Matthew Negrete's Commentary & News

Barack Obama Maintains the Lead

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:34:17 EST

This week, Barack Obama won Vermont, Texas caucus, and Wyoming.

Vermont: Obama 59%, Clinton 39%
Texas Caucus: Obama 56%, Clinton 44%
Wyoming: Obama 61%, Clinton 38%

Delegate Count: Obama 1527, Clinton 1428

(Source: CNN Election Center)

You can view Barack Obama's speech in San Antonio, Texas or read the transcript below:

Barack Obama's International Women's Day Statement

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 21:04:46 EST

From the Obama Blog, Barack Obama's Statement on International Women's Day, posted by Sarah Ramey (March 8):

This International Women's Day is a chance to reflect on the status of women in our societies, honor the extraordinary women whose courage and determination have shaped our lives, and rededicate ourselves to the ongoing challenges facing girls and women everywhere.
This day is particularly meaningful to me because I've been shaped by the women in my life – by a single mother who raised me across two continents, and a grandmother who instilled in me her own Midwestern values; by my sister Maya who grew up in Asia and multi-ethnic Hawaii, and my sister Auma who has lived her life in Africa and Europe; by a paternal grandmother who still lives in rural Kenya without electricity and running water; and by my extraordinary wife Michelle, who continues to make me a better man.

We have to do more for the women in our lives – because there is no longer any doubt that equality and opportunity remain out of reach for too many women around the world.

There is no longer any doubt that most girls and women around the world are uneducated or illiterate. A good education is the best way to help ensure that children are healthy and successful, and to strengthen developing economies, which is why we need to invest at least $2 billion a year in a Global Education Fund.

There is no longer any doubt that women do most of the work that goes on in the world, and yet mostly live in poverty and own only a small fraction of the world's property. To help ensure that women are reaping the rewards of economic growth and prosperity, I will double our current spending on foreign aid by the end of my first term as President.

There is no longer any doubt that HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and other diseases disproportionately affect women in many parts of the world, particularly sub-Saharan Africa. This pandemic is a global threat and when I'm President, we'll spend $50 billion over five years to combat it. And I will help launch Health Infrastructure 2020 – a global effort to improve global health care and to train health care professionals to serve in the developing world.

There is no longer any doubt that whether it's rape or assault or girls being treated like property and trafficked across borders – women are abused in most societies. It's cruel, and it has to stop. That is why I passed legislation in Illinois to protect victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and it's why I've fought in the Senate to reduce sexual violence and the use of rape as a weapon of war in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The United States must lead the world to end these inequities and injustices, and when I'm President, we will. Every night I'm home, Michelle and I tuck two little girls into bed. And the reason I'm in this race is to help build a world where our Sasha and Malia and every girl is loved and safe from violence; where every woman is empowered; and where every person has the chance to reach for his or her dreams.

MSNBC Ohio Democratic Presidential Debate Video & Transcript

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 11:02:55 EST

Here is the transcript for the February 26 MSNBC Ohio Democratic Presidential Debate. The debate can also be viewed on MSNBC.

CNN Texas Democratic Presidential Debate Transcript

Matthew Negrete — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:12:40 EST

Here is the transcript for the January 31 CNN Hollywood Democratic Presidential Debate.

Barack Obama's Winning Streak Hits 10

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:38:50 EST

Yesterday, Barack Obama has furthered the momentum by reaching 10-state winning streak. Barack Obama has won the states of Hawaii and Wisconsin. Here is the breakdown of the February 19 elections from the CNN Election Center.

The victory speech can be viewed in Sam Graham-Felsen's Obama's victory speech in Houston.

Thank you to Barack Obama and everyone who have made this happen.

