KPCC Election 2008

Vice presidential speculation heats up

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 14:47:58 -0800

Speculation over whom John McCain and Barack Obama will choose as their running mates continues to heat up. Rumored frontrunners for McCain's vice president include Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Democratic Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman, Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty, and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, while on the Democratic side, the rumored candidates include Indiana Senator Evan Bayh, Delaware Senator Joe Biden, Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, and Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius. Governor Kaine helped fuel the speculation about his candidacy through comments reported this week, but both sides remain tightlipped about who their choice will end up being. It's been speculated that Obama may make his choice before the summer Olympics begin on August 8th, in order to make sure his selection gets the most media coverage, since the Democratic convention starts the day after the Olympics end. Read more about Obama's potential vice presidential choices and McCain's selection process on CNN's Web site. Who do you think the candidates will pick as their running mates? Who should the candidates pick to be their running mates, and why? Tell us your thoughts on the vice presidential selection process in our comments!

Europe eager to greet traveling Obama

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:46:59 -0800

Barack Obama is on a weeklong trip abroad, meeting with world leaders and holding several public events. He's visited Iraq and Afghanistan, and his trip also includes visits to other parts of the Middle East, including Amman, Jerusalem, and Ramallah, before heading Thursday to Europe, visiting Berlin, Paris, and London before returning to the United States. Polls have shown that Europeans prefer Senator Obama to Senator McCain, with a recent poll from England saying that 49% of Britons, 65% of the French, 67% of Germans, and 70% of Italians would vote for Obama, while McCain gets only 14% of Britons, 8% of the French, 6% of Germans, and 15% of Italians. What do you think of this trend? Why do you think Europeans favor Obama so strongly? What do you think it suggests about either the candidates or European perceptions of them? Tell us what you think by commenting below! Read more about this from CNN's Jack Cafferty.

Bush, McCain, and Obama on the current energy crisis

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:21:24 -0800

In a speech Tuesday, President Bush said that he was leaving how Americans should respond to the current energy crisis to the American people, and wouldn't be calling on Americans to conserve energy. He argued in favor of free market solutions. Link: Read more about President Bush's press conference on the Politico. John McCain has argued recently that we should expand offshore drilling and institute a summer gas tax vacation, while Obama opposes these plans, calling the gas tax vacation "a gimmick." McCain has argued that greenhouse gas reduction should be mandated, with conservation being left to market forces Obama has argued in favor of a windfall profits tax on oil companies for profits over a certain amount that they aren't passing along to the consumer, which McCain opposes. He's also argued that the government should encourage the American people to conserve. Link: Read more about McCain and Obama's response to the current oil crisis on CNNMoney.com. Link: Barack Obama's energy and environment policy Link: John McCain's energy policy What do you think of McCain and Obama's energy plans? Which candidate's policies do you agree with more? What do you see as the benefits of each candidate's plan? The disadvantages? Tell us all of your thoughts in our comments!

Senate approves FISA bill, grants immunity to phone companies

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:56:47 -0800

The Senate voted Wednesday in favor of a bill restructuring the 1978 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). The bill will broaden the government's surveillance powers, and also shields phone companies from civil lawsuits for their participation in the Bush administration's domestic wiretapping program. The bill passed 69 to 28, with 47 Republicans, 21 Democrats, and one independent voting in favor, and 27 Democrats and one independent voting against it. Democratic presidential candidate Senator Barack Obama voted in favor of it, while Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain didn't vote on the bill. McCain was out on the campaign trail. Obama's former Democratic primary rival Senator Hillary Clinton voted against the bill. Many activists who have supported Senator Obama are strongly opposed to the bill, particularly its granting of immunity to the phone companies that participated in the Bush administration's program allowing wiretapping without a warrant. Obama had previously expressed his opposition to the phone company immunity, going as far to say he would filibuster any bill that included telecom immunity, but argued that passing other provisions in the bill was more important than to continue working for a different compromise. What do you think about the FISA bill? Do you think that Senator Obama made the right decision, with regards to policy and/or politically? What sort of legal restrictions on wiretapping should there be? Tell us your thoughts in our comments! Link: FISA bill vote summary

Obama speaks with Bill Clinton

Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:08:39 -0800

While Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has publicly mended relations with chief Democratic primary competitor Hillary Clinton, her husband, Bill Clinton, has reportedly not come along as quickly. Obama and Bill Clinton spoke for the first time since the end of the primary season on Monday. According to their aides, they discussed various issues, including Bill Clinton's role in helping Obama in the general election. Read more about their conversation on the New York Times' Web site. What roles do you think former president Clinton and Senator Hillary Clinton should play in the Obama campaign? Will they campaign aggressively for Obama, or will strained relations affect that? What prominent political leaders do you think Republican presidential candidate McCain should reach out to? Tell us your thoughts on this story and the rest of this election year in our comments!

