The Bowdoin Orient

The political world is abuzz this week with the news of Arlen Specter's defection to the Democratic party. It has come so quickly that we do not yet fully know what it means, but the GOP certainly cannot feel good about it. Specter's votes will probably not differ that much, and this will probably keep a more liberal Democrat out of the Senate in 2010 (PA was poised to go blue with Specter looking weak against primary opponent Pat Toomey). Still, this is not much of a silver lining for Republicans, as what was left of any "big tent" they could claim to have once had is quickly collapsing.

On Wednesday, April 22, the Maine Legislature's Joint Committee on the Judiciary will take up hearings on what has become the defining civil rights issue of our time: same-sex marriage. A large crowd is expected; indeed, projections are so large that the hearing has been moved to the Augusta Civic Center to allow for a greater seating capacity. Many Bowdoin students have been working on this campaign in one way or another, and some on both sides of the issue may even attend the hearing (it is open to the public).

President Obama has often been praised, appropriately, for his leadership and charisma. Indeed, these have served him well both on the campaign trail and in the policy arena. When the American people demanded action on the economy, the White House and Congress worked to pass the stimulus package. Leadership, however, is easier in some areas than others. When there is not a strong constituency for a particular policy, even when it is both pragmatic and just, strong leadership is necessary.

It seems as though discussions of "partisanship" and "bipartisanship" are all the rage these days. From national political news programs to our own Bowdoin Orient, pundits of all stripes have entered the debate. Mired in all of this discussion, however, we may be losing track of the meaning of bipartisanship.

The stimulus package currently undergoing Senate debate, a combination of tax reductions and domestic spending designed to create jobs, is a step in the right direction to fixing the economy. In the long run, however, another glaring problem faces our economy. That "elephant in the room" is the condition of the American health care system.

On February 10, 2007, Barack Obama announced his candidacy for president. On April 25th of the same year, John McCain followed suit. It has now been 20 and 18 months, respectively, since these announcements were made, and next Tuesday, America will make a decision.

Today, from the highest levels of business to the smallest local enterprises, there is concern about the future of the economy. People are afraid for their homes and employment, and are yearning for a leader who will take affirmative steps to address the crisis. That leader is Senator Barack Obama.

At first glance, it might seem as though the Democratic Party is in trouble with regard to its presidential nominee. The party is locked in an intense battle over who will bear its standard in the 2008 election.

The current neoconservative regime has exploited the nation's concerns about terrorism and used these concerns to push a radical agenda that is anything but rational when it comes to national security.