John Edwards

Making Presidents: Chapter 2

tptadmin — Tue, 3 Jun 2008 14:44:04 -0500

David attends two very different Democratic campaign rallies in the heart of primary season. The experience leaves him asking, "Will the 'aura of popularity' that brings people to a campaign rally get them in the voting booth?"

See Making Presidents: Chapter 1

Will the "aura of popularity" that brings people to a campaign rally get them in the voting booth?

A Panel Potpourri

tptadmin — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 19:58:15 -0600

This week's political panel looks at issues stateside and national. Democrats Wy Spano and Mary Jo McGuire are joined by Republicans Andy Brehm and Brian Sullivan.

A Political Science Panel

tptadmin — Fri, 7 Dec 2007 15:35:33 -0600

The Iowa caucuses are getting closer ... both in time ... and in poll results. Throw in Mitt Romney's big speech this week and Ron Paul's impressive fundraising ... and you have plenty for a Poli Sci Panel to talk about. Telling us more is Larry Jacobs, Guy Charles, David Schultz and Dan Hofrenning.

House Leaders Split Endorsements--But Women Unite

Mary Lahammer — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 13:32:53 -0600

New development, Monday Assistant Minority Leader Tarryl Clark will endorse Hillary Clinton. Leaders Pogemiller and Senjem have not made up their minds yet. Today House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher endorsed Hillary Clinton for president saying, "Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to deliver the change this country needs." Yesterday, Minority Leader Marty Seifert was named honorary chairman for the Fred Thompson campaign in Minnesota. Seifert said, "Thompson is the only true conservative in the race." Seifert is really excited about this and begged me to blog about it. Majority Leader Tony Sertich is backing John Edwards. It seems the House leadership reflects much of the country still making up their minds. Speaking of Sertich, he's the subject of my report tonight on Almanac. A couple of week's ago we caught up with former Republican House Speaker Steve Sviggum teaching in the classroom. Tonight we get to see "Anthony the Actor" that is Sertich embracing his theater major. We get to see him in make up and tights (just a peak) as a thespian. Sertich also shares come exciting personal news with us. He was a great sport and I think it'll be fun for viewers to see the majority leader's comedic timing and wit in action. Tune in to Sertich in an Oscar award-winning movie!

House Speaker Margaret Anderson Kelliher just endorsed Hillary Clinton for president saying, "Hillary Clinton has the strength and experience to deliver the change this country needs." Yesterday, Minority Leader Marty Seifert was named honorary chairman for the Fred Thompson campaign in Minnesota. Seifert said, "Thompson is the only true conservative in the race." Seifert is really excited about this and begged me to blog about it. Majority Leader Tony Sertich is backing John Edwards.

A Political Science Panel

tptadmin — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:18:24 -0500

Get ready for political advertising over the holidays as Iowa moves its presidential caucuses to January 3. Yes, you read that date right. A group of noted political scientists chat about the hurdling-towards-us 2008 presidential race. Larry Jacobs of the U's Humphrey Institute, Steve Schier of Carleton College and Guy Charles from the U of M Law School sit down on the couch.

Will the Straw Poll Turn into Straw Men?

Robin Marty — Tue, 6 Mar 2007 11:02:40 -0600

In what feels like the end of the quickest campaign vacation ever, St. Paul will be meeting for caucuses tonight and, among other things, will participate in the first Minnesota Presidential Straw Poll. Caucusing in presidential years tends to mostly involve party stalwarts and those with vested interests in referendums; in a midterm year the numbers drop drastically. So for a year that involves nothing but school board and city council, the thought that the caucus goers truly represent a full cross-hatch of Minnesota is doubtful. But still, you have to wonder — can a woman win the presidential straw poll?

In the latest polling done by Rasmussen Reports, Senator Hillary Clinton is leading Senators Barack Obama and John Edwards by 8% and 19% respectively, hauling in 34% of the vote for those who have a preference. And if anyone is progressive enough to give a female candidate a chance, surely it's the same group of caucus goers who are, according to the Pioneer Press, likely to take an already progressive city council and possibly make it even more liberal.

Yet that may be the nail in the coffin for Clinton. The same group of politically-minded folks who would be at ease in voting for a women will dislike many of the stands she took to make herself seem more palatable to those who may see a female candidate as weak, especially her positions on the War in Iraq.

So likely we'll find that the caucus is over and Obama or Edwards will walk away crowned King of the Straw poll. And Clinton will find that her first opportunity to score a win will have simply blown away in the wind.