Interview with John Nichols, Washington correspondent with the Nation magazine, conducted by Scott Harris
With victories in a majority of critical swing states across the county, President Obama was re-elected to a second term. Control of both the House of Representatives and Senate remained unchanged, with Republicans holding on to the House despite the loss of several extreme right tea party-endorsed candidates and Senate Democrats picking up seats in Massachusetts and Indiana. Democratic Senate candidates elected or re-elected in hard-fought campaigns Nov. 6 included Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Chris Murphy, of Connecticut, Sherrod Brown of Ohio, Tim Kaine of Virginia and Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin. Progressive Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders won an overwhelming victory in Vermont. Story continues
In Wake of Record-Breaking Spending in 2012 Election Campaign, Public May be Ready to Demand Reform
Interview with Nick Nyhart, president and CEO of the group Public Campaign, conducted by Scott Harris
As was predicted, the 2012 presidential election campaign broke all records for fundraising, with both the Obama and Romney campaigns collecting about $1 billion each. According the website OpenSecrets, the Romney campaign, the Republican Party and outside Super Pacs – like Karl Rove’s American Crossroads – lead the campaign cash competition, spending over $989 million. President Obama’s campaign and their outside PACS trailed by a little, spending over $928 million. The enormous amount of money in this year’s campaign, much of it unaccountable, was made possible by the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Citizens United vs. FEC case, which lifted restrictions on independent political expenditures. Story continues
Iran’s Civilians Bear Brunt of International Sanctions
Interview with Joy Gordon, a professor of law and philosophy at Fairfield University, conducted by Melinda Tuhus
During the 2012 election campaign, both President Obama and his challenger Mitt Romney called for ever-tougher sanctions on Iran in an effort to prevent that country from developing a nuclear weapon. For the record, Iran denies it is working on a weapon, maintaining it is working to develop nuclear power for civilian purposes only. Story continues
This week’s summary of under-reported news
Compiled by Bob Nixon
- It’s been a year since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his come back, after serving four years as Prime Minister. Putin is now taking a tougher line sparking new protests by Russia’s emerging middle class, tired or corruption and autocratic rule. (“Putin’s tougher second act,” Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 15, 2012; “Russian ‘rendition’, Kremlin grabs opposition figure from Ukraine streets,” Christian Science Monitor, Oct. 22, 2012; “The enigmatic world of Russia’s political opposition,” The Guardian, Oct. 22, 2012)
- For the second time, the federal Defense of Marriage Act was overturned by a federal appeals court as discriminatory towards gays and lesbians. The fate of DOMA may soon rest with the United States Supreme Court. (“US Marriage Act is unfair to gays, court panel says,” New York Times, Oct. 18, 2012; “Appeals Court turns back Marriage Act as unfair to gays,” New York Times, May 31, 2012)
- ProPublica reports Freddie Mac, the taxpayer owned mortgage giant resisted signing on to the Obama administration’s mortgage refinancing programs, out of fear its would cut into their profits. (“Why Freddie Mac resisted Refis,” ProPublica, Oct. 25, 2012)