Original Article: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122694399164234073.html
Even though it was just two weeks ago that Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain were outstanding rivals, the tables have most certainly turned. Now the President-elect Obama and Sen. McCain are working together to help bring about the "changes" to better the country.
They agreed on working together on three main isses: immigration reform, changes in the detention facility in Guantanamo Bay and climate change. For two people who were such strong rivals not too long ago, it will definitely be an interesting transition to see how they come to work together when both Obama and McCain have clashing views in many fields.
Working together will actually benefit both of them. For Obama, working with McCain will help him gain "support from the former Republican presidential candidate and help fulfill his pledge to reach for bipartisan solutions." Whereas for Sen. McCain, establishing a foundation with Obama and the White House could "allow him to wield influence in a Democratic-controlled Congress"(WSJ.com).
When asked whether he will support Obama with his administration, McCain replied "obviously." The two plan on working together to bring in an "era of reform to Washington." The 45-minute meeting in Chicago was cordial and in good terms as the "two men sat side-by-side in armchairs, with an American flag behind them and each flanked by an adviser; Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.,S.C.), and Obama's future White House Chief of Staff, Rahm Emanuel."
The purpose of the meeting, answers Obama, was to have a "good conversation about how they can do some work together to fix up the country, and also to offer thanks to Sen. McCain for the outstanding service that he's already rendered."
Amongst discussing other topics such as Iraq, the main issues discussed were the three topics they both agree upon. For the issue regarding climate change, they both support "a cap-and-trade system for controlling carbon dioxide and other industry emissions that many scientists belive contribute to global warming.
On the issue of immigration, they both have support for overhauling a system that includes a "path to citizenship for illegal immigrants." Both Obama and McCain support "closing the military detention facility in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba." Even though Obama can manage to close the facility on his own, he believes that Sen. McCain's support, who is a Vietnam veteran, would be "helpful poilitically."
Discussion Questions:
1.) Is it really wise for Obama and McCain, two very recent rivals, to be working so closely on important issues?
2.)Do you think there is potential danger in the two men working together on issues such as immigration policies and climate change policies, issues where they argued with such clashing views?
3.) Do you think Obama supporters would feel any more differently if McCain was replaced with Hillary Clinton? Why or why not?
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Election Day 2008
It’s over. The longest and most expensive presidential campaign in U. S. history ended last night with Barack Obama’s clear victory, both in the electoral and popular vote. His victory did not come easy; he had to outfight formidable opponents in Hillary Clinton and John McCain and persuade Americans that he had the ability to lead them in tough times. But the precision and professionalism with which he and his advisors ran his campaign made him the decisive winner and gave America its first African American president. It was a stunning moment, especially for people like me who vividly remember that less than fifty years ago, segregation was legal in the South and de facto segregation was pervasive in the North. Barack Obama’s victory does not mark the end of racism in the United States, but I think that it marks the beginning of the end.
This election galvanized voters of all parties. Everywhere I went yesterday, people sported “I Voted” stickers and were eager to discuss the election. My husband and I went to West Springfield High School at 7:15 AM to vote and found that the line was already snaking its way out of the building. But despite the early hour and the long line, people were upbeat and talkative, energized (in part) by the coffee and baked goods volunteers were selling outside, but mostly by a keen awareness that we were taking part in a historic election. Our long line moved swiftly, and in less than an hour, my husband and I were inside the school and voting. The use of scannable paper ballots made it possible for more people to vote at once, and this new voting method kept the line moving and frustration low. What about you? What happened when you went to vote?
On Mason’s campus, the weather was dreary and damp, but spirits were high.
Student Government ran vans to the Woodson High School polling place, and volunteers promoted this service by becoming “human advertisements.”
Rain apparently, does not damper revolutions!
This guy stole my heart!
Our university was not without its own drama. Yesterday morning, a hacker broke into the Provost’s email account and sent out a fake message announcing that the election had been moved to November 5th. Rumors circulated that Mason students who voted could lose their financial aid.
But such lame attempts proved ineffective against the smart and savvy youthful voters who went to the polls in record numbers. Your demographic – voters between the ages of 18 and 25 – voted overwhelmingly for Obama and helped power him to victory. Now it’s your turn to act upon that mandate and consider how you will help him guide our nation toward economic recovery, energy reform, and improved security both at home and abroad.
How will you meet the challenge Obama made to all Americans in his victory speech last night that change can’t happen without “a new spirit of patriotism, a new spirit of sacrifice?” How has this election influenced your outlook on the future and the role you will play in it as a working professional?
This election galvanized voters of all parties. Everywhere I went yesterday, people sported “I Voted” stickers and were eager to discuss the election. My husband and I went to West Springfield High School at 7:15 AM to vote and found that the line was already snaking its way out of the building. But despite the early hour and the long line, people were upbeat and talkative, energized (in part) by the coffee and baked goods volunteers were selling outside, but mostly by a keen awareness that we were taking part in a historic election. Our long line moved swiftly, and in less than an hour, my husband and I were inside the school and voting. The use of scannable paper ballots made it possible for more people to vote at once, and this new voting method kept the line moving and frustration low. What about you? What happened when you went to vote?
On Mason’s campus, the weather was dreary and damp, but spirits were high.
Student Government ran vans to the Woodson High School polling place, and volunteers promoted this service by becoming “human advertisements.”
Rain apparently, does not damper revolutions!
This guy stole my heart!
Our university was not without its own drama. Yesterday morning, a hacker broke into the Provost’s email account and sent out a fake message announcing that the election had been moved to November 5th. Rumors circulated that Mason students who voted could lose their financial aid.
But such lame attempts proved ineffective against the smart and savvy youthful voters who went to the polls in record numbers. Your demographic – voters between the ages of 18 and 25 – voted overwhelmingly for Obama and helped power him to victory. Now it’s your turn to act upon that mandate and consider how you will help him guide our nation toward economic recovery, energy reform, and improved security both at home and abroad.
How will you meet the challenge Obama made to all Americans in his victory speech last night that change can’t happen without “a new spirit of patriotism, a new spirit of sacrifice?” How has this election influenced your outlook on the future and the role you will play in it as a working professional?
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