Venue Change for Alan Kreuger Forum, Monday, Oct. 8!!

Hi All,

There's been a small change to the Economic Forum with Alan Krueger on Monday.  While we will still meet at 3:45, the new address is:

PLEASE NOTE THAT THAT THE VENUE LOCATION HAS CHANGED TO:

NORRIS University Center, McCORMICK AUDITORIUM

1999 Campus Drive

Please plan on arriving early as you will need to check in at the registration desk and pick up your name tag. 

Parking by off-campus guests will be permitted in Lots 214 and 215 south of Norris after 3:30 p.m. without a permit. A campus parking map can be found here: http://www.northwestern.edu/up/parking/policies-information/maps/index.html

We will meet in the lobby of McCormick Auditorium at 3:45.  See you there!

Presidential Debate Posts - Bring 'em

Hi!  It's Ms. Gallagher here, awaiting your comments, questions, and posts about tonight's debate.  Please post it all.  I'm excited to be watching this debate with you.  Welcome!  Show starts at 8pm.

First Presidential Debate and Some Updates

Hey all, some updates for you:

1. The first presidential debate is Wednesday, October 3rd.  The debate starts at 8 p.m. and will be aired on all of the major networks (ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS) and the cable news channels.  Ms. Gallagher and Mr. Pond will be watching.  Feel free to post your comments or questions on the blog while you're watching and we'll try to respond in real time!

2. We cancelled our downtown campaign visit for October 6th because the homecoming game was moved from Friday night to Saturday at 1:30.  We're looking for new opportunities for you to campaign during this last month of the election season.

3. Reminder: our next Polikits meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday, October 3rd at 3:45 p.m. in Ms. Gallagher's room (w201b in the AVID resource center).  We'll be talking about healthcare reform, the debate, and also promoting our October 22nd debate watching party.  Come one, come all!

Are you a political animal?  We are!

Mr. P. and Ms. G.

Upcoming Events

Hi All,

We have a number of exciting events coming up.

Saturday, October 6th Are you Team Edward or Team Jac...err..never mind.  Team Romney or Obama?  If you're interested in campaigning for either candidate, Polikits will be heading to downtown Chicago to phone bank.  More information to come.

Monday, October 8th we have 8 slots for students to attend an Economic forum at Northwestern University with Alan Krueger, President Obama's Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers.  The forum will begin at 4:00 p.m. and end by 5:15. 

Monday, October 22nd Polikits hosts the third and final presidential debate.  Pre-debate kickoff will begin at 7:30 p.m.  Location TBD.

Putting the "NC" in DNC

Well, it's that time again when the two major political parties spend a lot of rah-rah time rallying their bases, accepting their platforms, and bashing the other guy.  Oh and yeah, they nominate a presidential candidate too!  Last week the Republicans met in Tampa to nominate their candidate, former Mass. Governor Mitt Romney.  The RNC featured several carefully crafted speeches--Anne Romney's humanizing portrait of her husband and running mate Paul Ryan's barrage against the President--and some interesting ones like Clint Eastwood's now famous "empty chair" speech.

Now it's the Democrats turn as they meet for three days in Charlotte, North Carolina.  Some may ask why campaigns bother to hold nominating conventions at all.  After all, they are costly and time-consuming--and arguably much less necessary in the digital age.  But aside from giving future rising stars in the Party a chance to shine, not to mention three days of free airtime on the cable networks; there is a very practical reason to hold a nominating convention: swing states.

Both Florida and North Carolina are swing states, meaning they both are seen as possibly delivering all of their electoral votes to either party's candidate.  Florida has a robust 29 electoral votes up for grabs while North Carolina has a solid 15.  Obama won both states in 2008--with North Carolina being a solid pick up for the Democrats as the state had voted for the Republican candidate in each of the last 5 elections prior.

What factors do you think may contribute to Florida or North Carolina voting for either candidate?  Who do you think will win each state?  We look forward to your responses!