Bush aware of world's new realities

The Writing on the Wall

Regardless of how exciting this election cycle is, nothing but the head of Osama bin Ladin on a stick will compare to the shock following Ronald Reagan’s inauguration on Jan. 20, 1981. A mere five minutes after he removed his hand from the Bible, 52 hostages walked away from 444 days of captivity under Islamic militants in Iran.

Candidates fail to inspire

The Hot Corner

Like many Americans, I’ve been glued to the television in recent weeks. While I’ve gotten my fair share of football and baseball in, most of my attention has been devoted to finding out which lucky presidential candidate will receive my vote. Thus far, I have been unimpressed both with President Bush and Senator Kerry — their constant bickering is driving me up a wall.

Third parties work to bring concerns to light

To talk of Many Things

In addition to the two major party tickets of this election cycle, a considerable collection of third party candidates representing diverse ideologies are conducting their own campaigns this season. Most conspicuous among them is Ralph Nader, who is running partly as an Independent and partly as a Reform Party candidate, depending on the state where his name appears on the ballot. Teamed with running mate Peter Miguel Camejo, Nader campaigns on a platform that places strong emphasis on consumer rights and environmental protection, though it is not limited to these causes alone.

Kerry will work for public good

The Soapbox

John Fitzgerald Kerry. Prominent senator. Brave soldier. Civil activist. The next president.

Letter from the Editor

Dear Readers,

Election Day is coming up faster than Duke Dog skyrocketing to first place as Mascot of the Year — and that’s pretty fast! I am sure everyone is ready to cast their ballots on Tuesday, either out of anticipation of voting for the first time, or they are just sick of hearing Republicans and Democrats bicker over who is wrong and who has America’s best interests in mind.

Kerry's domestic policies better for most

Breeze Perspectives

With foreign policy taking the forefront in this year’s election, voters may be tempted to put domestic issues on the backburner. The war in Iraq and the fight against terrorism are both very important issues to consider when casting your vote. However, we are faced with an abundance of problems at home that must not be ignored.

Neither candidate carries clear rhetorical advantage

Pigs and Pearls

The Greek master Aristotle defines rhetoric, in his aptly named book "Rhetoric," as "the faculty of observing in any given case the available means of persuasion." Therefore, this analysis of the presidential campaigns’ rhetoric will examine how they have used the available means of persuasion.

Appearance of candidates could sway vote

Breeze Perspectives

I do not think that anyone will disagree this year’s election matters. With this in mind, I would like to examine the two primary candidates and their running mates, apart from the political issues that divide them. For this year, unlike some years past, America’s two major parties have yielded candidates who also are characters; characters in the sense that in addition to their diverse political interests, they also demonstrate potent and even eccentric temperaments, personalities and physical attributes that contribute to their appeal and — ultimately — help them win or lose votes.

Bush, Kerry similar on foreign policy views, different on desired approaches

Pigs and Pearls

Before examining how each campaign addresses foreign policy, it will be helpful to establish what foreign policy is. The Bush campaign would like the war on terror to be included in foreign policy, since Bush prides himself on taking the fight to the terrorists rather than waiting for them. The Kerry campaign considers terrorism to be a homeland security issue, not a foreign policy issue. For the purposes of this analysis, I will side with the Bush campaign and include the war on terror.

Elderly should be road tested

Breeze Perspectives

A yarn bow desperately clung to a few gray curls as the old woman squinted over the steering wheel and pressed her red-toed shoe on the accelerator, rocketing through the red light.