would cross party lines and vote McCain if their candidate didn’t get the nomination. What’s your opinion on that?

“It’s hard to say what will happen. The campaigns now seem to be polarizing. There is a certain danger for Democrats that McCain could pull independent and swing voters. He’s always done well with independents.”

I hear rumblings that Gov. Haley Barbour might be chosen as McCain’s running mate. Would that have any significance?

“I think it would, but it’s very unlikely that Barbour would be chosen. I had heard him mentioned as a possible running mate for Rudy Guiliani, but not McCain. Generally speaking, though, when a vice presidential candidate is chosen from a state, the state is normally energized. If Haley runs, I’d expect him to get a good bit of support.”

If you dare tell me, what are your predictions for the general election?

“I don’t have a crystal ball and political scientists are notoriously bad about predicting elections. Republicans who don’t necessarily like McCain will rally behind him or stay home. The kind of people, right wing conservatives and the Christian Coalition, are the kind of people that normally don’t cross party lines and vote for a Democrat.”

What got you interested in political science?

“I came from a political family. My dad was an active member of the Republican Party in Tennessee. I’ve deviated from his politics a little bit. I also had some really great mentors in undergrad school at Furman.

“The school, not unlike Millsaps, has a really great foundation for students who want to major in political science.”

What do you like about political science?

“I like that it’s such an applied field. Yes, there’s a good bit of theory and research involved, but it’s very related to current events and what goes on around us. It allows us to move beyond the ivory tower of college and apply what we know to the real world.”

So, are you a Republican or Democrat?

“Don’t get me in trouble with my parents. I tend to vote more Democrat, but I look over my shoulder when I say that for my family to come and chastise me. I’m not a hardliner for any party, really.”

Do you have any political ambitions of your own?

“Not for running for office, I don’t. I wouldn’t turn down an opportunity to work for the right campaign.”