Posted on June 22, 2004 at 12:48 p.m.

BIRMINGHAM, AL — The following experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) are available to provide insight and analysis on the presidential race, interest groups and campaign communication.

Political Communication, Polling

Larry Powell, Ph.D., is a pollster and an expert on political communication. He is co-author of the book Political Campaign Communication: Inside and Out (2002). Powell has conducted numerous statewide opinion polls. He also has worked as a press secretary and speechwriter and has been a consultant for dozens of congressional and state and local political candidates in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina and Texas.

Powell has been interviewed by reporters from Associated Press, Knight Ridder, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Columbus Ledger and The Birmingham News. He is a professor in the UAB Department of Communication Studies. He has been ranked as one of the top 100 communication researchers in the nation by the Association of Communication Administrators.

Interest Groups and Politics

Holly Brasher, Ph.D., is available to discuss interest group politics, Congress, the presidency and public opinion about political parties. She is co-author of the textbook Organized Interests and American Government (2003). Brasher’s research also focuses on congressional behavior and how it shapes public opinion, the leadership efforts of Congress in comparison with the president, and the way mass media facilitates or inhibits the leadership of both institutions.

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