Contrasting Debate

So I was very pleased when the presidential debate actually took place despite earlier skepticism that it wouldn't be happening due to the halt in John McCain's campaign. I thought the debate started out actually pretty slow with both candidates kind of dancing around a direct answer to the first question, 'would you vote yes in favor of the 700 billion dollar bailout?' both candidates never really gave a straight forward answer, although Obama did address what he would do to solve the economic crisis, McCain focused more on the past and the reasons that caused the economic crisis. I would have liked to see more of a direct answer although both eluded that they would vote yes in favor.

This debate was mainly focused on foreign policy, which is supposed to be McCain's strong subject but I think Obama did more than hold his own. McCain reinforced to the American people that he has experience. He used a lot of personal stories and name dropping with one slip up on Ahmadinejad’s name. Obama is never going to have the kind of experience John McCain has with foreign policy, that's just how it's going to be and McCain focuses too much on that, on the past, when the American people want to hear about solutions to the future. Obama is never going to have that past experience John McCain has, but he showed incredible knowledge and confidence on the issue last night. There were very few times where Obama was even slightly flustered and delivered his stance and knowledge with the confidence that made people listen.

During the debate they have an audience reaction meter which showed the reactions of the very important independents, the democrats, and the republicans. I found this sometimes to be more interesting to watch than the actual debate. Whenever a negative comment or stab was made toward the other candidate the independents line would fall negatively. In this election, the independents are going to be those deciding votes in choosing the next president of the United States. Everytime John McCain would say condescendingly, "Sen. Obama doesn't understand," the independents line would fall negatively. Obama did a very good job in not talking condescendingly or sarcastically to McCain, who I can't say the same for throughout the debate. Whenever there was a bipartisan comment all the parties, republican, democratic, and independents reaction would be positive. I hope that Joe Biden and Sarah Palin were watching that and can take that knowledge to their debate on Thursday.

I hope that with their debate Joe Biden won't be condescending and that he will have watched the way Obama handled things and he will also conduct himself that way. When they interviewed him afterwards he said I hope I can do as well as Obama did and I think he can if he watched what the audience liked and what they thought negatively of. I found it humorous that CNN got an interview with Biden after the debate yet when they tried to get one from Sarah Palin to have opinions from both sides, she was unavailable. Does she know she has to debate on Thursday? It may not be a bad idea to do some unscripted press interviews before she is thrown into a debate with someone who has much more experience than she does. That will be one to watch.

Overall, I thought that the debate was fairly even in most areas but I definitely think Obama had the edge, even turning a quotation by McCain's own campaign advisor, Kissinger against him when talking about meeting with foreign leaders without preconditions. The follow debates about Energy solutions and the economy will be very interesting and if McCain couldn't get the victory last night that he needed in his strong suit, I would say it's unlikely he will come away with a victory in the next two debates. I hope that everyone watches the following debates, especially those very opinionated people, as well as watch the VP debate! This is important people!

Debates

Everyone watch them! I think that the debates are really going to tell a lot about these candidates and help sway those undecided voters. So whether you are a an undecided voter, a strongly opinionated non voter or anyone in between....watch them!

Obammmaaa :)

So now that I am finished with the homework I would just like to say a few words on what I experienced today. I'm sure that everyone who went today has blogged about it but oh well! I was absolutely in awe today! I have watched MANY Obama speeches and even though he had the aid of teleprompter, I am so impressed with his eloquence and presence...even more so in person! It was a once in a lifetime experience and the four hours of standing were completely worth seeing who I hope is the next president of the United States. He addressed all of the issues in summary, but made a point of talking about the news today of the Lehman brothers bankruptcy and the drop in DOW which has the stock market in a crisis. Events like this and the recent destruction of hurricane Ike make me realize that much more how important it is that this country see change. Obama offers change, not only economically which is issue number one for voters, but environmentally, in education, in foreign dependency. I hope that those who are independents unsure of who they are supporting, saw his speech or at least highlights because I believe the solutions he offers are beneficial to everyone. We all are aware that Colorado and particularly Grand Junction and Pueblo are going to be vital in putting him in office.

Let's do it Colorado!

Formal and Informal Amending Processes

When the framers of the Constitution were in the process of creating it, they also created a process by which they could alter and change it. This process is called the amending process and there are two different categories by which amendments come to exist. These are formal amending and informal amending, and both are designed to alter or change the constitution according to topical national necessity.

Formal amending has a two stage process before it can become an amendment, proposal and ratification. There are two routes through government that the proposal and ratification must travel before they become amendments. The first route is a proposition to Congress by a 2/3 vote in each house. It then is sent onto the State Legislatures who can ratify the amendment by a vote of 3/4 of the states. This is the procedure by which all but one amendment has been ratified, except amendment twenty one. Amendment twenty-one was proposed to Congress and then sent onto State Conventions to ratify it. This was because it was a repeal of the eighteenth amendment and those proposing it doubted they could persuade the State legislatures to ratify it and so they called on the state conventions who ratified it.

