Waterboarding: America politicizes shameful practices of torture on terror detainees

Review the article printed in the last edition of The Fanscotian and offer your insights to the following questions:

Do you think the practice of waterboarding should be an issue presidential hopefuls incorporate into their platforms?  Which candidates would provide informed insights into this subject?

CNN keeps Gravel out of Democratic debate in Las Vegas – Alec J.

Summary: Mike Gravel, one of the leading Democratic candidates for the upcoming 2008 election, will NOT be allowed to participate in the CNN-Nevada Democratic Party debate. CNN executive David Bohrman told Las Vegas newspapers that Gravel didn’t meet the $1 million donation standard required for participation. Gravel, a former Senator from Alaska, was only able to raise $240,000 for his campaign. This rejection comes after a similar refusal to include Gravel in a Philadelphia MSNBC debate just last week. A spokesman for Mike Gravel said that the candidate will still make an appearance in Las Vegas and is slated to speak at the Jefferson Jackson dinner, a Democratic Party event, with his fellow candidates next week.

Impact on 2008 Election: Because Mike Gravel won’t be allowed to participate in such a crucial debate so close to the primaries, this could severely injure his chances at becoming the nominee for the Democratic Party (if those chances existed before the announcement that he would not be allowed to participate). Though Gravel has raised the least amount of money, he has made controversial and attention-grabbing statements at several recent debates, most notably at CNN’s Youtube Debate, where he heavily criticized Barack Obama and questioned the source of Obama’s funds and donations. And though he isn’t considered a frontrunner, he has certainly turned heads across the country. CNN’s reasoning for not allowing him to participate was that he hadn’t raised the minimum amount of money. And why was this limit set? According to CNN, it is to ensure that the only ones who can participate are serious Democrats. But, if Mike Gravel has appeared and will appear at so many major debates, why is he not considered a “serious candidate?” I think it shows how money can have an extraordinarily negative effect on political campaigning and gives candidates less oppurtunities, so I ask you:

Focus Question: What does CNN’s refusal of Mike Gravel’s debate participation say about the power money has in controlling politics? Is an idea like “clean campaigning” a reasonable suggestion for eliminating this problem? 

Article Link: http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nevada/2007/nov/07/110710306.html

End of 1st Marking Period–

All posts and comments from this point forward will go toward 2nd marking period grades.  Keep up the interesting and intellectual dialogue!

Clinton: ‘Flip-Flopping’ or ‘Swift Boating’? : Michelle C.

Summary: On Wednesday, Former President Clinton made a speech in front of a few hundred of his wife’s supporters concerning the vulnerability of all the Presidential Democratic Candidates when asked to comment on complex issues quickly. Clinton is directly referring to his wife’s previous lack of statement on the subject of driver license’s for Illegal Immigrants in a previous statement. Clinton argued that his wife’s criticisms are similar to those of John Kerry in 2004 about his military record. The political community is in an uproar over Clinton’s declaration, stating Clinton’s response was inappropriate and ‘over the top’.

Impact on the 2008: Clinton’s statement on ‘Swift-Boating’ is one that could either be forgotten quickly or could really cause a wave in the primaries. The idea of Swift-Boating, or a violent attack on a speaker, is one that has gone hand in hand with other political insults such as Flip-Flopping. Because of the many varying opinions involved in the primaries, even on party lines, this primary is a perfect breeding ground for un-ethical political practices such as name calling. Former President Clinton is calling attention to the possibility of these practices in this upcoming election. It is also interesting to note, that Presidential Hopeful Hilary Clinton has already faced criticisms on her habit of ‘Flip-Flopping’.

Focus Question: Should un-ethical practices such as name-calling be over looked in a Presidential Primary?

Article: http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2007/11/07/bill-clinton-debates-might-leave-08-dems-open-to-swift-boating/

The Scramble for the Primaries: Michelle C.

Summary: This upcoming election, the primaries for most states have been pushed up closer to January. Many states are aiming to secure an early date so as to have more influence on the nominations. However, this vendetta is causing new problems for Election Officials. The National Public Radio (NPR) uses Bergen County, New Jersey as an example of a county which is feeling the effects of the upcoming primaries. Such problems are weather, which for New Jersey means a possibility of less volunteers because of the large population of elderly involved, and a smaller amount of time to prepare for the primary than normal. NPR also analyzes the affects of January 29th primary for Florida. Counties in Florida express distaste because of problems they will incur due to the early date. Many election officials claim that their volunteers will have to work during the Holiday Season, which means more money for overtime. Another problem that other states must deal with, such as California, is a public lack of confidence in the voting machines. Thus, states such as California are forcing their counties to buy more equipment for the upcoming primaries. One election official however is hoping that these problems will affect the primaries little because of the low voter turn out.

