Reflection

Some "take-aways" from this Honors Political Science class are that I learned not only about congress and how it works but actually was involved in simulating it.  It really helped me learn the roles of the people in congress and was kind of fun.  Some "portable-skills" I have learned from this course are using blogs and other forms of media which will help me in college.  Networking and knowing how to use these tools will most definitely help me in the future.

Cont. to Presidential Candidate

"No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of the United States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained to the Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Resident within the United States"

Captain America fulfills this role because he is 92 years old and have been a resident for way over fourteen years because he graduated NYU around 70 years ago.  He is also is a born citizen of the United States and still is.

EIGHT ROLES OF THE PRESIDENT:

Chief of State- Makes sure American flags are everywhere around the white house and that everyone is constantly aware to be patriotic at all times

Cheif Executive- Most of his policies evolve around warfare expenses

Cheif Administrator- responsible for all federal departments, including cabinet departments

Cheif Diplomat- directs the actions of American ambassadors and signing treaties and trade agreements with leaders of foreign nations

Commander in Cheif- Works to keep the military in good state by conducting military plans 

Chief Legislator- He recommends measures for Congress to consider, and to sign or veto bills dealing with war

Chief of Party- He campaigns members of his party to get elected 

Cheif Citizen- He works for the public interest by helping out in community affairs 

Presidential Candidate

Political Party Pdf

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The 2008 Presidential election

The two things I would really like to concentrate on regrading this Presidential Election are the global perspective and the youth vote.  

After reading many articles of the how many countries and continents viewed the elect-president Barack Obama, I only found praise.  Many stated about “change” and his “progressive values”.  Obama is highly regarded as what America needs right now.  Many countries are hoping he will help fix the economic situation and believe he will try his hardest to succeed with the country.  Personally, I feel as though the rest of the world is shocked.  While not at immediate shock, it is still a moment in history that is new to everyone.  It is hard to believe that not that long ago our country was segregated everywhere.  Gordon Brown states that he is very excited to work closely with Barack Obama.  I feel that this will be a very exciting four years for not only our country but the world.  The world around us has high expectations for Mr. Obama but I feel as though he is able to fulfill these expectations.  While some still have not accepted the fact that an African American man is capable to run our country, the idea has become reality.  I feel strongly that he will make a difference and a good one.  I feel that this “change” is what Americans needed.

The youth vote this election is something that will stand in history books until they stop printing.  The youth made such a huge impact on this election and was key to Obama's win. Through the use of internet and technology the voices of the youth were heard.  As it states in NPR news broadcast, candidates are appealing to young people this election.  Through the many blogs and even facebook groups, many people can have first hand insight on the candidates.  Social Networking was key in this election.  While people still walk door to door to campaign, most of the campaigning was done online and who is online the most?  The youth.  The youth are the ones networking daily and seeing these things.  While yes, adults do use these tools as well, I think the youth are still more aware and used to the network.  Along with networking, the use of technology has been extraordinary this election.  Through the commercials and youtube videos, people can really get involved.  Just as we made commercials in class, many many other students I am sure had the opportunity to put their ideas out there.  The feeling of being involved in something so huge and being able to share my ideas on the internet are huge.  I feel very strongly about this youth vote and becoming involved and I hope every election from here on keeps up this "patriotism" and motivation to get involved.  

This video on the youth vote I thought was interesting, a little bit too intense for my liking but what are your opinions ??

The blog I am following is the Caucus, the New York Times political blog.  The new article posted was about the debate that occurred last night between the two presidential candidates. The blog talks about the fireworks that are occurring in this campaign and how it is like no other.  The Time's reporter, Jim Rutenberg, talks about how McCain showed a lot of anger and was so determined to hit all of his points.  He talks about how McCain really needed a miracle in this debate to bring his ratings up and he says that he really did not get one.  Although the article was not written in a negative tone towards McCain, it definitely spoke of his weaknesses.  It also talks about how Obama was very placid and took the insults from McCain very well with barely any remarks back at him.  The Washington Post’s Dan Balz notes that the debate “may have been McCain’s strongest performance of the three,” but even under withering criticism, Mr. Obama “did not lose his cool.”  I really liked reading this blog because I actually did watch the debate last night and had comments of my home.  I was surprised that I as well noticed that McCain was trying to make Obama not look so great while not really focusing as much on his goals and ideals.  I found an article in the New York Times that really relates closely to this blog, "Candidates Clash Over Character and Policy."  At the end of the blog it tells where McCain, Palin, Obama, and Biden will be in the next few days and I also really liked to read that.  It says where there rallies are to be held and when.  Overall, I really enjoyed this blog and loved how I could compare with it because I had some of the same thoughts on the debate.

Here is a video of the Presidential Debate that took place on October 15, 2008.  I thought this might be useful if you did not watch it on television to understand where the author of this blog is coming from.

The Caucus

1. The blog I followed was posted on the Caucus, NY Times.  The Blog is named Palin on Abortion and Gays. This blog talks about Palin and her views on mostly abortion, speaking a little about gays too.  Palin strongly supports pro-life and she shows this with keeping her baby Trig and having her 17 year old daughter not abort her baby.  The thing this blog focuses on the most is the fact that Palin was very fuzzy on the topic of abortion while being interviewed by Katie Couric.

2. This professional blog differs a lot from the blog I read about Jamie Lynn Spears.  This blog is written in a different manner and is not just gossip.  Since it is about the presidential campaign, many more people read it and comment on it too.  This blog was very interesting and made me think a little differently on Palin after reading it.

3. The interview between CBS' newscaster, Katie Couric and Palin about abortion was the biggest issue presented in this blog. It was presented by actually showing the interview in text.  Katie Couric asks Palin the question, "If a 15-year-old is raped by her father, do you believe it should be illegal for her to get an abortion, and why?" While trying to answering this question, Palin does not completely state an answer.  She keeps mentioning how she is Pro-life but she does not give a clear cut answer.  I think that if she wants to stand behind her ground and say that she is Pro-life she should be clear with her answers and say that.  If there are ifs and buts then she needs to restate her thoughts and say she is Pro-choice.  I did not like how she was fuzzy about this issue because this is a very important issue and effects women everyday.