In similarity to amendments, which change or alter the Constitution, the "unwritten constitution," is created to be a form of accepted ideas and processes, regardless that they are not in the constitution. The unwritten constitution is designed to be a form of accepted ideas that is based on custom and precedent. These ideas and processes become so regular in the governing of the United States that although there are no legal documentation in the Constitution stating there importance they are regularly carried out. Many Americans are not even aware of which processes are part of the unwritten constitution and the actual constitution.

Another form by which amendments are ratified is informal processing. This processing is carried out through four ways: Judicial Interpretation, Changing Political Practice, Technology, and Increasing demands on Policymakers. Judicial Interpretation is used when the Supreme Court has to decide how to interpret the Constitution when an issue presents itself. This is implied but never explicitly stated in the Constitution. Changing Political practice is used to bend, stretch and give the Constitution new meaning. It has altered the electoral college, to prevent giving too much power to the uneducated majority, so that there is no popular vote for president instead it was the state legislatures who would select "competent" electors. Technology plays a part in the ratification of amendments is through the media aspect. It plays an important part in elections through bias reports and supporting. The media can help to shape peoples political opinions. Increasing demands on policymakers is also part of the process in ratifying amendments. The demands of the country in response to national needs have created the informal processing of amendments. According to certain circumstances there may be need to call for demands to policymakers in the presidency to meet the necessity.

Formal, Informal, and Unwritten Constitution are all important in the changing of the constitution. They are important because the Constitution allthough basic guidelines for the running of the country is not a detailed document for the many areas of government that change as time goes on. The amendments are important to keeping the structure of our government modern and functional according to many aspects. With these processing helping to change and alter the constitution when necessary, the government the framers were so careful to create can continue to run as a superpower on earth.

Obama In Grand Junction

Obama speaking in Grand Junction is a once in a lifetime experience as we all know. I recommend everyone try and attend his speech, even those who may not agree with his politics. It is a great way to truly understand his message. I am an Obama supporter but if John McCain were to come to Grand Junction I would be at his speech too. So sorry Mr. Coit but I won't be in your class on Monday.....I'll hopefully be watching the next President of the United States speak!

Madisonian Model Essay

James Madison realized that the framing of the country had to be devised, in a well thought out plan when the creation of the Constitution was in effect. The very flawed Articles of Confederation, were his jumping off point in creating a plan for government that held principals for a successful government. Madison believed in limiting majority control, separating the powers of different institutions, and constructing a system of checks and balances to set power against power. His model is based on theory that to prevent tyranny by majority most of the government had to be kept beyond their power. He created this model with a series of powers that were interlinked to keep the separation of powers.
Madison's model consists of the majority (voters) with limited electoral influence. Their opinions were heard by the electoral college, state legislatures, and their representatives within the House of Representatives. Those opinions are then carried to the three branches of government, the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. The Legislative branch contains the Congress; House of Representatives, and Senate. This branch confirms the president's nominations and controls national budget. Legislative Branch can also pass a law vetoed by the President and impeach the President and judges from the Judicial Branch. The Executive Branch contains the President and the executive office of the president. They have the power to nominate judges and veto congressional legislation. The third branch, the Judicial Branch, contains the supreme court; courts of appeal, and district courts. They can declare presidential acts and laws unconstitutional.
This model set a plan that included Madison's principals in a well laid out, thought out plan. The three branches included separation of powers and limited majority control, while constructing a system of checks and balances. This model is still greatly in effect in the structure of our modern day American Government. The separation of powers is the main reason a democracy runs as it does, no one power has ultimate power in making decisions. Checks and Balances also is major part of a working democracy it allows for the decisions made to be beneficial for the American People ultimately. This basis of government allowed for a democratic republic to become the government and foundation for a growing country. As the country continued to grow immensely this plan remained a solid foundation for which the rest of the nation was based upon.

Palin Obama Experience

There has been a lot of skepticism throughout the past year about Obama's experience in politics. It has been a major negative campaign focus for the republicans and has even caused some Hillary supporters to look the other way. I wish that all of those people not willing to give him a chance because he may not have as much political experience on a large scale, compared to John McCain, would look at the nominee for the GOP vice president. The new campaign ads are calling both McCain AND Palin the original mavericks and I think it's a real stretch to call McCain an original maverick let alone Palin. Experience is definitely not the strong suit for Palin and yet all those excited about her becoming the VP are most of the same people criticizing Obama for his "inexperience." Let's not be so quick to judge.