All three Buffalo mayoral candidates will be facing off Tuesday evening in a WBFO & WNED-TV debate. Incumbent Democrat Byron Brown will face off against Democrat Bernie Tolbert and Republican Sergio Rodriguez. WBFO's Eileen Buckley explores their campaign styles with a Buffalo State political science professor.
"Image is everything in terms of communication in general and public speaking specifically," said Dr. Bruce Bryski, professor of speech and media studies at Buffalo State College.
Byrski said Brown is the candidate citizens are most familiar with because they've heard him speak the most over the past eight years of his administration.
"In my opinion, he's got the best speaking style," said Byrski.
Bryski notes that while Mayor Brown has experience, visibility and name recognition, both Rodriguez and Tolbert have well noted work in public service.
"Rodriguez -- I kind of like him. I love his energy," said Byrski.
"Bernie Tolbert -- I sort of like him. I think he is relatively direct," he said.
Tolbert comes from law enforcement and Rodriguez the U.S. military.
"They're all credible -- and any one of them would make a good candidate for Buffalo," said Bryski.
Byrski said he believes if it "boils down" to Rodriguez and Brown after the September 10 primary, we could see another round of interesting debates between the two prior to the November election. But Byrski says for now, all three make a good candidate for the Mayor of Buffalo.