1. Check out CNN's "Election Central" resources:
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/candidates
2. Identify and summarize at least three key issues in the upcoming elections. Discuss the positions of any two politicians still in the running for Presidental nomination in the Democratic and Republican parties. What are the major differences in their political views? Who's politics do you support more? Why?
3. Then, read a recent New York Times editorial about the similarties between Senator Hillary Clinton and one of the Presidents covered in out latest unit, Grover Cleveland:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jon-wiener/nyts-krugman-hillary-_b_70643.html
And an article from US News and World Reports about a scandal that took place in the 1888 election:
http://www.usnews.com/articles/news/politics/2008/01/17/phony-letter-helped-unseat-a-president.html
Summarize the scandal of 1888 and explain why the author feels Hilliary Clinton might be "the next Grover Cleveland?" Evaluate his position using evidence from your candidate research.
For optional extra credit you may complete one or both of the following tasks:
a) Research two third party candidates and summarize and compare their views with the other candidates you read about for this blog
AND/OR
b)Identify summarize two "Great Moments in Campaign History" from US News' recent coverstory: http://www.usnews.com/features/news/politics/greatmoments.html
THIS BLOG MUST BE AT LEAST 400 words. Please remember to comment on at least one other post. Extra credits should be 200 words each. Due Monday 2/25 before class.
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3 comments:
Ian Murphy
History
Block A
There seem to be several campaign issues relating to today's presidential elections that people feel need to be addressed. Of course, some of these issues stand out more than others. First there is the issue of homeland security, which has become a major subject since the terrorist bombings on 9/11, but does not seem to be an issue that has been greatly addressed lately. Next there is the issue of nuclear weapons, which could drive the nation into chaos if not addressed properly. But the one issue that seems to be on all the candidates' minds is the issue of the War in Iraq. The candidates' political views about this issue in particular seem to clash with one another. One of the candidates, Barack Obama of the Democratic Party, appears to show concern for the future just as much as he does with the past. Another candidate, John McCain of the Republican Party, feels he should speak honestly about the role of government.
It is clear that both candidates oppose the war as much as everyone else. It is exactly how they approach it that makes the candidates differ. Obama seems to be trying to tackle the problem head-on while McCain seems to focus his campaign on improving the government in order to resolve the problem. Personally, I find Obama's approach to the war to make much more sense than McCain's. In fact, I feel more comfortable with Obama's campaign overall. He is working to make progress with the war for the sake of doing it, not for the sake of seeing how people will react to how his predictions of it turn out. Also, the only thing I feel the government should change in itself is the way it is handled by those who make it up.
With the way the candidates are handling these issues, many people feel that the 2008 presidential campaign is very similar to the campaign at the turn of the 20th Century. Some people feel that presidential candidate Hillary Clinton of the Democratic Party may become "the next Grover Cleveland." Grover Cleveland was the nation's first and, so far, only president who served two nonconsecutive terms; this means that he lost the campaign after finishing one term and running for a second, but ran a third time after that and won. This was because of a notorious scandal set up by the Republicans, who framed him of being a supporter of the British, which lost him the support he needed from New York which was known for its sizeable Irish community, a community that hated the British.
Some believe that Hillary Clinton will be "the next Grover Cleveland" possibly not due to a possible impending scandal, but because she is taking action that make it seem as if she will mobilize a political force that may very well lead to the resolution of quite a few of the major issues she and all other presidential candidates are faced with.
Ian- E-: Thoughtful and detailed analysis. I'd like to hear what YOU think on the issue of Senator Clinton being the next Clevland. If you note your views on this topic, your grade will be an E. Overall, great work.
Ian- E: Fantastic work AND you were the only person to complete this assignment, way to go you!
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