Reagan vs. Mondale

This debate occurred in 1984 when Ronald Reagan was seeking re-election. His opponent was Democrat Walter Mondale. The debated over the federal budget, and Mondale claimed that if he were elected president he would better manage it than Reagan has. Reagan responded by highlighting the triumphs of his budget plan as well as how he will improve it if he is to be re-elected.

The Debates of 1992

In 1992 something new happened: a candidate from the Independent Party (Ross Perot) was not just the theird party candidate but at one point had a legitimate shot at the presidency. His opponents were Republican George Bush Sr. who was running for re-election and Democrat Bill Clinton who ultimately won the election. This excerpt from this debate is about taxed. Bill Clinton criticized Bush's use of trick-down economics because it only benefitted the rich, promised relief for the middle-class, and said he would address deficit spending. Bush responded by saying that Clinton's proposal would be "trickle-down government"; which would be bad for our country. Perot talked about his opinion on the issue and what he would do as president.

The Cain Saga Continues...

There is not doubt that the sexual allegations regarding potential Republican nominee has been the most controversial, entertaining, and shocking development that has taken place in the Republican primaries so far. Last week I wrote about how he has been accused of engaging in sexual behaviors that are inexcusable over a decade ago while he was working for the National Restaurant Association. A week ago, these accusations lacked substance because not one of his four accusers had come forward. 

However, that all changed this week when two of his four accusers Sharon Bialek and Karen Kraushaar came forward and revealed themselves to the public. If these accusations are in fact true, it is obvious that Herman Cain has a thing for blondes. However, the credibility of both of these accusers must be questioned because they are accusing him of these acts that occurred over a decade ago. 

Bialek held a press conference on Monday claiming that the former CEO of Godfather's Pizza groped her. Cain who has repeatedly denied these accusations, agreed to take a lie detector test. The Washington Post reports that a local Atlanta TV station claimed that an advances voiced recognition software used by a private investigator reveals that Cain's persistent denials of his allegations were proven to be true, while it proved the statements that were made by Bialek to be false. Kraushaar's actions following being revealed publicly as one of the four Cain accusers also have vulnerabilities in terms of her credibility. She has originally planned to join Bialek in a joint press conference on Thursday, but declined to do so because the other two women have not yet come forward. Her attorney Joel Bennett claimed that his client (Kraushaar) has made the decision not to hold a press conference "unless and until the other women come forward and wish to participate" according to msnbc.com. Bennett also claims that his client will have no more contact with the media until the other two victims reveal themselves. Also, the chain of events after this supposed act of sexual aggression challenges her credibility. After she left her job where Cain is said to have performed these acts, she filed a similar complaint at her new job as a spokeswomen at the Immigration and Naturalization Service. The Huffington Post reports that two of her former supervisors said that she demanded a settlement of thousands of dollars, a promotion on the federal pay scale, reinstated leave time and a one-year fellowship to Harvard's Kennedy School of Government. Therefore, Kraushaar is either a two-time victim and an apparently is too much to resist for men in politics or quite the manipulator who will stop at nothing to get what she wants. 

Last week I wrote that if these allegations were made public that it would be the end of his campaign. Apparently I was wrong. It seems that no matter what Cain has the ability to remain cool under pressure. On Thursday, his campaign reports that it has raised more than $9 million since October 1st. Shockingly, since the controversy first made the headlines ten days ago, it has raised $2.25 million. That is almost twice the amount of money that he raised between May and September. However, although this is an encouraging sign this has only been out in the open for less than two weeks. This is going to be an ongoing story and more developments will surely follow. 

