Jon Delano to Discuss Midterm Elections

Aug 31, 2018

Constitution Day presentation, “Campaign 2018: Why Pennsylvania Can Make the Difference,” will take place at 7 p.m. Sept. 17.

jon delano

Jon Delano, money and politics editor at KDKA-TV, will be the guest speaker in Eberly Hall, Room 110, as Cal U observes Constitution Day. 

In addition, William Meloy and Loring Prest, faculty members in Cal U’s Department of Library Services, will conduct an interactive session, “Midterms Matter: Facts Matter,” at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m, in Manderino Library, Room 208.

A political analyst for KDKA-TV (CBS) since 1994, Delano became the station's first money and politics editor in September 2001. 

Along with his daily reporting on government, politics, and economic issues, he also hosts a Sunday morning public affairs program, “The Sunday Business Page” and is the back-up host for another public affairs show, "KD/PG Sunday Edition.” 

A trial lawyer who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, his reputation as a nonpartisan, fair political analyst has led to his selection as a moderator and panelist for many candidate debates, including statewide debates for governor, U.S. Senate, and Pennsylvania attorney general. 

Delano has served as a moderator at numerous Cal U election analysis forums, including ones after the past four presidential elections. 

Event organizer Dr. Melanie Blumberg, a political science professor in the Department of History, Politics, Society and Law, says there’s no one better to discuss Pennsylvania’s midterm elections. 

“Jon Delano brings his years of political expertise to campus to help make sense of the current political landscape, especially in light of the recent redistricting.” said Blumberg, who is also campus director of the American Democracy Project. 

“Pennsylvanians have come to rely on Jon Delano's accurate assessment of state politics and he will offer an unbiased, unvarnished picture of what to expect this November. “ 

Fake or Real 

Librarians Prest and Meloy will share helpful tips on how to be responsible consumers of the news, and explain the importance of an independent press in a democracy. 

Meloy is chair and associate professor of the Department of Library Services and the research and electronic collections librarian. Prest, a past department chair, is a professor and electronic resources librarian. 

Blumberg pointed out that according to a recent Knight Foundation and Gallup study, 62 percent of Americans think the news reported in daily newspapers, on television, and on radio is biased. They believe one-third of the news is false or inaccurate, but is presented as true.

“Charges of ‘fake news’ and ‘alternate facts’ dominate political discourse,” Blumberg added.  “Loring Prest and Bill Meloy's presentation could not be more timely, given the burgeoning criticism of media reporting.”

Cal U’s Constitution Day program is free and open to the entire campus community, as well as the general public. 

The Campus Vote Project and Campus Election Engagement Project fellows will staff tables at all three presentations where the campus community can register to vote. 

All schools that receive federal funds are mandated to observe Constitution Day, which commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution. 

This year’s Constitution Day program is an American Democracy Project initiative sponsored by the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost/Academic Affairs, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Department of History, Politics, Society, and Law.