Confessions of a Paulian

It is not easy being an avid Ron Paul supporter. It is like having bipolar disorder: Sometimes you feel high, sometimes you feel ok, but a lot of times you feel low. The highs are always great like when Paul captured 10% of Iowa or came in second place in Nevada. Than there are the lows, not breaking into double digits, the mass media hiding him and when he is given a third of the time in the debates as other candidates.The in betweens are slightly easier to swallow. I was pretty upset when Paul only captured 3% of Florida, but luckily Mr. ‘9/11! 9/11!’ Giuliani dropped out and us Paulians had another thing to be happy about. Of course he took one more shot at Paul (which is expected because he is a sore loser) but Paul is still hanging in while Giuliani’s strategies have proven not to work. Apparently seven years later is long enough (thankfully) so you can not fool the American people by getting them to think since you dealt with a terrorist attack you have what it takes to be president. His ‘wait till Florida’ strategy was even worse, leaving him in a distant third place.

Why was Giuliani dumping on Paul while conceding the race? Probably jealousy. When a virtual unheard of captures double the percent in the majority of the primaries against a well-known name looking in the mirror can get quite upsetting (Iowa 10-4%, Michigan 6-3%, Nevada 14-4%, South Carolina 4-2% according to CNN.com’s Election Center 2008). Giuliani bested Paul in just two states, New Hampshire only by a 1% margin. Thankfully he dropped out after losing the Florida primary because us Paulians do not have something to laugh about after getting cut so bad by only a 3% vote. Ouch, it still hurts to think about.

I do not want to say it because it would mean admitting it to myself but….Paul is not going to win the general election. The media black outs, the publics refusal to find information not spoon fed to them and the nay-sayers are making sure of that. Because he says he will not separate from the party and run independent means he does not have a shot. So who will people like myself be voting for on election day?

Ron Paul, but only as a write in. As a libertarian I could vote for Libertarian Party candidate Steve Kubby (who is not running unless Paul loses the nomination), but as my friend and fellow libertarian said, “He looks like a jerk.” Voting for Paul – the only candidate who would change American policy – will at least send a message to the two parties that there are people who are sick of the same old.

Besides, I already bought the “Ron Paul is a libertarian – and so am I” shirt so what choice do I have?

-Ted Hamilton
Update: 1/30/08 9:46 pm

If you need any more evidence of the media black out on Ron Paul, look no further than tonight’s debate. They should have called it ‘The Argument Between Mitt Romney and John McCain.’

If we voted on facebook

If the presidential election took place through facebook.com groups, it would be a low turnout.
There are hardly any Kent State groups on the popular website devoted to candidates in the election.
Barack Obama is the only candidate who has more than one group devoted to him at Kent State: Ohioans for Barack Obama, Kent State Students for Barack Obama and Obama in 2008. 406 people have joined these Obama groups, but 402 are from Ohioans for Barack Obama. Only 2 people are in the other two groups.
Among the other candidates, John McCain’s group gets the second most support among Kent State students. But McCain 2008-KSU Students for John McCain has only 19 members. Another popular candidate must be Ron Paul. Paul’s group only has 18 members.
The only other candidate who has a group is Dennis Kucinich, but the group only has three members.
So what does this say about the relationship between facebook and the election? I think it shows that people are not using the website to show support for their favorite candidate.
You cannot find a person on this campus that does not have a facebook account. No one has a page without hundreds and hundreds of friends, but only 452 students are using those accounts to support a political candidate.
Does this show that candidates are not doing a good job to reach out to young people? You think it would be simple for these candidates or their public relations people to create these groups themselves and send out the invitations to all the students. In a state as important as Ohio, you will need to get the young vote. Where else can you find a campaign so inexpensively to young people than facebook? 20,000 young people of voting age walk around with campus every day and log on to a facebook account to see who changed a photo and tell friends what boring thing they are doing right now. Why haven’t the candidates tapped into this natural resource yet?
Maybe, however, facebook isn’t the influence they thought it was. In 2006 Time Magazine wondered what kind of influence social networking sites would have on the election.
“They’re the new town square,” the magazine said. “Great for any candidate who can figure out the online equivalent of a handshake.”
Here at Kent State, many hands are still in the pocket and not on the mouse.
What is most interesting though, is the election application on facebook. It allows you to vote for your candidate and see results from across the country. So far, Obama leads among all candidates with 25 percent of the national vote and 49 percent of the democrat vote. As of 9 p.m. last night 330,776 people have voted. What is also interesting, Ron Paul is in second place. He has 10 percent of the national vote. He leads the Republicans with 23 percent. Does this mean that these candidates are doing a better job with young people? If Romney or McCain go against Obama in a national election, then this should worry them when it comes to the young vote. McCain is not even in the top ten overall or top five among only Republicans. What this will say in a national election may yet to be known, but when it comes to young people’s favorite social networking site, no one is doing it better than Barack Obama.
According to NPR, Obama got 57 percent of the under 30 vote in Iowa, his first primary victory. American politicians have always looked for a way to reach out to youngsters, and no one is doing it better than Obama. His victories are propelled by the young vote. If facebook at Kent State and all around the world can predict what will happen in November, then it might be calling the race for Obama.