Below are two comments made by Campaign spokesman Bill Burton and the text of the victory speech:

Barack Obama's Statement on Fidel Castro

Matthew Negrete — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 11:04:28 EST

The following is the statement made by Barack Obama concerning the resignation of Cuban President Fidel Castro:

Today should mark the end of a dark era in Cuba's history. Fidel Castro's stepping down is an essential first step, but it is sadly insufficient in bringing freedom to Cuba.
Cuba's future should be determined by the Cuban people and not by an anti-democratic successor regime. The prompt release of all prisoners of conscience wrongly jailed for standing up for the basic freedoms too long denied to the Cuban people would mark an important break with the past. It's time for these heroes to be released.
If the Cuban leadership begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change, the United States must be prepared to begin taking steps to normalize relations and to ease the embargo of the last five decades. The freedom of the Cuban people is a cause that should bring the Americans together.

Barack Obama's Statement on Kosovo Independence

Matthew Negrete — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 12:21:06 EST

The following statement is from Barack Obama on independence of Kosovo:

Statement by Barack Obama on the Independence of Kosovo
Chicago, IL | February 17, 2008

Chicago, IL - Senator Barack Obama today released the following statement on the independence of Kosovo and its implications for Serbia.

Analysis: The Search for a Vice-Presidential Candidate

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 15:40:59 EST

INTRODUCTION

This analysis is inspired by the e-mails I have been receiving from the Vice President Speculation Forum and from posts and discussions. Since November, I have been looking for the perfect candidate to be Barack Obama’s running mate, and it is proving difficult. I have set forth what the ideal candidate should possess to adding value to the ticket and the criteria below:

Believes genuinely in changing Washington
Against the Iraq War from the start
Has a number of years experience in high public office
Generally conforms with Senator Obama's positions

Basically, I will explore some of the possible candidates for vice-president (VP) and how some of these candidates could better fulfill cabinet positions, instead. As a note, foreign policy will be used as examples for my arguments, because this is the area of concentration I am most familiar. I welcome anyone who has suggestions based on other areas of concentrations concerning arguing his or her possible VP choices.

Barack Obama Scores in the Potomac Primaries

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:18:51 EST

Barack Obama’s winning streak continues to build momentum. Yesterday, he won the Potomac primaries in the states of Virginia and Maryland, as well as, the District of Columbia (D.C.). The results can be viewed on CNN.com Election Center.

Barack Obama’s victory speech can be viewed here.

The text of the speech is below (as prepared for delivery):

Barack Obama Wins More States Over the Weekend

Matthew Negrete — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 16:34:46 EST

Barack Obama continues to push forth the momentum built from Super Tuesday over the weekend. He won in Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, Washington, and the U.S. territory of the Virgin Islands.

The results for February 9 and February 10 can be viewed for both parties.

Below are the statements from Campaign Manager David Plouffe concerning this weekend:

Barack Obama Wins a Handful on Super Tuesday

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:50:10 EST

The amazing news has come forth from the results on Super Tuesday. Barack Obama has won in thirteen states, which includes Illinois. Here is the breakdown of the Super Tuesday results.

Here is the statement from Campaign Manager David Plouffe:

By winning a majority of delegates and a majority of the states, Barack Obama won an important Super Tuesday victory over Senator Clinton in the closest thing we have to a national primary. From Colorado and Utah in the west to Georgia and Alabama in the south to Senator Clinton’s backyard in Connecticut, Obama showed that he can win the support of Americans of every race, gender, and political party in every region of the country. That’s why he’s on track to win Democratic nomination, and that’s why he’s the best candidate to defeat John McCain in November.

Also, you can watch Senator Obama's Super Tuesday speech in Chicago.

Additionally, here is his message:

The votes will be counted into the night and into tomorrow, but today we won states and we won delegates in every part of the country.
As of right now, we have won more states and delegates than Senator Clinton. It's a remarkable achievement we can all be proud of.
Tonight, we know one thing for sure -- our time has come, our movement is real, and change is coming to America.
At this moment in history, the stakes are too high and the challenges too great to play the same Washington game with the same Washington players and expect a different result.
This time must be different.
There will be those who say it cannot be done. But we know what we have seen and what we believe -- that when ordinary people come together we can still do extraordinary things.
Yes, we can.
Thank you so much,
Barack

Thank you to Barack Obama and everyone who have made this happen.

