The Nomination of Eric Holder

Eric Holder has been nominated to become the next U.S. Attorney General. If confirmed, he will lead the U.S. Department of Justice. His nomination will be controversial because of his role in the Marc Rich pardon.

Should Holder be confirmed as the next Attorney General? Why or why not?

Details, Details, Details: Voting

Please read this article. Is this article significant for the 2008 elections? What questions does this bring up for you? Please list your name and school.

Interest Groups

Check out this interest group and this one. How do these websites help build support for their cause? Please remember to leave your name and school

Race in America- the 2008 Presidential Election

Please read this blog entry. And this CNN story (with links to videos contained within it)on the the poll. What do you think? Will race play a significant role in the upcoming US Presidential election? If so, how might it? REMEMBER TO IDENTIFY YOURSELF

Democracy in America!

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Obama wins...

Obama is now the presumptive Democratic nominee for president. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch has a nice editorial about where we are now.

It truly was a historic night for America. This time, the chant of "The Whole World is Watching" was mostly positive, praising and admiring America's progressivism in Obama's becoming the presumptive Democratic nominee. Check out these newspaper headlines form across the globe.

Now comes the hard part; details. I was disappointed in a part of his speech dealing with Jerusalem this morning at the AIPAC conference. Is this pandering? Will it be be helpful to the Middle East peace process? Check out James Zogby's take.

However his judgement has been excellent on Iraq. His website says "judgement you can trust." Here's his plan on Iraq. I believe Obama has a tremendous opportunity to help make progressive change, if he can win. Who would have thought this opportuity would even be possible in November, 2004, after Bush was re-elected?

Responsibility and Poverty

Please read this article on poverty aid. What is the most signifiacnt aspect of this article for international relations? Why?

Means and Ends

What do you think of this editorial in The New York Times? Compare it to this on The Huffington Post. I think it is matter of timing. Tough, comparative and, yes, negative ads are part of today's political reality. But doesn't it make a difference WHO, or WHICH PARTY, is throwing the punches? Does self-restraint have ANY place within Democratic Party politics?

The AKP, Turkey and the European Union

Please read this article. If the AKP is ruled an illegal party, what effect would that ruling have on Turkey's negotiations to join the European Union?

The Right to a Speedy Trial?

Should the state of Maine suspended all criminal trials for six weeks starting on April 1st? Is this an acceptable solution to help solve the budget crisis? Why or why not?

John McCain and conservatives

The Arizona Senator is now the frontrunner for the Republican Presidential nomination. However some conservatives don't believe he is one of them. Read this column. What were the two most important things you learned about McCain in this column. Why were they important to you?

The Caucuses are Coming!

Maine will hold its Republican caucuses on February 1-3 and its Democratic caucuses on February 10. Do you want to participate? Click here for the Republicans, here for the Democrats and here for the Independent Greens. Remember, politics is not a spectator sport!

Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Nomination

The battle is on for the Democratic nomination. Please read this article about Hillary Clinton and her race to win the White House. What were the two most surprising things you learned from this article? Why?

Well, something was happening, but not what I expected...

Hillary wins New Hampshire.

Obama, Obama, Obama!

It is happening! Now!