Presidential candidates respond to Supreme Court ruling on 2nd Amendment

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:36:45 -0800

Thursday, the Supreme Court ruled that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to possess a gun. Read the court's opinion and two dissenting opinions on the 5-4 ruling here. (PDF document) Both the Obama and McCain campaigns issued statements supporting the ruling. Senator McCain's statement called the decision "a landmark victory for Second Amendment freedom in the United States." He praised the decision further and went on to criticize Senator Obama. "Unlike Senator Obama, who refused to join me in signing a bipartisan amicus brief, I was pleased to express my support and call for the ruling issued today. Today's ruling in District of Columbia v. Heller makes clear that other municipalities like Chicago that have banned handguns have infringed on the constitutional rights of Americans. Unlike the elitist view that believes Americans cling to guns out of bitterness, today's ruling recognizes that gun ownership is a fundamental right- sacred, just as the right to free speech and assembly." You can read the rest of McCain's statement here. Senator Obama's statement said "I have always believed that the Second Amendment protects the right of individuals to bear arms, but I also identify with the need for crime-ravaged communities to save their children from the violence that plagues our streets through common-sense, effective safety measures. The Supreme Court has now endorsed that view, and while it ruled that the D.C. gun ban went too far, Justice Scalia himself acknowledged that this right is not absolute and subject to reasonable regulations enacted by local communities to keep their streets safe." You can read the rest of Obama's statement here. What do you think about the Supreme Court's ruling? What's your opinion on guns and the Second Amendment? Do you agree with either of the candidates on this issue, and why or why not? Tell us your thoughts by commenting below!

Obama opts out of public financing system

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:06:36 -0800

Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has opted out of the public financing system for the 2008 general election. This is expected to give Obama a significant fundraising advantage in the general election campaign. Both Obama and Republican presidential candidate John McCain previously committed to pursue the possibility of public financing if the other party's candidate did as well.

The public financing system is funded by tax dollars, donated by taxpayers by checking a box on their tax returns to give $3 for public campaign financing. If Obama had opted into the public financing system, it would have given Obama access to $84.1 million to use for the general election campaign, but would have placed him under spending limits. No presidential candidate has opted out of using public financing in the general election since changes made to campaign finance laws in the 1970s.

Lawyers from Obama and McCain's campaigns met to discuss both campaigns opting in to the public financing system, but couldn't agree on terms when it came to spending by both the campaigns and outside groups like the so-called 527 groups that have no spending limits.

The Obama campaign argues that his grassroots fundraising achieves the ultimate goal of public financing to make campaigns less dependent on large donors seeking political influence. McCain's campaign argues that Obama is breaking a commitment and showing that he's not committed to reform.

What do you think about this decision? Should presidential candidates always use public financing, or is it all right for them to be opt out? Should changes be made to the public financing system?

Vice Presidents and the State of the Race

Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:35:36 -0800

Now that Senator Barack Obama has clinched the Democratic nomination and the general election contest between Obama and Republican Senator John McCain ramps up, who do you think these candidates should choose for their running mates?

Should either of them choose noted rivals, such as Senator Hillary Clinton on the Democratic side, or Mitt Romney or Mike Huckabee on the Republican side? Or should they go outside of this year's presidential candidates for a vice presidential nominee?

We'd love to hear your thoughts on potential vice presidential picks, where this race goes next, and whatever else you're thinking about this year's elections right now.

Obama Clinches; Clinton Doesn't Concede; Your Thoughts?

