Archive for the ‘Electoral Process’ Category
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14
Jul
2008
Wrestlers, Comedians, and Politicians: Oh My!!!
The race for Minnesota’s U.S. Senate seat may get really interesting tonight!
Already in the race we have incumbent Norm Coleman – Republican, and comedian/political commentator Al Franken – Democrat. Fraken is already trying to prove to voters that he’s a funny guy on the side, but he’s serious about being Minnesota’s next Senator. Currently, Franken-D is polling about 10 points behind Coleman-R. It usually pretty tough to overcome 10 point deficits (especially when you’re running against an incumbent).
Now Minnesota has elected stranger characters to public office before. In 1998 Minnesota elected former wrestler Jesse “The Body” Ventura as Governor. He served only one four year term – but managed to cause a lot of controversy while he was in office!
Tonight, things will get interesting. Ventura plans to announce whether he’ll run for Senate (as an independent) or not on Larry King Live. No one goes on a major talk show to announce they’re NOT running for office. He’ll announce tonight.
So we’ll have a former wrestler, a former comedian, and a politician.
Unfortunately for Al Franken, this is a death blow for his chances for election.
Fortunately for us non-Minnesotans, this will provide interesting political fodder!
Update: Jesse Ventura didn’t announce on Larry King. Those professional wrestlers sure are sneaky! Looks like the race won’t be quite as interesting as I thought.
Update: Rasmussen’s July 14th poll has Franken leading Coleman 44% to 42%
13
Jul
2008
Are We ‘Whiners’ or Just ‘Bitter’?
Phil Gramm, former Senator from the great state of Texas, told the Washington Times that country was filled with “whiners” and the United States is merely in a “mental recession.” Senator Gramm is one of John McCain’s economic advisers.
If Senator Gramm’s comment on the economy is correct or not isn’t the point. Remember, politics is about perception.
This is quite difficult news for the millions of people across the country who are struggling with high gas prices and an increasingly difficult mortgage crisis.
However, on the other side, in April Senator Obama said many people in small-town America are “bitter” and “cling to guns or religion … as a way to explain their frustrations.”
Which also is a quite difficult comment for people to hear. Since April, this comment has created a perception by some on the right that Obama is a elitist snob, as seen in this mock-poster on the right. (More on this subject to come later)
Both comments make the average American feel looked down upon, naive, and a little stupid.
However, forget about what you think about each of these comments. What really matters in the long run is:
Which comment hurts the respective campaign’s chances at election more?
12
Jul
2008
Obama and NASCAR
A lot has been said about Barack Obama failing to connect with white, male voters.
In an apparent attempt to connect to these voters, the Obama camp thought about sposoring a NASCAR Cup car! Negations, however, failed and Obama did not become the primary sponsor of BAM Racing’s No. 49 Toyota, Sprint Cup car. Apparently the driver is a huge Republican. Oops.
If Obama had landed the No. 49 Toyota, would more people have voted for him? Is this an effective way to reach white male voters? Would it be more appropriate, or effective, for John McCain to sponsor a NASCAR Cup car?
btw – Whats more of a sport, NASCAR or cheerleading?
12
Jul
2008
Vetting the Veep
Lately, there has been a lot of discussion about who Barack Obama and John McCain will select for their respective running mates. A woman? black person? latino? Southerner? military experience? Who will it be?
The office of the Vice President is, however, one with little responsibility or power. Whereas in a high school, the Assistant Principal has several assigned duties (discipline, grade levels, etc…), the Vice President only has two assigned duties. Funny enough though, both of these Constitutional duties are quite ceremonial. (We discuss these two duties in detail in our Executive Branch Unit.)
So first of all, the job of VP isn’t that powerful or glorious.
However the trick is, to become Vice President you have to be elected. What makes this very interesting is that everyone who runs for VP is closely scrutinized. Hundreds, maybe thousands, of people will begin to separately dig through the past of the potential Vice Presidents. They’ll be looking for dirt. Anything that will sell a newspaper or make TV ratings go up. A nanny who’s an illegal immigrant, a video of a rude comment, or (best of all) an extra-marital affair – anything.
