Campaign 2012 through the eyes of UW faculty and students
President Obama’s Embrace of Gay Marriage: An Act of Political Courage? Or Not?
Obama became the first U.S. president to endorse same-sex marriage on Wednesday. Please join me and other UW Election Eye contributors to talk about this decision—what it means, what impact it might have this year and beyond, and how you view the president himself.
SEATTLE — President Barack Obama made history Wednesday by announcing his support for same-sex marriage in an interview with ABC News. Today he is here in Seattle. In fact, this morning he will be standing in my footprints—literally.
Citizens outside the Manhattan Marriage License Bureau on February 12, 2009 (Photo courtesy of Flickr member Brittany Travis).
Obama’s announcement would have been a remarkable political decision at any time, and is especially so in the middle of a tough re-election campaign.
Here’s a remarkable statistic: 33 times gay marriage has been on the ballot in states since 1998, and 32 times opponents of gay marriage have won. The impact of this decision on the 2012 presidential campaign is a huge unknown, but there is more than a little chance that it will hurt the president. Obama won North Carolina by less than 1% in 2008, and two days ago 61% of voters in the Tar Heel State approved a constitutional amendment banning both same-sex marriage and civil unions. The president has taken a huge political gamble. Why he did it will be debated for days to come.
But he did it. And America will never be the same.
11 comments | More in National | Topics: Barack Obama, gay marriage, Same-sex marriage
Mourdock’s Indiana win leaves Lugar speechless
Senator-elect Richard Mourdock stole one last look at his wife, Marilyn, before they walked hand-in-hand to the stage of his GOP primary victory party in Indianapolis on May 8, 2012. (Photo by Thor Tolo/UW Election Eye)
Indiana Senator-elect Richard Mourdock’s victory spells the retirement of one of last remaining voices of bipartisanship right of the aisle.
INDIANAPOLIS — Tea Party favorite Richard Mourdock dethroned six-term incumbent Dick Lugar by 20 points yesterday — sounding a siren for D.C. insiders and sending shock waves as far west as Washington State.
Moderation is fading from American politics as more extreme positions espoused by candidates like Mourdock triumph.
0 comments | More in National | Topics: Dick Lugar, GOP primary, Indiana
The Gray Vote: Senior Seattleites’ political influence keeps growing with age
Residents of University House Wallingford wait patiently for the meeting to begin (Photo by Kirsten Johnson/ UW Election Eye).
Youth voters seeking greater political influence have a lot to learn from seniors. It’s all about participation.
Inside the University House Wallingford retirement community attendees sat in rows facing the front — one leaned on his walker, ruffling through a newspaper. Another sat quietly, sipping a mug of coffee.
Each Saturday morning, around 40 seniors gather here to discuss current events and political issues townhall style with resident Jim Voss, a former professor of the University of Pittsburgh, leading the sessions. Voss began Saturday’s meeting by recapping Obama’s recent trip to Afghanistan and briefly discussing the Secret Service prostitute scandal.
The average age was 88. At 21, I felt a little out of place.
Seniors are a surging population. Between 2000 and 2010 nationally, the age group grew faster than the total population – increasing by 5.3 million people and for the first time, representing the largest demographic in the United States. (more…)
0 comments | More in Local | Topics: senior citizen, Social Security, Wallingford
Amendment One: A different kind of North Carolina blue
Student volunteer for the Coalition to Protect NC Families makes a statement with his shirt in Raleigh, NC on April 18, 2012. (Photo by Elizabeth Wiley/UW Election Eye)
As a transplant to Washington from North Carolina, today’s primary election — and the overwhelming vote in favor of Amendment One — was a disappointment.
SEATTLE — I was born and raised in North Carolina — the same as my parents, grandparents, and great grandparents. We can trace both sides of my family ancestry back to North Carolina in the 18th century.
I have now lived in Seattle for 11 years and during all this time, I have always been proud to say I was from North Carolina.
But not today.
Today, North Carolina voters overwhelmingly passed a constitutional amendment that says the following:
Marriage between one man and one woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state.
