Two political events taking shape in the United States are being closely watched around the world.

President Bush will deliver the annual State of the Union address to Congress and the nation today (Jan. 28). It is expected the president will talk extensively about U.S. involvement in Iraq, concerns of a recession, immigration policy, homeland security, health care, alternative energy exploration and education, among other topics.

In addition, Democratic and Republican presidential candidates are preparing for Tuesday, Feb. 5Super Tuesdaywhen more than 20 states will hold primaries or caucuses.

West Virginia University has professors available to discuss these events.

• Robert DiClerico is a professor of political science in WVU s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences. He is an authority on political parties and elections and the politics of agenda setting. DiClerico is the author ofVoting in AmericaandThe American Presidentand the co-author ofChoosing Our ChoiceandFew Are Chosen.He was previously named a West Virginia Professor of the Year by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education and Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. He can be reached at robert.diclerico@mail.wvu.edu , 304-293-3812 ext. 5276 or 304-599-0776.

• Assistant professor R. Scott Crichlow teaches and conducts research on international relations, U.S. foreign policy, political psychology and Middle Eastern politics. In 1997, he won the Alexander George Award for the best graduate student paper presented at the annual meeting of the International Studies Association, and in 1998, he was a nominee for the best paper award in the Domestic Sources of Political Science section at the annual meeting of the American Political Science Association. He can be reached at scott.crichlow@mail.wvu.edu , 304-293-3811 ext. 5288 or 304-685-5943.

• Neil Berch, professor of political science, has extensive knowledge of state and local politics, economic policy and economic models of politics. He authored several papers and publications addressing tax measures in the U.S., the effects of challenger spending in U.S. House of Representatives elections and the campaigns of women candidates. Berch is also the coach of WVU s highly successful debate team. He can be reached at neil.berch@mail.wvu.edu , 304-293-3811 ext. 5290 or 412-445-3957.