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 19:10:09 -0800

The polls have closed in the final primary of the Democratic nomination race, in Montana. Barack Obama is projected to win that primary, but more significantly, to have clinched his party's nomination for president. Speaking to an energized crowd in St. Paul, at the site where the Republicans will hold their convention in September, Obama announced: "Tonight, I can stand here and say that I will be the Democratic nominee for President of the United States." Full text of Senator Obama's speech Senator Hillary Clinton's remarks from earlier this evening. What's your reaction as this primary season comes to a close? What did you think of the speeches from Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama? What do you think Senator Clinton will do next? What do you think she SHOULD do next? Tell us what you think!

Share Your Election Day Thoughts

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:11:52 -0800

Another election day! Tonight, the Democratic primary elections come to an end after Montana and South Dakota hold their primaries, as attention turns to the general election battle. Here in Southern California, we have several key races of our own, including the 2nd district Los Angeles County Supervisor race between Bernard Parks and Mark Ridley-Thomas, as well as state ballot initiatives Proposition 98 and Proposition 99.

Be sure to tune into 89.3 KPCC tonight for continuing coverage on both local and national races, beginning at 3:30 p.m. during ALl Things Considered, and including a special NPR call-in show at 7 p.m.. This will be followed by extended local, statewide, and national coverage and analysis hosted by our own Nick Roman. We'll be taking your calls, as well as covering it all live online.

More on the 2nd district L.A. County Supervisor race:

You can also take our Proposition 98 and 99 quiz to learn all about these propositions, as well as get text alert updates via KPCC on Twitter.

Propositions 98 & 99: Eminent Domain & Rent Control

Wed, 21 May 2008 15:01:33 -0800

Propositions 98 and 99 deal with the issues of eminent domain, the right of the government to take private property for public use, and rent control. The recent rise in concern over eminent domain was sparked by a Supreme Court ruling that said that the government had the right to take private property from one owner and give it to another private entity for the purpose of economic development.

The issue of rent control has been brought into the debate due to the argument that both eminent domain and rent control are property rights issues, and those supporting Propositions 98 and 99 are presenting their arguments on both of these issues. What do you think about eminent domain and rent control? Let us know in our blog comments!

You can also learn more about Propositions 98 and 99 by taking our interactive quiz:

Quiz: Propositions 98 & 99 (Eminent Domain & Rent Control)

How's Your Election Spirit?

Mon, 05 May 2008 19:32:18 -0800

Election fatigue is starting to plague even the most die-hard politicos. Are you still feeling engaged and interested in the primary race, or do you just want it to be over? Let us know.

The Immigration Reform Debate

Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:10:35 -0800

On May Day, immigration marches are once again planned throughout Los Angeles. Immigration is also a hot topic in this election year, with all three candidates proposing a variety of reforms. What matters to you in the immigration debate? Where do you stand? Tell us all about it by commenting below!

Note: We understand that this is a controversial issue on which people have strong feelings. We ask that you keep your comments civil and respectful.

What is the most important aspect of comprehensive immigration reform? ( surveys)

Pennsylvania Democratic Primary

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:09:02 -0800

The next major Democratic contest is the Tuesday, April 22 Pennsylvania primary. Hillary Clinton enters ahead in Pennsylvania polls, but behind Barack Obama in delegates and voters. What do you think Clinton needs to do in order to win more pledged delegates and superdelegates?

Both candidates have also sharpened their tone against one another as the election season progresses. Do you think this will win either one more voters? Do you think last week's Pennsylvania Democratic debate helped either candidate? Tell us your thoughts on the Pennsylvania primary, our poll, and the election in general in our comments!

Pennsylvania Democratic Debate

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:56:31 -0800

Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama debated in Pennsylvania Wednesday night, leading into next Tuesday's Pennsylvania primary. You can tune in to hear the entire debate Thursday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. here on 89.3 KPCC, along with special NPR analysis.

The debate covered hot button issues, including Senator Obama's comments on small town voters, Senator Clinton's account of her visit to and landing in Bosnia, whether Clinton felt Obama could win in the fall, and Obama's connection with Reverend Jeremiah Wright. It also covered policy questions, including gun control, taxes, and Iraq and the rest of the Middle East. In their closing statements, they were asked to make their case to the superdelegates for why they should be chosen as the party's nominee.

Who do you think won the debate, and why? Did the issues you were interested in get addressed adequately during the debate? Who do you think will win in Pennsylvania, and who will get the Democratic presidential nomination? Tell us your thoughts in our comments!