The U.S. Presidential Race

August 31, 2008 at 9:36 pm | In Group 3, Source: Blogs, US President | Leave a Comment

This has been a huge week in politics and the week to come will be just as important.  To start off, Sen. Obama kept his promise to his supporters by sending them all a text message or e-mail when he decided who would be his running mate (it’s Senator Joe Biden by the way.)  He then went to the Democratic National Convention where he made history by being the first ever African-American to accept a major party’s nomination.  There were many other VIPs in the Democratic party that spoke, promoting a general theme of unity with Hilary Clinton’s supporters and continued connections between Sen. McCain and Pres. Bush.  Sen. Obama’s website, www.barackobama.com, is mainly promoting his new running mate, the speech his wife made at the DNC, and his acceptance speech.

Sen. McCain did not take the week off, as is usual during the other party’s convention.  Instead, he campaigned all week, coming to a climax on Saturday when he announced his new running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska.  This was a huge surprise to almost everyone, as she is relatively unknown, and new to politics.  Commentators consider this pick questionable, as she is inexperienced and seriously undermines Sen. McCain’s ability to question Sen. Obama’s experience.  However, Sen. Obama has created his first ad after Sen. McCain’s selection, and did not attack Gov. Palin at all.  He continued connecting Sen. McCain to Pres. Bush, but merely mention Palin twice without saying anything of substance about her.  In the upcoming week, the Republicans are set to hold their convention in St. Paul, Minnesota.  However, with Hurricane Gustav approaching New Orleans, the opening day on Monday has had its schedule cut and the rest of the week is likely to be shortened as well.  Pres. Bush and V.P. Cheney were scheduled to speak Monday and cancelled, as they were both going south to meet with evacuees in Texas and, once conditions permit, visit New Orleans itself.

This horse race journalism is generally more interesting to follow, but sometimes we forget that the election is supposed to be about the issues.  An informed voter is a responsible voter.  Therefore, I plan to close each post with the candidates’ stances on an issue, as posted on their respective websites. (www.barackobama.com and www.johnmccain.com)

Today’s issue is health care.  Sen. Obama plans to offer health care to all americans-guaranteed eligibility.  He plans to make health care less expensive, so that everyone can afford a plan.  The benefits would be the same plan that members of Congress get.  He says there will be affordable co-pays, premiums, and deductibles.

Sen. McCain believes that the key to fixing health care is by “restoring control to the patients themselves.”  He says he wants a system of health care where everyone can afford the care that they need.  He says he will offer tax breaks to help pay for insurance, by paying the company that you decide you want to insure you $2,500 for individuals and $5,000 for families.

NC Senate Race 2008: The Candidates

August 30, 2008 at 11:23 pm | In Group 6, Source: Blogs, U.S. Senate | Leave a Comment

On November 4th 2008 North Carolinian voters will go to the polls to elect one of their two senate members.  Incumbent Republican Elizabeth Dole is facing Democratic nominee Kay Hagan in a tight senate race.  This is the first time that two women nominees  will square off in North Carolina Senate
history; and only the eighth in United States history.  We’ll begin by introducing the two candidates and stating their positions on some of the major issues facing North Carolina.

Elizabeth Dole was first elected to the senate in 2002 and as her biography reads she is a very accomplished women.  Dole was born in Salisbury North Carolina and received her undergraduate degree from Duke University (lost our votes) She continued on to earn her masters from Harvard Law School. Dole has a long history in politics, she has worked for and held many positions; the Federal Trade Commission, Secretary of Transportation, Assistant to the Public Liaison for President Nixon, Secretary of Labor, and President of the Red Cross.  In 1999 Elizabeth led a failed presidential bid
and in 2002 was elected to the Senate.

Here are her stances on some of the major issues faced by every voter,

Abortion: Pro-Life

Civil Rights: Poor ratings of 0% and 18% by the HRC and NAACP which represent gay and African American rights

Corporations: Most recently voted against on repealing tax subsidies for companies that outsource labor outside the United States, indicating that she is more pro-business

Crime: Tough on Crime she supports the death penalty Drugs: Has been quoted saying that she will ³lead a crusade against drugs², wants to use all branches of the military to combat drugs, she has done many other anti-drug things.  Pretty much she is strongly opposed to drugs

Education: Rated 27% by the NEA which means her votes have been anti-public
education

Energy and Oil: Voted No on Multiple energy votes for things such as
hydrogen car initiatives, and banning arctic drilling, also is rated 17% CAF
opposed to energy independence

Environment: Anti-Environment (She obviously has not seen Wall-E)

Gun Control: Rated A by the NRA meaning pro-gun rights, (once promised to a
chicken in every pot and a gun in every closet)

Elizabeth Dole enjoyed a 45% approval rate and a 38% disapproval rate as of October 30th, 2007.