CNN Hollywood Democratic Presidential Debate

Matthew Negrete — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:10:48 EST

Here is the transcript for the January 31 CNN Hollywood Democratic Presidential Debate.

John Edwards Drops from the Presidential Race: What Happens Next?

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 15:52:18 EST

The playing field in both parties is changing in this presidential race for the nomination. On the Democratic side, five candidates have withdrawn their bids for the presidency, while three have followed suit in the Republican race. These candidates are Senator Joe Biden (DE), Senator Chris Dodd (CT), Governor Bill Richardson (NM), Congressman Duncan Hunter (CA), former Senator Fred Thompson (TN), Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH), Rudy Giuliani (NY), and former Senator John Edwards (NC). Although all these candidates have withdrawn their bids, I will focus mainly on Senator Edwards and his future plans, and the new dimension in the race for the Democratic nomination.

Barack Obama's Response to the State of the Union Address

Matthew Negrete — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:13:34 EST

Yesterday, January 28, President George W. Bush gave his final State of the Union address of the presidency. If you missed the event, consult my other post dedicated to the address. Senator Barack Obama gave his reply to the address, and also appeared for an interview with Keith Olbermann on MSNBC. In addition, you may want to watch the Democratic response made by Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius.

The transcript of Senator Obama’s response is below:

State of the Union Address 2008

Matthew Negrete — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:13:34 EST

The following is the State of the Union address delivered by President George W. Bush on January 28, 2008. The event can be viewed at C-SPAN.

The transcript is below:

Barack Obama Wins South Carolina

Matthew Negrete — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 12:09:11 EST

The amazing news has come forth from the state of South Carolina. Barack Obama has won with 55 percent of the vote. Here is the breakdown of the January South primary of both parties:

Democratic Party (January 26):

Barack Obama: 55%
Hillary Clinton: 27%
John Edwards: 18%
Dennis Kucinich: 0%

Republican Party (January 19):

John McCain: 33%
Mike Huckabee: 30%
Fred Thompson: 16%
Mitt Romney: 15%
Ron Paul: 4%
Rudy Giuliani: 2%
Duncan Hunter: 0%

Here is Barack Obama's South Carolina victory speech.

Thank you to Barack Obama and everyone who have made this happen.

Exploring Bill Richardson’s ‘New Realism’

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:40:48 EST

In the January/February 2008 edition of the Foreign Affairs Journal, Democratic presidential candidate (at the time) Bill Richardson wrote an impressive essay titled, A New Realism: A Realistic and Principled Foreign Policy. The summary for this essay is as follows:

The United States needs a foreign policy that is based on reality and is loyal to American values. The next U.S. president needs to send a clear signal to the world that America has turned the corner and will once again be a leader rather than a unilateralist loner. Getting out of Iraq and restoring our reputation are necessary first steps toward a new strategy of U.S. global engagement and leadership.

You can also read essays from other presidential candidates on the Foreign Affair’s Campaign 2008 site. As a note, I have written my commentary on Barack Obama’s essay awhile back.

CNN South Carolina Primary Democratic Presidential Debate Transcript

Matthew Negrete — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 23:01:49 EST

Here is the transcript for the January 21 CNN South Carolina Primary Democratic Presidential Debate.

MSNBC Nevada Caucus Democratic Presidential Debate Transcript

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 17:53:37 EST

Here is the transcript for the January 16 MSNBC Nevada caucus Democratic Presidential Debate.

Barack Obama Wins Iowa

Matthew Negrete — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 11:26:03 EST

The amazing news has come forth from the state of Iowa. Barack Obama has won with 38 percent of the vote. Democratic presidential candidates Senators Chris Dodd and Joe Biden have dropped out of the race. Here is the breakdown of the January 3 Iowa Caucus of both parties:

Democratic Party:

Barack Obama: 38%
John Edwards: 30%
Hillary Clinton: 29%
Bill Richardson: 2%
Joe Biden: 1%
Uncommitted: 0%
Chris Dodd: 0%
Mike Gravel: 0%
Dennis Kucinich: 0%

Republican Party:

Mike Huckabee: 34%
Mitt Romney: 25%
Fred Thompson: 13%
John McCain: 13%
Ron Paul: 10%
Rudy Giuliani: 4%
Duncan Hunter: 1%

You can view and read the text of the speech here.

