Today we were able to be in the audience for live broadcasts of C-SPAN. Guests Juan and Brett commented on the significance of Barack Obama of being the first American-American President of the United States. Real reform started with the 1965 Voting Rights Act and the Brown v Board of Education Supreme Court case. Juan stated that this is a “tremendous, emotional moment that goes beyond politics”. And they see all issues being important to the next president. C-SPAN then recorded a show where Tim and Carol Wheeler answered questions about thier experience of volunteering for Obama in the Iowa caucus. The creator of C-SPAN then stayed for question time with students – where students answered questions this time. It was good, but yet again there were questions that seem to repeat themselves every time that students get the opportunity to ask. Frustrating.
After the morning session we went to lunch at Union Station. There are many restaurants at the station for people to eat at, as well as stores and a movie theatre. There are many different types of restaurants at the station, including Chinese, Greek, Italian, and there is Johnny Rockets, a pizza place and other numerous types of food.I ate chinese for the second day in a row – 3 out of 5 stars. It is good selection, but fast food.
We then went to drop off our things and went to NDN for the afternoon session. NDN stands for New Democratic Network, and is a think tank for progressive politics. The director spoke to us about the collapse of the Republican party during the 2008 election cycle. He claimed that the Republicans were able to retain power for a long time because of their strong anti-comunist stand and their exploitation of racial grievances. He also thinks that the Southern Strategy of winning national elections is over. He also claimed that the Millenial generation was the largest in history (in abslolute numbers) and that we are the most civic minded in histroy.
Latinos were also a major discussion. 1 in 4 students in the American education system are Latino and thier votes are key to the success of political candidates in national elections. Any party that wants success in the 21st century needs to be bi-lingual and bi-cultural. He did credit President Bush (43) of creating a relationship with Hispanic voters and the Republican Party in 2000 and 2004.
We then went to Cosi’s for coffee until the Chamber of Commerce dinner. The dinner was a giant cocktail party – but alcohol free. Bob Schieffer of Face the Nation came to speak to us about the media and the new century. It was unfortunate that many rude students forced Mr. Scieffer to actually ask them to be quiet. Very disappointing. He spoke well and was excited for us and our opportunity to see the inauguration of the first African-American President. He remembers being around for when Ole Miss admitted its first African-American student.
We then went to the hotel and relaxed – which is what we are doing now.