Impact on the 2008 Election: In an upcoming election unlike any other, one can assume that the primaries will elicit problems unlike any other year. Officials are facing problems which they have never experienced, which will surely create innovative results. These results may be innovative, but because of time restraints and other issues will the solutions be reliable? For the past few years voter confidence has been lessened in elections and with more tribulations arising for the primaries it is safe to assume that the confidence the public feels will not increase. Volunteers which are the foundation of an election may not be eager to miss out on their Holidays despite the early primaries.

Focus Question: Do you believe that the earlier primaries will increase the distrust expressed by voters because of the many complications incurred?

Article: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16058535

Thompson Slow and Steady to Bring Campaign Up to Speed – Nick M.

Summary: Republican presidential candidate Fred Thompson’s campaign announced that it will air its first commercial since his candidacy was announced just after Labor Day. The ad will run in Iowa this week. In it, Thompson introduces himself to voters as a “consistent conservative” who as a Republican U.S. senator “fought for tax cuts, and for conservative judges.” He also adds, “And I’m proud to have had a 100 percent pro-life voting record.”

Thompson has taken it easy on the campaign trail limiting his schedule to a few public events a week, while his competitors are doing 5 to 6 a day. This week marked the beginning of an intense schedule with a day in New Hampshire, two in South Carolina and an event at the Country Music Association Awards in Tennessee. Thompson adviser Rich Galen dismissed criticism of the schedule, saying that Thompson is working hard on fund raising and policy briefings even when he’s not holding public events.

Impact on 2008 Election: Fred Thompson’s sudden rush to the front of the campaign trail tells of his new-found urgency to catch up to his competitors. Although he is relatively high in the polls, his lax schedule could catch up with him and further mark him as “lazy.” Obviously this is not how Thompson would prefer to be labeled, but it would seem to some that it doesn’t affect the public’s attitude towards him poll-wise. Nevertheless, it seems as though Fred Thompson is feeling the pinch of the other candidates’ election tactics on his own campaign.

Focus Question: Will people find a new interest in Fred Thompson because he is “kicking it up a notch” or will this sudden change in tactics not show any difference in his poll numbers?

Article:

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/11/07/politics/washingtonpost/main3468460.shtml

Barack Obama: One Year From Now – Mike S.

Summary: On November 3, 2007 Barack Obama delivered a speech in Spartanburg, South Carolina. His speech is based around the idea of change. He says that one year from this day we are voting for a new president. He uses humor in his speech when he says that this will be the first time in 8 years that you wont see a Bush on the ballot and you will not see Chaney. He says that we have to fix what we have today. He says that we are left with a nation of wiretaps and war. We are also left with climate change and oil problems. He says that it is not just Democrats but Republicans know we need change. He says that we can blame Bush for everything. Schooling and other such social issues have been going on for along time, but it is time these issues were fixed. He says that he is not perfect and that even his wife says that. He says that he needs to be honest to the people. Tell us what we need to know. He want to increase fuel standards and bring troops home and end the war within 16 months. As president he will wake up and fight for Americans everyday and every hour. He wants to fix the money issues that America faces. He want people to afford college.

Reaction: I feel that he is right that we need change. We need it now. As I face may future the realization that College tuition may cost me almost $200,000 dollars is ludicrous. Also the atmosphere is being destroyed and there is a distrust in government. I feel that he hit many of the points that I wanted to hear from a candidate in this speech. It will definitively help him in the election. This speech though has to be condensed and gotten to the masses via the Television. I haven’t heard many of the points that he made in this speech on TV and if I hadn’t taken the 27 minutes out of my day to watch that I may have never known.

Focus Question: Do you feel that his usage of humor and connecting with he everyday American will help him in the polls? Why? DO you notice anyone else doing this?

Barack Obama on Saturday Night Live – Mike S.