Also, you may want to read my other blog post from January 1 highlighting Senator Obama’s journey in 2007 and the importance of this year.

Thank you to Barack Obama and everyone who have made this happen.

2008: Continuing the Journey to the White House

Matthew Negrete — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:17:06 EST

Today, we welcome a new and very significant year, 2008. In the past year, the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama has gone the distance. I will focus on some of the 2007 highlights, as well as, describing the importance of 2008.

Benazir Bhutto and Pakistan

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 23:46:21 EST

On Thursday, December 27, former Pakistan Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto was assassinated during an election rally for her political party in Rawalpindi. Accordingly, Barack Obama has released his statement concerning her death:

I am shocked and saddened by the death of Benazir Bhutto in this terrorist atrocity. She was a respected and resilient advocate for the democratic aspirations of the Pakistani people. We join with them in mourning her loss, and stand with them in their quest for democracy and against the terrorists who threaten the common security of the world.

In the following commentary, I will focus on the unfolding events thus far, a brief historical background of Pakistan as it relates to Ms. Bhutto, and Pakistan policy.

CNN: 'Analysis: Bush's Pakistan policy -- forget "Plan B," time for "Plan C"'

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 23:26:33 EST

The following is an analysis, Bush's Pakistan policy -- forget 'Plan B,' time for 'Plan C,' made by CNN White House correspondent Ed Henry.

Excerpt:

What's next for the U.S. in Pakistan?
That's the burning question President Bush must contemplate as he tries to get some down time for the New Year's holiday.
He has a slew of foreign policy challenges to confront in 2008 -- ranging from Iraq to Afghanistan, Iran and North Korea to name just a few.
Perhaps none is as pressing on January 1 as the unfolding crisis in the wake of the assassination of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto.

UNICEF: 'Little respite for Iraq’s children in 2007'

Matthew Negrete — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 21:56:29 EST

The following United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) report, Little respite for Iraq’s children in 2007, describes the current situation concerning children in Iraq.

Excerpt:

An estimated two million children in Iraq continue to face threats including poor nutrition, disease and interrupted education.
Iraqi children were frequently caught in the crossfire of conflict throughout 2007. Insecurity and displacement continues to cause hardship for many in the most insecure parts of the country and further eroded access to quality essential services country-wide. Iraq remains volatile; however conditions begin to allow for more a concerted effort to deliver assistance.

It mentions UNICEF funding into immunization campaigns, education, and relief for local communities.

Chicago Tribune: 'Tribune completes deal to go private; Zell takes reins'

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 23:02:48 EST

The following is from the Chicago Tribune titled, Tribune completes deal to go private; Zell takes reins.

Excerpt:

Billionaire Sam Zell on Thursday closed the transaction Wall Street long doubted he could, stepping in as both chairman and chief executive of a newly private Tribune Co. and promising sweeping change in how the beleaguered, Chicago-based media conglomerate is managed.

In an interview Wednesday, Zell said that he will play a much bigger day-to-day role at Tribune than he had originally anticipated when he proposed the $8.2 billion Tribune transaction in April.

This is an anticipating moment in Chicago media.

The Democrats in the Final Iowa Debate: Winning the Hearts of Voters

Matthew Negrete — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 00:48:54 EST

The Democrats held a presidential debate this past Thursday, December 13, in Iowa. The contenders were Senator Barack Obama (IL), Senator Joe Biden (DE), Senator Hillary Clinton (NY), Senator Chris Dodd (CT), former Senator John Edwards (NC), and Governor Bill Richardson (NM). Former Senator Mike Gravel (AK) and Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH) did not meet the criteria to attend the debate.

