Obama in Buffalo: What's the likely political impact?

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- A University at Buffalo political scientist is available to comment on President Obama's visit to Buffalo Thursday during a stop on his "White House to Main Street Tour."

According to Joshua Dyck, assistant professor of political science and an expert on voter behavior, Obama's visit will be exciting for Democrats and political observers, but it is unlikely to have any immediate impact on the Western New York economy or the state budget crisis.

In fact, the research on presidential visits show that they have very modest impacts on elections -- and that modest impact is seen at the height of campaign season, not six months before, Dyck explains.

Dyck's full commentary is available on UB's "NewsTips" website at http://newstips.buffalo.edu/tip/65.

The University at Buffalo is a premier research-intensive public university, a flagship institution in the State University of New York system and its largest and most comprehensive campus. UB's more than 28,000 students pursue their academic interests through more than 300 undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. Founded in 1846, the University at Buffalo is a member of the Association of American Universities.