Grim Outlook for McCain

The outlook of the election is looking grim for John McCain. In September alone Barack Obama raised $150 million, mostly in small Internet donations. He is allowed to spend all of it because he opted out of a publicly financed campaign. McCain did not and thus is only allowed to spend a little of $80 million. Due to Obama's massive financial advantage, he is outspending John McCain as much as 4-1 in some states and has made traditional Republican states such as North Dakota, Indiana and North Carolina fair game in this election.

McCain is now being forced to play defense in all the battleground states except Pennsylvania, a Democratic trending state. Current projections of the election from Real Clear Politics show a potential blowout victory for Obama, 364-174 electoral votes. Only 270 electoral votes are necessary to win.

You have to hand it to McCain though, he is still looking on the bright side. In an interview with Brian Williams, McCain said, "Down in money, down in the polls, we got them just where we want them."

Presidential Primaries

Regardless of your political position, this presidential race should excite you as a participant of democracy. Voters are turning out in record numbers and in states that usually contribute very little to the election process. Examples are Idaho and North Dakota in which Democratic turnout quadrupled. On average states are seeing doubled the 2004 primary turnout. Candidates are drawing out large blocks of voters, specifically the youth, that previous elections have failed to attract.

Aside from the record voting numbers just who the candidates are would have been astounding merely 20 years ago. Until recently a Mormon, a woman, an African-American, and a Baptist minister were all in the race. The status quo of the protestant white man has been shattered this year and I for one am happy to see it go. Groups that have been oppressed for years in this nation now have the opportunity of leading it. I am not suggesting in any way to vote for one of these candidates simply because of their race or gender, only that it is wonderful that these factors have not clouded the vision of the voter. This will most definitely be a barn-burner of a race.

Ralph Becker talks to us; Buhler hasn't yet

Salt Lake mayoral candidate Ralph Becker spoke to Judge student reporters on Friday, October 26. The other candidate, Dave Buhler, has yet to return our calls.

In the interview, which you can hear on our audio player to the right or here, Mr. Becker talks about the following issues:

• Judge/neighborhood relations,
• transportation plans for Salt Lake,
• ideas to improve teens' lives in the city,
• agenda for public education,
• view on vouchers,
• public safety,
• the environment
• his favorite music, movie, book, food, restaurant, skiing spot,
  
• and what he likes most about Salt Lake.