The Des Moines Register wrote in Why Kucinich isn't in the Democratic debate?:

Neither Dennis Kucinich nor Mike Gravel had a campaign office in Iowa by the Oct. 1 deadline, according to reports filed with the Federal Election Commission. Gravel also did not have any paid staff in the state by the deadline.

This debate was hosted by The Des Moines Register and was shown on Iowa Public Television, although some of the major networks, such as CNN, Fox News Channel, and others broadcast the event. It was moderated by the editor of The Register Carolyn Washburn. As a note, I found this debate to be much more civilized than the previous.

Chicago Sun-Times - Wesley Clark for Vice President?

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 21:08:22 EST

Yesterday, I came across Michael Sneed's column in the Chicago Sun-Times. Here is the related section:

Obamarama in Hillaryville? Sneed hears rumbles retired Gen. Wesley Clark, a major supporter of Dem presidential contender Hillary Clinton, may have been dangled a tasty carrot by the Obama folks.
• • The carrot? The possibility of becoming a vice presidential candidate if Clark decided to switch his allegiance. Phone calls placed to Obama staff since last Friday have yet to be returned.

This is an interesting rumor.

What do you think?

The Des Moines Register Democratic Presidential Debate Transcript

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 22:32:18 EST

Here is the transcript for the December 13 Iowa Public Television-Des Moines Register Democratic Presidential Debate. As a note, within the next few days, I will post my commentary of this debate.

Kosovo: What Happens Now?

Matthew Negrete — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 23:51:36 EST

The United Nations deadline to figure out the future of Kosovo has come to an end on December 10. The European Union has failed to produce an agreement. So, the question now is, what happens next? As a note, you may want to read Dr. Mark Elrod’s Countdown on Kosovo.

The Vice Presidential Question

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 22:16:57 EST

With little more than a month before the Iowa caucus, very important anticipations have been arising. Over the months, I have come across a particular anticipation among supporters, which is, "who should be the running mate for Barack Obama?" Below, I will discuss my views concerning this question.

Hillary Dealt the Losing Hand in Vegas, the Democrats Debate

Matthew Negrete — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:58:20 EST

On Thursday, November 15, the seven Democratic presidential candidates debated the issues in Las Vegas, Nevada at the University of Nevada-Las Vegas (UNLV). This debate was broadcasted on Cable News Network (CNN) with moderator Wolf Blitzer. As the title partially suggests, this debate further spiraled in the contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. The candidates at this intense debate were Senator Barack Obama (IL), Senator Joe Biden (DE), Senator Hillary Clinton (NY), Senator Chris Dodd (CT), former Senator John Edwards (NC), Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH), and Governor Bill Richardson (NM). Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel was not invited due to the CNN criteria-failure of raising $1,000,000, in which, his campaign has reported $240,000, thus far. In this post, I will highlight the foreign policy issues, as well as, the building rivalry between Senators Clinton and Obama, and why I did not like the quality of the debate.

The CNN-Las Vegas Democratic Presidential Debate Transcript

Matthew Negrete — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:24:23 EST

Here is the transcript for those who were not able to watch the November 15 CNN-Las Vegas Democratic Presidential Debate. As a note, I will write my commentary in the next few days.

The Dilemma: Justice vs. National Sentiment

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:50:35 EST

Recently, I have come across an interesting story by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), EU positive on Balkan entry bids. The European Union is seeking to expand its membership to include western Balkan countries, which are Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Montenegro, Macedonia and Serbia. The main focal point will be the dilemma question that comes with membership. I will also focus on some of the recent and historic events in these countries as it relates to their entry bids. As a note, you may also be interested in reading my two posts related to the Balkans, The Kosovo Question and The Future of Kosovo.

Barack Obama on U.S. - E.U. Relations

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 21:23:59 EDT

The following is the reply I received from Barack Obama concerning the question of U.S. and European Union relations.

The reply begins below:

Chicago Defender: Senator Obama: 'Violence against women, at home and abroad, must cease'

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 19:05:05 EDT

The following is an op-ed by Barack Obama titled, Violence against women, at home and abroad, must cease, for the Chicago Defender. You can also share Senator Obama's statement with family, friends, and others by filling the form.

