Click on the image to see the full chart.

Original post from temple-news.com, published in the Sept. 30 edition. Graphic by Kriston Bethel.

CHRIS STOVER
Editor in Chief

It’s not easy being Republican at Temple, let alone in Philadelphia.

“Our challenges originally were letting people know that we exist,” said Brian McGovern, president of the Temple College Republicans. “That’s still our challenge today, but we’re doing a lot better with it.”

Temple has had a strong Democratic presence on campus since the six weeks leading up to the Pennsylvania Primary in April. Campus visits from Sen. Hillary Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, cast a shadow over Sen. John McCain, who at the time was already the presumptive Republican nominee for president.

So far this semester, Temple has hosted big-name supporters of Sen. Barack Obama, including Private Practice star Kate Walsh and Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee. The Republican presence isn’t as easy to find.

“This isn’t just any college campus,” said McGovern, a senior political science major. “This is Temple University in one of the most Democratic cities in the United States.”

YOUNG INFLUENCE
Young people are more apt to have Democratic tendencies, especially those in college, said former Philadelphia Mayor John Street.

“Young people are just smart and more likely to be in tune with a more people-oriented message,” Street said. “Young people worry more about the poor [and] working-class issues and are not yet burdened with making a living.”

It’s important, then, for McGovern and the College Republicans to spread the messages of McCain and his running-mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

“We believe that if people knew about the Republican message and not what certain news outlets or what their friends say, they would see that our message does work for them,” McGovern said.

The College Republicans began a few years ago with a handful of students. Recently, the group runs out of vacant seats at its meetings, which average 30 to 50 students, McGovern said.

But it’s not the only political group on campus. The Temple College Democrats were the organizers of the recent Howard Dean visit, which attracted more than 100 students for a midday rally on Sept. 19.

“I think that we are a more liberal campus, so I think that there’s a warm and open reception to us and the things we do,” said Elizabeth Hanson, president of the College Democrats. “On [the Republicans’] side, their message may not feel as welcome all the time.”

McGovern said the relationship between the two groups was “shaky” a few years ago, but they now share a “decent friendship.”

“We want to be controversial, but we don’t want to be too controversial,” McGovern said. “We’re looking to keep the discourse civil on campus, and maintaining our relationships helps to keep it civil.”

Hanson, a junior political science major, agrees with McGovern and added that forming a good relationship now can help in their political futures.

“We know that even though we differ on most things, it’s better to learn to reach across the aisle now because how else would we do it in Washington?” she said.

DEMOCRATIC DOMINANCE
Philadelphia hasn’t had a Republican mayor since Bernard Samuel in 1952.

“Philadelphia is a blue-collar town dominated by unions, poor people and minorities,” Street said. “In all fairness, it’s hard for the Republicans to get the political traction in most neighborhoods.”

Street, who teaches a political science course at Temple on urban politics, succeeded Ed Rendell as mayor in December 1999. He said it’ll be a while until Philadelphia sees a Republican mayor.

“It will be tough for any Republican to win until the Democrats make a bad mistake,” Street said. “Times change. Political parties get fat and comfortable.”

But Street credits U.S. Rep. Bob Brady with staying on top of Philadelphia’s Democratic Party and said he does not see “any big opportunity for the Republicans in the near future.”

Voter registration numbers align with Street’s prediction. In a city just shy of 1.5 million people, 1,073,174 residents are registered to vote, according to the Philadelphia Board of Elections as of Sept. 22. Nearly 840,000 are registered Democrat while only 144,000 are registered Republican.

Michael Hagen, a professor in the political science department, said Republican mayoral candidates shouldn’t be written off the ballot just yet.

“They haven’t been out of the running in every mayoral election,” Hagen said. “There have been reputable candidates who have done pretty well. Those who have had a chance of doing well have faced an unpopular incumbent.”

In 1999 and 2003, Street’s Republican opponent in the mayoral elections was Sam Katz.

“Katz ran a great campaign and was as liberal as most Democrats and he still lost,” Street said, adding that he thinks the Democrats’ biggest vulnerability is the mishandling of finances of the city.

McGovern questions how many Philadelphians are happy with the direction of the city under Democratic control.