Kay Hagan is much more mysterious than Elizabeth Dole.  She has served 5 terms in the North Carolina State Senate.  She graduated from Florida State University and earned her law degree form Wake Forest.  Consistently rated in the top 10 in terms of North Carolina registration she is a powerhouse

when it comes to The North Carolina State Senate

Kay believes:
Economy/Budget-supports economic programs that work to create and keep
jobs in North Carolina and tax cuts for middle class families
Violence-plans to fund the programs that are effective and provide law
enforcement with the tools they need, while “creating a strategic plan
for fighting crime”, terrorism, and illegal immigration
Education-increase student loan services, decrease/control tuition,
wants to fix No Child Left Behind through more funding
Energy and Environment-big fan of renewable energy sources, increase
funding for research/development of new resources, minimize future
droughts, and increase water conservation efforts
Health Care-make it affordable for everyone
Immigration-work towards a practical solution to strengthen borders,
upgrade laws, and eliminate the shadow economy Military-more funding
for soldiers
Iraq-supports withdrawal of troops Trade/jobs-fair trade, make it
possible for America and NC, and growth and prosperity for middle class
workers

Latest poll: 42% Hagan, 39% Dole

NC Race for Governor

August 30, 2008 at 3:32 pm | In Group 9, NC Governor, Source: Blogs | Leave a Comment

In an article entitled “NC governor’s race moves to live television”, found in the news
and observer, it was stated that neither candidate has done anything original, but
rather is simply trying to echo the ideas of their respective presidential candidate.
Both candidates have changed their views on subjects such as offshore drilling numerous
times to try to echo the sentiments of either McCain or Obama, and appeal to a wider
audience.  This brings into question how much the race for governor in North Carolina
will be affected by the presidential race.  Will it be helpful for candidates to try to
mirror the people at the top of the ticket, or are they simply hurting themselves by
changing their views on so many issues?  Perdue’s campaign accused McCrory of changing
their stance on the minimum wage while McCrory has reprimanded Perdue for her changing
views on offshore drilling.  These inconsistencies from both candidates are caused
largely in part by trying to make themselves look more like the presidential
candidates.  This makes it seem as if the race for governor will be decided more so by
who wins the presidency rather than by the candidates involved.

Here is a link to the actual article: http://www.newsobserver.com/2102/story/1182121.html

NC Governor’s Race: Background Information

August 30, 2008 at 3:31 pm | In Group 7, NC Governor, Source: TV | Leave a Comment
Tags: , ,

Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue’s campaign platform emphasizes education reform, healthcare reform, and economic development. A veteran lawmaker, Perdue served four years in the North Carolina House of Representatives and then another 10 in the North Carolina Senate. She was elected as North Carolina’s first female Lieutenant Governor in 2000, and has filled that post since.

Perdue has a particularly strong emphasis on education. A former teacher, she raised many concerns about the level of education in North Carolina, leading to an increase in teacher salaries. During one interview on WRAL, she said that the state should make a promise that every child that graduates high school would be able to go to college.

Pat McCrory, Perdue’s main opponent for the Governor’s chair, is the seven-term mayor of Charlotte. His campaign mainly emphasizes stricter penalties for illegal immigrants, reforming the transportation system, and job growth. McCrory began his political career as a city councilman in Charlotte. He swiftly rose through the ranks of the Charlotte city council, gaining a reputation for being strong on public safety issues. He was elected as Charlotte’s mayor in 1995, and has filled that job ever since, becoming the longest-serving mayor of Charlotte in history.

McCrory’s main emphasis is in the area of justice reform, where he supports stricter penalties and enforcement of North Carolina’s illegal immigration statutes. McCrory, on his website, says that, “As Governor, I will make sure that illegal immigrants do not receive state benefits, such as driver’s licenses and in-state tuition.”

In the most recent poll conducted by The Raleigh News & Observer, Democrat Beverly Perdue leads Republican Pat McCrory 43 to 38 with a margin of error of +/- 3.3%. The polling numbers for this race have been relatively static, with other services such as Rasmussen, Survey USA, and Civitas all reflecting at least a 4-point lead for Perdue.

Is there truly party unity after the Democratic National Convention?

August 30, 2008 at 7:32 am | In Group 1, Source: TV, US President | Leave a Comment

Hillary Clinton was expected to make a vital speech in honor of her rival, Barack Obama, at the Democratic National Convention this week. With many of her supporters still hoping they could rekindle the faint candle that would officially go out with Obama’s acceptance of the democratic nomination at the Democratic Convention. Although Clinton hopes to direct her supporters to her fellow rival, will Clinton supporters accept her advice?

