by
11.03.2008
At Last, the Finish Line
Even the most die-hard political junkies are probably tired of the presidential campaign by this point, nearly two years after most of the contenders kicked off the race for the White House.
by
01.21.2009
Did You Attend the Inauguration?
If you made in to D.C. for the inauguration, let everyone know how it was. Drop some comments below about your experiences.
If you have photos you'd like to share, send them to our web guru, Cameron Knight: cknight@citybeat.com. He can organize them into a gallery on our photo page or even a multimedia show and we can create a new photo link on our inauguration section, Road to the Presidency. Cameron has a slide show there from last night's celebrations in Northside.
by
10.23.2008
Nader Campaign Pushes Reform
Some campaign workers for independent presidential candidate Ralph Nader are conceding their choice for the Oval Office probably doesn’t have a realistic chance at being elected. But they say Nader’s platform of issues is what’s truly important and are urging progressive voters to pressure the winners in this November’s elections into pursuing his agenda.
by
10.30.2008
Apparently Size Does Matter
Politics is often a game of strategy, and an area anti-tax group is well-known for taking the offensive on most issues it advocates. A recent dispute over a referendum on a payday loan law, however, has the group facing stinging criticism for getting its facts wrong and overstating its own influence.
by Steven Rosen
10.30.2008
Scary Trip to the Barber
I had a weird and frightening encounter at my local barber shop today. Frightening because it opens my eyes to the depths of fear and hatred exhibited by some people who oppose Barack Obama.
by
10.27.2008
Voting in English
When English speakers have a hard time figuring out when “yes” means “no” on a ballot initiative, imagine how confusing it can be for people who have English as a second or third language.
Limited English Proficiency (LEP) voters need help at the polls. The good news is that an interpreter is allowed to translate the language on the ballot. The bad news is that there aren’t always enough interpreters on site.
In a recent call for bilingual attorneys, law students and interpreters in any language, the Obama campaign is making it easy to volunteer.
Offering a Web sign up form the campaign is also offering a number of contacts with the Democratic National Committtee (DNC) if you want to get more information:
Please indicate state and language. Interpreters sign up at: election.interpreter@gmail.com. Please indicate state and language.
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Sam Jammal at sjammal@gmail.com for the DNC Latino Task Force
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Gloria Chan at gloria@democraticlawyers.org for the DNC Asian American Pacific Islander Task Force
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Isabel Framer for the Interpreter Task Force at: isainterp@aol,com
It’s getting close to election time, but if you can help for a few hours, it means that many more voters will get to participate in this election.
by
10.09.2008
More Details on Today's Obama Rally
Barack Obama will speak at the Pavilion in Ault Park at 3 p.m. today. Gates to the lawn west of the Pavilion will open at 1:00. No umbrellas or folding chairs will be permitted. They'd prefer you don't bring bags so the search at the gates will go smoother. Don't know about signs or blankets.
Limited on-street parking is available in and around Ault Park, though the residential streets there are winding and narrow. Off-site parking has been arranged at Lunken Airport behind the terminal building with shuttle buses running continuously beginning at noon and ending at 5 p.m.
See the Hamilton County Democratic Party's web site for more info and maps of both Ault Park and Lunken Airport.
Look for photos from the event to be posted at citybeat.com later today or tomorrow morning.
by Jason Gargano
10.15.2008
Race in the Race for the White House
The New York Times published a series of stories today dealing with the issue of race in the presidential election.
In one of the pieces, entitled “In Generation Seen as Colorblind, Black Is Yet a Factor,” a Times reporter interviewed students at the University of Kentucky and the University of Cincinnati, several of whom said they have heard other students voice reservations — or worse — about Sen. Barack Obama based solely on the color of his skin.
Anthony Galarza, a 29-year-old UC grad student, said he has heard off-color jokes about a possible Obama presidency, including that the White House would become more “ghetto” with “barbeques on the front lawn.”
“I would think on a college campus we would be a little bit more liberal,” Galarza told the reporter. “To hear it so openly talked about, it’s disturbing — it really is. I don’t think anyone who is colorblind would make a comment like that.”
So the question remains: How much of an impact will race have on the election?
by Jason Gargano
10.27.2008
Palin as President?
Having trouble imaging what a Sarah Palin presidency might mean for our country? (Well, besides inducing millions of people to shit their pants.)
by
11.05.2008
Election Night Observation
Hanging out at the Board of Elections with the campaign volunteers, TV anchors who have nothing new to say for hours on end because results are slow to come in (again!) and the infrequent candidate who drifts in between parties is just plain boring.
There’s nothing to write about because the time between when the polls open and a majority of votes are tabulated is an information dead-zone. There’s no witty banter or interesting and revealing insights that desperately need ink. It’s just a waiting period.
Last night I found the ultimate way to deal with that time with a group of people, munchies and a DJ – just hang out and have a good time. No serious conversation or heated arguments, just one woman roller skating around the room, another dancing with her daughter, a woman moving her electric wheelchair to the beat, men strutting in-between and everyone flashing their t-shirts for photos.
Photographers do and reveal the most during the dead-zone on Election Day. They capture moments in images that, collectively, explain and underscore the importance of casting a ballot.
So thanks for all of the great images and enjoy a well-earned rest. Until next year….