“If the same problems are coming up again and again, it’s time to take a look at the problems and realize that maybe it’s time for the Republicans to come in and find a different way to change things,” he said.

PENNSYLVANIA PROMINENCE
On Saturday, the McCain campaign opened its second victory office in Philadelphia at 1008 Arch St. The original is located in Northeast Philadelphia at 3605 Cottman Ave.

“We have a presence in every region in the city,” said Paul Lindsay, a spokesman for the McCain campaign.

However, there are 11 Obama offices throughout the city, which Hagen said signifies that the Philadelphia vote will be a crucial component to winning the state on Election Day.

“The presence of the Obama campaign is an indication that Philadelphia can be extremely important,” Hagen said. “Senator Obama is pretty popular among residents of Philadelphia, so it’s an appealing target for the Obama campaign to get people out to vote.”

Street agreed, saying the Philadelphia vote has been important in recent elections, citing Sen. John Kerry’s winning Philadelphia in 2004 by 420,000 votes. Kerry won Pennsylvania with 51 percent of the vote.

“Democrats cannot win statewide elections without a big plurality coming out of Philadelphia,” Street said. “Turnout of Democrats in Philadelphia is crucial to Obama’s chance of winning the state.”

Visits to Philadelphia by McCain and Palin have been few and far between, but Lindsay said the campaign has not lost sight of the Delaware Valley.

“Senator McCain will continue to travel throughout every region of Pennsylvania, and we’ll continue to focus on the Philadelphia area, especially,” Lindsay said.

He added that McCain “has always appealed to independents, Democrats and the Republican base,” but Street said the senator should take caution when campaigning.

“He has very little chance of winning Philadelphia. His goal has to be to avoid getting trounced in Philadelphia so bad that he loses the state,” Street said. “He should be very careful to motivate his base without getting the strong Democratic areas all excited about the election.”

For McCain in Philadelphia, Street said, “the lower the overall turnout, the better.”

VOTING MATTERS
“I would love to see as many registered Republicans as there could be,” the College Republicans’ McGovern said. “But it’s really important to me for people to exercise their right to vote. People across the world don’t always have that right.”

Both the College Republicans and Democrats have been volunteering with their respective campaigns and trying to get Temple students energized about voting on Nov. 4. Students with clipboards stand on busy street corners asking passers-by if they’re registered to vote. The deadline to register in Pennsylvania is Monday, Oct. 6.

Hanson of the College Democrats said it’s not always easy for her group to rally students.

“I think we face challenges that any student organization faces – people balancing work, school and life,” Hanson said. “It’s finding a way to make [the campaign] relevant and exciting and urgent on campus.”

The groups are in the process of organizing a debate slated for Oct. 20. It’s an opportunity for members of both groups to discuss civilly the issues that matter to them – college students – and create a forum for discussion.

“There should be a place for everyone’s political ideals in a place of education,” McGovern said. “We provide that, and we’re going to continue to provide that.”

Chris Stover can be reached at stover@temple.edu.
]]> http://chris-stover.com/2008/09/30/a-lacking-republican-presence/feed/ 0 Chris Stover http://chris-stover.com/2008/09/25/mccain-ditches-letterman-for-couric/ http://chris-stover.com/2008/09/25/mccain-ditches-letterman-for-couric/#comments Thu, 25 Sep 2008 04:42:12 +0000 Chris Stover http://chrisstover.wordpress.com/?p=529 ]]> It’s one thing when Sen. John McCain cancels an appearance on Letterman because of a financial emergency.

But then, like a cheating significant other, he’s caught being interviewed (live) by Katie Couric for the CBS Evening News.

Letterman wasn’t happy about this. He was never a fan of Sarah Palin, but he loves McCain (he loves Obama a little more, however).

This nine-minute video is worth the watch…

Just a year and a half ago, this was the scene — McCain announcing his bid for presidency on the same show…

While walking down the street one day a US Senator is tragically hit by a truck and dies.

His soul arrives in heaven and is met by St. Peter at the entrance.

“Welcome to heaven,” says St. Peter. “Before you settle in, it seems there is a problem. We seldom see a high official around these parts, you see, so we’re not sure what to do with you.”

“No problem, just let me in,” says the man.