I am deeply disappointed in my home state and what a new constitutional amendment means for my family and friends who live in North Carolina, as well as what it means for my chosen home of Washington State. (more…)
1 comments | More in National | Topics: Election 2012, North Carolina, North Carolina Amendment One
Live blogging from Indiana GOP primary election: Tea Party victory biggest Senate upset in decades
Richard E. Mourdock finally steps out of an SUV with the glow of a winner at 8:44pm Tuesday at the Tea Party victory rally in Indianapolis. (Photo by Thor Tolo/UW Election Eye)
INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana State Treasurer Richard Mourdock is poised to unseat six-term incumbent Dick Lugar. Indiana has carried the 80-year-old U.S. Senator to victory with no less than 67% of the popular vote every election since 1982. UWEE’s Thor Tolo is traveling around the Hoosier state providing continuous updates throughout the day. Times are PST.
Update: In making longtime U.S. Senator Dick Lugar of Indiana the first-ever six-term senator to lose his or her seat at the polls Tuesday, Richard Mourdock has rocked this country’s political core and made it be known that the Tea Party – whatever one thinks of it – is not dead. His margin of victory is a staggering 20 points – 60% to 40%. Presidents would salivate at such numbers, including the one who once called Lugar his “favorite Republican.”
Those words from Barack Obama – more than anything – may have been the fire the Tea Party desperately needed lighted to rally necessary support to overthrow the only other genuinely moderate Senator in Washington, D.C. besides Susan Collins of Maine. On his way out of “media lane” in that same community center, Mourdock turned to a top aide and said simply, “Wow, can you believe this?”
Update: 6:53pm. The next Senator from the great state of Indiana strolls out of the community center along North High School road and steps back into the waiting SUV.
Senator-elect Richard Mourdock signs a man's shirt just a few minutes following his emotional victory speech Tuesday night in west Indianapolis. (Photo by Thor Tolo/UW Election Eye)
Update: 6:31pm. Mourdock conducts his final one-on-one media interview of the evening, moves to his left, and begins signing autographs at a remarkable variety of places on people’s bodies – all keeping with his traditional, old-fashioned roots, of course.
Update: 5:46pm. Mourdock is asked what he might say during his victory speech. He hesitates, reaches for coat pocket, and says he “forgot script on his desk.” He isn’t joking.
Update: 5:44pm. Senator-elect Mourdock and Marilyn arrive in the back seat of a SUV – campaign “advance” staff all around them.
Update: 5:28pm. Indianapolis Police Officer tells me Mourdock and his wife, Marilyn, have left their Indianapolis home for the rally. (No formal ETA.)
When your own campaign staff is wondering what's up with the delay, you figure there must be a good reason. Read more Wednesday for why Mourdock arrived to his own victory party so late. (Photo by Thor Tolo/UW Election Eye)
Update: 5:26pm. “This anticipation is killing me,” said volunteer Bridget Eaker.
Update: 5:23 pm. Mourdock aide, laughing: “He’s killing networks’ opportunity to carry him prime time.” A good point.
Update: 5:04 pm. Mourdock now 13 minutes late. “But fashionably so,” said an aide. “Usually more prompt as down-homer.”
Update: 4:34 pm. MSNBC calls the race for Mourdock with only 17% of votes counted.
Update: 1:33 pm. Literally empty voting booths for 46 minutes mid-afternoon today at the Indianapolis Seniors’ Center. Generally speaking, six-term incumbent U.S. Senator Dick Lugar will surely benefit from lower turnout. However, on way into this parking lot early this afternoon, two drivers said they were taking an alley as a shortcut to make sure they would beat the rush were there one.
Opal Steirling works out in Indianapolis Senior Center before casting her vote for Richard Mourdock on May 8, 2012. (Photo by Thor Tolo/UW Election Eye)
“I don’t know any of my Republican friends who are checking the box next to Mourdock’s name. But I do know a few who’ll be ripping the lever off for him,” joked Tomas Bachtell, a resident of east central Indianapolis.
As for 72-year-old Opal Steirling, the lifelong liberal Democrat said she will take advantage of Indiana’s “open” primary right after her workout to cast a vote for Mourdock.
