“Think about that. She’s {Hillary Clinton} running against ‘nobody’ and ‘nobody’ gets 40 percent of the vote, the other 5 percent of the vote went to three other people: 27,924 votes went to the guy who believes in UFOs, the guy who dropped out and the guy who last held public office somewhere around 1855.”
-Former Deputy White House Chief of Staff Karl Rove, referring to Hillary Clinton's win in Michigan's primary yesterday
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Michigan Results In; Romney Victorious
Today, January 15th, the state of Michigan held its primaries for both the Democratic and Republican party. In the Republican Party, Mitt Romney won the GOP primary, with roughly 39% of the vote (as of this posting, only 74% of the Republican votes have been counted). These results are certainly indicative of the state of Michigan's economy and job market; Mitt Romney is seen primarily as the candidate of the "fiscal conservative." What this means is that money-minded Republicans support him and the state of Michigan's economy likely lent Romney many votes from Michigan Republicans. Another argument proposed is that Romney was able to garner votes because of his "favorite son" status; or a native Michigander which lead many to vote for him in light of his history in Michigan. Romney will use the Michigan primary to propel his campaign and continue through Super Tuesday, although it was unlikely he would have dropped out of the race had he lost Michigan. Romney was also aided by the poor weather throughout Michigan today; low voter turnout helped to increase Romney's comfortable lead.
John McCain's campaign is slowed by the results of this primary, as his momentum from New Hampshire becomes dulled by his second place finish. McCain won the state of Michigan in 2000, but as Henry McMaster, Attorney General of South Carolina aptly stated: "If Michigan had a history of picking our nominee for president, John would already be president." McCain will be continuing in the race through Super Tuesday (or "Super Duper Tuesday", as it is sometimes referred to), although his campaign funds are diminishing rapidly.
Rudy Giuliani was also a surprise, as he only garnered 3% of the vote. While Giuliani did not bother to campaign in Michigan, the fact that he gained such a small percent of the vote in an industrial, Northern state was surprising to many analysts.
On the Democratic side, the Democratic primary was a wash considering Hillary Clinton, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel were the only candidates to keep their name on the ballot because of the Michigan Democratic Party's decision to break party rules and move the primary up to a date considered too close to the New Hampshire primary by the Democratic National Party. Because the Michigan Democratic Party chose to do this, the Democratic National Party has chosen to withhold Michigan delegates from the Democratic Convention this August. Hillary received 56% of the vote, while "Uncommitted" received 39% of the vote. An "Uncommitted" vote is supposed to represent the voters who would have voted for Barack Obama or John Edwards, but I am having a hard time believing that Hillary Clinton would have won Michigan with 56% against her Democratic rivals.
The more positive for Democrats, however, were the results of the Republican primary. A win for Mitt Romney splits the Iowa Caucus and the first two primaries three ways for the Republicans and ensures there is no clear cut frontrunner going in to Super Tuesday. With Rudy Giuliani campaigning and polling strongly on Super Tuesday states, a four way race might (although it is more likely a two way race) emerge going into the Republican National Convention in August, something that has not happened since the 1964 Republican National Convention. Another effect is that the Republicans will now be forced to spend more money fighting each other than fighting Democrats, which helps the Democrats and makes the Republicans look worse based on the lengths they take to attack each other.
The Michigan primary has done what the state party has wanted it to do; make Michigan more important in the primary race. The GOP is the most shaken up by this primary and the fact that the Democratic party came out in such numbers to vote for an inconsequential primary sent a very important message from the Democrats in Michigan to the Republican party: they are searching for change, and they do not believe the Republican nominees provide the change that they are looking for.
Sources Used:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#MI
John McCain's campaign is slowed by the results of this primary, as his momentum from New Hampshire becomes dulled by his second place finish. McCain won the state of Michigan in 2000, but as Henry McMaster, Attorney General of South Carolina aptly stated: "If Michigan had a history of picking our nominee for president, John would already be president." McCain will be continuing in the race through Super Tuesday (or "Super Duper Tuesday", as it is sometimes referred to), although his campaign funds are diminishing rapidly.
Rudy Giuliani was also a surprise, as he only garnered 3% of the vote. While Giuliani did not bother to campaign in Michigan, the fact that he gained such a small percent of the vote in an industrial, Northern state was surprising to many analysts.
On the Democratic side, the Democratic primary was a wash considering Hillary Clinton, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel were the only candidates to keep their name on the ballot because of the Michigan Democratic Party's decision to break party rules and move the primary up to a date considered too close to the New Hampshire primary by the Democratic National Party. Because the Michigan Democratic Party chose to do this, the Democratic National Party has chosen to withhold Michigan delegates from the Democratic Convention this August. Hillary received 56% of the vote, while "Uncommitted" received 39% of the vote. An "Uncommitted" vote is supposed to represent the voters who would have voted for Barack Obama or John Edwards, but I am having a hard time believing that Hillary Clinton would have won Michigan with 56% against her Democratic rivals.