Summary: This video clip is from the television show Saturday Night Live. Last Saturday Night for the shows opening skit they had a “Democratic Halloween Party.” The skit takes place at the Clinton household. It pokes fun at the Democratic hopefuls and also pokes fun at the former president Clinton. Obama is at the party dressed up in an Obama mask. When he takes of the mask he says: “You know, Hillary, I have nothing to hide. I enjoy being myself and I’m not going to change who I am just because it’s Halloween.” He then goes on to opening the show.

Reflection: I feel the Obama needing to get in the spotlight due to the fact that Hilary is leads polls at this point in time has strategically used this media outlet to gain National attention. This skit showed that Obama is willing to have some fun but at the same time show America when he is about. By saying that he has nothing to hide is what he wants the public to think. This was not the first time a late night television show was used for the election. Fred Thomson announced his presidency on the Late Show. I think that this will help Obama and I feel that it is going to make this race for the democratic candidate a close one.

Focus Question:

Do you feel that this will help Obama gain the support that he needs to win? Was it a smart idea to use an edgy media outlet to gain recognition? Why?

Republicans struggling to rebuild ‘damaged’ brand- Courtney B.

Summary: The struggling Republican Party is desperately searching for a new leader that can define the post-Bush party. There is more of a sense of betrayal in the leaders of the Republican party now then there has been in the past 45 years. Only 4 in 10 Americans are in favor of the Republican party, compared to the 7 in 10 that were in 1994. Only 25% of Americans identify themselves as Republicans, and out of citizens that identify themselves as independent, only 36% favor the Republican party. Why are these numbers so low? Probably because of the war, the way Bush is running the country, and discontent with the status quo.

Impact of the 2008 election: With only 25% of Americans calling themselves Republicans, Republican candidates will have to fight harder and harder to secure enough votes as possible. The independent party favors Democrats as of now, and with the war taking place I don’t believe they will change their minds anytime soon. As South Carolina’s Republican governor Mark Sanford quoted, “It takes time to damage a brand. It takes even longer to rebuild it.”

Focus Question: Has Bush destroyed any Republican candidate’s chances of winning the White House? Or is it the Republican party as a whole to blame? Will a new Republican leader be able to rebuild the damaged brand?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/11/06/king.south.carolina/index.html

Popular Televangelist Endorses Giuliani-Nick M.

Summary: Televangelist Pat Robertson, founder of the Christian Coalition, endorsed Republican presidential candidate Rudy Giuliani today. Robertson described Giuliani as a “proven leader who is not afraid of what lies ahead and who will cast a hopeful vision for all Americans.” He also cited Giuliani’s handling of New York City after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001: “Rudy Giuliani took a city that was in decline and considered ungovernable and reduced its violent crime, revitalized its core, dramatically lowered its taxes, cut through a welter of bureaucratic regulations, and did so in the spirit of bipartisanship which is so urgently needed in Washington today,” Robertson said.

His announcement in Washington D.C. today came as a surprise to other prominent figures in Washington. John McCain, another Republican presidential candidate said he was “speechless” when asked about the Robertson endorsement. Others were surprised because of Giuliani’s pro-choice and pro-gay rights stances that Robertson has perpetually attacked of others in the political sphere.

Robertson, who unsuccessfully ran for president in 1988, also founded the Christian Coalition and Regent University in Virginia Beach.

Impact on the 2008 election: Some consider the endorsement of Pat Robertson favorable, some not, but the Republicans in this election cycle are looking to hook the hefty portion of voters that evangelists encompass. Giuliani as well as McCain, Romney and others have been trying to find a way to appeal to the “religious right” through issues such as abortion, gay marriage, gay rights and stem-cell research. Looking at Rudy’s track record of these issues, one would be confused why the founder of the Christian Broadcasting Network and the host of the 700 club would support him. On Giuliani’s website, JoinRudy2008.com, his stances listed say that he supports reasonable restrictions on abortion and domestic partnerships. Pat Robertson on the other hand released a statement shortly after 9/11 in which he said the attacks occurred because Americans had “insulted God and lost the protection of heaven by allowing abortion and rampant Internet pornography.” These discrepancies on issues between the two are a justified reason for confusion in Washington. Nevertheless, the support of a prominent Televangelist and right-wing conservative like Pat Robertson will surely add interest to Giuliani’s campaign from the powerful evangelist voting block.

Focus Question: Will we begin to see a definite increase in Rudy Giuliani’s national poll numbers as a result of the endorsement from Pat Robertson?

Article

http://www6.comcast.net/news/articles/politics/2007/11/07/Giuliani.Robertson