To the Point
Egyptians Vote in Historic Election
Egyptians are making history today, voting to choose their national leader. We look at the candidates and the role of religion, women, the military and prospects for democracy.
By Warren Olney • • 50m ListenEgyptians are making history today by voting to choose their national leader. We look at the candidates and the role of religion, women voters, the military and the prospects for real democracy. Also, the presidential campaigns heat up after another round of primaries, and race and the right to vote in the State of Florida.
Banner image: Egyptians, both young and old, fill out their ballots in Egypt's presidential election on May 23, 2012 in Cairo, Egypt. Photo by John Moore/Getty Images
In this episode
3 storiesPresidential Campaigns Heat Up after Another Round of Primaries
There was some bad news today for President Obama's re-election campaign . He lost 40 percent of the Democratic primary vote in Arkansas and Kentucky. In the hugely important swing-state of Florida, the latest Quinnipiac poll gives him 41 percent to Mitt Romney 's 47 percent, a six point deficit.
Read the story7 minDemocracy in the Land of the Pharaohs
For the first time in Egyptian history, voters are choosing a national leader, even though a constitution that spells out the powers of the office has yet to be enacted. The military says the election will be "free and fair," but will it cede power to the revolutionaries who overthrew Hosni Mubarak just 15 months ago?
Read the story37 minPurging Voter Rolls in Florida
In the 19th Century, revoking the civil rights of felons was a device for keeping black voters away from the polls. Now, it's performing a similar function. Florida's voting rolls are being purged of both non-citizens and felons. Of the 7000 newly convicted felons, a disproportionate number are African Americans and Democrats.
Read the story6 min