The op-ed begins below:

The Democrats Truly Square Off in the MSNBC-Pennsylvania Presidential Debate

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:56:24 EDT

On October 30, 2007, seven of the eight Democratic presidential contenders faced off at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was moderated by Brian Williams and Tim Russert. The seven candidates that participated were Senator Barack Obama (IL), Senator Joe Biden (DE), Senator Hillary Clinton (NY), Senator Chris Dodd (CT), former Senator John Edwards (NC), Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH), and Governor Bill Richardson (NM). Former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel did not meet the three criteria to participate, which was based on not campaigning in Iowa and New Hampshire, polled below 5 percent, and did not raise $1,000,000 for his campaign. Senator Gravel wrote his rebuttal at the Huffington Post, titled Why NBC and the DNC Want Me Out of the Debates.

This debate brought forth the first beginnings of the candidates taking their gloves off and making distinctions from Hillary Clinton. The debate covered several issues from Iran, Social Security, to UFO (unidentified flying object) sightings. This was probably the best debate since the discussion hosted by CNN and YouTube. With 63 days to the Iowa caucus, this intensity came at the right time. If you did not watch the debate, MSNBC has the transcript on-line.

The MSNBC-Pennsylvania Debate Transcript

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 13:48:51 EDT

Here is the transcript for those who were not able to watch the October 30 MSNBC-Pennsylvania Debate.

The United Nations: Past, Present...and Future?

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 22:25:27 EDT

This past October 24 was the 62nd anniversary of the United Nations. This supranational organization has faced many different situations under a number of secretary-generals. Where is the U.N. heading and how is its effectiveness? Before I can answer this question, I will briefly discuss two supranational predecessors. As a note, you may also want to read Emma's blog post, Why Obama should celebrate U.N. Day.

Are U.S. Ties with Turkey Deteriorating?

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 23:56:34 EDT

This past week, the ties between the United States and Turkey have been strained. The escalation of events began with the passing of a non-binding resolution (known as House Resolution 106), through the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The question was whether events that took place during the First World War with Turkish pursuit of Armenians were considered genocide. The Foreign Affairs Committee has voted that genocide took place.

Union Leader: 'Sen. Barack Obama: Five years after Iraq war vote, we're still foolishly rattling our sabers'

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:50:49 EDT

The following is a commentary by Barack Obama, Five years after Iraq war vote, we're still foolishly rattling our sabers, in the Union Leader.

[Commentary begins below]

The MSNBC New Hampshire Democratic Presidential Debate

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 23:36:13 EDT

This past Wednesday, the eight Democratic Presidential candidates squared off in their seventh debate at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. It was broadcasted on MSNBC with Tim Russert as moderator. The eight candidates who participated were Senator Barack Obama (IL), Senator Joe Biden (DE), Senator Hillary Clinton (NY), Senator Chris Dodd (CT), former Senator John Edwards (NC), former Senator Mike Gravel (AK), Representative Dennis Kucinich (OH), and former Governor Bill Richardson (NM). I will, as usual, analyze on the foreign policy issues of the debate.

The Defeat of U.S. Senate Amendments to Change Iraq Policy

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 22:48:43 EDT

This past week was very important for Iraq policy proposals for the United States Senate. I will focus on four amendments brought forth by Senators John Cornyn (R-TX), Russ Feingold (D-WI), Carl Levin (D-MI), and Jim Webb (D-VA). I will also include how Democratic Presidential candidates (Senators Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Chris Dodd) voted. Overall, the proposals for change in Iraq were defeated.

Jimmy Carter's Commentary 'Mixed message on nuclear weapons'

Matthew Negrete — Sun, 09 Sep 2007 13:19:15 EDT

The following is former U.S. President Jimmy Carter's commentary, Mixed message on nuclear weapons, which was published in the Chicago Tribune. He explains his position and critique on the current policy. The commentary begins below:

The Future of Kosovo

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 18:41:53 EDT

Over the past several months, the agreement over the future of Kosovo has stalled. The United Nations (U.N.) has administered Kosovo, since the 1999 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) campaign, which drove out the Serbian Army. The discussion concerns whether Kosovo should be granted independence from Serbia and what would be the best solution.

