Experts in the News | Miller Center

Joe Biden's team says 'theatrics' of Trump's legal fights won't impede a smooth transition

But the lack of access could pose a threat to Biden's first weeks in office, according to Kathryn Tenpas, a senior fellow at the University of Virginia's Miller Center. "This strikes me as a matter of the country's reputation internationally and being so vulnerable. The whole world is watching and clearly our enemies can see that vulnerability," Tenpas said. "So the question is do people try to take advantage of that?"

Kathryn Dunn Tenpas

Cal Cunningham lost. Katie Hill resigned. Are we still put off by sex scandals?

Although the American public didn’t widely know about John F. Kennedy’s philandering while he was in office, the revelations in the 1970s didn’t have much of an effect on his legacy, notes Barbara Perry, a professor and director of presidential studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center.

Barbara Perry

President-elect Biden moves forward with transition despite Pres. Trump not conceding

A presidential transition process typically begins months before Inauguration Day, however this year that process is delayed due to the Trump administration’s legal challenges to election results. “You want to make sure the incoming leadership is fully read into the threats that are going on around the world,” said Chris Lu, Director of the 2008 Obama transition team. Lu says delaying a proper presidential transition has real world consequences. “What’s happening right now from theTrump administration goes beyond abnormal. It really is troubling from a national security perspective. It is a violation of norms,” said Lu.

Chris Lu

3 Reasons It Took So Long To Get Our First Madam Vice President

“This wasn’t somebody who nobody had heard of, plopped in as a way to demonstrate some sort of symbolic nod to women,” said Jennifer Lawless, a political science professor at the University of Virginia.

Jennifer Lawless

Jill Biden set to redefine role of first lady

“The particular challenge will be making sure to send a signal she can do two jobs,” said Jennifer Lawless, a politics professor at the University of Virginia.

Jennifer Lawless

Doug Emhoff prepares to break new ground as America's second gentleman

Barbara Perry, director of presidential studies at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center, said he appeared to be a “real hit”, both during the primaries and for the Biden campaign. “A good sign that someone is a good campaigner is when he or she is sent out alone and doesn’t have to go with the spouse or the family member. That was the secret to the Kennedy family.”

Barbara Perry