2008-09 AM US Presidential Election
If you find an interesting article concerning the election then do not hesitate to put it on our ‘Election Blog’. Why? Because there you will find all of the newest most interesting articles… http://www.wiki.uni-oldenburg.de/fk3/angl-am/index.php?title=US_Presidential_Election_2008:_Election_Blog
Podcasts
You can subscribe to a podcast that reviews the latest news in the presidential election.
http://www.nytimes.com/ref/multimedia/podcasts.html?8qa&scp=1-spot&sq=podcasts&st=nyt
The website http://www.factcheck.org allows you to check out the rumors and accusations that the candidates are digging up and using against each other. THe website is run by the journalism department at the University of Pennsylvania and is very reliable. You can even download a weekly vidcast that covers speeches and ads of the various campaigns.
Check out the "Election 2008" section in the New York Times,http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/index.html
Description of US Presidential Election Process
Presidential Elections in the United States: A Primer. Kevin J. Coleman et al. Congressional Research Service. April 17, 2000. 53 pp. CRS Report RL30527.
An excellent primer that describes the four stages of the presidential election process: the pre-nomination primaries and caucuses for selecting delegates to the national conventions; the national nominating conventions; the general election; and voting by members of the electoral college to choose the president and vice president.
http://www.senate.gov/reference/resources/pdf/RL30527.pdf
Election Update:
Look at discussion in our StudIP FORUM
New York Times article-2 Divergent McCain Moments, Rarely Mentioned
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/24/us/politics/24mccain.html?_r=1&ref=washington&oref=slogin Find out more about Kerry and McCain - “I thought it could have been a very strong ticket.”
Video
These two videos are of Derrick, a naturalized citizen and an Obama supporter. In the first, in answer to an interviewer outside where the Clinton/Obama debate took place, a young man explains why he supports Obama's policies. In the second one, the same man explains his emotional reasons for supporting Obama. They are amazing!
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/video-interviewer-pi
http://thinkonthesethings.wordpress.com/2008/02/12/video-obama-supporte
THE 2008 CAMPAIGN: The Race Issue
Reverend Jeremiah Wright was the pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago from 1972 -2008. His controversial sermons and positions have been the subject of the presidential election coverage in recent weeks, primarily because it is the church which Barack Obama has attended. Amidst criticism of Rev Wright, on March 18th, Obama gave a 40 minute speech addressing not just the issue of whether he agrees with Wright’s positions on race in the US. Obama analyzes the issue of race in the US so brilliantly that this speech is being played and discussed all over the US.
I would encourage you to read some background info on Jeremiah Wright (you might even check out video clips of Jeremiah Wright's sermons on Youtube.com. Then watch Obama’s speech. It is incredible!
Barack Obama’s speech on race (video and transcript)
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/03/18/us/politics/20080318_OBAMA_GRAPHIC.html
Barack Obama homepage and video http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hisownwords/
Editorial Mr. Obama’s Profile in Courage Published: March 19, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/19/opinion/19wed1.html?scp=9&sq=obama+race&st=nyt Groups Respond to Obama’s Call for National Discussion About Race
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/20/us/politics/20race.html?scp=5&sq=obama+race&st=nyt
How the current debate about race is affecting Clinton’s chances:
An excellent article about race and gender stereotyping: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/06/opinion/06kristof.html?scp=2&sq=nicholas+kristof&st=nyt
Newest links (The "strongest" link) :
Here are two speeches held in 2003 at the time of the US invasion of Iraq. The first is by Robert Byrd, a senator well-known for his anti-war stance (as far back as Vietnam) and the reply by John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate:
http://www.salon.com/news/primary_sources/2008/03/19/byrd/
Election coverage
Newest links (The "strongest" link) : Here are two speeches held in 2003 at the time of the US invasion of Iraq. The first is by Robert Byrd, a senator well-known for his anti-war stance (as far back as Vietnam) and the reply by John McCain, the Republican presidential candidate: http://www.salon.com/news/primary_sources/2008/03/19/byrd/
CNN Election Coverage
http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/issues/
The following websites are also helpful in locating nonpartisan analyses of the election, candidates and issues **
- BBC: Quick Guide to US Presidential Election 2008
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/6297545.stm
Latest BBC election news and analysis:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/americas/2008/vote_usa_2008/default.stm
This entry on the MSN Encarta online encyclopedia describes the US election process and would be good background for the course:
http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761569491/Election.html
This website specializes in analyzing the many rumors and accusations that one party or candidate spreads against another
Partisan Politics
Barack Obama on race in the US
http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/hisownwords
Newspapers
The New York Times
The website of the New York Times. Check out their Election 2008 section.
http://politics.nytimes.com/election-guide/2008/index.html
-Washington Post
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
News magazines
In These Times
http://www.inthesetimes.com This is a bimonthly publication which covers current political developments from a leftist perspective. Among its contributors are many very well-known political commentators and writers.
The Utne Reader
This magazine is a compilation of articles from a variety of liberal magazines, and has a strong ecological bent.
Political Satire
The Onion is a satirical website that has both print and video clips:
This one is about the voting machines that are used in national elections. During the 2004 election the president of the company assured Bush that the Republicans would win.
http://www.theonion.com/content/video/diebold_accidentally_leaks
Reaction to Obama 'Yes we can' video(http://youtube.com/watch?v=BHEO_fG3mm4)- watch the video on McCain: http://youtube.com/watch?v=EUKINg8DCUo
The Capitol Steps
The Capitol Steps is a group of Congressional aides that writes and sings political parodies of popular songs. You can download a 30 minute April 1st show from their website or the itunes store.
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart
http://www.comedycentral.com/tv_shows/thedailyshowwithjonstewart/
The Colbert Report
http://www.comedycentral.com/colbertreport/index.jhtml
Be sure to check out The Daily Show with Jon Stewart as well as the Colbert Report. (Both shows are on the Comedy Central website. ) There are often video excerpts from these shows on this site. There is an extra category called Indecision 2008, which has all the videos related to the upcoming election. In the US, the show is shown every day (hence, the name);
There is also a "The Daily Show: Global Edition" which is broadcast Friday and Saturday at 11:30 pm on CNN.
White House Correspondents Dinner 2006 with Stephen Colbert"
http://youtube.com/results?search_query=White+House+colbert&search_type=
- Liberal news radio stations
National Public Radio
National Public Radio covers current political and cultural events from a liberal perspective. Check out "Morning Edition" on a regular basis.
Air America Radio
http://www.airamericaradio.com
This is the alternative radio station started by Al Franken ("Lies and the Lying Liars that Tell Them"). Check out his program, which runs from 18-21 Central European Time. BBC
Conservative radio stations
Rush Limbaugh
Rush Limbaugh is the best known of the vitriolic, right-wing,sexist, racist, abusive talk show hosts. Scary that he is so popular... My Personal Disclaimer: I think he is horrid and dangerous. I suppose, for the sake of balance and anthropological interest, you should listen to him once. If you find it hard to stomach more than 2 minutes, don't worry-you're perfectly healthy. On the other hand, if you find you sympathize and agree with him, get professional help! Your worldview might need some adjusting!
TV stations
CNN
http://www.cnn.com You are probably all familiar with this icon of the US news empire. It is broadcast 24 hours a day, and is politically conservative. They have an extensive array of links and sites related to the presidential campaign.
CNN http://edition.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/
Fox "News"
A television network known for its sensationalism (a bit like BILD TV, if there were such a thing)