Obama claims Democratic nomination

It is now official... Sen. Barack Obama has won enough delegates and superdelegates to push him over the threshold to earn the Democratic presidential nomination. 

Clinton as of yet has not conceded in her fight for the presidential nomination, claiming she has won the popular vote, an argument that the Obama campaign disputes. 

Does anyone have any final thoughts on the Obama-Clinton fight for the Oval Office?

For more info, see NYTimes.com

Negative campaigning

An editorial in the NY Times this morning, Sen. Clinton and the Campaign, discusses how Clinton should reform her campaign if she wants to continue her fight for the Democratic nomination. Although the Times endorsed Clinton, the authors say that she needs to let go of the attack ads against Obama and start campaigning about the issues at hand.

It would be best for all Americans if all of the presidential candidates would focus on communicating their stances on the issues instead of finding faults with the other candidates. They all have faults, but it is up to the American people, relying on a fair democratic process, to evaluate those faults and weigh them with the issues that a candidate supports or opposes.

Keep fighting the fair fight.

The Media's Influence on Decision 2008

Although Senator Hillary Clinton won the Indiana Democratic Primary, the media since Tuesday night's win has been talking nonstop about whether Clinton should drop out of the race. In effect, the media is questioning Clinton's credibility as a presidential candidate and indirectly endorsing Senator Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination.

Sen. Clinton has been fighting for her party's nomination for many months now, so why does the media think that they have the right to tell her that her run is over? That is up for Clinton to decide, and she has made it very clear that she is not giving up so easily. If she has put all that time, effort and money into her campaign, then she should take it all the way to the Democratic National Convention.

The Today Show had a guest commentator this morning who berated the media for trying to influence the Democratic nomination in such a rude manner as to constantly call for Clinton to drop out. After days of hearing nothing but "Should Hillary drop out?" I was very much excited to see someone who shared my same views on the media's ridiculous behavior.

The media in this case is valuing patriarchy and undermining feminine strength. They are taking on the role of weakening a strong female presidential candidate in the eyes of Americans. The media is not acting in favor of the greatest good for the greatest number because they are telling Americans that she is weak, when in fact she has overcome adversity to become a viable presidential candidate.

Whether you support Clinton or not, I think it is undeniable that she has put up quite a fight to make it to where she is now, with 1,686 total delegates compared to Obama's 1,845. Only time will tell who will be nominated for the Democratic presidential bid, but that is not up to the media to decide.

Keep fighting the good fight.

See NYTimes article - 5/8/08
Also Washington Post article - 5/8/08
See videos at http://today.msnbc.msn.com

Absentee Ballots for Indiana

Many Butler students are from the state of Indiana, but do not live in the area where they are registered to vote. (If you are even registered!)
You can file for an absentee ballot here: http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/absentee.html. It must be received by April 28, so act soon!
I encourage all students to register to vote. It is past the deadline to register in time for the Indiana Primary Election, but registration for the November General Election opens on May 20. Registration here: http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/vote_reg.html
This is an interesting election, one that could lead our nation into a time of change. Therefore, it is important to have your voice heard and take part in the privilege of democracy.

Chelsea Clinton's Butler Visit

During Chelsea Clinton's visit visit to Butler today she was asked if her mother's, Sen. Clinton's, credibility was hurt because of the Monica Lewinsky scandal. She responded by saying

“Wow, you’re the first person actually that’s ever asked me that question in the, I don’t know maybe, 70 college campuses I’ve now been to, and I do not think that is any of your business.”

This sound bite has made the national news.

My opinion on this is that since she is actively campaigning for her mother she should answer questions like the one that was posed today. The complete opposite would be true if she was not actively campaigning.


What do you think?

Michigan Primary Update

Here is an update on the Michigan Primary.

Michigan Primary

Check out this story about the possible do-over of the Michigan primary.

Official March 4 Results

Mike Huckabee dropped out of the race, making John McCain the Republican candidate.

Democrat Primaries:
Rhode Island - Clinton
Ohio - Clinton
Texas - Clinton
Vermont - Obama

From CNN.com: The Race for Delegates
Democrats (Need 2,025 to win)
Obama - 1,515 total (1,321 pledged/194 superdelegates)
Clinton - 1,424 total (1,186 pledged/238 superdelegates)

Republicans (Need 1,191 to win)
McCain - 1,257 total (1,187 pledged/70 superdelegates)
Huckabee - 267 total (264 pledged/3 superdelegates)