“Well, I’d like to, but I have orders from higher up. What we’ll do is have you spend one day in hell and one in heaven. Then you can choose where to spend eternity.”

“Really, I’ve made up my mind. I want to be in heaven,” says the senator.

“I’m sorry, but we have our rules.”

And with that, St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell. The doors open and he finds himself in the middle of a green golf course. In the distance is a clubhouse and standing in front of it are all his friends and other politicians who had worked with him.

Everyone is very happy and in evening dress. They run to greet him, shake his hand, and reminisce about the good times they had while getting rich at the expense of the people.

They play a friendly game of golf and then dine on lobster, caviar and champagne.

Also present is the devil, who really is a very friendly guy who has a good time dancing and telling jokes. They are having such a good time that before he realizes it, it is time to go.

Everyone gives him a hearty farewell and waves while the elevator rises…

The elevator goes up, up, up and the door reopens on heaven where St. Peter is waiting for him.

“Now it’s time to visit heaven.”

So, 24 hours pass with the senator joining a group of contented souls moving from cloud to cloud, playing the harp and singing. They have a good time and before he realizes it, the 24 hours have gone by and St.
Peter returns.

“Well, then, you’ve spent a day in hell and another in heaven. Now choose your eternity.”

The senator reflects for a minute, then he answers: “Well, I would never have said it before, I mean heaven has been delightful, but I think I would be better off in hell.”

So St. Peter escorts him to the elevator and he goes down, down, down to hell.

Now the doors of the elevator open and he’s in the middle of a barren land covered with waste and garbage.

He sees all his friends, dressed in rags, picking up the trash and putting it in black bags as more trash falls from above.

The devil comes over to him and puts his arm around his shoulder. “I don’t understand,” stammers the senator. “Yesterday I was here and there was a golf course, clubhouse, we ate lobster and caviar, drank champagne, danced and had a great time. Now there’s just a wasteland full of garbage and my friends look miserable. What happened?”

The devil looks at him, smiles and says, “Yesterday we were campaigning……Today you voted.”

A cnn.com video says that an anchor in Bangor, Maine (pictured right) has been receiving hate mail and nasty phone calls just because she resembles John McCain’s running mate.

Cindy Michaels of WVII says she doesn’t think she looks like Palin — “I think I look like me.”

And now, just because I have to, here’s the real Sarah Palin…

And then, I thought about it. And I was in utter disbelief that McCain would actually “approve” — in those now infamous words — “this message.”

My guess — Sen. McCain probably thinks this is more funny than it is accurate. But instead, this creates a preview of the disgusting, annoying and tiring attack-ad campaigns that are to come.

So thank you, Sen. McCain. Not only for your low blow on the Democrats (cut them a little slack), but for instigating an attack worse than Sock’em Boppers to the head.

In an ad against Barack Obama, John McCain compares Obama to “worldwide celebrities” like Hilton and Britney Spears. Hilton took offense (I think). So she responded with a video:

McCain seems to want to be a stand-up comedian. That has been somewhat of a theme throughout his entire campaign — campy comments on The Late Show, American Idol, etc. are my reasoning for this.

McCain defended the ad, as the report above said, thinking it was “humorous.”

If McCain wants to be taken seriously, he’ll probably need to start laying off the issues and start focusing on what matters.

What do you do?

Contact pet associations and get their take.

That’s what the AP did. The article actually ended up in CBS3′s “News of the Strange” section. The article, which says that people who own pets will most likely vote for Sen. McCain, is based on an AP-Yahoo! poll.

But, it’s written like the writer was scrambling for information, for facts, for substance. And that’s where it loses me.

It’s no use to predict who’s going to be president until election night. Polling is usually flawed. I don’t care what pet lovers think. I don’t care what ice cream scoopers think. If I cared what psychics think, then I don’t anymore.

(The world’s only psychic twins, who just happen to be Temple alumnae, predicted in March that Sen. Hillary Clinton would be the next president. While that’s not fully out of the picture yet, it does seem quite unlikely.)

And we all wonder why the media get criticized so much.

Photo by Christopher Wink, TTN.

Oops, she did it again. At least, in the media’s eyes.