“At this point,” she said. “I don’t care how crazy it sounds. It’s time for Lugar to go.”
0 comments | More in National | Topics: Dick Lugar, GOP primary, Howey/Depauw
Heartbreak in America’s heartland: Stories from a small Indiana town
Kristin Stalker and her daughter Totty on her porch on May 7, 2012. She feels the pressure of living paycheck to paycheck while her husband still looks for work. Her daughter has health insurance through Kristin's employer, French Lick Resort. (Photo by Thor Tolo/UW Election Eye)
A 118-mile car ride across southern Indiana from Terre Haute to French Lick became a wonderful opportunity to explore the everyday lives of everyday Americans – their fears, their frustrations, and their heartbreaks.
FRENCH LICK, Ind. – Life is lived at two speeds in this quaint southern Indiana town: slow and slower. Truth is, the fastest thing ever recorded in French Lick may have been the fleeing of townsfolk after the economy crumbled four years ago.
There are stories here that warm your heart, soften your heart, and break your heart. Coasting down a hill to the corner of Wells and New York Streets Monday afternoon in this lunch bucket and beer town, I happened upon a story that crushes your heart.
10 comments | More in National | Topics: French Lick, French Lick Resort, Indiana
Stranded on top of Snoqualmie Pass provides an opportunity for storytelling
Greyhound Bus station. (Courtesy of Omar Omar on www.flickr.com)
En route to Spokane, Washington a Greyhound bus experienced engine trouble and pulled off to the side of the road to await help. This created an opportunity to talk with the passengers — everyday people — about politics and issues that are important to them.
SNOQUALMIE PASS, Wa. – The Friday mid-morning Greyhound bus from Seattle to Spokane was already running late. Passengers waited patiently in line for the bus to arrive, and then to walk to the boarding area, and finally to board. The bus driver stood at the front of the bus after all had been seated, and in no uncertain terms discussed all the reasons he may have to pull the bus to the side of the road should he feel the need. Drinking, sneaking alcohol onto the bus, loud or obnoxious behavior, disturbing fellow passengers, or bothering the driver. The bus pulled out of the station maneuvering through city traffic, onto Interstate 90 and up to the mountain pass towards Eastern Washington.
About 90 minutes into the drive, the bus slowed, and pulled over to the side of the road. You could hear murmurs and whispers about smoke coming from the back of the bus, and the driver got on the radio to headquarters. Those of us in the front of the bus could hear him talking to dispatch, giving details and grumbling that he’d been so close to reaching the top of the pass, if only he’d had made it….now he feared he would have to return to Seattle. The driver got off the bus, checked the engine, and decided to forge on a few hundred feet to a safer place where passengers could stretch their legs and get a bite to eat. The side of the road outside of a convenience store at the summit of Snoqualmie Pass was to be our resting place for the next three hours, until help arrived.
0 comments | More in Local | Topics: Greyhound bus, Seattle, Snoqualmie Pass
Monday Eye Openers: Wisconsin recall; North Carolina Amendment One
Gov. Scott Walker (R-WI) and Tom Barrett (D) may go toe to toe in upcoming recall election on June 5, 2012 (Photo courtesy of http://www.scottwalker.org/ and www.barrettforwisconsin.com/).
May 8 = Decision Day
Tomorrow, May 8, voters in Wisconsin and North Carolina will take to the polls.
In Wisconsin, the ballot will include the next round of recall elections for four Republican state Senate seats and the gubernatorial Democratic primary. The recall elections stem from a larger campaign to recall Gov. Scott Walker (R) and six Republican state Senate seats that began in 2011 over Gov. Walker’s efforts to curtail union’s collective bargaining rights. In 2011, two of the six Republican Senate seats were recalled, leaving the four up for tomorrow’s election.
(more…)
0 comments | More in National | Topics: Amendment One, Equality North Carolina, Maine GOP convention
Washington State Democratic Legislative District Caucus: grassroots participation refreshing element of election process
While attendance at the WA Democratic Legislative District Caucus did not compare to 2008, those who came seeking delegate seats demonstrated an authentic approach to grassroots political engagement.
