USC Experts Available to Comment on President’s State of the Union Address

Speeches expert:

Thomas Hollihan, professor of communication at the USC Annenberg School, is an expert in poitical communication and campaign debates. He can comment on the arguments made by President Obama in his State of the Union Address and what he aims to accomplish with it.

“I expect him to focus on immigration reform, securing more gun regulations, and the looming spending cuts that will occur if Congress does not reach a compromise on longterm budget reform.”

Gun control expert:

Jody Armour, professor at the USC Gould School of Law, is an expert on gun control, prison overcrowding, and how politics will affect African-Americans in 2013.

“Many deaths from gun violence result not from the actions of the insane, but from street crime and gang violence. Any serious efforts to curb gun violence must address its root causes: street crime, drug-trafficking, poverty, social inequality, crumbling schools and a failed war on drugs.”

Immigration expert:

Jody Agius Vallejo, assistant professor of sociology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts & Sciences, is an expert on immigration reform and author of “From Barrios to Burbs: The Making of the Mexican-American Middle Class.”

“Obama’s immigration reform plan must include a viable pathway where unauthorized migrants can quickly obtain citizenship. Authorization will benefit the country economically and socially.”