April 22, 2008 Briefings

1.) CNN’s John King claims that Pennsylvania offers Senator Clinton several distinct advantages. Clinton has consistently been the favorite of retirement-aged voters, and Pennsylvania is only second to Florida when it comes to these older voters. (CNN)

2.) Barack Obama called the battle in Pennsylvania an “uphill battle” today. He refused to predict a victory for himself there, but pointed out that his campaign can be strong, even in a big state. (CNN)

3.) This Pennsylvania Primary has been called Hillary Clinton’s “last chance” at defeating Senator Obama in the presidential race. Clinton does have roots in this state, and cites that she is the likely favorite of the state’s Catholics and blue-collar voters. (CNN)

4.) There has been much speculation as to who will join McCain on the presidential ballot. So far the list of suspected potential running mates has included several governors, senators, and even some 2008 presidential candidates. (CNN)

5.) After some accusation towards Bill Clinton, the former president denied ever saying that Barack Obama was “playing the race card.” Clinton asked to know where he had said that and to whom. (CNN)

6.) Chelsea Clinton recently spoke to a group of students at Duke University and said that she feels her mother is more ready for the office than her father was when he took it. She explained that her father did not yet have a firm grasp on the inner workings of the Congress. (MSNBC)

7.) Senator McCain is currently in Alabama campaigning. He explained that winning over black voters will be difficult for him, as they have mainly supported Democratic nominees for generations. (MSNBC)

8.) Former President Nixon’s daughter, Julie Nixon Eisenhower, has announced that she is supporting Obama in the upcoming election. She has donated $2,300 to his campaign. (MSNBC)

9.) An April 17^th report showed that the Republicans are no longer the underdogs in the race for the White House. This is partly attributed to Clinton’s souring image, and the fact that while more are warming up to Obama, there are even more warming up to McCain. (KING 5)

10.) Barack Obama explained the recent comment he made about McCain being an improvement over President Bush. Some Democrats were upset over the comment, saying that Obama’s comment undercut their feelings that McCain would offer the same to our country as the current president. (NWCN)

April 15, 2008 Briefings

1.) In a speech made by Senator John McCain on Tuesday, he called for a summer-long suspension of the federal gasoline tax. Our economic troubles have become one of the biggest issues for the upcoming presidential election’s candidates. (Seattle Times)

2.) Bob Johnson, the CEO of Black Entertainment Television, publicly voiced his support for Hillary Clinton. Johnson claimed that if Barack Obama were not black, he would not be a leading presidential candidate. (Seattle Times)

3.) Hillary Clinton has claimed 50% of the votes in Pennsylvania, leaving Obama with 44%. 26% of Clinton voters claimed that they would choose McCain over Obama should Obama occupy the Democratic slot on the ballot. (Seattle Times)

4.) McCain seems to identify more as an Independent as critics accuse him of antagonizing Republicans. It has been said that the senator appears to like working with the Democrats. (Seattle Times)

5.) April 10^th marked 207 days left to go of campaigning. In 25 days the Indian and North Carolina primaries will begin. (Seattle Times)

6.) A new poll shows that Obama no longer holds an advantage over McCain. Obama continues to be the subject of much criticism concerning his experience and readiness for the presidency. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

7.) In a recent interview Barack Obama discussed his fascination with basketball as a child. He claimed that it helped him to find some racial identification in the primarily white state of Hawaii. (Seattle Post-Intelligencer)

8.) Following some controversial remarks made by Obama in which he said that small-town Americans “cling” to guns and religions, he has sought to control any possible damage that he might have done. (The Times, United Kingdom)

9.) A new Bloomberg poll shows that Hillary Clinton is losing traction. Pennsylvania is a state that she was expected to perform strongly in, however she is only leading Obama by 5% of the votes. (The Chicago Tribune)

10.) Obama ridiculed Hillary Clinton for a “shot and beet” photo op she posed in Indiana this weekend. This came after she called Obama’s recent controversial remarks elitist. (The Chicago Tribune)

Reflective Questions from April 7, 2008

1.) Prime Rate: The prime rate refers to a reference interest rate used by banks. The prime rate is newsworthy because it is being lowered in an attempt to stimulate the economy.

2.) Tibet: Tibet is a region in Central Asia that is under the rule of the Chinese government. It has been especially newsworthy lately as the Summer Olympics approach. There has been much protest over human rights crimes in Tibet. Hillary Clinton recently called on President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies in China.

3.) Colombia Trade Agreement: On April 13^th President Bush sent this free-trade agreement to Colombia. The agreement has met much protest from Democrats who claim that the Colombian government has not done enough to stop violence, protect workers and fight against paramilitary groups.

4.) Iraqi Military, Militia, U.S. Military, Green Zone: In 2003 American forces claimed a region in Central Baghdad and used it for coalition groups. Since the original invasion, many parts of the Green Zone have been handed over to the newly emerging Iraqi government and military by the U.S. Military. The new U.S. Embassy is being built in a southern section of the Green Zone.

5.) Benedict XVI: Benedict XVI is the reigning pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He has made recent news because of his upcoming (Wednesday) visit to the White House. This will be only the second time the pope has visited the White House.