What both campaigns are doing now is called ‘vetting.’
The campaigns will look through the past, through all the dirt, of the people who may potentially be their Vice President. This means giving all sorts of personal information out to the Obama or McCain campaigns. I imagine that some people are giving some really juicy information out!
Why, however, you would want to go through a process like this, just to become a figure-head with little to no real responsibility, amazes me. In fact, some potential running mates have already bailed.
The New York Times has a good, up to date, analysis of the race to be Vice President. I think this particular page will be worth checking on a regular basis.
We’ll talk soon about how much the selection of a running mate actually makes a difference in the election.
Update: As of July 12th, Clinton is still on Obama’s ‘short list’ for VP running mates.
Update: Some vetting rumors may actually be a ruse!
6
Mar
2008
Project Ideas!
I came across FOUR more political meetings that you can attend to help you with your semester project.
First:
You can see your U.S. Congressman, Representative John Carter, speak tonight at the Legacy Women Republican’s meeting in Cedar Park! The information follows. It’s a great opportunity!
7:00 at the Williamson County Annex in Cedar Park
Legacy Republican Women monthly meeting will be at the Williamson County Annex, 350 Discovery Blvd, Cedar Park, TX (map). Congressman John Carter will be our special guest and will officiate the installation of our 2009 Legacy officers. There will be special Christmas music and snacks.
Secondly:
The second is a fundraiser for the Democratic Party. (Now obviously if you’re a Republican this won’t work! But I’ll find a Republican one soon too!) The details can be found in the link below. The event does cost money ($25), after all it is a fundraiser!
Williamson County Democratic Fundraiser: Saturday December 13th at the Dell Diamond WilCo Democrats
Thirdly:
The Georgetown Area Republican Women will be meeting the same day as the Democrats, December 13th!
This event won’t work for your project (it’s just a social) but these women will be able to connect you with the political events or meetings that you need in order to get this project done! The information is below:
The Georgetown Area Republican Women invite you to attend our membership social on December 13, 2008 from 2-4 pm in Cimarron Hills, Georgetown , TX . We welcome you to join our club during this fun social event. It is our hope that with YOU the Georgetown Area Republican Women will be bigger and better than ever in 2009. Bring a friend or two to join us for some fun and socializing. RSVP to Carolyn Killebrew by email or by phone at 512-818-0916 to get the exact address.
Finally:
The following rally/protest in Georgetown will also work for your project.
Human Rights Advocates to Speak Out against Detention of Infants and Children in
Williamson CountyWHERE: Williamson County Courthouse in Georgetown, TX
WHEN: Sunday, December 7, at 4:00 p.m.
GEORGETOWN, TX – On Sunday, December 7, at 4 p.m. a peaceful coalition of individuals and groups opposing Willliamson County’s participation in the detention of asylum seekers will gather on the Courthouse steps in downtown Georgetown.
Although federal law requires the “least restrictive setting possible” for immigrant families, in 2006 Williamson County contracted with Corrections Corporation of America, a private for-profit prison company, to incarcerate non-criminal women and children in the T. Don Hutto detention facility in Taylor. The contracts between ICE, Williamson County, and CCA are up for renewal in January.
Concerned citizens will meet in the parking lot at 4th and Austin Ave. in Georgetown at 3:30 p.m. and walk southeast to the County Courthouse at 710 Main Street to hear community leaders speak in support of alternatives to the incarceration of families awaiting asylum or immigration hearings.
Gifts will be collected for the 385 detainees; suggestions include new toys in original packaging, books, music players, music, lotion, shampoo, candy, phone cards, and warm clothing such as sweaters and heavy socks. These will be delivered on December 20 at an upcoming Hutto vigil.Map of the area
Driving directions to Courthouse: Take IH 35 north to exit 261, State Hwy 29. Go east on 29 about 7 blocks and turn left at Austin Ave., proceeding north about 4 blocks. Courthouse is on the right.
For additional information: Visit http://tdonhutto.blogspot.com
Good luck!
And don’t tell me you have to work ALL of the dates I’ve given.
