“Trump Couldn’t Play the Tough Guy This Time.”

Shana Kushner Gadarian, associate professor of political science in the Maxwell School, was quoted in The New York Times article “Trump Couldn’t Play the Tough Guy This Time.” Gadarian, who specializes in political public opinion research, says that part of Trump’s success relies on his hawkish nature, including his party and gender. Her research shows that “in a threatening environment, Americans reward candidates and parties perceived to hold hawkish positions and punish candidates perceived to be dovish,” which may explain why Trump was supported by so many during the 2016 election.