Character and honesty once again will emerge as a centerpiece of the 2004 president election, predicts Bruce Newman, DePaul University marketing professor, as he poses the question: “Did George W. Bush tell the truth?”

Newman adds that much public opinion is shaped by slick, expensive advertising, which will make President Bush difficult to beat if he is able to build up the expected $200 million campaign war chest.

Already, issues ranging from the United States’ involvement in Iraq to the economy to gay marriage are beginning to shape the election in candidates’ debates and voters’ minds. Newman, the author of “The Mass Marketing of Politics: Democracy in an Age of Manufactured Images,” is one of several DePaul professors who can provide insight and analysis on various aspects of the upcoming presidential election. Newman can be reached at 312/362-5186.

Other professors available to speak with reporters about the election are:

Michael L. Mezey, professor of political science and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. He is a member of the boards of the Legislative Studies Quarterly and the Journal of Politics. He also served as CNN’s Midwest regional expert during past presidential elections. Topics: Congressional and presidential processes, public policy-making. DePaul: 773/325-7305.

Wayne Steger, associate professor of political science. Topics: public policy-making, media coverage of presidential elections, endorsements/party behavior, voter behavior, evaluating presidential success in Congress. He is writing a book on the pre-primary presidential campaign trail, based upon extensive research of the subject. DePaul: 773/325-4240.

Marlene Arnold Nicholson, professor of law. Nicholson is a national authority on constitutional and empirical issues involved in campaign finance regulation. DePaul: 312/362-8327.

James E. Block, professor of political science. Topics: American political culture, American religion and politics. He authored the book, “A Nation of Agents: The American Path to a Modern Self and Society.” DePaul: 773/325-1976.

David J. Roberts, associate professor, accountancy and management. Politics and tax policy, tax cuts, tax reform proposals such as flat tax and national sales tax, proposals to change the IRS, Social Security and Medicare. He is a certified public accountant and has a law degree and a master’s degree in taxation. DePaul: 312/362-8388.

H. Peter Steeves, associate professor of philosophy. Topics: legitimacy and ethics of elections and the electoral process, war and post-war politics, environmental issues, Latin-American issues, local vs. federal issues as they relate to the election. DePaul: 773/325-1153.

Jeremy Levitt, assistant professor of law. Topics: African-American political leadership, black liberal and conservative politics in America, foreign and domestic issues as they relate to the economy. DePaul: 312/362-5354.

Laura S. Washington, Ida B. Wells-Barnett University professor. Topics: African-American voters, race and social justice issues. DePaul: 773/325-4675.

Molly Andolina, assistant professor of political science. Topics: American politics, public opinion (survey research and analysis), generational politics (youth, Generation X, DotNet Generation); national elections, civic engagement. DePaul: 773/325-4709.

J. Harry Wray, professor of political science. Topics: political parties, elections and political culture. DePaul: 773/325-1975.