Political Rumble: Wrap Up Edition
by HKS Democratic Caucus & HKS Republican Caucus on November 12, 2008 in Political Rumble
From the left…
Adam Cooper, MPA ‘09
Twenty years from now, people will still be able to tell you where they were when Barack Obama was elected president. I was at the party we threw at Tommy Doyle’s (described in the Crimson as “much rowdier” than other area parties, thank you very much), surrounded by a sea of fellow Democrats. As we walked home after the party, a spontaneous rally erupted in Harvard Square. Hundreds of people chanting in the streets late on a Tuesday night. It was like New Year’s Eve.
I’m told that, after we left, the crowd spontaneously broke into the national anthem. It’s been a long time since people have felt they’ve had a reason to feel a deep pride in their country. I’d say about eight years, in fact. We were hungry for it. Election night, if nothing else, was a badly needed, collective national catharsis. It felt pretty damn good. Read more
Political Rumble: The Final Countdown
by HKS Democratic Caucus & HKS Republican Caucus on October 29, 2008 in Political Rumble
From the left…
Phillip Martin, MPP ‘09
The politics of the presidential campaigns are shaped by two very old human emotions: hope and fear. Senator Obama has built his entire campaign around the notion that hope is the motivational tool that will bring people and government together. Senator McCain, meanwhile, has shaped his entire campaign around the idea that we should all be afraid of the world, and the government should be there to protect you from it.
Senator Obama believes that the government is fundamentally an instrument of good, and he has modeled that creed in his campaign tactics. His campaign is based on empowering people - whether through neighborhood meet-ups, primary caucuses, or online networking - to engage with one another directly. The campaign’s unprecedented “50-state strategy” is one that is all-inclusive, for everyone. While Obama may not make a campaign appearance in my home state of Texas, he sends field staff to help run parallel programs on get-out-the-vote efforts for down-ballot races. Read more
Political Rumble: Foreign Policy Edition
by HKS Democratic Caucus & HKS Republican Caucus on October 15, 2008 in Political Rumble
From the left…
Evan Maher, MPP ‘09
John McCain wants national security to be the predominant frame in this year’s presidential election. McCain and his campaign should be careful what they wish for.
Although the economy may dominate the remainder of the election season, Barack Obama is also the superior candidate when it comes to national security - despite McCain’s supposed strength on these matters. Read more
Political Rumble: Economic Edition
by HKS Democratic Caucus & HKS Republican Caucus on October 1, 2008 in Political Rumble
From now until the election, we at the Citizen will be bringing you a series of point-counterpoints on the issues of the day, as interpreted by your politically-minded classmates. We’ve asked the members of the HKS Democratic and Republican caucuses to put into words exactly what it is about their candidates and parties that make them the right choice on November 4. First up, the two face off over the economic crisis engulfing the nation. Let’s get ready to ruuuummmmmble! Read more
