Jan. 14, 2021
Contact:
Eric Stann, 573-882-3346, StannE@missouri.edu
Mitchell S. McKinney, 573-489-9709, McKinneyM@missouri.edu
The views and opinions expressed in this “for expert comment” release are based on research and/or opinions of the researcher(s) and/or faculty member(s) and do not reflect the university’s official stance.
Mitchell S. McKinney
On Wednesday, Jan. 20, President-elect Joe Biden will take the presidential oath of office and deliver his first official message — his inaugural address — as he becomes the 46th president of the United States. Political communication expert Mitchell S. McKinney, director of the Political Communication Institute at the University of Missouri, observes that Biden assumes the presidency at a time of great unrest for our nation, creating urgency and high expectations for his inaugural address.
McKinney suggests the speech draws parallels in U.S. national history, including Abraham Lincoln’s inaugural address in 1861 as well as Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first inaugural address in 1933.
McKinney has conducted extensive analysis of presidential communication, including presidential inaugural addresses and Biden’s speeches throughout his time in the U.S. Senate, as vice president and as a presidential candidate.
McKinney’s experience includes serving as a staff member in both the U.S. Senate and the White House. His expertise has been featured in BBC World News, CNN, C-SPAN, NPR, Reuters, The New York Times and The Washington Post.
Editor’s Note: To view McKinney’s bio, please click here.
To arrange an interview with McKinney, please contact Eric Stann at 573-882-3346 or StannE@missouri.edu.
