elections

"Setting a good example is a far better way to spread ideals than through force of arms." - Ron Paul

The thunderous applause for Paul rocked the bleachers and caused a crush of media to turn their cameras away from the stage in the middle of the gymnasium...Affable and clearly enjoying his celebrity status with the young voters, Paul said he was at somewhat of a loss to explain why his candidacy resonates so strongly with young voters.

“The common answer is that I endorse and defend the Constitution … and believe you only get permission to go to war with a vote of Congress, not NATO,” Paul said, his remarks cut short by applause.

*Update: Jan. 25, 2012*  read more »

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear: Jon and Stephen - "I'm More American Than You"
Jon and Stephen don American flag pullover fleece zip-ups and sing to decide who loves America more.

Rally to Restore Sanity and/or Fear: Press Conference - Internet Influence
Jon and Stephen talk about the joy they felt watching the crowd have fun and how Stephen was stuck in the capsule during the national anthem.

(quote)

*update*
Aung San Suu Kyi held multiple governmental posts since 2016, including that of state counselor, which essentially made her the de facto leader of the country.
She remained under house arrest for almost 15 of the 21 years from 1989 to 2010

In the 1990 general election, Suu Kyi earned the right to be Prime Minister in a 392-out-of-489-seats landslide victory as leader of the winning National League for Democracy party, but her detention has prevented her from assuming that role.

 read more »

(quote)

In the ousting of Madagascar's twice-elected president, behind the boyish good looks lies a ruthless ambition that has surprised many. His supporters have taken to blaring out Malagasy pop music to get crowds in the mood. This may even be the first African coup with its own soundtrack.

Images of the man this week have appeared incongruous: a sharp suit and baby face amid the sharpshooters in army fatigues, an unlikely alliance between the soldiers who have seen it all before and the 34-year-old who has got it all to come.

He is the disc jockey politician, a charismatic, fresh-faced entrepreneur who swapped the turntables and nightclubs of Antananarivo for a movement that this week has culminated in the ousting of Madagascar's twice-elected president. So when Andry Rajoelina, 34, is inaugurated as Africa's youngest president today, expect a carnival of sound. His supporters have taken to blaring out Malagasy pop music to get crowds in the mood. This may even be the first African coup with its own soundtrack.

 read more »

(quote)

In 1860, Abraham Lincoln was elected as a 3rd party US presidential candidate.
When Abraham Lincoln ran for office, the two major parties were the Whigs and the Democrats. As a Republican, Lincoln was elected as a third party candidate - even after being left off the ballot in the 11 states that seceded from the Union.

In 1992, for the last time a 3rd party candidate, Ross Perot, was heard in presidential debates.

In 2008, 3rd party’s voices of Bob Barr & Ralph Nader were excluded from debates though
- 55% of likely voters, both Democrat and Republican, said that they would want to see Bob Barr featured in the debates alongside Obama and McCain.
- 59% of independent voters stated that they want to see the debate commission allow Nader into the debates.
- A very important fact is that younger voters were more likely to favor the inclusion of the two independent candidates into the debates, demonstrating a sort of changing of the guard as younger voters are not as content with the status quo two candidate system.  read more »