To the Point
Will the New Supreme Court Change American Politics?
While conservative Republicans and the ACLU agree that politics is a matter of free speech, others--including politicians of both parties, say money is destroying the credibility of American democracy. The US Supreme Court took up the issue today in a case that involves a Vermont law that puts limits on both. Tomorrow, it'll take up Tom DeLay's partisan reapportionment of Congressional districts in Texas. In 2003, the then-House Majority Leader rammed a new reapportionment through the Texas legislature that changed the Congressional majority from 17-to-15 Democratic to 21-11 Republican in the next election. What will the two cases reveal about the court's newest members, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito? What will be their impact on America's political future? Making News: Violence Shatters Curfew's Calm in IraqOn his way to India today, President Bush reiterated again that "the people of Iraq and their leaders must make a choice... between chaos or unity." In Iraq itself, three bombs went off, shattering the relative calm brought about by the weekend curfew, as Borzou Daragahi reports from Baghdad for the Los Angeles Times. Reporter's Notebook: New Orleans Celebrates Mardi GrasIt is Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent. In New Orleans, that means Mardi Gras. Mayor Ray Nagin calls Mardi Gras "part of the DNA" of the city and, despite smaller crowds than usual, says there's a "reunion of sorts" going on. Wallis Windsor, a 33-year resident of New Orleans whose house was 6 feet under water just six months ago, is celebrating with friends just two blocks from St. Charles Street.
By Warren Olney • • 1h 0m ListenWhile conservative Republicans and the ACLU agree that politics is a matter of free speech, others--including politicians of both parties, say money is destroying the credibility of American democracy. The US Supreme Court took up the issue today in a case that involves a Vermont law that puts limits on both. Tomorrow, it'll take up Tom DeLay's partisan reapportionment of Congressional districts in Texas. In 2003, the then-House Majority Leader rammed a new reapportionment through the Texas legislature that changed the Congressional majority from 17-to-15 Democratic to 21-11 Republican in the next election. What will the two cases reveal about the court's newest members, Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito? What will be their impact on America's political future?
Violence Shatters Curfew's Calm in Iraq
On his way to India today, President Bush reiterated again that "the people of Iraq and their leaders must make a choice... between chaos or unity." In Iraq itself, three bombs went off, shattering the relative calm brought about by the weekend curfew, as Borzou Daragahi reports from Baghdad for the Los Angeles Times.
New Orleans Celebrates Mardi Gras
It is Fat Tuesday, the last day before Lent. In New Orleans, that means Mardi Gras. Mayor Ray Nagin calls Mardi Gras "part of the DNA" of the city and, despite smaller crowds than usual, says there's a "reunion of sorts" going on. Wallis Windsor, a 33-year resident of New Orleans whose house was 6 feet under water just six months ago, is celebrating with friends just two blocks from St. Charles Street.
Cases/Resources on Campaign Finance
Buckley v Valeo: Supreme Court on (1976)
Randall v. Sorrell (Supreme Court docket)
McCain-Feingold Act (Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002)
Vermont's Act 64 (on public financing of election campaigns)
Cases/Resources on Voting Rights, Campaign Redistricting
Vieth v Jubelirer, Supreme Court on (re Pennsylvania redistricting, 2004)
Reynolds v Sims (on redistricting in Alabama, 1964)
Toobin's New Yorker article on Texas redistricting
Daragahi's article on Hussein trial, Iraqi violence