ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL-2010

Notwithstanding President Obama’s and the Congressional Democrats’ compelling election wins in 2008, their control over the national political process is not complete, as evidenced by the difficulties in enacting health care reform. Conversely, the Congressional Republicans’ obdurate opposition and their embrace of the radical right might marginalize them in the Fall elections. Nevertheless, the Republicans might have an edge in those elections as the electorate seems to be simply tired of the endless bickering and the failure of the Democrats to take control. The Fall Congressional races thus promise to be pivotal: whether the Democrats will keep their majorities and the power to implement their vision for the country or whether the radical right Republicans will gain control over the Congress and implement drastic changes to the direction the country will take.

The recent, and upcoming, Congressional Primaries reflect the unsettled mood of the electorate and its search for solutions to current economic and social problems. Right wing Republicans are finding some hope in the diffuse Tea Party and its promises of radical changes to the federal government. Democrats seem to be holding on to the hope that the Republican Party has marginalized itself by nominating candidates who adopt positions far outside those held by the mainstream. However, a winning showing by Democrats is far from assured due to the weak economy, lack of jobs and the oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico.  
 
Attendees will select a topic to follow during the course: for example, a race, several races or a political web site. At each class, attendees will be asked to report on the recent developments in the selected topic. We shall discuss the import of those developments and, in particular, how they affect the outcome of the races.