America realizes that a strained relationship must lie between both the Obama’s and the Clinton’s; therefore, how can people fall for the misconception? As Hillary made her plead to her fellow democrats on national television, there must have been a few who questioned her true motive. As CNN reported, the bitterness must end, as Democrats must now rally together behind their own party to fight against John McCain, not between one another. So, what was Hillary’s main motivation in her speech? What point did she hope to leave with the people of the United States?

Hillary ultimately wants the opportunity to run again for the democratic nomination for President in the 2012 election now that her chances have officially run out. She does not want McCain to take the position; therefore, realizes the importance of rallying her party to fight back! She truly has no choice but to support her now fellow running mate; however, many feel that she still considers her credentials to outweigh those of Obama’s. She wants another opportunity at the prestigious office of President of the United States and will take her chance once again. The course of time will tell what her true motives and desires may be, but as for now, the Democratic Party must come together if they want to win the Presidency.

NC Senate Race: Background Information

August 30, 2008 at 7:31 am | In Group 4, Source: TV, U.S. Senate | Leave a Comment

Elizabeth Dole, a native of Salisbury, North Carolina, began her career in politics
during the 1980’s. Dole was first the U.S. secretary of transportation and later the U.S
secretary of labor. In 2000, Dole ran for the Republican presidential candidate, but did
not succeed. After her loss, Dole was elected as a Republican to the U.S. Senate (2002).
She is currently on the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and is a candidate for
the 2008 U.S Senate election. Also, Elizabeth Dole is the wife of Robert (Bob) J. Dole.
Elizabeth Dole remains fairly moderate on most of the current issues, such as the
economy. Some of her goals as senator include: increasing energy independence, slashing
high gas prices (she has my vote haha), begin to restore the housing and mortgage
businesses, tax relief, protecting workplace fairness, and eliminating wasteful spending
in the government by passing the Second Look at Wasteful Spending Act of 2007.

Source: www.elizabethdole.org

Kay R. Hagan is the Democratic candidate challenging the reelection of Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina for the US Senate. Hagan represents Guilford County in the North Carolina Senate. Before entering public service, Hagan was Vice President of NCNB, the state’s largest bank. She was born in Shelby, North Carolina and holds degrees from Florida State University and Wake Forest University. Her main issues include decreasing crime and gang violence, promoting rural competitiveness and creating a clean energy future, and decreasing the unemployment rate. She wants to promote free trade while creating programs to assist workers who suffer due to such trade. She will also seek middle-class tax cuts to aid struggling families. And of course, she will fight for more funding for North Carolina’s public programs, mainly education. She faces an uphill battle due to the huge advantages held by incumbent congressional candidates.

Source: www.kayhagan.com

All About Obama

August 30, 2008 at 7:31 am | In Group 2, Source: Newspapers, US President | Leave a Comment

Upon first opening the Wall Street Journal, the Barack Obama campaign seems to be the primary focus of the entire first section with a stunning eight articles centering around him while theres only one article about John McCain.  At the recent Democratic National Convention Barack Obama received the Democratic nomination while not all of Clinton’s supporters were eager to back Obama, “For many Clinton backers, the prospect of Republican John McCain in the White House was enough to unify behind Sen. Obama.”  This vote is the first major sign of unity in the Democratic party which Obama hopes to further as his compaign continues.  One way he wishes to further the unity is by focusing on younger voters.  In a WSJ/NBC News poll, “Sen. Obama leads 55% to 37% among likely voters ages 18-34.”  Getting young voters more involved is clearly a main goal of the democratic party.  This week at the National Convention, they used performances by Dave Matthews Band and Fallout Boy to spark more interest from teenagers.  Despite the Democratic Party’s attempts to win over the public, in a recent poll by NBC news of 503 registered voters, 51% believe that Obama is the riskier choice for president, 37 % think McCain is the riskier choice for president, and 12% were unsure.

Drilling for the answer?@#!

August 30, 2008 at 7:31 am | In Group 5, Source: Newspapers, U.S. Senate | 1 Comment
Tags:

In a recent video interview, North Carolina senator Elizabeth Dole made it quite clear that off-shore drilling would be a major component in finding the solution to today’s energy crisis. However, on Kay Hagan’s website she has made a point to address alternative energy sources as the way to stimulate economic growth by creating more jobs in North Carolina. Tell us, Kay, could you give us a time frame for your brilliant economic plan? Dole’s plan is approachable now as we have the technology to accomplish this, while Hagan’s reach for an alternative energy plan could take many years to become effective.

So plain and simple, the question is- Do we focus on the here and now, or do we take an approach that would be more beneficial in the future that is alternative energy sources?

Is it Rational to Vote?

August 26, 2008 at 10:48 pm | In Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

There’s a very interesting discussion on the social science blog OrgTheory on why people choose to vote at all–useful in thinking about democratic citizenship in an election year.

Blog at WordPress.com. | Theme: Pool by Borja Fernandez.
Entries and comments feeds.