The more positive for Democrats, however, were the results of the Republican primary. A win for Mitt Romney splits the Iowa Caucus and the first two primaries three ways for the Republicans and ensures there is no clear cut frontrunner going in to Super Tuesday. With Rudy Giuliani campaigning and polling strongly on Super Tuesday states, a four way race might (although it is more likely a two way race) emerge going into the Republican National Convention in August, something that has not happened since the 1964 Republican National Convention. Another effect is that the Republicans will now be forced to spend more money fighting each other than fighting Democrats, which helps the Democrats and makes the Republicans look worse based on the lengths they take to attack each other.
The Michigan primary has done what the state party has wanted it to do; make Michigan more important in the primary race. The GOP is the most shaken up by this primary and the fact that the Democratic party came out in such numbers to vote for an inconsequential primary sent a very important message from the Democrats in Michigan to the Republican party: they are searching for change, and they do not believe the Republican nominees provide the change that they are looking for.
Sources Used:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#MI
Monday, January 14, 2008
Quote de Jour
"I'm concerned about justice. I'm concerned about brotherhood. I'm concerned about truth. And when one is concerned about these, he can never advocate violence. For through violence you may murder a murderer but you can't murder murder. Through violence you may murder a liar but you can't establish truth. Through violence you may murder a hater, but you can't murder hate. Darkness cannot put out darkness. Only light can do that."
-Martin Luther King
He speaks pure truth.
-Martin Luther King
He speaks pure truth.
Our Silence Explained
Okay, now regular readers or people who check on the blog may have realized that we have not put up any posts in the past several days. Well, our Know Your Candidate segment will be in full force, as our writers prepare to give you a veritable deluge of information on several Presidential nominee candidates, including Hillary Clinton, John McCain, Mitt Romney and Fred Thompson. So, please excuse our silence while we prepare these posts in a timely, concise and complete manner.
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Democratic Field Narrows; Bill Richardson drops out
The Associated Press is reporting that Governor Bill Richardson has decided to drop out of the Democratic race; more information to come as soon as it becomes available.
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Today, the Associated Press (and the New York Times) reported that Bill Richardson, the Governor of New Mexico, is going to announce the termination of his candidacy for the Democratic Presidential nomination. After posting single digit numbers in both the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary, Richardson met with his advisers and will be announcing the end of his candidacy on Thursday. While Richardson's dropping out might seem inconsequential, his endorsement might prove very important in the upcoming South Carolina primary for the Democratic Party. It is important to note that Richardson's 5% of the vote would have changed the landscape of the New Hampshire primary; assuming he endorses Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, Richardson's exit from the race might make or break the candidacy of either of those candidates. Needless to say, Richardson dropping out of the campaign will likely cause some serious waves in the race for the Democratic nomination. As soon as Richardson's endorsement becomes public, this post will be updated with analysis on what his endorsement means for the race.
Sources used:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/us/politics/10cnd-richardson.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#NH
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Today, the Associated Press (and the New York Times) reported that Bill Richardson, the Governor of New Mexico, is going to announce the termination of his candidacy for the Democratic Presidential nomination. After posting single digit numbers in both the Iowa Caucus and the New Hampshire primary, Richardson met with his advisers and will be announcing the end of his candidacy on Thursday. While Richardson's dropping out might seem inconsequential, his endorsement might prove very important in the upcoming South Carolina primary for the Democratic Party. It is important to note that Richardson's 5% of the vote would have changed the landscape of the New Hampshire primary; assuming he endorses Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama, Richardson's exit from the race might make or break the candidacy of either of those candidates. Needless to say, Richardson dropping out of the campaign will likely cause some serious waves in the race for the Democratic nomination. As soon as Richardson's endorsement becomes public, this post will be updated with analysis on what his endorsement means for the race.
Sources used:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/10/us/politics/10cnd-richardson.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/primaries/results/state/#NH
Quote de Jour
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Quote de Jour wants your opinion!
"Congratulations to Mike Huckabee, to Barack Obama. ... Iowa has spoken. Cold, white people have had their say. Tomorrow night is New Hampshire, where colder, whiter people will have their say. And if all goes right, Obama and Huckabee will soon be the president of Scandinavia."
-Daily Show Host Jon Stewart
In all seriousness, what do you think of the lack of diversity and small populations of Iowa and New Hampshire, the two states that seemingly have the biggest impact on this election?
According to CNN.com, New Hampshire and Iowa are 96.0% and 93.9% white, respectively.
Thoughts?
-Daily Show Host Jon Stewart
In all seriousness, what do you think of the lack of diversity and small populations of Iowa and New Hampshire, the two states that seemingly have the biggest impact on this election?
According to CNN.com, New Hampshire and Iowa are 96.0% and 93.9% white, respectively.
Thoughts?
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