The Democratic Presidential Primaries
Host:
Produced by:
Subscribe to this Podcast:
Listen to/Watch entire show:
Legacy Player:
With 10 months left until the first Democratic voter goes to the poll, has it all come down to just three out of eight presidential candidates? Why are Clinton, Obama and Edwards getting all the attention? What are the prospects for one of them suddenly falling behind or for a dark horse to burst from the pack? Plus, FBI Director Robert Mueller admits to misusing its powers under the Patriot Act and, on Reporter's Notebook, ethics for robots.
Main Topic
Can the Turtles Catch Up with the Hares? ()
Former Senator John Edwards says he’s not worried that Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are getting all the attention, but New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson's frustrated about it. So are Senators Chris Dodd and Joseph Biden, who, like Richardson, have lengthy experience. With the first primaries 10 months away, polls show five also-rans way behind the top three. How did that happen? Why don't the so-called "second tier" candidates just drop out like Tom Vilsack, Evan Bayh and Mark Warner? We speak with political scientists, strategists and speechwriters about polls, pundits, party activists and money.
Guests:
- Dane Strother: Democratic consultant with Strother Duffy Strother
- Tom Schaller: Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Maryland
- David Sirota: Nationally syndicated columnist, @davidsirota
- David Roybal: Speechwriter for then-Engergy Secretary Ralph Richardson
Making News
FBI Faulted on Use of Patriot Act ()
Director Robert Mueller admitted today that the FBI misused its powers under the Patriot Act to get telephone, e-mail and financial information on American citizens. Mueller said he was to blame. The FBI Director was responding to an audit by the Inspector General of the Justice Department. Bryan Bender is National Security Reporter for the Boston Globe.
Guests:
- Bryan Bender: National Security Reporter, Boston Globe, @GlobeBender
Reporter's Notebook
A Chicken in Every Pot and a Robot in Every Home ()
South Korea is so far ahead of the world that it's already writing laws to protect robots from humans. In Europe, "roboticists" are lobbying the government for legislation. Science-fiction author Isaac Asimov talked about human relationships with robots in the 1940's. Now, some people have robotic lawn mowers and vacuum cleaners. Computer scientist Andrew Ng is Director of STAIR, the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Robot project.
Guests:
- Andrew Ng: Director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Robot project
CD copies of To the Point are available by calling 1.888.600.5279.
Engage & Discuss
Further the conversation with your thoughts and comments. Agree, disagree, present a different perspective -- engage.
For information and guidelines click: Terms of Service | Privacy Policy
Please note, comments are moderated. KCRW reserves the right to edit and or remove posts deemed off-topic, abusive or not in accordance with KCRW's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
BROUGHT TO YOU BY
