Senate Races heat up

With just more than a week until election day, the presidential race is not the only one with high stakes for the parties. Polls show that there may be a Democratic majority in the Senate if the Republicans can not get victories in several incumbents' states.


Sens. Mitch McConnell and Elizabeth Dole are two top Republicans lawmakers who find themselves fighting to hold on to their Senate seats.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is in a competitive race in Kentucky.

They're also two reasons why Democrats are talking 60 -- the number of seats needed to secure filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.

"We are feeling really good that we are going to pick up a successful amount of the larger number of seats and have a successful election. As for 60? It is possible," said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, who runs campaign operations for the Senate Democrats.

Winning what's commonly called the "magic 60" would maximize the Democrats' ability to push through a Democratic agenda and would virtually prevent Republicans from blocking legislation on the Senate floor. See a map of the Senate seats in play »

There's been a lot of attention on McConnell's race in Kentucky because he is the Senate minority leader, and he's been re-elected four times. McConnell said this race is tougher than last time because, given his high-profile position, he's a bigger target and "the symbol of the other side."

Dole was elected to the Senate in 2002. Her early poll numbers were strong, but the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee has spent a lot of money attacking her on two issues -- her effectiveness (or lack of it) in Washington and the little time that she has spent in the state over the past few years, according to The Rothenberg Political Report.

With just days left until the election, Senate Republicans acknowledge they still face a long road ahead.

*article on CNN.com

Election Day

Nov. 4 is a little under 2 weeks away, 11 days, 12 hours, and 55 minutes to be exact, and most polls show Illinois Senator Barack Obama with a lead of 5 to 9 points. With Karl Rove now on his staff, do you believe Arizona Senator, John McCain will be able to bridge this disparity and win the election? Recent years have shown us that polls are often not true indicators of the population, evidenced in Bush's 2004 electoral victory, and is 2008 the same? What should either party do to guarantee this election?

For your viewing pleasure:

MOCK DEBATE - College Republicans vs. College Democrats

Want to hear the positions of each presidential candidate? Want to support Barack Obama or John McCain? Or are you just interested in a night filled with heated debating about the most essential topics such as education, healthcare, and the economy concerning the upcoming election?

If you answered "yes" to any of these questions, then this event is for you!!!

The Face-Off between the College Republicans and the College Democrats will be moderated by WBKO Newscaster Lauren Hanson. She will ask a variety of questions inquired by the student body. The issues discussed will have an immense influence on young people all across the United States. It is our generation's turn to speak up and become politically engaged!

Date: Tuesday October 21st
Time: 6:00PM
Location: DUC 340

Come out for a fun night filled with politics and come out to support your fellow Democrats or Republicans. Bring all your friends!

**Free Refreshments will be served**

**This event is sponsored by the Political Science Department and the Political Science Senior Seminar Students**

Candidate Video Debate

Watch these videos of the candidates for the 2008 presidential election.
Who is more appealing to you? Were you decided on your candidate before or after the debates began 2 weeks ago? Do you disagree with any of the policies your candidate promotes?

Democratic Candidate Barack Obama



Republican Candidate John McCain


Libertarian Candidate Bob Barr

Debate Watch Activities

October – November Activism: the courage of people and the power of ideas

(Helms Cravens Library)

On line library exhibit “Forty Years of Political Activism”        http://www.wku.edu/Library/dlsc/ua/bus.htm

Sponsored by WKU Libraries     

October 7 Debate Watch

South Lawn

5:30pm

Sponsored by Political Engagement Project

October 14 – October 28 Super Tuesday Movie Night

South Lawn

8:30pm

Sponsored by College Democrats

October 9 Post Debate Watch: Let’s Talk about the Election

DUC 340

6-8pm

Sponsored by Political Science Senior Seminar Students and

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity

October 14 How to Vote Green

Bread and Bagel

6:00pm

Sponsored by BG Green

October 15 An Evening of Environmental Politics

MMTH Auditorium

6:30-8:30pm

Sponsored by Potter College of Arts and Letters, Depts. of

History, English, and Political Science

Healthy Bowling Green Forum

DUC 4:30pm

Sponsored by College of Health and Human Resources

October 16 Slam Poetry

Java City

1:00pm

Sponsored by Political Science Senior Seminar Students

October 21 Face Off: College Republicans v. College Democrats

Moderated by Lauren Hanson, WBKO newscaster

DUC Cupola Room 6:00pm

Sponsored by Political Science Senior Seminar Students

The Struggle for the Soul of America: Regional

Universities and the Future of Democracy

                                                                Lecture by Dr. Harry Boyt, Hubert H. Humphrey

                                                           Institute of Public Affairs

MMTH Auditorium 7:00pm

Sponsored by American Democracy Project

Get On the Bus: Songs from the American Experience with

                                                             Scott Stroot & Friends"

                                                              Place TBA           5:00 – 7:00pm

                                                             Sponsored by Department of Theatre and Dance and Department of

                                                               Political Science

October 23                                                             Pornography and First Amendment Freedoms

                                                             Grise Hall Room 340 (Warning: Adult Material)

                                                                                 5:00-7:00pm

                                                             Sponsored by Political Science Senior Seminar Students

October 27 Human Rights and Migratory Policies

Gardenia Chavez, Professor of the Latin American Master’s

Program in Human Rights and Democracy at the Universidad

Andina Simon Bolivar

Tate Page 339 4:30pm

Sponsored by the Office of Diversity Programs, Dept. of Modern Languages, Political Engagement Project, Office of Internationalization, and Potter College

TBA Across Generations: An intergenerational discussion

Village Manor Residence

Sponsored by Scholars and Gerontology Students

November 4 VOTE VOTE VOTE VOTE

November 17 – 21 Get on the Bus with International Education Week

Selected activities to promote global awareness. Flier forthcoming.

Sponsored by Office of International Programs

December 5 English 100 Conference: Forty Years of Political Activism

Cherry Hall Rm. 125 300- 4:30pm

Sponsored by Department of English

Post Debate Watch Celebration

The event is "Let's Talk about the Election: A Post Debate Discussion." It is to be held on Thursday Oct 9, from 6-8 in DUC 340. Contact information for the event is kaylee.carnahan@wku.edu, christopher.williams1@wku.edu, or daniel.holley@wku.edu. There will be live analysis from WKU professors, prizes, an open forum, and free food. Come join us tomorrow!

Presidential/Vice Presidential Debate Discussion

The first of the debates are finished after last Friday's only VP Debate, with the second Presidential Debate scheduled for Tuesday in Nashville, TN. So far, how do you rank the candidates? Did Obama meet the hype as today's greatest orator? Was Sarah Palin able to rise above the rumors of her inexperience as governor of America's least populated state? Is John McCain the maverick America needs, or was Joe Biden correct when he said, "a maverick, he is not?"

Tell us what you think and who you are leaning towards in ELECTION 2008!

Bailout Bill Discussion

Sept. 29, 2008 - The President's proposed $700 billion bailout bill failed on Monday by a vote of 228 - 205, 1 non-voting. What are your thoughts on this result? Should the government allow the economy to fix itself, or should regulations be put into place that could help stabilize the economy? Are the Amero and the North American Parliamentary Group possible alternatives for Canada, Mexico, and the United States in this time economic crisis?