American Politics Stranded in Iowa
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Democrats and Republicans will start registering their preferences in tomorrow's Iowa caucuses. We look at a thoroughly un-democratic process that could be crucial to selecting the next President of the United States. Also, elections in Pakistan delayed as Scotland Yard investigates the Bhutto assassination, and violence over presidential election returns has killed 260 people in Kenya. What's happened to what appeared to be a stable democracy and what does it mean for American interests?
Making News
Pakistan Delays Election, Turns to Scotland Yard in Bhutto Probe ()
President Musharraf says Pakistan's delayed elections will be free, fair and transparent. Meantime, Scotland Yard will investigate the death of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Zahid Hussain reports from Islamabad for the Wall Street Journal.
Guests:
- Zahid Hussain: Journalist, Wall Street Journal
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Main Topic
The Day Before the Iowa Caucuses ()
The presidency of the United States is up for grabs almost as never before. For the first time in 80 years, neither the Republican nor the Democratic Party has an incumbent or a vice president in the running. Tomorrow, real people will get a chance to state their preferences in the Iowa Caucuses, which are happening earlier than ever before. However, when these ordinary voters finally start choosing the next president, the process will violate basic tenets of American democracy. Forget about the secret ballot or giving each person one vote. The Iowa caucuses don't work that way, especially for those who call themselves "Democrats." We find out how tomorrow's caucuses will work, and why they're getting more attention than ever before. What are the candidates saying and doing to stay alive for campaigns that may be over on the fifth of next month?
Guests:
- Chuck Todd: Political Director, NBC News
- Carla Marinucci: Political Writer, San Francisco Chronicle, @cmarinucci
- Dennis Goldford: Professor of Politics, Drake University
- Jodi Kantor: Reporter, New York Times, @jodikantor
- David Hawkings: Managing Editor, CQ Weekly, @davidhawkings
Links:
Reporter's Notebook
Post-Election Violence in Kenya Grows ()
Kenya appeared to be an island of stability in Africa until this weekend's contested presidential election. Since then, some 260 people have died since election officials claimed that President Mwai Kibaki was re-elected over the heavily favored challenger, Raila Odinga. What does the unrest mean for Africa as a whole and America's interests?
Among the duties of Mark Bellamy, who was US Ambassador to Kenya from 2003 to 2006, was directing counterterrorism programs in the Horn of Africa.
Guests:
- Mark Bellamy: former Ambassador to Kenya
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