President Obama comes to Syracuse later today, where he will give a speech on college affordability and the middle class. The speech at Henninger High School is expected to begin at 6:00 p.m. Doors will open at 3:00 p.m. for those who have tickets, which were distributed earlier this week.
Before coming to Syracuse, the president will appear at the University at Buffalo, where he is also expected to speak on college affordability. Following his Buffalo appearance, the president will board an armored bus for the trip to Syracuse. During his trip from Buffalo to Syracuse, traffic on the Thruway is expected to be slow or even stopped at times.
The White House has not provided details of the president's speech in Syracuse, but he is expected to focus on Syracuse's "Say Yes to Education" program, which provides free college tuition to students in Syracuse who meet certain guidelines.
The president's visit is expected to draw protests as well. Activists opposed to hydrofracking are planning to protest outside of the event in Syracuse.
While not on his official schedule, officials in Auburn are hopeful the president will pay a visit to the Harriet Tubman home. Central New York Congressman Dan Maffei sent a letter to Obama earlier this year inviting him to the Tubman home. Maffei is expected to meet with the president before his speech in Syracuse this afternoon. The White House has not said if the president will visit, but the FAA has restricted airspace in a 30 mile radius around Auburn from tonight until Friday morning. According to USA Today, the president will spend the night in Auburn before traveling to Binghamton tomorrow morning.
Tomorrow, President Obama plans a town hall meeting at Binghamton University and a speech at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