The Question of the 'Balancing Act' in Global Politics

Matthew Negrete — Mon, 03 Sep 2007 13:52:16 EDT

The events that have occurred during this decade, which includes the war in Afghanistan, the Iraq War, the growth of Iranian influence, among other issues, brings forth a very important question. Is the balance of political influence and power still an issue worth observing? This foreign policy analysis will bring forth many questions that could be fueled for discussion concerning the progression toward twenty-first-century foreign relations.

An Important Week in Endorsements and Foreign Policy

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 20:08:00 EDT

This past week is one of the most memorable moments for Barack Obama and U.S. foreign policy in newscasts. Senator Obama has received two important endorsements and laid out his plan for Cuba. Also, several important figures have taken positions on the future of Iraq and Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki.

The ABC Iowa Democratic Debate

Matthew Negrete — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 19:01:04 EDT

Yesterday, the Democratic Presidential hopefuls participated in the ABC Iowa Debates. It was part of a special edition of This Week, moderated by George Stephanopoulos. The presidential candidates present at this debate were Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, Chris Dodd, and Mike Gravel. The issues debated included experience, prayer, education, and other issues. I will analyze what I felt were noteworthy moments concerning U.S. foreign policy issues and my critique of the debate and Barack Obama’s performance.

Clarence Page's Column 'Obama's international melodrama'

Matthew Negrete — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 11:37:18 EDT

I came across a column from Clarence Page, titled, Obama's international melodrama. In particular, I found his question on "actionable intelligence," noteworthy.

The AFL-CIO Democratic Presidential Debate

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:07:47 EDT

This past Tuesday, seven of the eight Democratic Presidential candidates debated in the AFL-CIO Forum at Soldier Field in Chicago. It was broadcasted on MSNBC and moderated by Keith Olbermann. The candidates addressed and answered the questions on issues ranging from Obama's counterterrorism strategy, the growing influence of China, to the outsourcing of jobs. The seven candidates, who wooed current and potential supporters, were Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, and Bill Richardson. The only presidential contender not invited was Mike Gravel. The controversy was surrounded by the AFL-CIO contending that Gravel did not fill a questionnaire on time. He has called the AFL-CIO's reason a poor excuse, since he has worked with labor issues for many years. I will analyze the foreign policy issues that I found noteworthy.

Barack Obama's Counterterrorism Strategy

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:40:39 EDT

Yesterday, Barack Obama gave his speech at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars addressing terrorism. He, indeed, has given a comprehensive speech. His strategy is broken down into areas that include switching the battlefield from Iraq to Afghanistan and Pakistan, political and economic solutions, improving intelligence and security, and improving the American-image. A certain portion of his strategy to counter terrorism has received much controversy. As president, Obama has mentioned possible military intervention in Pakistan. I will critique on this subject, as well as, other parts of his speech that I found noteworthy.

Barack Obama’s Diplomatic Leadership

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:18:11 EDT

This past Monday, the eight Democratic presidential candidates describe their positions in the historic CNN/YouTube Debate at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. I will focus on a particular moment that has received news coverage. This pertains to the very brewing controversy between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton concerning diplomacy.

The Democratic Presidential CNN/YouTube Debate

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 17:13:11 EDT

This past Monday, the eight Democratic presidential candidates held their fourth discussion on the main issues in the historic CNN/YouTube Debate at the Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. This debate was formatted on questions via video that were submitted by YouTube users. Then, CNN selected what they perceived were the best and most creative questions, and they were played live during the debate to the Democratic candidates. The contenders for the presidential nomination included Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Mike Gravel, and Chris Dodd. If you missed the debate, you can watch it on YouTube.

