2012 election

How Not to Be Fooled By Campaign Ads

Posted on 10/9/2012 by Election 2012 | Politics | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsThis is the time of year when many of us begin to dread the commercial breaks in our favorite TV shows. We know that we’re going to hear tense, horror-movie soundtrack music. We’ll see a grainy, unflattering black-and-white photo of some candidate. The photo will be emblazoned with headlines condemning the candidate’s record of shameful failures or conscience-shocking offense. Sometimes the ad has been authorized by the candidate’s opponent; often, though, it turns out to have been paid for by an …

Not Yet Registered to Vote? In Most States There’s Still Time, But You’d Better Hurry

Posted on 10/8/2012 by Election 2012 | Politics | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsOne strange and sometimes troubling thing about American democracy is that a lot of us don’t participate in it. According to a 2006 Pew Research Center study, about one in five adults aren’t registered to vote, and another 23 percent are “registered but rare” voters, who hardly ever show up at the polls. It’s as if we’ve forgotten that there were was a time, not that too long ago — 1964, to be exact — when three American heroes named Andrew Goodman, James Chaney and Michael …

Tiny Presence, Unknown Impact for Third Parties

Posted on 10/5/2012 by Election 2012 | Politics | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsBy Brian Bakst of The Associated Press ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Third-party candidates Gary Johnson and Virgil Goode are blips in the presidential race. They have little money, aren’t on stage for presidential debates and barely register in the polls — when survey takers even bother to list them as options. Yet in a tight race between Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney that likely will be won or lost at the margins, even blips can …

Fact Check: Presidential Debate Missteps

Posted on 10/4/2012 by Election 2012 | Politics | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsBy Calvin Woodward of The Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama and Republican rival Mitt Romney spun one-sided stories in their first presidential debate, not necessarily bogus, but not the whole truth. They made some flat-out flubs, too. The rise in health insurance premiums has not been the slowest in 50 years, as Obama stated. Far from it. And there are not 23 million unemployed, as Romney asserted. Here’s a look at some of their claims and how …

Understanding the Presidential Debate Game

Posted on 10/2/2012 by Election 2012 | Politics | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsIf you’ve watched a few presidential debates over the years, you’ve probably been a bit puzzled by some of what takes place. Why do the candidates stand stiffly at podiums, instead of relaxing in chairs? Since it’s supposed to be an argument, why don’t they actually just talk to each other? Who writes the questions, and are they a surprise to the candidates, or do they get to see them in advance? Why are the Democratic and Republican candidates invited, but not …

5 Ways to Stay Out of the Presidential Debate Spin Cycle

Posted on 10/1/2012 by Election 2012 | Politics | Comments

Bulletin Today | PoliticsWith President Obama holding a narrow lead in the polls and looking to close the sale, and challenger Mitt Romney searching for a game-changing big play, the stakes in this year’s presidential debates are probably even higher than usual. The initial debate, which will focus on domestic policy, takes place on Wednesday at 9 p.m. (Eastern Time) in Denver, with PBS NewsHour host Jim Lehrer moderating. From PBS, here’s a preview of the debate. Even before the candidates meet on stage, both campaigns are furiously trying to …