Zambia, together with many African countries, has welcomed the second term for the US president Barack Obama. This time there was more of a focus on learning how elections are done than in the 2008 elections. Where before it was a thrill, in this election the excitement was kept more at an observation level in Zambia

Throughout the debates, Zambian people confessed that the way issues were discussed in view of winning elections would help more people to decide who should be the next president in any country. Just like in the past election in Zambia, many people have realized that money does not buy peoples votes. Zambians have been educated about this and seeing it happen again makes the people more comfortable about it. Everyone now knows that it’s not about what you are given, but choosing the right leader with great vision will help develop the nation and meet people’s needs, and most Zambians watched attentively to the elections to see which direction it would take.

Mr. Kasangula, a local businessman in Lusaka, supposed that Obama has been given a second term, and what Africa should know, and Zambia in particular, is that Obama is the American president and he needs to deal with problems that affect the Americans first. However, it is important for him to help the African nations, including Zambia, to build their democracy and good policies, and for the opposition to consider defeat was a very good lesson for many opposition leaders in Zambia. Mr. Romney’s action could help many African baby democracy to emulate how leaders should act when defeated, which has been a problem for African countries, killing the purpose of democracy.

Most Lusaka residents when asked about the elections said it was very interesting to watch and they saw how elections can be conducted without naming each other names and showering insults on each other. The opposition, Romney, conceded defeat in good time which again gave him respect from the Zambian perspective. He portrayed himself as a selfless leader who wants to see peace and love for each other as the wish of the people prevails in the country.

Speaking to Mr. Lombe of Lusaka on whether it is a good thing to get some of the good ideas from the opposition to be incorporated in the main streams of any present government, Mr. Lombe noted that considering adopting some ideas from opposition group is a good bargain than pushing all to be irrelevant, for by doing so will help bring development in the country. In fact, leaders should be more interested in developing the country and not only to achieve personal gain, and it should be clear that being in the opposition does not mean that you are enemies, but that you disagree with some of the things that are promoted with the other group. He believed that it is a lesson for Zambian leaders.

Speaking to Lusaka high school students, they said what Obama and Romney did is a great lesson for Zambia. They said that the way they conducted themselves during the campaign and after was a great lesson, and that the debate should be seriously considered in the future to allow people to make an informed choice for who their leader should be.

Joyce Twambo, a house wife of Chawama compound, said that the other problem that Zambia faces is having too many parties that compete with each other to the end. Therefore, it is important to eliminate some of the parties before the final selections happen, as this will also help the majority to choose a good candidate of their choice, and to see the results counted and announced the same day will help stop manipulation of the results.

To add on this, Catherine Nyirenda’s article posted on November 8 in the Times of Zambia newspaper, stated that Electoral Commission of Zambia (ECZ) chairperson, Irene Mambilima, said: “Zambian politicians should avoid character assassination and instead learn from Americans who have embraced issue-based politics Justice Mambilima was impressed with how the American electoral process was handled and said Zambia had a lot to learn.”

However, President Obama visited Ghana in 2009 and the Zambian people would like to see more visits of the US President to many African countries, not because he is of African decent, but because he is the president of America, a great nation that is able to help build strong economies and promote democracy in Africa. Hopefully in his second term, president Obama can be an advocate to many issues faced by African countries in order to make a lasting impact on the continent.

Image Courtesy : U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Zachary Bell [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

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Mitt Romney picked Paul Ryan as the Republican’s Vice Presidential candidate this Saturday. So who exactly is Paul Ryan, and what does this selection tell us about how the Romney campaign and the fight for the Presidency is shaping up to be?

Paul Ryan is the US State Representative for the state of Wisconsin, and also chair of the House Budget Committee. Over the past couple of years his plans for the US budget has been the subject of much conversation and controversy; he mostly talks up the need to cut debt and spending, and the way he seems to want to go about that is through slashing funding for welfare programs, among others. He’s very conservative politically and quite a favorite among the GOP.

Ryan seems to be widely considered very intelligent and competent. Many see him as a rising star, someone young and ambitious, and many have written about how he, in many ways, somewhat overshadows the actual presidential candidate, Romney. His plans are now what’s brought up whenever the policy of the republican presidential candidacy is discussed and he seems to be considerably more charismatic than Romney, who doesn’t seem particularly ideological or at least does not give off the impression of being genuinely passionate about ideology, and is seen as rather bland.