In the latest “blunder” the media ate up, Sen. Hillary Clinton is charged with being disrespectful by making a comment about Robert F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1968.

When discussing other high-ranking officials telling her to get out of the presidential race, Clinton compared her campaign to her husband’s and RFK’s.

Her exact quote:

My husband did not wrap up the nomination in 1992 until he won the California primary somewhere in the middle of June, right? We all remember Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June in California. I don’t understand it.

And her apology, just hours later:

Earlier today, I was discussing the Democratic primary history and in the course of that discussion mentioned the campaigns that both my husband and Sen. Kennedy waged in California in June in 1992 and 1968, and I was referencing those to make the point that we have had nominating primary contests that go into June. That’s an historic fact.

Perhaps her timing with the original comment was a little off after Sen. Ted Kennedy’s recent hospitalization, but really, there was no need for a formal apology.

Her point simply was, as she clearly stated, that RFK’s assassination occurred in June when he was in a heated battle for the Democratic nomination among Vice President Hubert Humphrey and Sen. Eugene McCarthy. What’s wrong with saying that?

I’ve already written a commentary for The Temple News that the media typically give Clinton a negative image, seeming to favor Sen. Barack Obama to win the nomination. Even after the ABC Debate blunder, my argument continues to grow.

Of course, I’m saying this as a journalist and not as a fan. Do I expect an equal amount of missteps to be reported for Obama? No, not at all. But I do expect the media to over-analyze every word he says as they do for Clinton.

Let’s just see what happens in June.

Original version from The Temple News. Photo by Christopher Wink.

CHRIS STOVER
The Temple News

She’s been compared to a monster and Rocky. High-ranking Democrats have called for her to quit the race. And the media have been ruthless in her campaign coverage, including commentary by The Temple News.

It seems that no matter what Sen. Hillary Clinton does, she’s under constant attack by the media. The other presidential candidates don’t have that pleasure.

For example, MSNBC’s David Shuster said in February that former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton was “being pimped out” by her mother. Yet no one says anything about Sen. John McCain’s traveling, blogging daughter.

Another incident occurred when President Bill Clinton recently tried to defend his wife’s misspoken words about Bosnia, saying she was tired at 11 p.m. one night and was under a lot of pressure when she gave the speech.

The media filled with glee. I remember watching the local news that night, as the anchor speculated about the contradiction between the president’s statement and the infamous “3 a.m.” Clinton commercial.

The anchor said, and I paraphrase, “Some wonder if Hillary Clinton can answer the phone at 3 a.m. if she can’t even speak clearly at 11 p.m.”

Such unfair, presumptive attacks on the senator seem like attempts by local and national media to slant their coverage toward Sen. Barack Obama. That is, until ABC’s nationally televised debate last Wednesday.

Moderators and ABC journalists Charles Gibson and George Stephanopoulos have been heavily criticized for their handling the debate. Many say they spent too much time on rumor control rather than hard issues and agree that the debate was slanted to Clinton’s favor.

ABC helped to give journalists – broadcast journalists, in particular – a credibility battle. First, Stephanopoulos was a staffer under President Clinton, which, to me, presents a clear conflict of interest.

It wasn’t until halfway through the debate that “real” questions began to get answered – questions on taxes and the economy, the war in Iraq. Questions that truly matter to millions of Americans.

ABC had a chance to shine with their exclusive debate, yet floundered by asking questions about not wearing U.S. flag pins or associating with an outspoken pastor.

If this was ABC’s attempt to give Clinton a larger lead in Pennsylvania’s primary polls, it nearly failed. If they tried forcefully to depict Clinton as the Rocky underdog, it could have turned voters off.

But thankfully for the democratic process, Pennsylvanians responded while ignoring the polls. Despite media reports of Obama closing the gap within percentage points, Clinton won by about 10 percent of the votes.

As journalists, it is our responsibility to find the truth. We present the objective facts and avoid speculation. It is a journalist’s duty to report all facts from all views so the audience can make its own speculations and decisions – despite personal beliefs of the New York senator.

These are fundamental rules of journalism – fundamental rules that many news organization seem to have forgotten.

But they aren’t the ones suffering here. We are.

Chris Stover can be reached at stover@temple.edu.