The War in Iraq and American Politics

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Camped down the road from the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas, Cindy Sheehan, the mother of a dead soldier is raising the profile of the anti-war movement. That's political trouble both for the President and his Democratic opponents. Despite an improved economy and bills on energy and transportation, the Bush approval ratings are sinking fast because of the war in Iraq, but anti-war Democrats are attacking their party's leaders for not trying to capitalize on the President's problems. We examine the benefits and risks for Democrats who campaign against the war in upcoming elections with pollsters, experts in terrorism, political strategists, Democrats, and the family of a soldier killed in Iraq.
  • Making News: Oil Prices Continue to Rise
    For the first time in trading history, the price of crude oil went to $65 a barrel today. Tight supplies are pushing gasoline prices up, too, but so far demand keeps soaring. Philip Verleger, senior fellow at the Institution for Economics in Washington, takes a look at the reasons for the seemingly endless increase in price.
  • Reporter's Notebook: Food Shortage in Niger Is Not Ordinary Famine
    Recently, the international media have broadcast and published heart-breaking photos from Niger--shrunken babies and emaciated children, whose malnourished parents can't get them enough to eat. One thing making the problem worse than in years past is that "the link of brotherhood and solidarity has been broken." That's according to a radio journalist quoted in today's Washington Post. The author of the story is Craig Timberg.
If you'd like to donate to the relief effort, Craig Timberg said that the following aid programs are already working in Niger:
UN World Food Program
Oxfam
Care
UNICEF
Doctors Without Borders

Zogby press release on impact of Iraq War on Bush approval rating

UN World Food Program on Niger food crisis

Credits

Host:

Warren Olney