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      Red vs. Blue? Donkey vs. Elephant?
 Your Guide to the 2008 Political Season

by: Mai Eldib

“In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done,   
                            ask a woman.” ~ Margret Thatcher

Women have been present in the political scene ever since the beginning of
time. Ancient civilizations from Rome to Egypt always had at some point or
the other a female ruler. Who can forget the famous Cleopatra VII of
Alexandria who was able to influence both the great Caesar and Marc
Anthony? Or the equally acclaimed Queen Elizabeth I who reigned over
England, France and Ireland from 1558-1605?

Currently there are three presiding female monarchs: H.M. Queen Elizabeth II
of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, H.M Margrethe
II Queen of the Denmark, and H.M Beatrix Queen of the Netherlands.
Additionally, the world now has 14 elected women leaders, including the
current Chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, Liberia’s President Ellen
Johnson Sirleaf and Indian President Pratibha Patil.  And history will never
forget great female leaders such as British Prime Minister Margret Thatcher
and Israeli Prime Minister Golda Meir. Both women were able to maintain
their power and enable their respective countries to grow and prosper during
extremely critical times in history.

With the current race for the 2008 Presidency underway, for the first time in
American history a woman, Hilary Clinton, has emerged as a serious
contender. Clinton is currently the New York State Senator and was also First
Lady when Former President Bill Clinton was in office from 1993 to 2001.  

So what do you need to know about the upcoming election? Plenty! With
primaries approaching within the next few weeks, and a presidential campaign
that is sure to be the biggest story of 2008, here’s your guide to the 2008
political process!

PRIMARIES: The primary elections are run by state and local governments in
states that do not have caucuses.  The state primary elections reveal which
candidates for president will be backed by that particular state at either the
Democratic or Republican National Convention. The first primary will be held
in New Hampshire on January 8, 2008.

CAUCUSES: Caucuses are generally meetings held by supporters or members
of each political party to designate their nomination for each party’s
nomination for president. The most important caucus is the Iowa Caucus
which is set to take place on January 3, 2008. The caucuses are important
because they determine who stays in the running to becoming America’s next
presidential candidate on the Republican and Democratic Party’s side.

Here are the majority of the Republican and Democratic candidates vying for
their party's nomination:

Democrats:
•        Hilary Clinton is the former First Lady and also the current U.S.  Senator
  from New York.
•        Barack Obama is the current U.S. Senator from Illinois.
•        John Edwards is the former U.S. Senator from North Carolina and 2004
   Democratic Vice Presidential Candidate.  
•        Chris Dodd is the current U.S. Senator from Connecticut.
•        Bill Richardson is the current Governor of New Mexico.
•        Joe Biden is the current U.S. Senator from Delaware.
•        Dennis Kucinich is the current Congressmen to the U.S House of
   Representatives from Ohio.
•        Mike Gravel is the former U.S. Senator from Alaska.


Republicans:
•        Mitt Romney is the former Governor of Massachusetts
•        Rudy Giuliani is the former Mayor of New York City.
•        Mike Huckabee is the former Governor of Arkansas
•        John McCain is the current U.S. Senator from Arizona
•        Fred Thompson is the former U.S. Senator from Tennessee
•        Ron Paul is the current Congressmen to the U.S House of
  Representatives from Texas.
•        Tom Tancredo is the current Congressmen to the U.S House of
  Representatives from Colorado.
•        Duncan Hunter is the current Congressmen to the U.S House of
  Representatives from California.
•        Alan Keyes is a former U.S Ambassador and Assistant Secretary of State
  for International Organization Affairs during the Regan administration.

One of the most interesting things about this upcoming election is that some
of the heavyweights are a female candidates and candidates of color. It
reflects a nuance of change in the demographics of the American population,
and also the possibility of having someone who didn’t exactly follow the same
mold as the former 54 presidents. Not only is there diversity in the field of
sexes and race but also religion. The election is set to take place on November
4, 2008 to decide the 55th President and Vice President of the United States of
America.

Wouldn’t it be fun if you are your friends created a pretend voting station at
your Middle School or High School, to see who your classmates think should
be the next American President!! And don’t forget to look at all the candidates
websites and check out important issues such as the Environment and how
was can better improve the Educational System.   

This is a critical election and everyone should find a way to contribute,
participate and learn more about who the candidates are and what are their
initiatives – because at the end of the day he or she is here to stay for 4 years.
So don’t wait till 2012 to get involved!!! There is never a better time than the
PRESENT!!