"With the mid-term congressional elections coinciding with the gubernatorial primary contest, Nixon and Cuomo are both seeking to project themselves as 'resister in chief',” says Grant Reeher, professor of political science and director of the Campbell Public Affairs Institute.

Shana Gadarian, associate professor of political science, argues that stereotypes are a difficulty of a two-party system in which people who disagree with some of the views of their party have two options -- change attitudes or switch parties.