REDMOND – I knew the 45th District Democrat precinct caucus on April 15th wouldn’t be the same as in 2008. Back then, I, along with a mighty contingent, was excited about Hillary Clinton becoming president. Others in attendance were equally excited about electing Barack Obama.
The auditorium at Evergreen Jr. High School was crowded and latecomers had to park at the nearby Elementary school, on the street or anywhere they could find a place to park.
Families came in packs: fathers carrying their daughters on their shoulders, moms holding their kids hands, all in tow. It was an evening full of emotion and pride to be an American. Well, ok, I was full of emotion.
We all shared an overwhelming desire for change. We were actively pursuing and indulging in our right to vote — to have a say in the political process. There was a sense of unity and within the unity a belief that change was possible.
Evergreen Jr. High School, ready for democratic caucus on April 15, 2012 (photo by Linda Jacobson)
Jump to 2012.
As UWEE reported last month, precinct caucus attendance was lower. Much lower. In my case, the same auditorium dwarfed the 20 or so inside — most of them committed to re-electing Barack Obama. Due to the low turnout, there was no competition if you wanted to be a delegate to the April 28 Legislative District Caucus.
While attendance at the Legislative District also caucus paled in comparison to 2008, there were many vying for the 27 delegate seats allocated to Legislative District for the King County Convention the following day.
0 comments | More in State | Topics: 45th Legislative Distict, Barack Obama, campaign oddities
Tea Party poised for tectonic upset in Indiana Senate race
Ginni Schneider grabbed new GOP primary frontrunner Richard Mourdock for a hug at Tea Party rally in downtown Indianapolis on May 5, 2012. (Photo by Thor Tolo/UW Election Eye)
Richard Mourdock has surged past six-term incumbent U.S. Senator Dick Lugar in the latest poll ahead of Indiana’s GOP primary on Tuesday. UWEE caught up with the Indiana Tea Party favorite on his Saturday afternoon stroll of Indiana’s Veterans Memorial Plaza in Indianapolis.
INDIANAPOLIS – All signs suggest legendary Sen. Dick Lugar is going to lose Tuesday in a nationally watched Republican Party primary. That’s why I came to Indiana this weekend.
What I found was his likely conqueror, Richard Mourdock, walking around kissing babies and shaking hands with adults on Saturday at a Tea Party event. It was American retail politics at its best and most surreal.
Mourdock was prevented by Federal Election Commission (FEC) rules from appearing on stage at an event sponsored by the Political Action Committee (PAC) Freedom Works, but the FEC could not prevent Mourdock, the Indiana State Treasurer, from working the crowd at a Hoosier Conservatives Rally.
Certainly the government watchdog commission could not stop Mourdock from hugging Ginni Schneider, a loyal volunteer since before Mourdock’s most recent election to a two-year term as treasurer. “I love this man,” Schneider said with a big grin. “He’s Christian, he’s conservative, and he’s Republican. What more could we ask of him?”
In a scenario ripe for a “Daily Show” comedy skit critical of the Tea Party and PAC loopholes, Fox News commentator Michelle Malkin seemed ready to explode on the main stage because she was not able to point out Mourdock only a few yards away posing for pictures and signing autographs.
Mourdock — pronounced like Rupert’s last name — was unfazed. A widely respected poll released late Friday showed Mourdock enjoying a 10-point lead over Lugar, and Rick Santorum, Sarah Palin and Michele Bachman, have all provided endorsements.
“I’m so incredibly humbled by this turnout – this intra-party rebellion fueled by all these people who believe in the Tea Party,” Mourdock told me between a high five and kiss on the cheek of a woman standing next to him.
“I’ve run nine marathons in my life and when you make it to those last two miles, you stay steady. If you speed up, you cramp up. If you slow down, you run out of gas.”
What better metaphor could an Indiana politician have, with all those fast cars about to roar into town next weekend for the start of Indy 500 time trials?
4 comments | More in National | Topics: Christine O'Donnell, Dick Lugar, Federal Election Commission
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