Tagged: Politics

The ads are constant, the sums are staggering.  In the presidential race, spending has crossed the half-billion dollar mark.  State races meanwhile have seen an influx of big money from outside groups. The ads have ranged from tough to downright zany, even with zombies making an appearance. We look at the latest commercials and whether they’re effective.

Guests: 

John Carroll: assistant professor of mass communication at Boston University with a background in advertising and media. His blog is Campaign Outsider.

This past weekend in New Hampshire was full of two things that NHPR's Keith Shields follows very closely: politics and marathons.

Shields is executive producer of The Exchange and a 27 time marathoner. He joins All Things Considered host Brady Carlson to – pardon the pun – run through the intersection of marathon culture and political culture, up to and including this election.

Part 1: The Bad Science of the Left/Tweeting Political Poems

Think the right has cornered the market on denying science? No way, says Alex Berezow. He has a Ph.D. in microbiology and is co-author of the book Science Left Behind: Feel Good Falacies and the Rise of the Anti-Scientific Left. 

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New forensic evidence may confirm what many suspected behind-the-scenes: that the US and Israel conspired earlier this year to target Iran with the espionage malware “Flame”. Dan Goodin is Security Editor at Ars Technica and he's closely followed the unfolding story.     

Part 1: Big Fundraiser Flame-Out, Circa 1884

Mitt Romney’s campaign is trying to contain blow back from a secretly recorded video at a $50,000-a-plate fundraiser. With less than fifty days until the election, Romney’s leaked comments, in which he dismisses 47% of the country as “dependent on government,” is dominating political coverage at a time when Romney is already down in the polls. It may be little relief to Romney staffers to know that there is an historical precedent to this media debacle.

Here at home, both campaigns are working hard to brand their candidate as more relatable, more quintessentially American.  It’s a mission that involves lots of visits to diners, burger joints, and county fairs.  But when it comes to looking folksy, the President has one advantage that GOP nominee Mitt Romney just can’t swallow.  Producer Taylor Quimby reports.

Check out the White House Beer brewing process and the recipe for the beer here:

The U.S. Justice Department recently approved our law requiring photo identification…not for today’s primary, but beginning with November’s general election. Supporters say an ID is needed to combat voter fraud – but others say it will disenfranchise some voters. We look at what to expect, and how the requirements will change over time.

Guests

• David Scanlon – New Hampshire Deputy Secretary of State..His office oversees state elections.

We'll also hear from

Last week, the Justice Department approved New Hampshire's new law requiring voters to present a valid photo ID at the polls, or to sign an affidavit attesting to their identity in order to vote. Josh Rogers, NHPR’s Senior Political Reporter, is here with more on what New Hampshire voters can expect. 

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