As someone who has made his name almost entirely on policy issues–namely his Ryan plan for the budget–there is widespread expectation that the conversations in this election cycle are finally going to go back to some talk of actual policy instead of mostly mudslinging and generally trying to point out what terrible people the other side are. Though that’s perhaps almost unrealistically optimistic.

Much like Romney and the current Republican Party, he’s anti-abortion and against gay adoption and gay marriage and has a fairly poor record for supporting women’s rights. He also supports further tax cuts for the rich and for businesses, and since taxes on the wealthy won’t be going towards cutting the debt in his plan, he intends on fighting the deficit by cutting government spending in welfare programs and education spending, which means the recipients of these welfare programs are going to be considerably worse off. Namely, the poor and seniors, whose medical care is paid for by the rather intuitively named Medicare.

These exact same stances are very similar to everything that the current Republican party seems to push for and that Romney has presented, so this was a VP pick that was reinforcing those ideas instead of trying to provide something different or appeal to a different angle or set of voters.

So what does this tell us about Romney’s campaign? Well, Romney could really have gone two different angles with his campaign now that he’s almost certainly going to be the Republican candidate for President to run against Obama. He could’ve tried to capture moderate voters who aren’t really very much on one side or the other, who almost undoubtedly, like everyone else in America, are unhappy with the economy as it is right now.

By trying to move a bit more from the right to the center and hoping that with the votes from conservatives and enough of a share from moderates, he could try to win the election. Along those lines, he could’ve even tried to reach out to groups rather alienated by Republican policies like women or Latinos.

However, Romney has never really been popular with conservatives who are the base of the Republican Party; when the primary elections to choose a party candidate to run for President were going on people, seemed to want any other choice, but all of the other options turned out to be too problematic for various reasons.

Earlier in his political career, when he was Governor of his home state of Massachusetts, Romney’s policies had been very different and not very right-wing, but now as he fights for the presidential nomination, he’s had to backtrack on a lot of it, and this gives the impression to a lot of conservatives that he hasn’t been conservative enough in the past. As a result, he’s not too popular among the conservative base.

So by choosing Paul Ryan as his VP pick, he has thoroughly burnished his credentials as a right-wing guy who’d bring about right-wing policy if elected President. This means Romney has decided that the support of an energized and enthusiastic conservative base could be more useful than attempting to win over moderates and risk losing support from the conservatives. Also, he’s doubled down on policies that would be useful to businesses and the rich–less regulation, lower taxes on them–so companies and the wealthy looking out for their own interests are more likely to back him.

Many average Americans are pretty apathetic about politics, an apathy that has only been increasing recently with widespread mistrust of all government. However, conservatives have been pretty fired up lately. He’s made the gamble that an enthusiastic base of people who are going to vote and fund a campaign, as well as guarantee lots of campaign funding from businesses and the rich to go towards ads and campaigning, is going to be more useful than hoping to get the more apathetic moderates to vote for him.

Voting isn’t compulsory in the US, so only 50-60% of eligible voters actually vote, and of course more dedicated groups are more likely to vote. Of course, now the Obama campaign will target those same moderates (already begun–the Obama campaign has been focusing a lot on how they would be so much better for the middle class and for women’s rights) because if enough of them care enough to vote, Obama has a pretty great chance of winning, but that’s the gamble Romney’s made now.

Will Obama be able to inspire those moderates enough to actually vote and convince them that voting for him would be good for them, or will lots of ads and campaigning funded by the wealthy and an enthusiastic base of conservatives who will definitely be going to vote when November rolls around, be enough for Romney to win? We’ll have to see how it plays out over the next three months.

Image Courtesy of  monkeyz_uncle

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Rick Santorum, the man who surprised the world with his performance during the Republican primaries, has been announced as a speaker in the Republican National Convention.

Former Pennsylvania Senator, Rick Santorum’s, effort in the primaries made him very popular among the conservatives. His designation as a speaker in the Convention is trying to prove that the differences that arose during the primaries are over and that the Republican Party is united under Mitt Romney’s figure.

His appearance as a speaker in the Convention would greatly help Santorum’s political career and his future aspirations. The Convention is his great opportunity to solidify himself as the social conservative leader of the nation.

