Barack Obama

ASP In the News | July 2-7

Ian McAllister — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 17:20:00 -0400

Daily News (07/06) features Michael Cohen discussing Obama's parallels with FDR.
The National (07/05) posts Peter Bergen's analysis of continuing instability in Pakistan.
The Australian (07/05) quotes Flynt Leverett on the United State's loss of influence in the global economy.
The National Interest (07/03) cites Flynt Leverett on the increasing irrelevance of the G8.
Time (07/02) features Peter Bergen debating if Osama Bin Laden still matters in today's political climate.

Obama Takes Risk, Opposes California Initiative to Ban Gay Marriage

Joe Mathews — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:29:00 -0400

Barack Obama, in a letter to the Toklas LGBT Democratic Club, strongly opposed the California ballot initiative to ban same-sex marriage. It's a risky move. He will likely face criticism that by opposing the initiative in a state that has legalized same sex marriage, he's supporting gay marriage. (Officially, he has said marriage is between a man and a woman). There's also a church angle to this. Obama's longtime denomination, the United Church of Christ (it's also my family's church), has endorsed same-sex marriage and ordained gay pastors.

ASP In the News | June 23-25

Ian McAllister — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 15:55:00 -0400

Politico (06/24) features William Hartung arguing for a crackdown on military spending waste.
New York Times (06/24) posts an analysis by Michael Cohen of Obama's perceived inexperience.
Foreign Policy (06/23) features Parag Khanna, Michael Cohen, and Maria Küpçü discussing the evolving challenges posed by failed states.
The Space Review (06/23) cites Jeffrey Lewis on China's modernizing military technology.
Kansas City Star (06/22) quotes William Hartung on Obama and McCain's negotiation policies.

Campaign Watch: Barack Obama Links Early Ed to America's Economic Well-Being

Sara Mead — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 14:44:00 -0400

In a major economic speech this Sunday, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama made clear that improving America's education system is one of his top economic priorities. The speech is noteworthy for the direct connection Obama drew between education and economic progress. Equally noteworthy, Obama laid out an education agenda that combines significant new investments--including a proposed $10 billion investment in early education programs--with reforms like charter schools and teacher pay for performance. Last week David Brooks criticized Obama for being "all carrot, no stick," talking in greater detail about the education investments than the reforms he'd support, and challenged Obama to support "real reform." In reality, as we discussed last week, improving education takes both investment and reform. We'd like to see more details about some of the reforms Obama discusses--particularly his proposals to hold education schools accountable and streamline certification, as well as how he would ensure quality and accountability for early educaiton programs he proposes investing in. But by spotlighting education reforms, along with investment, at the center of a major economic speech, Obama appears to be answering Brooks' challenge.

Senator McCain, the ball is in your court.

Here's what Obama said about education on Sunday:

This agenda starts with education. Whether you're conservative or liberal, Republican or Democrat, practically every economist agrees that in this digital age, a highly-educated and skilled workforce will be the key not only to individual opportunity, but to the overall success of our economy as well. We cannot be satisfied until every child in America – and I mean every child – has the same chances for a good education that we want for our own children.

And yet, despite this consensus, we continually fail to deliver. A few years ago, I visited a high school outside Chicago. The number one concern I heard from those students was that the school district couldn't afford to keep teachers for a full day, so school let out at 1:30 every afternoon. That cut out critical classes like science and labs. Imagine that – these kids wanted more school. They knew they were being short-changed. Unfortunately, stories like this can be found across America. Only 20 percent of students are prepared to take college classes in English, math and science. We have one of the highest dropout rates of any industrialized nation, and barely one tenth of our low-income students will graduate from college. That will cripple their ability to keep pace in this global economy, and compromise our ability to compete as a nation.

Senator McCain doesn't talk about education much. But I don't accept the status quo. It is morally unacceptable and economically untenable. It's time to make an historic commitment to education– a real commitment that will require new resources and new reforms.

We can start by investing $10 billion to guarantee access to quality, affordable, early childhood education for every child in America. Every dollar that we spend on these programs puts our children on a path to success, while saving us as much as $10 in reduced health care costs, crime, and welfare later on.

We can fix the failures of No Child Left Behind, while focusing on accountability. That means providing the funding that was promised. More importantly, it means reaching high standards, but not by relying on a single, high stakes standardized test that distorts how teachers teach. Instead, we need to work with governors, educators and especially teachers to develop better assessment tools that effectively measure student achievement, and encourage the kinds of research, scientific investigation, and problem-solving that our children will need to compete.

And we need to recruit an army of new teachers. I'll make this pledge as President – if you commit your life to teaching, America will pay for your college education. We'll recruit teachers in math and science, and deploy them to under-staffed school districts in our inner cities and rural America. We'll expand mentoring programs that pair experienced teachers with new recruits. And when our teachers succeed, I won't just talk about how great they are – I'll reward their greatness with better pay and more support.

But research shows that resources alone won't create the schools that we need to help our children succeed. We also need to encourage innovation – by adopting curricula and the school calendar to the needs of the 21st century; by updating the schools of education that produce most of our teachers; by welcoming charter schools within the public schools system, and streamlining the certification process for engineers or businesspeople who want to shift careers and teach.

