What+We're+Reading

Post current readings on this page. Please note the publication information and your first name.

[|**http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/02/12/whos_the_underdog_1.html**]
 * Helen-Washington Post**
 * Bill Clinton refered to his wife's campaign as "the underdog campaign."
 * Playing the underdog may win her more votes because "everyone loves an underdog."
 * Last month [Barack Obama] said, "When your name is Barack Obama, you're always an underdog in political races."
 * Obama is "doing some initial framing of what would be the general election battle against John McCain. "

http://www.time.com/time/politics/article/0,8599,1710667,00.html “Clinton, Obama: Why Not Both?” The article talks about the many advantages the democratic party has coming in to this falls election. With two very qualified candidates, either of whom if elected will make history, the upcoming election is bound to be very exciting. A few weeks ago after a debate in Los Angeles Clinton and Obama were spotted “embrac[ing] each other for more than the usual nanosecond and then seem[ing] to whisper something knowing in each other's ear.” This interaction has got people thinking about the possibility of the two of them uniting forces. If they were to join it would make up the perfect package Obama would have “someone who could turn his poetry into governing prose” and Clinton may be able to regain support from African American voters. Over 50% of readers who support each candidate say they would be in favor of who ever gets the nomination adopting the other as their running mate. The Obama campaign claims they are not running for the vice presidency, confirming his strong desire to receive the nomination. Although both Clinton and Obama have said they are not considering adopting the other as a running mate, there is still a slim chance that this could be the case. It is exciting to think of all of the possibilities that could come from such a balanced partnership.
 * Melissa-Time**

http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/02/why-shes-losing.html#trackback Why She's Losing //The Democrats are beginning to realize their choice is between a loss and a landslide victory that could change American politics for a generation. Moreover, I don't think Obama is an ideological figure who would govern in ways that would affront the center. I can't know that, of course. But there is a reason George W. Bush was so dismissive of him. Bush also knows that Obama is a rebuke. Clinton, in contrast, is a peer. There really is no reason to vote for the Clintons again. It's all about them; and this time, it really should be about the country.//
 * abc-The Daily Dish with Andrew Sullivan**

//important points from article://
 * Allie- Fox News**:http://youdecide08.foxnews.com/2008/01/30/giuliani-endorsement-to-give-mccain-visible-boost-going-into-gop-debate/
 * "Rudy Giuliani formally dropped his presidential bid and endorsed John McCain Wednesday, setting up the Arizona senator with valuable support and big press heading into Super Tuesday, Feb. 5."
 * The two national security agendas are very similar,” he said. “I think most of the voters who were going for Giuliani will probably end up going for McCain … it reinforces his position as the frontrunner in the race.”
 * "Giuliani pledged to campaign with McCain wherever he is needed, and touted his former rival as an “American hero” and “the most qualified candidate to be the next commander in chief of the United States.”
 * "On the plane to California Wednesday, Giuliani told reporters there was no quid pro quo involved in his endorsement of McCain.'I’m not seeking the vice president nomination. It’s way too premature for anybody to be speculating about vice presidential candidates. I’m not seeking a position in government,' he said."
 * "[Giuliani] said that he opted to end his faltering campaign because he did not want to eat into McCain’s support on Super Tuesday, when just four remaining candidates will battle for the 1,023 delegates allocated from 21 states voting that day."
 * "For McCain, appealing to conservative voters is a must. Though he won the Florida primary Tuesday on the backs of several powerful voting blocs, exit polls showed conservatives trended more toward Romney."
 * "McCain’s victory in Florida sets up the GOP contest as a presumed two-person race, but Huckabee, who won the Iowa caucuses Jan. 3, is not giving up the fight."

important points from article:
 * Alice - CNN.com**: http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/06/election.clinton/index.html
 * Clinton lent 5 million dollars to her campaign in January
 * Clinton: My opponent (Obama) raised more money, and we wanted to be competitive
 * Some senior members of Clinton's campaign agree to go without pay for a month
 * Super Tuesday delivered a split decision for Clinton, rival Sen. Barack Obama
 * Each of the Democratic contenders has raised more than $100 million to date

The two sides- The church provides services, (visiting families, saying masses for dead, hear confessions, etc.) Catholic hospitals and schools also provide benefits for children of illegal immigrants who often cannot pay the full amount.
 * Robbie - A series of posts debating the role of Catholic Church and illegal immigration**- http://corner.nationalreview.com/

One side argues the church does this because they are simple "people being people." They're doing the right thing like any good person. The other side argues that the church is under stress, quoting a statistic that one-third of americans raised catholic leave the church and these hispanic immigrants are, for the most part, devout Catholics and are "filling the pews." This side of the argument questions if the Catholic church would be so kind and accepting if the illegal immigrants crossing the borders were primarily muslim.

An interesting view on the health care problem in the country now. This article follows a woman who is reluctant to get a DNA test to check for a genetic disease, emphysema. Many people who cannot afford health care simply choose to not take DNA tests which puts them in great danger.
 * Randolph- Insurance Fears Many to Shun DNA Tests**- http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/24/health/24dna.html