Santorum’s official website explains that “Rick Santorum was a candidate for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 2012 and became known as a voice for conservatives who didn’t feel their voice was being represented.  His grassroots approach to campaigning – including visiting every one of Iowa’s 99 counties and his stunning victory in the Iowa caucuses – catapulted him to frontrunner status where he ultimately won 11 states and 3 million votes during the Republican primary process.” Santorum had a great performance in the Republican primaries, even though he didn’t have the money or the resources other candidates had.

Rick Santorum and his wife Karen are the parents of seven children, and during the primaries he consistently talked about the importance of needing strong families to build a strong economy. His basics proposals were that the government should give incentives for “marriage, children and free enterprise.” With his speeches he gained the support of the country’s most conservative sector.

Rick Santorum is also a dedicated believer in the dignity every life has. Santorum’s younger daughter, Isabella, was born with a condition called Trisomy 18, and the doctors didn’t expect she would survive her first day. But the little girl has beaten all odds and celebrated her fourth birthday in May of 2012. This experience has made Santorum a strong fighter against abortion.

His official website tells us his pro-life initiatives. Santorum “wrote and championed legislation that outlawed the heinous procedure known as Partial Birth Abortion as well as the ‘Born Alive Infants Protection Act,’ the ‘Unborn Victims of Violence Act,’ and the ‘Combating Autism Act’ because he believes each and every individual has value and the most vulnerable in our society need to be protected.”

A Washing Post reporter wrote that “Santorum was a tea party kind of guy before there was a tea party.”

Rick Santorum recently tweeted: “Honored to be speaking at @GopConvention where conservatives from across country will rally together for @MittRomney & make voices heard!” Let’s wait to see what kind of speech he has prepared for the Convention.

Image Courtesy of  Ryan Rodrick Beiler / Shutterstock.com

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Atlanta, May U.S.A – In the just-released book “The New Black Politician: Cory Booker, Newark and Post-Racial America” (NYU Press, 2012), Emory University political scientist Andra Gillespie uses Newark, N.J., and its mayor, Cory Booker, as a case study to explain the breakdown of racial unity in black politics. “The New Black Politician” presents a challenge to the current understanding of the connection between racial solidarity, voter choice and policy preferences.

Newark’s Booker – one of the nation’s most visible city mayors – is more than a singular success story. His rise to power represents a dramatic shift in American politics as a vanguard of young, affluent black leadership has emerged the past 15 years. These “new black politicians” often clash with older generations of African American leadership for power while reshaping municipal and national politics in the process.

The 2002 Newark mayoral race, a contentious battle between the young challenger Booker and the more established incumbent Sharpe James – is one of a series of contests in which young, well-educated, moderate black politicians have challenged civil rights veterans for power.

Gillespie examines the decade-long evolution of African American politics in New Jersey’s largest city and its meaning for American politics. The book features first-hand observation and interviews with many of Newark’s key players (including Cory Booker), and provides a current understanding of contemporary African American and mayoral politics.

Booker’s rise to power demonstrates how younger African Americans seeking office often build political alliances that circumvent the traditional black political establishment, and deliberately work to establish more diverse appeal, outreach and power centers among the electorate. It was with such a multi-cultural coalition that President Barack Obama, originally a political outsider, propelled himself to the White House, Gillespie says.

Based on eight years of intense and ongoing research, Gillespie shows that while both poor and affluent blacks pay lip service to racial cohesion and to continuing the goals of the Civil Rights Movement, the reality is both groups harbor different visions of how to achieve those goals and what those goals will look like once achieved.

In the book, Gillespie explains why Booker lost in 2002, how he won in 2006 and was reelected in 2010. She provides a framework of advice for younger African Americans considering forays into politics.

Image Courtesy of  mistydawnphoto / Shutterstock.com

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President Obama told a packed audience of supporters in Vermont on Friday that America faces a stark choice between a society based on “shared responsibility” and a society “where you’re on your own.” He pledged to continue his efforts to equalize the tax burden and to push legislation which he believes will continue to create jobs and strengthen the economy.

Speaking of his rivals in the Republican presidential primary, Obama said, “Their philosophy is simple: in America, you’re on your own. If you’re out of work and can’t find a job, too bad; you’re on your own. If you get sick and don’t have healthcare, you’re own your own. If you’re born into poverty, you’re supposed to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps, even if you don’t have boots.” He continued, “They believe that’s how America advanced. That’s their cramped, narrow conception of liberty, and they are wrong.”

