Notoriety From Extensive Quoting
The extensive use of Sabato as a "Dr. Dial-a-Quote" has been noted in political media circles and attributed to his easy quotability and ability to offer pronouncements on a wide variety of topics. The Wall Street Journal refers to Sabato as "probably the most quoted college professor in the land" and some members of the news media have a rhyme referring to Sabato's availability for a quick quip on politics: "Need a quote/Do not tarry/Call U-Va./And ask for Larry."
The number of times he has been quoted annually has risen dramatically over the years: 78 times in 1992; 122 times in 1996; 179 in 2000; and 344 times in 2004. A 1996 New Republic article found that over the course of just one month, Sabato had been quoted as an expert on a large range of political topics: "Perot's exclusion from the debates, Clinton's policy toward Iraq, Whitewater, Dole's attitude toward pot-smoking, Dick Morris, negative ads, (and) the continued relevance of political parties."
His ability to speak on a wide range of topics had led to a similarly wide range of titles for Sabato, including: "an expert on political scandals" in an article about misdeeds in the Ohio GOP, a "congressional expert" when writing about a congressional election, an "expert on presidential affairs" when writing about a presidential visit, and "an expert in opinion and opinion making" when discussing Katie Couric's declining ratings.
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