Links used:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/10/cain-campaign-says-it-raised-9-million-since-october-1/

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/us/politics/kraushaar-will-discuss-cain-only-if-other-3-accusers-join-her.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/election-2012/post/herman-cains-truth-web-site-touts-him-taking-a-lie-detector-test-sort-of/2011/11/10/gIQAlIdX9M_blog.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/09/karen-kraushaar-herman-cain-accuser_n_1083654.html

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45249802/ns/politics-decision_2012/

There's a First Time for Everything

Earlier in the semester, I have posted a few blogs about both President Obama's seemingly slim chances of getting re-elected in 2012 as well as the criticism from candidates who are running for the Republican Party's nomination of his policies, actions taken since he has assumed office, and his lack of success in reviving our nations struggling economy. Numbers simply do not lie. According to Rasmussen Reports, on Thursday polls showed that only 22% of the nations voters strongly approve of the way that Obama is fulfilling his role as president. Also, 40% strongly disapprove of the way that he is handling himself as our president; which gives him a Presidential Approval Index rating of -18. A survey conducted by Quinnipiac University shows that as of now the race between would be coming down to the wire with Republican frontrunner Mitt Romney in three key states that he narrowly won in 2008. In Florida, Romney has the edge over Obama by a 3% margin. In Ohio, Obama has the 3% advantage while in Pennsylvania it is neck and neck with Obama having a slim 1% advantage over Romeny. These three states carry 68 electoral votes combined which will more than likely determine the outcome of the upcoming election.

After hearing these statistics, one would think that Obama needs to rely on his charisma and at often times impeccable social decorum to salvage the adversity that he is currently faced with. In other words, Obama will have to filter what he says if he is to assume the throne for another four years. Up until recenty, Obama has yet to have an "opps" moment unlike his potential opponents Herman Cain and Rick Perry. However, Obama's track record in this regard all changed during his recent meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy. During this conversation, Sarkozy exclaimed his resentments towards Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu by in short calling him both unbearable and a liar. Obama replied by saying, "You're fed up with him, but I have to deal with him even more than you." Obama's position on Israel has never been the most promising towards his bid for re-election. Mitt Romney capitalized on this opportunity through a statement he made on Wednesday morning. He said that "President Obama's derisive remarks about Israel's prime minister confirm what any observer would have gleaned from his public statements and actions toward our longstanding ally, Israel. At a moment when the Jewish state is isolated and under threat, we cannot have an American president who is disdainful of our special relationship with Israel. We have yet another reason why we need new leadership in the White House." This will most likely result in a loss of votes not just because of the his inferred anti-Israel ideologies but the content as well. Many people will see this as a lack of character on Obama's part.

The Netanyahu comment will most likely haunt Obama throughout his 2012 campaign. Although this was a huge mistake on Obama's part, he has a lot more to worry about. Romney is far from being the only source of criticism for Obama from the right. Obama will have to find a way to defend his jobs bill plan that entails tax increases. Republican advocacy group Crossroads GPS purchased a commercial that will play for the next two weeks in five competitive states for $2.6 million. This commercial contains a clip of Bill Clinton criticizing Obama's plan in which the initiative is to raise taxes. Clearly, the Republicans are taking every advantage they have to attack Obama's weaknesses. It will be interesting to see whether or not our president can overcome these hurdles or not. If he does, I would be shocked because most likely if the election were held today he would lose.

Links used:

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/bush_vs_kerry_sbys.html

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/09/gop-group-pits-obama-vs-bill-clinton-on-taxes/

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/10/poll-tight-races-between-obama-and-romney-in-three-swing-states/

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/politics/obama_administration/daily_presidential_tracking_poll

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/09/gop-group-pits-obama-vs-bill-clinton-on-taxes/

New Social Media Part 1

This video addresses the impact that social media devices such as facebook and twitter have on courts of law. It also raises questions about whether or not facebook and twitter are equipped with adequate privacy policies.

New Social Media Part 2

In this video, the main discussion is bout how to effectively monitor social media devices such as facebook. They look to see if technological changes are needed in order to protect privacy for consumers.

New Social Media Part 3

Conservative activist James O'Keefe talks about his organization and the tactics they pursue to uncover stories. He talked about how he went undercover as a banker at the Occupy Wall Street movement here in New York City. He also discussed the evolving role of social media in politics.