UPDATE: There is a Kent State Hillary Clinton group. I apoligize for not finding it when I posted, but when I typed in her name under groups while doing the research, nothing came up for her. I did multiple searches.

Bill Clinton Visit

Just some photos from the Clinton rally this afternoon. Clinton spoke for around 45 minutes and didn’t use any of his Obama-critical-rhetoric and simply resumed his role as a supportive spouse.

Check out Tim Magaw’s story at stateronline.com, I’ll link it later when it is posted.

With about 650 people, roughly 75% were over 30, crammed into a gym, that last year held 2,000 Obama supporters, on less than a day’s notice was a sight to see. Tim spoke with several college students, many of whom remained undecided on their support for a democratic candidate.

Gavin Jackson

College Republicans like Huckabee

The Kent State College Republicans’ club is engaged on national security and foreign policy issues but favors a candidate known for his social conservatism

According to a survey conducted Monday evening, 75 percent of group members said national security is the most important issue for them. Meanwhile, 50 percent of the club’s members said the candidate they’re most excited about is Mike Huckabee.

Stephen Ontko, president of the club, said he fell in line with the logic.

“Huckabee isn’t a pacifist — he supports completing the mission in Iraq. He isn’t for pulling the troops out of Iraq. He isn’t a defeatist, so he does fall with in the party platform concerning Iraq,” he said.

The candidate club members were least excited about was Ron Paul, who received 50 percent of the unethusiastic vote. Mitt Romney and Mike Huckabee each received 25 percent of the vote.

“I’m suprised Huckabee was mentioned before Guiliani or McCain,” Ontko said.

“If the War on Terrorism is the main issue, then I’m surprised Huckabee would be chosen before Guiliani who is more supportive of President Bush’s foreign policy.”

Ontko also added that Huckabee is more conservative than McCain.

The second most important issue for club members was cultural issues, which corresponds with Huckabee’s message.

- Matthew White

The End of the Beginning…

On Wednesday evening the remaining GOP presidential hopefuls will take one last primetime television jab at each other in hopes of having an everlasting affect on the bemused “swing voter.” On Thursday, the same goes for those squirrelly democrats, who have become so accustomed to taking jabs that they have begun to look more like political foes than members of the party for change.

For the remaining candidates, reaching this milestone without suffering a devastating political blow is something worth “brushing their shoulders off” about. They have proven that they can dish it out just as much as they can take it.

 

This is the end of the beginning. To most Americans the election year has just started even though many of these candidates have officially been on the road to the white house for a year now.  And yes, if you are asking, the last 12 months really don’t mean that much. It’s what happens now that makes history.

 

We at Black Squirrel Politics thought it would be nice to celebrate the “end of the beginning” by throwing a couple debate viewing parties – one on Wednesday and one on Thursday here in Kent Ohio. It’s a chance for us to share our political opinions with each other over some free pizza and cheap beer. But really it’s about getting involved – getting informed.

 

So if you are in Kent or in Kazakhstan, watch the final debates this week. Check out America’s revised choices and then talk about it. Talk to a friend, a family member or a group of college students who happen to maintain a political blog. It is time to raise the level of political debate, whether it’s on the Kent State University campus or across the country. We will be waiting and ready.

Bill Clinton is coming…..

Ohio for Hilary is hosting  a free rally at Tri-C in Cleveland.

When

Tuesday, January 29, 2008 at 3:15 PM -  5:00 PM

Where

Cuyahoga Community College – Eastern Campus
4250 Richmond Road
Highland Hills Village, OH 44122
General Area: Student Services Building Gym

Description

Join President Bill Clinton for a special event in Highland Hills just outside of Cleveland Tomorrow at 3:15 PM at the Cuyahoga Community College–Eastern Campus Student Services Building

Professor talks about politics

Being more curious about the Democratic presidential race than the Republican race I decided to talk to one of my previous professors who is openly Democratic and proud of it. I took a class with Jarrod Tudor in Spring 07. I remember one day in class he said something about wishing Al Gore would run for president again. He also told us that he ran for Ohio’s U.S. Representative in 1994.

At first I was shocked about how openly he talked about politics. It always seemed taboo for professors to disclose that kind of information. Tudor always made it clear when he talked about it, however, that he wasn’t trying to persuade any of us students to be Democrat, or even Republican for that matter. He said all he cared about was that as students we would get involved with something, anything that we could feel passionate about.