April 7, 2008 Briefings

1.) Hillary Clinton made a high-profile move today when she called on President Bush to boycott the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on August 8^th in China. The message behind the boycott would be to press down on China for its crackdown in Tibet. (politico.com)

2.) It is in unlikely that Barack Obama will be able to draw very many college campus votes in the crucial Pennsylvania primary. While the states hosts over 150 colleges and universities, the issue lies in he fact that a very large number of these students are from out of state – meaning that they are registered to vote in their home states. (politico.com)

3.) Although Barack Obama has consistently backed gun control legislation, the presidential candidate is working to draw support from pro-gun voters in Pennsylvania. The state has one of the country’s highest per capita rates of National Rifle Association memberships. (politico.com)

4.) Hillary Clinton’s chief strategist, Mark Penn, stepped down Sunday night. This move comes after a week of political embarrassment for Penn. (The Huffington Post)

5.) Condoleezza Rice has been expressing interest in taking the place as running mate for presidential candidate John McCain. Many political analysts have said that the pairing would be ideal. (The Huffington Post)

6.) A Philadelphia gay newspaper has accused Barack Obama of avoiding them. Following this, the paper printed a lengthy interview with Hillary Clinton; right alongside a big, blank middle-finger to Obama. (The Huffington Post)

7.) According to political writer Sean Wilentz, Hillary Clinton should be ahead in the race for the presidency. He states that in a winner-take-all system, she would be well ahead and notes that her only downfall is the process. (realclearpolitics.com)

8.) New reports are showing that anti-McCain campaigns are falling short financially. One analyst criticized Democrats for being to focused on the Clinton-Obama race, when they should be putting more effort towards slowing down John McCain. (politico.com)

9.) Howard Dean warned Democrats on Sunday that if they remain divided come election time, they will hand Republicans the presidency. He did say though that he does not want to pressure undecided Dems to pick a side. (politico.com)

10.) Filmmaker Spike Lee endorsed Barack Obama in a recent interview with politico.com writer Ben Smith. He also went on to say that he voted for a Clinton twice, but that’s over with. (politico.com)

Diversity Wheel

Diversity Wheel

1.) Religion: Christian

2.) Geography: Born in Escondido CA, also lived in Seattle, Indianapolis IN, Woodinville, Ellensburg

3.) Nationality: American

4.) Profession and Status: College Student

5.) Class: Upper Middle Class

6.) Education: College Junior

7.) Physical Abilities and Intellect: Horseback riding/training, college student…

8.) Race: Caucasian

9.) Gender: Female

10.) Age: 21

11.) Cultural Heritage: Irish, Spanish

12.) Sexual Orientation: Straight

While I do think that each of these twelve aspects will likely affect my thinking and judgment at some points throughout my life, I do agree that some of them in particular are more likely to do so on a daily or more regular basis. I think that religion has certainly played a role in how I view the world. Interestingly enough though, my religious views have also changed in accordance with how I view the world. I was baptized Catholic, but have since decided that much of what the church says goes against my often quite liberal thinking. Regardless of my specific religious affiliation though, I will always love and believe in God. The fact that I am an American has probably played a heavy hand in the way that I look at issues; and even more so in various world issues. I don’t like to think of myself an “arrogant and ignorant” American, but I do undoubtedly have a lot of pride for my nationality. The last aspect of the diversity wheel that I think has been a major influence in my thinking and personality is certainly the fact that I am a college student. The opportunity and ability to come to college is one that will enable you to expand your personal knowledge and experience in ways that will, in turn, probably change the way in which you look at the world.

April 1, 2008 Briefings

1.) Senator Barack Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton battled for Texas’s delegates this weekend. According to Jim VandeHei of politico.com, some supporters claim that they could potentially leave their party if their candidate doesn’t receive the nomination. (NPR)

2.) According to recent polls, American’s are unsatisfied with all of their politicians. There are still a number of reasons as to why they return to the polls. (NPR)

3.) 257 delegates remain uncommitted. With some of these not yet devoted to a candidate, politicians are urging them to declare before the convention. (NPR)

4.) On Tuesday, Democratic strategists said that Clinton will have to win Pennsylvania’s April primary by a large margin to remain a strong contender. Most are predicting a win for Senator Clinton. (Fox News Radio0

5.) As Chelsea Clinton continues to visit college campuses nationwide to rally support for her mother’s campaign, she is continuously being asked the same questions about her father’s infamous affair. The former first daughter has declared that those details aren’t “anyone’s business.” (Fox News Radio)

6.) As an April Fool’s Day prank, Hillary Clinton proposed a solution to the presidential race: a bowl-off between herself and Senator Obama. She declared that the winner would take all. (Fox News Radio)

7.) Bill Clinton urged California Democrats that his wife should indeed remain in the presidential race. This came after some Democrats have called for Clinton to drop out of the race. (NPR)

8.) It appears that Barack Obama support has not dwindles following the controversial remarks made by the senator’s former pastor. Many did claim to be offended, however. (NPR)

9.) The Ohio National First Ladies Library says that they will not admit Bill Clinton should his wife be elected president. The library’s president said that the any “first men will have to build their own building.” (NPR)

10.) According to new polls, Democrats like the idea of Obama joining Clinton’s ticket should she win the nomination; however they do not favor that idea vice-versa. (NPR)