- Social:
Winthrop University
Professor of Political Science at Winthrop University in Rock Hill, South Carolina and Director of the Winthrop Poll Initiative
PROFILE
Scott Huffmon
Guest
FROM Scott Huffmon
To the Point
A Tale of Two States in the Race for the White House Tomorrow's contests in South Carolina and Nevada will be an important test of whether establishment candidates still have a shot in this election year. If Nevada voters "feel the Bern," it signals that non-white voters, long considered Clinton supporters, are open to the maverick message. It's also central to tomorrow's Republican primary in South Carolina, where polls show Donald Trump as the frontrunner, despite his lack of evangelical Christian cred and a no-vote from the Pope himself. It's a state that predicted the GOP nominee every election but one in the past 35 years. We go to both states to take the temperature of southern evangelical voters and Latino Democrats.
To the Point
Wild Congressional Race in South Carolina Remember the South Carolina Governor who disappeared for six days , supposedly hiking the Appalachian Trail, though he was really in Argentina pursuing a mistress . Well, Mark Sanford's back in what might offer Democrats a win in one of the reddest states in the US. One of 16 Republicans in a primary for the state's First Congressional District, which became vacant when incumbent Tim Scott was appointed to the US Senate, he won 37 percent of yesterday's vote. Now, he'll be in a runoff against Elizabeth Colbert Busch , sister of comedian Steven Colbert. Scott Huffmon is Professor of Political Science at Winthrop University in Rock Hill.
To the Point
A Last Ditch Debate before a Crucial Primary Newt Gingrich says Mitt Romney will be the Republican nominee if he wins South Carolina tomorrow. But last night's debate started with Gingrich's past sex-life . Rick Santorum called Gingrich "grandiose," and Gingrich retorted that Santorum had "small" ideas. Romney struggled over releasing his tax returns and dodged questions on Bain Capital . Santorum said Romney wasn't reliably "pro-life." Will Gingrich's lead in current polls mean a victory tomorrow? Does Santorum have a chance to be the "anti-Romney" in Florida later this month?
To the Point
Another Debate and Big Money in Politics When he withdrew yesterday and endorsed Mitt Rommey , Jon Huntsman said of the Republican campaign for president, "Rather than trying to advance our common goal, this race has degenerated into an onslaught of negative and personal attacks not worthy of the American people." With the field narrowed to five (the others are Ron Paul , Newt Gingrich , Rich Perry and Rick Santorum ), Republican presidential candidates had some sharp exchanges last night in South Carolina. With just four days -- and yet another debate -- until the primary election, we hear excerpts and assess the impact on South Carolina voters.
Which Way, L.A.?
To Vote or Not to Vote: Debate over Photo ID Laws Heats Up Voter ID laws vary all across the United States. Some states require photos, while others do not. Last week, the Justice Department blocked a new law in South Carolina, requiring a photo ID, saying it would disproportionately affect minorities. Proponents say that ID requirements help prevent election fraud. Is voter fraud really a problem? What role does partisan politics play in these laws? What's wrong with having to prove who you are in order to vote? What impact do photo ID requirements have on who votes or doesn't? Do such laws interfere with one of the most basic rights of American citizenship?
To the Point
To Vote or Not to Vote: Debate over Photo ID Laws Heats Up Voter ID laws vary all across the United States. Some states require photos, while others do not. Last week, the Justice Department blocked a new law in South Carolina, requiring a photo ID, saying it would disproportionately affect minorities. Proponents say that ID requirements help prevent election fraud. Is voter fraud really a problem? What role does partisan politics play in these laws? What's wrong with having to prove who you are in order to vote? What impact do photo ID requirements have on who votes or doesn't? Do such laws interfere with one of the most basic rights of American citizenship?
Which Way, L.A.?
Republicans Are Still Waiting for Superman Last night at the Reagan Library in California, Chris Christie talked about America's greatness, disparaged both President Obama and Congress. Most Americans haven't heard much about the New Jersey Governor, but with Rick Perry becoming a joke for late-night comedians, Christie's being touted by influential Republicans and financial backers as the latest instant white knight. We hear how Christie, despite denials, is keeping the prospect alive.
To the Point
Chris Christie: The Man Who Didn't Say 'No' Rick Perry 's performance in last week's debate of GOP presidential candidates has been called a "train wreck," and "close to disqualifying" by fellow Republicans cool to Mitt Romney . GOP pundits, professionals and political donors are looking for somebody new, but after denying any interest, the Governor of New Jersey is now playing it coy. What did he say, and what didn't he say last night at the Reagan Library in California. If he did get in, who would he hurt most? Could he mount an effective campaign in time for next year's primaries? Can anybody unite the Republican Party?
Which Way, L.A.?
How Is America Reacting to the Debt Ceiling Drama? Nobody knows what the first default in US government history might look like, and it might take until midnight Tuesday before the world knows whether it's going to happen. The House and the Senate are still going in different directions. They look like they're working hard, but it doesn't appear they can resolve the debt-ceiling issue before the weekend. Informal surveys of ordinary Americans are getting responses like "shameful," lunacy," "clowns" and "embarrassment." How does it look in various parts of the country?
To the Point
How Does Gridlock Look from Outside the Beltway? As the debt-ceiling deadline looms, House Speaker John Boehner has been challenged by his own Republican majority. After re-working his plan for spending cuts and reducing the deficit, he held a news conference early this afternoon, telling reporters, "When the House takes action today, the US Senate will have no more excuse for inaction." A few hours before that, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said of the Boehner plan, "There is no question that this bill is a political act that has no life beyond its current existence in the House." Have Republicans and Democrats on Capitol Hill and at the White House lost touch with the American people? Does the President look like a weak leader? Do Republicans look like they’re out to get him? Do voters worried about their 401(k)’s wish a plague on both houses? We talk with reporters and other observers in different parts of the country.
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To the Point
Trump plays scolder-in-chief with NATO allies At the opening of NATO’s dramatic new headquarters in Brussels today, President Trump acknowledged that Article 5 — promising that “an attack on one nation is an attack on all” -- has only been invoked one time: in the aftermath of September 11. But the President failed to provide what 27 other Alliance members have been waiting for: a re-commitment by America’s new leader to Article 5. Instead, they got a scolding.
To the Point
Trump's 'America First' goes missing abroad In the Middle East, President Trump is changing some policies of the Obama Administration—and reversing his own campaign attacks on Islam as a religion that "hates us." We hear about his visit to Saudi Arabia and what's at stake for the rest of his foreign excursion.
To the Point
Terrorism and tweets, hate speech and murder Just days before an election, Britain is coping with a rash of deadly terrorism, and Prime Minister Theresa May is on the defensive. And again today, President Trump has tweeted criticism of the Mayor of London. Later, a double murder in Portland, Oregon has revealed the ugly past of a supposedly “progressive” city. One immediate question: is “hate speech” protected by the First Amendment?
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.