Barack Obama's Foreign Affairs Essay

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 17:11:00 EDT

In the July/August 2007 magazine issue of Foreign Affairs, Barack Obama wrote a very interesting foreign policy essay titled, Renewing American Leadership. He discusses topics that affect the U.S. and global community, such as security, ending the war in Iraq, the future of the military, the threat of nuclear weapons, restoring U.S. image abroad, and reestablish American trust in foreign policy matters. I will analyze some areas of this essay that I found interesting and noteworthy.

Third Round of Presidential Debates

Matthew Negrete — Sat, 30 Jun 2007 18:49:48 EDT

The third Democratic Presidential debate, called the All-American Presidential Forum, took place this past Thursday at Howard University, a historical African-American university. The eight contenders each tried to win over African-American voters with issues, such as racial profiling, HIV/AIDS, Hurricane Katrina, and the current situation in Africa. The eight candidates that participated were Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Dennis Kucinich, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Mike Gravel, and Chris Dodd.

Gordon Brown Moves in, Tony Blair Moves on

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 17:07:04 EDT

Today, after serving a decade in office, Tony Blair steps down as British Prime Minister. Blair’s chancellor, Gordon Brown, has become Britain’s new Prime Minister. Blair had vowed to serve his full third term, but pressures within his Labour Party led him to leave early. One of the reasons for his unpopularity was his initial and continuing support for the War in Iraq. As he was leaving, Tony Blair commented on the issue, "I am truly sorry about the dangers that they (British soldiers) face today." He continued to reaffirm his decision stating that the war was not in vain.

The Palestinian Conflict

Matthew Negrete — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 00:00:52 EDT

The recent events concerning the Israelis and Palestinians have caused a possible setback in peace talks. These complications have begun last week when the Palestinian group, Hamas, took control of the Gaza Strip. In response, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who belongs to the rival group, Fatah, set up an emergency government, excluding Hamas. The United States and Israel offered their support for President Abbas’ decision. Today, the Egyptians have suggested hosting a Middle East summit, which will include Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and the U.S. Earlier this week, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter criticized U.S. and Israeli policy toward the Palestinians. I will focus on how Carter’s critique has substance.

The New Hampshire Presidential Debates

Matthew Negrete — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 22:51:04 EDT

This past Sunday, the eight Democratic Presidential candidates concluded their second debate at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. The same eight from the first debate included Barack Obama, John Edwards, Hillary Clinton, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, Dennis Kucinich, Chris Dodd, and Mike Gravel.

The Kosovo Question

Matthew Negrete — Wed, 16 May 2007 00:19:33 EDT

This week, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss issues ranging from missile defense to discussing the future status of Kosovo. Although the development of a missile defense system is a hot topic, I would like to discuss the latter, since it has not been given considerable attention since the NATO campaign in 1999.

First Round of Presidential Debates

Matthew Negrete — Sun, 06 May 2007 00:47:26 EDT

The first set of Presidential debates has been concluded this past week (Democratic Party - April 26 and Republican Party - May 3). Both of these debates have shown where potential candidates stand. The following candidates that participated in this first round of debates are as follows:

Democratic Party: Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, John Edwards, Joe Biden, Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich, Chris Dodd, and Mike Gravel

Republican Party: John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Mitt Romney, Sam Brownback, Duncan Hunter, Tommy Thompson, Mike Huckabee, Jim Gilmore, Tom Tancredo, and Ron Paul.

Peace in the Middle East

Matthew Negrete — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 23:14:13 EDT

Peace in the Middle East has been a longtime goal ever since the expiration of the British Mandate of Palestine in 1948. This process has followed a series of up-and-downs over the decades. Israel and the Arab states fought several conflicts, which included the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, 1956 Suez conflict, Six-Day War of 1967, and the October/Yom Kippur War of 1973, among others. I would like to note that Israel took control of the territories during the 1967 war, which constituted the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Golan Heights (Syria), Sinai Peninsula (Egypt - though this would be settled in 1979), and Shebaa Farms (dispute over whether it is part of Lebanon or the Golan Heights).