Drake University
Professor of Politics at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa and co-author of The Iowa Precinct Caucuses: The Making of a Media Event
PROFILE
Dennis Goldford
Guest
FROM Dennis Goldford
Which Way, L.A.?
Romney, Paul and...Santorum? The Des Moines Register Poll , out today, shows yet another also-ran picking up steam as Iowa Republicans prepare to caucus tomorrow night. Pennsylvania's former US Senator Rick Santorum has 15 percent to Ron Paul 's 22, and Mitt Romney 's still leading with 24 percent. But 41 percent of those polled said they'd be willing to change their minds. We take a last look at a nomination race unique in American history. Why does Iowa matter so much? What is the caucus process all about? How many Republican candidates have the resources to go on from here? Websites of other Republican presidential candidates: Newt Gingrich Michele Bachmann Rick Perry Jon Huntsman, Jr
To the Point
Romney, Paul and...Santorum? The Des Moines Register Poll , out today, shows yet another also-ran picking up steam as Iowa Republicans prepare to caucus tomorrow night. Pennsylvania's former US Senator Rick Santorum has 15 percent to Ron Paul 's 22, and Mitt Romney 's still leading with 24 percent. But 41 percent of those polled said they'd be willing to change their minds. We take a last look at a nomination race unique in American history. Why does Iowa matter so much? What is the caucus process all about? How many Republican candidates have the resources to go on from here? Websites of other Republican presidential candidates: Newt Gingrich Michele Bachmann Rick Perry Jon Huntsman, Jr
Which Way, L.A.?
Judicial Independence, Elections and Provocative Rulings In April of last year, the seven-member Supreme Court of Iowa effectively legalized same-sex marriage in a unanimous opinion. Last week, three of the justices faced a retention election, and all three were thrown out by the voters. What's the message to other judges whose decisions might be unpopular? Has fundraising for judicial campaigns, which has doubled in ten years to $206 million nationwide, eroded voter confidence in judicial independence? Are judges the guardians of minority rights against public opinion or "legislators in robes" who should be accountable to the people?
To the Point
Should Judges Be Elected? In April of last year, the seven-member Supreme Court of Iowa ruled unanimously that the state law against same-sex marriage was a violation of equal rights. Last week, three of the justices faced a retention election and all three were thrown out by the voters. What's the message to other judges whose decisions might be unpopular? Fundraising for judicial campaigns has doubled in ten years to $206 million nationwide. Has that eroded voter confidence in judicial independence? Are judges the guardians of minority rights against public opinion or "legislators in robes" who should be accountable to the people?
To the Point
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?
To the Point
States Moving Primaries Ever Forward New Hampshire has always been first with presidential primary voting and Iowa has been first for the parties to caucus , but every state wants to play an important role. Florida would not settle for February 5, the same day as New York and California , so it moved up to January 29. But South Carolina Republicans want to be first in the South, so today they moved their primary to January 19 . State laws in New Hampshire and Iowa may trigger a chain reaction, meaning that the first actual balloting will be held this year. We unravel all this with political scientist Dennis Goldford of Drake University and John Mercurio of National Journal's Hotline, a latest-word website for political junkies.
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Left, Right & Center
President Trump: US to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord Trump says he was elected to serve Pittsburgh, not Paris.
To the Point
Human Rights in the era of Donald Trump President Trump’s UN Ambassador, Nikki Haley, said today the US might pull out of the United Nations’ Human Rights Council. Serious violators of human rights are members of the Council itself–and a US resignation could make things worse. Later on today’s show, now that he’s into his second term, comedian turned US Senator Al Franken is telling jokes again.
To the Point
The Trump agenda: where's the beef? President Trump says big things are happening. After celebrating a House bill on health care, he doesn’t yet have Senate agreement. With James Comey’s public testimony scheduled tomorrow, the President today tweeted his selection of a new FBI Director. Is the Chief Executive all style and no substance? Later, terror attacks in Iran and conflicting claims about who’s behind them.