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“And Last, But Not Least…”

“And Last, But Not Least…”

Who ever thought it would get this far? It feels as though decades have passed since Hillary Clinton formally announced her candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination for President of the United States on January 22nd, 2007. Barack Obama formally entered the contest on February 10th, 2007. Over sixteen months and $335m later, the final two states in this mammoth contest will cast their votes, and likely hand Barack Obama his party’s nomination to face John McCain in November. On…

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Double Carpet on Sunday

Double Carpet on Sunday

How many of these will be Prime Minister this year? Israel must be one of the few democracies whose leader is currently less secure than Gordon Brown, following the corruption probe into sitting PM Ehud Olmert (top left), amid allegations that he received $150,000 in cash from US businessman Morris Talansky. Before consideration of the current crisis, a brief overview of Israel’s politics. Historically the two dominant parties have been the centre-left Labor (PMs including Rabin, Peres, Barak) and the…

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Why is Puerto Rico important?

Why is Puerto Rico important?

Wikimedia Commons What role will Puerto Rico play in 2008 and in the future? With respect to the electoral battle being waged by Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, no-one could have imagined back in January that the Puerto Rico primary would be anything other than the chance for the people of this Caribbean island to feel involved in the process of selecting the Democratic nominee. Whilst the nomination is substantially decided, the sheer size of the Puerto Rican electorate could…

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Sean Fear’s Friday Slot

Sean Fear’s Friday Slot

Looking Forward to Next Year In all likelihood, next year’s European Elections, and local government elections (mostly for the County Councils, and a few unitary and shadow authorities) will be held simultaneously. Year three of a Parliament is almost invariably the worst year for an incumbent government, in terms of secondary elections, and so Labour can expect to do slightly better next year than this (as they did in 1978, and as the Conservatives did in 1996). Unfortunately for Labour,…

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You Gov: Labour at all time low

You Gov: Labour at all time low

Con 47 (+2), Lab 23 (-2) LD 18 (0) Is the end now nigh for Gordon? A poll by YouGov in the Telegraph shows that Labour support is at the lowest since polling began in 1943. Brown’s personal popularity on a par with Major’s low Labour’s lowest score under Foot was only 23.5 How much worse can things get for Brown? Double Carpet

“It’s the economy…..”

“It’s the economy…..”

Wikipedia A guest article from Cityunslicker Even as the rumours of an imminent challenge to our glorious Prime Minister fade, there is still a good chance of an election before May 2010 – no doubt Tory central office is preparing for this and, hidden from view, may even be preparing a manifesto. The mantra ‘It’s the Economy, Stupid’ is going to hold firm for the next year or two as the UK economic situation worsens, recession or no recession. But…

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Thursday continuation thread

Thursday continuation thread

Please continue today’s discussions here. A reader asks about the Warwick Agreement…. On a related topic to this morning’s article, I’ve received an email from a PB reader: “I am interested about when the above agreement with the unions end, and when the new one starts – I believe the unions are going to give the Labour Government £8million. The question is of course, what they going to get for this money, is it money down the drain for them,…

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Is this where Hillary’s dream finally dies?

Is this where Hillary’s dream finally dies?

How will the RBC vote on Michigan and Florida? On Saturday, May 31st 2008, the Marriot Wardman Park Hotel (pictured), the largest hotel in Washington D.C., will play host to the DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee (RBC). This is the body that will, in the first instance at least, vote on whether to uphold the penalties it meted out to Michigan and Florida – stripping them of all delegates (Pledged and Super-) at the Convention as punishment for bringing their…

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