CMC In The News

Prof. Andrew Sinclair ’08 was quoted in an article on how polls are showing former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris locked in a tight race for the election. The article mentioned the recent CMC-Rose Institute Poll on national election results. In his capacity as the director of the poll, Prof. Sinclair was interviewed and shared, “It’s possible for either candidate to outperform their polling…We live in a time where there’s enough change in the technology that people are using, and the way that interacts with how people respond to surveys, that polling has gotten more interesting and more difficult. So it’s possible to miss either way.” The article was reposted in more than 30 media outlets across the United States, including Miami Herald, The Sacramento Bee, The Seattle Times, MSN.com, and Sun Herald. 

Professor Minxin Pei reflected on China’s attempt to mediate in the Ukraine conflict, which has been dismissed by the U.S. and Ukraine as insufficient. He acknowledges that China could play a crucial role in pushing for a long-term ceasefire.

Professor Jack Pitney provided an update on the presidential race. 

Professor Minxin Pei wrote an opinion piece that attributes the recent murder of a young boy in Shenzhen as a symbol of worsening Sino-Japanese relations. He ascribes this horrific act to be driven by China’s increasingly aggressive stance toward Japan and its territorial disputes.

The Rose Institute of State and Local Government was cited for a report that highlighted Long Beach as one of the most ADU-friendly cities in California. The Rose Institute found that Long Beach issued 1,431 ADU permits between 2018 and 2022, demonstrating the city’s commitment to supporting ADUs as a solution to housing shortages.

Claremont McKenna was mentioned in reference to its position on the Top 20 “Best Student Experience” rankings. The survey evaluated aspects such as campus facilities, social life, and diversity, with Claremont McKenna contributing to the region’s strong showing in these categories.

Professor Minxin Pei argued that China’s outreach to developing nations, especially in the Global South, is shifting from a predatory narrative to a strategic effort to counter US-led trade and technology challenges. 

The Wall Street Journal, in collaboration with College Pulse, listed Claremont McKenna College as one of the top five U.S. Colleges of 2025.

Professor Minxin Pei discussed Vice President Kamala Harris’ cautious approach to China during the election campaign.

Professor Jack Pitney emphasizes the importance of understanding county government and the impact of ballot measures on local budgets. He advocated for accessible, nonpartisan fiscal analysis of ballot measures to help voters make informed decisions, acknowledging that most voters do not thoroughly research each measure. 

Professor Jack Pitney commented on the political ramifications of former President Donald Trump’s decision to embrace Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. in his campaign.

Professor Kenneth Miller co-authored an article discussing the possible changes in California’s democratic legislature over the next two years.

Professor Lily Geismer provided insight into the Democratic Party’s shifting stance on wealthy individuals and how that affects their messaging and strategy. “This has been such a unique election cycle, but a large part of the Democrat’s strategy has been to distance themselves from the perception that they are the party of the wealthy with a softened populism,” she said. 

Professor Jack Pitney provided his analysis of Senator Alex Padilla’s potential for influence in the White House. He said, “Senator Padilla could succeed Chris Coons as the Senate’s president whisperer,” in reference to her connections with Vice President Kamala Harris.

Professor Jon Shields was referenced in an opinion piece about the dwindling number of conservative faculty members in colleges and universities.