Posted on September 28, 2004 at 9:12 a.m

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The first debate between President George W. Bush and the challenger, U.S. Senator John Kerry, is scheduled for this Thursday, September 30. How important are the debates? What messages do the candidates need to convey to the voters? The following experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are available to provide analysis before and after the debates:

Larry Powell, Ph.D. — Powell is a pollster and an expert on the methods politicians use to communicate with the public. He is co-author of Political Campaign Communication: Inside and Out (2003). In addition, he has worked as a press secretary, speechwriter and communications consultant for dozens of political candidates. Powell is a professor and is interim chairman of the Department of Communication Studies.

Holly Brasher, Ph.D. — Brasher studies American politics, the presidency and public opinion about political parties. She is co-author of the textbook Organized Interests and American Government (2003). Brasher is an assistant professor in the UAB Department of Government.

For interviews, contact Gail Short, UAB Media Relations, at (205) 934-8931 or gshort@uab.edu. After hours, call (205) 934-3411 and ask for the Media Relations specialist on call.