Obama said the Republican philosophy is reflected in their efforts to cut government programs such as Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, deregulate the banks, and create a tax structure that favors the wealthy. That is the same approach that caused the recession in 2008, he said.

“The recovery is happening,” said Obama. “In three years, we’ve created four million new jobs. We’ve rescued the American auto industry. American manufacturing is stronger than it’s been in years. I know there are still a lot of people out of work, and things haven’t gone as fast as we would like, but the last thing we can afford to do is go back to the same policies that caused this mess in the first place.”

Obama’s speech at the University of Vermont in Burlington was the first leg of a fundraising tour through New England. He drew laughs from the heavily partisan crowd when he pointed out that he was the first American president to visit the state in 17 years. President George W. Bush avoided Vermont, a perennial stronghold of the Democratic party and bastion of liberal politics, through all eight years of his presidency. President Bill Clinton visited the state during his first term.

“We’re going the reset the clock on that,” he said. “We love you,” shouted a woman in the audience. “Love you back,” Obama responded, drawing more laughs and cheers.

While avoiding the Supreme Court hearings on his healthcare reform bill, Obama touted the benefits of the law and said it has already had a positive impact. “Two and a half million more young people now have health insurance because they’re allowed to stay on their parents plans until they’re 26,” said Obama. “Seniors have already saved hundreds of millions on their Medicare prescription drug benefits. The healthcare reform we’ve passed will ensure that no one will go broke just because they got sick.”

He said the Republican party originally supported many of the ideas included in the healthcare reform law and that their uncooperative, anti-government attitude is something new. He said some of the country’s greatest achievements, such as the GI Bill, the space program, and the interstate highway system, were only possible with bipartisan support.

“There used to be a common spirit of cooperation, but not anymore, at least not in Washington D.C.,” said Obama. “But outside of Washington, most Americans understand that no matter who you are or where you’re from, we rise and fall as one people.”

Obama concluded by telling his supporters not to be discouraged by the opposition to the changes and improvements he promised when he ran for office in 2008.

“I told you change would not be easy,” said Obama. “I’m not a perfect man – Michelle will tell you that. But I promised I would keep fighting as hard as possible for positive change, and I have kept that promise. We’ll keep working until we’ve finished what we started in 2008. Press on with me. Press on, and we’ll remind the world what America is all about.”

Image Courtesy of    Ryan Rodrick Beiler / Shutterstock.com

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Dr. Scott Noren, U.S. Senate candidate, NY has decided to demonstrate against Time Warner Media of NY and it’s political show, Capital Tonight. He will be doing this by means of an aerial banner message on February 06 at 2:30 pm.

Dr. Noren was registered as the sole challenger to Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in early Spring of 2011, well before Suffolk County Comptroller George Maragos declared. Time Warner and Gannett Media, influenced by his own Democratic Party, has ‘blacked-out’ his campaign in his opinion.

“If you don’t have millions of dollars to spend, you don’t get as many interviews,” says Dr. Noren. He feels that an outside the box type media campaign is the only way to reach more people at this time. “The public should know who is running and what they stand for,” says Noren.

Dr. Noren, states that “the need for a strong voice from a third party, and real grassroots candidate that is truly not Party or corporately underwritten is what ‘street’ Democrats and Independents are looking for.”

He will represent a political action movement that enables the middle class to have a truly independent voice in business, health care and reducing corporate greed. He is a registered Democrat but will be running as an Independent candidate.

Dr. Noren is focused especially on health care issues emphasizing personal responsibility, insurance premium affordability and provider ethics. “Without affordable health care, jobs in NY and nationwide will not be replaced and grow.” He is for a complete Federal ban on hydrofracking of natural gas and feels that allowing fracking could invite a major drinking water disaster as well as ruining tourism, farming and wineries in the Fingerlakes.

Dr. Noren feels one way to increase job creation is through smaller, interest-free business loans that don’t involve banks directly. He also thinks that passing more Free Trade agreements like both sides of the aisle did recently, kills jobs and takes them overseas. Dr. Noren said that “although it takes money to campaign, millions of dollars are wasted yearly on campaigns that could be used to stimulate job growth here domestically.” Overturn of Citizen’s United and getting rid of “Victory Funds” is a must. His web site is very specific on many campaign issues.

For more information see Dr. Noren’s Senate web site at: http://www.norenforsenate.com

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