Tudor made me really respect him for everything he said and did that semester. I don’t think people should want to keep how they feel politically such a secret. People shouldn’t discriminate about race, gender, religion or politics in my eyes. I think if people are not ashamed about what they are they should be proud of it.

So anyways, since the Democratic race is off and running I decided to check in with Tudor and see what he thought about the primaries thus far. Since Gore isn’t going to be on the ballots I had to ask who he was going to back and why. He said he respected Hilary Clinton because of her experience, but he made it a point to say that he didn’t mean that anyone else was not qualified. I also asked Tudor what he thought about the turnouts at the primares and if he thought it was because people were backing the candidates for the wrong reasons, such as who they are, or because of the right reason, such as what issues they stand for. His response was he thinks it’s a healthy mixture of both. He said it really shouldn’t matter either way because at least people are showing up, giving their vote and making themselves heard.

I have to admit I was a bit biased about people who were supporting candidates because of the person and not the politician, but after talking to him he made me think about it more. Even if the candidate as a person (i.e. Obama because he’s black or Clinton becuase she’s female) is what is getting people to the rallies, polls and debates at least people are going. Once people are at the events they really can’t help but hear about the politician.

So, Tudor succeeded, because of him not being afraid to speak his mind about politics he helped a student become more informed, not persuaded just more thought provoking and informed.

~Liz Laubscher

How bad does Rudy need Florida?

Tuesday! That’s when Giuliani will know his fate in Florida.  For Giuliani it’s make or break in Florida.  He has been campaigning in Florida while the other GOP candidates have been reeling in delegates and receiving national media attention.  Giuliani has been stagnant in the previous primaries that have taken place across America.  It’s been reported that Giuliani has spent around 3 million dollars in advertising just in Florida alone.  Unfortunately for Giuliani all that hard work has not been paying off.

Giuliani was the leading GOP hopeful before the race started.  Giuliani was the candidate with the big name and was the front-runner when he announced his run for the presidency.  The Mason-Dixon poll that was taken in November showed Giuliani with a commanding lead of 36 percent throughout Florida.  That was before the primaries and caucuses began.  The names of Romney, Huckabee, Thompson and Paul were not well known; and McCain had struggled in other presidential elections in prior years.  All of that has changed now.  Huckabee won Iowa’s caucus and McCain and Romney have been battling for first in the other primaries ever since.  The latest Mason-Dixon poll in Florida has shown Giuliani third with about 18 percent.    

Florida is worth 57 delegates and unlike the previous primaries it’s all or nothing in the “sunshine” state.  That means the candidate who wins will get all 57 delegates for the Republican National Convention later this year.  This could lead to a problem for Giuliani. If Giuliani loses Florida it could be potentially damaging to his bid for the presidency.  Giuliani’s advisors have said it would be tough for Rudy to continue if he does not win Florida. 

Giuliani has lost a lot of appeal amongst republican voters.  Even if Giuliani does make a remarkable comeback and win Florida, I still don’t think he is the leading candidate for the Republican Party.  Romney and McCain are probably the leading candidates as of right now, and if Giuliani does win Florida, it’s still only one state.  It seems like the media and the public have lost a lot of interest with the GOP.  

The democrats are making it hard for Giuliani.  Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are the main attractions in the media.  Obama and Clinton have had heated battles that have taken attention away from the republicans.  Not only is this bad for Giuliani, it’s bad for the GOP.

Giuliani needs Florida bad.  It’s basically his last hope to become president.  With Super Tuesday a little more than a week away, the GOP hopefuls will not be able to campaign in each of those states.  The candidates will just have to hope that the voters have listened to the debates.  Again this is a problem for Giuliani.  He has not participated in many of the debates, which may hurt him with the voters in other states.  Giuliani is spending so much time and money in Florida; he should have showed up to the other primaries to get media attention.  So even if Giuliani does win Florida, his campaign is probably over February 5.   

Mike Wolf

Who is Ron Kaufman?

Over the past few days, I’ve heard (and seen) a lot about how uncouth AP journalist Glen Johnson was in his attack on presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Let’s exam this from a different angle. Let’s not dwell on the fact that Johnson engaged in a heated debate with a presidential candidate. Let’s not dwell on the fact that his methods, as questionable as they may have been, rattled Romney in front of the media. Let’s instead skip straight to the point: Who is Ron Kaufman?

Ronald C. Kaufman
Occupation: Senior Managing Partner
Employer: Dutko Group
Home: Washington, DC

According to DutkoWorldwide.com, Ron Kaufman has served as an advisor over the last 25 years to Republican Presidents, Governors, Members of Congress and a host of elected and appointed officials at every level of government. Starting his career in national politics in 1978 with the campaign for President of George H.W. Bush, Ron has held major political posts in the White House and in the Republican Party.

