New York University’s Jennifer Heerwig and Brian McCabe, public opinion researchers in the Department of Sociology, are available for comment on America’s willingness to vote for a black president.

Heerwig and McCabe have explored a discrepancy in public opinion data that shows nearly twice as many registered voters would support a black presidential candidate as say America is ready for a black president.

“The discrepancy between individual readiness and perceptions of the nation’s readiness may underscore deeper attitudes about race and presidential politics in America,” they conclude.

Their research estimates the magnitude of social desirability in publicly reported support for a black presidential candidate by party affiliation, ideology, education, and other demographic traits.

Reporters interested in speaking with Heerwig or McCabe should contact James Devitt, NYU’s Office of Public Affairs, at 212.998.6808 or james.devitt@nyu.edu.