Professor of Political Science, Northeastern University
Professor of Political Science at Northeastern University and author of four books on the presidential nomination process
PROFILE
William Mayer
Guest
FROM William Mayer
To the Point
Lots of Votes but No Decisions Forget about those "decisive results" predicted for both parties just a few weeks ago. Super Tuesday leaves the two remaining Democrats virtually tied and Republicans sharply divided over their leading candidate. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton may have to battle until May in Pennsylvania or even beyond. On the Republican side, Mitt Romney 's in trouble and Mike Huckabee 's come on strong. Although John McCain is the leader, he has a fight on his hands for his party's conservative base. We survey the wreckage from the first, real "national primary" and look at an uncertain political future.
To the Point
Democrats, Fox News and the Internet With caucuses scheduled for early next year, Nevada's Democratic Party scheduled a presidential debate on the Republican-leaning Fox Cable News Channel this coming August. National Democratic Chair Howard Dean said that was a way of reaching a large audience of disgruntled conservatives who might be looking for a new place to go. Internet activists complained that Fox News is "a mouthpiece for the Republican Party," and now the debate has been cancelled . MoveOn.org is one Internet voice telling the Democrats to freeze Fox out all over the country. Is that good strategy or "political suicide?" Who decides what's "fair and balanced?" What's the lesson about the impact of the Internet? We hear from journalists, watchdogs, political activists and political scientists. NOTE: For those who were listening to today's program about the Nevada Democratic Party and Fox News, guest Doug Schoen was identified as a Democratic strategist, which he is. Doug Schoen is also a paid commentator for Fox News, which we did not know until after our broadcast was over.
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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
Venezuela spirals into economic and political chaos Venezuela, a country whose potential for prosperity is unmatched, finds itself on the verge of civil war. What sustains the repressive government? With time running out, guest host León Krauze looks at what the international community can do to pull the country from the edge of collapse.
To the Point
Replacing Obamacare: Now you see it… now you don’t As the Senate deliberates replacing Obmacare, health coverage for millions of people is at stake. There've been no public hearings, and a draft measure won't be made public. Is the House version so unpopular that that Senate is hiding a version that looks much the same?
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.