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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!! |
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