After working as a National Political Operative for the 1980 Bush for President campaign, Ron went on to serve President Reagan as Regional then National Political Director of the Republican National Committee and was appointed the National Campaign Director for Vice President Bush’s 1984 reelection campaign.

As the personnel director under George H.W., Kaufman recruited the first chair of the Indian Gaming Commission. That agency regulated the casino plans of the Pequot Wampanoag Tribe, which later hired
Kaufman to lobby on their behalf. Kaufman is an “informal advisor” to the second President
Bush and was appointed co-chair of the 2004 Republican National Convention Site Selection Committee.

In his free time, Kaufman enjoys lobbying, politics and riding in planes with Mitt Romney. The latter has been the topic of a much talked about debate. {Seen here: http://youtube.com/watch?v=15hVj29hH2k}

ABCNews reported that “during a media availability, Romney told reporters Washington needs a leader who ‘will fight to make sure we resolve the issues rather than continuously look for partisan opportunities for score settling and for opportunities to link closer to lobbyists,’ he said. ‘I don’t have lobbyists running my campaign.’”

The rest of the conversation went like this:

Johnson: “That’s not true governor. That is not true. Ron Kaufman’s a lobbyist. How can you say that you don’t have lobbyists?”

Romney: “Did you hear what I said? Did you hear what I said Glen?”

Johnson: “That you don’t have lobbyists running your campaign.”

Romney: “I said I don’t have lobbyists running my campaign and he’s not running my campaign.”

Johnson: “He’s one of your senior advisors.”

Romney: “Beth Myers has been on the plane with me and Beth Myers is running my campaign.”

Johnson: “So Ron is just window dressing? He’s just a potted plant on your plane?”

Romney: “Ron is a wonderful friend. An advisor, he’s not paid as an advisor like many others. But I do not have lobbyists running my campaign. I appreciate that you think that’s funny but Ron Kaufman has not been any in on any of the senior strategy meetings of our campaign.”

The problem, well the real problem isn’t that Glen Johnson snapped at Romney. To be completely honest, his sentiments echoed many Americans. All we ask for is transparency in our candidates. Let us know the whole story, not just half of it. It’s not that Romney lied. He just didn’t tell the whole truth. Knowing what we now know about Ron Kaufman, for Romney to suggest that lobbyists aren’t influencing his campaign is a falsity.

So Mitt, I’ll be a little more polite than my AP counterpart when I ask you this: Really, who is Ron Kaufman?

–Sasha Parker

Vets say war is major issue

The war remains a major issue among the policy makers in the United States, growing more heated as the presidential election draws nearer. Often the media concentrates on top officials to give the public information about the war. But the soldiers on the ground in Iraq also see the war as a major issue, though their voices are rarely heard.

Air Force Maj. John Ripple said he has little faith in the political system and what candidates say to potential voters.

“Everyone’s against the war and everyone wants to get our troops home because that’s a popular answer. I also know that every other president that’s ever been elected has promised things or said things that didn’t come to fruition,” Ripple said.

Ripple works at the Kent State ROTC. He has served in Iraq seven times since 1995 – most recently from June 2005 to February 2006. He said U.S. forces are doing a lot of good in Iraq. The American public, though, wants a break from war.

“I think that there’s a tendency to be in such a hurry to get folks home that we sometimes miss trying to get people back here [to the U.S.] with the right processes and things,” he said. “Sometimes we can be in such a hurry that it actually causes us more harm than if we would stay and take our time and do things the right way. But it is important, I think, for the president to acknowledge that and, at least, to try to have some kind of policy set up.”

Ripple said he feels he is obligated to vote in the presidential election because he feels it is hypocritical for him to say the system is broken but not do his part to fix it.

“It’s just very hard for me to listen to what people promise and just really kind of know that before it even starts they’re not going to be able to do what they say.”

Army Pfc. Donald Hudson, currently serving in Iraq, said he supports Ron Paul because of his anti-war stance.

“I believe this war is nothing but a political show of force. It has nothing to do with protecting the freedoms of American citizens,” he said in an e-mail interview. “It should not have started in the first place. Our misguided judgment 20-something years ago got us into most of this. Why? Because we could not mind our own business.”

If Paul does not get the Republican nomination, Hudson said he would vote for Sen. John McCain. Both candidates have positions amenable to Hudson’s on issues such as immigration, gay marriage and veterans’ affairs.

Air Force E6 Tech Sgt. Richard Campbell said he supports John Edwards and Sen. Barack Obama. Edwards, he said, came from nothing and lived in a car at one time and may not forget where he came from.

Campbell served in Iraq for four months in 2003. He said he thinks the war will continue for another decade. He has five years left on his contract with the Air Force.

“I don’t think one candidate is going to end it all for us and say we all can come home. What more benefits can they fight for us since we go over there?” he said. “If something was to happen to me, can you make sure that my family doesn’t want for nothing?”

-Allen Hines