We must also challenge the system that prevents us from promoting and rewarding excellence in teaching. We cannot ask our teachers to perform the impossible – to teach poorly prepared children with inadequate resources, and then punish them when children perform poorly on a standardized test. But if we give teachers the resources they need; if we pay them more, and give them time for professional development; if they are given ownership over the design of better assessment tools and a creative curricula; if we shape reforms with teachers rather than imposing changes on teachers, then it is fair to expect better results. Where there are teachers who are still struggling and underperforming, we should provide them with individual help and support. And if they're still underperforming after that, we should find a quick and fair way to put another teacher in that classroom. Our children deserve no less.

Finally, our commitment cannot end with a high school degree. The chance to get a college education must not be a privilege of the few – it should be a birthright of every single American. Senator McCain is campaigning on a plan to give more tax breaks to corporations. I want to give tax breaks to young people, in the form of an annual $4,000 tax credit that will cover two-thirds of the tuition at an average public college, and make community college completely free. In return, I will ask students to serve, whether it's by teaching, joining the Peace Corps, or working in your community. And for those who serve in our military, we'll cover all of your tuition with an even more generous 21st Century GI Bill. The idea is simple - America invests in you, and you invest in America. That's how we're going to ensure that America succeeds in this century.

Reforming our education system will require sustained effort from all of us – parents and teachers; federal, state and local governments. The same is true for the second leg of our competitiveness agenda – a bold and sustainable energy policy.

(emphasis added)

ASP in the News | May 26-28

Ian McAllister — Wed, 28 May 2008 18:39:00 -0400

The New Republic (05/28) features Peter Bergen analyzing the jihadist revolt against Osama Bin Laden.
Afrik.com (05/27) cites Steve Clemons on purges occurring in the Obama and McCain campaigns.
NewsHour (05/27) interviews Flynt Leveret on U.S. engagement with Iran.
Tehran Times (05/25) mentions Steve Clemons on negotiations with Hamas.
The Globalist (05/23) features Parag Khanna discussing the growing international influence of the E.U.

Will Obama-McCain Choice Affect Michigan Marijuana Initiative?

Joe Mathews — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:52:00 -0400

That's the argument of this piece in the Michigan Messenger. An initiative to legalize marijuana for medical purposes should be on the November ballot.

Thursday Round Up: Casinos Split on Compromise

Joe Mathews — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:14:00 -0400

CASINO INTERESTS DIVIDED ON COMPROMISE: It appeared that the Nevada teachers' unoin and casino interests had reached a compromise to avoid a casino tax ballot initiative and replace it with a hotel tax hike for education interests. It was a classic example of how to use the leverage of a ballot initiative to get what you want. But it turns out that not all casinos are happy with the deal. Specifically, the CEOS of the MGM Mirage, Boyd Gaming Company, and the Las Vegas Sands have expressed opposition. That means the new advisory ballot question and legislation on the compromise could face a strong no campaign. If defeated, it's possible the teachers' union could bring back the casino tax.

ARK GOV AGAINST IMMIGRATION INITIATIVE: Mike Beebe, the Democratic governor of Arkansas, announces his opposition a ballot initiative, now gathering signatures, that would deny public services to unauthorized immigrants. The endorsement in this race that I'd like to see is that of former Gov. Mike Huckabee, whose record as governor was pro-immigrant but who reversed himself as a presidential candidate, going so far as to question birthright citizenship for the children of unauthorized immigrants.

GAY MARRIAGE DECISION A BOON TO MCCAIN? The Weekly Standard thinks that the California Supreme Court striking down Prop 22, the state's ban on gay marriage, is a boon for John McCain, who opposed the decision by the Republican-dominated court, and a problem for Barack Obama, who supported the decision.

DW HEARTS TAX REFORM: The Sacramento Bee's Dan Walters devotes a column to tax reform, and quotes New America colleague Mark Paul on the subject.

ASP in the News | May 19-21

Ian McAllister — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:47:00 -0400

The Santiago Times (05/22) quotes Parag Khanna on America's declining global power.
International Press Service (05/21) cites Daniel Levy's analysis of the Middle East peace process.
Yahoo News (05/19) quotes Steve Clemons on McCain's strategy to discredit Obama.
The Washington Post (05/18) features Parag Khanna discussing The Post-American World, by Fareed Zakaria.
Arab American News (05/16) quotes Daniel Levy on the need for Israeli withdrawal from Palestinian territories.

ASP In the News | May 14-16

Ian McAllister — Fri, 16 May 2008 17:20:00 -0400

New York Times (05/16) cites Jeffrey Lewis on the danger of quake damage to Chinese nuclear facilities
Afrik.com (05/16) quotes Steve Clemons on the future of the McCain-Obama race.
The New Republic (05/15) cites Steve Clemons on McCain's efforts to purge unsavory campaign connections.
Time (05/15) mentions Daniel Levy in a discussion of Hamas' influence in the U.S. presidential election.
International Herald Tribune (05/14) features Daniel Levy analyzing the prospects for Middle East peace.
Inter Press Service (05/14) quotes Flynt Leverett on the internal politics of Lebanon.
Globe and Mail (05/10) reviews Parag Khanna's work on geopolitical dynamics in the Second World.

Beijing 08: A Lonely Opening Ceremony?

Ian McAllister — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 21:36:00 -0400

On April 9^th, Senator Barack Obama joined a growing chorus of public figures demanding that President Bush boycott the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. In a debate in The New Republic, American Strategy Director Steve Clemons and The New Republic Deputy Editor Richard Just debate the best action for the United States government to take vis-à-vis China's record of human rights violations. Clemons cites a potential nationalist backlash and the greater importance of geostrategic concerns. Just cites China's steadily worsening human rights abuses and the success of previous shaming attempts.