Discussion on 1/4

On 1/4 we'll be discussing the candidates' foreign policy statements from Foreign Affairs. Below is my first draft at the questions we'll be discussing. Please post or email (mereaby@gmail.com) to me any additional questions or comments on the questions so we can have a high quality discussion! Thanks. M

Foreign policy and the 2008 election
AP US Government

1. What do you think should be the foreign policy priorities for the next president? What tenor or tone do you think the next president should have with other countries and international organizations? Which candidate best meets your foreign policy vision? To what degree do you believe that the candidates can fully articulate their foreign policy vision on the campaign trail?

2. What are the candidates’ positions on Africa and Latin America? Do you support their positions? Do you think these continents are receiving enough attention from the candidates in their statements? What do you think should be the foreign policy priorities for the president in Latin America and Africa for the next presidential administration?

3. What are the candidates’ positions on how the U.S. should proceed in Iraq? If they think we should leave, what specifics do they give for how we should do that? If they think we should stay, what specifics do they give for how we can “win” the war on Iraq? What is your opinion on their positions and why? Do you think the candidates spent too much time or too little focusing on Iraq in their statements?

4. What are the candidates’ positions on how the U.S. should relate to Iran? To what degree do they see Iran as an enemy? Do you believe that Iran is a serious enemy of the U.S.? Do you think the next president should use “carrots” or “sticks” when dealing with Iran and why?

5. How do the candidates’ describe the Bush administration’s foreign policy? What are their criticisms or compliments for how Bush has conducted our foreign policy? To what degree do the candidates think we should be more multilateral? What type of tone or communication do they want the president to have with the American and international community on foreign policy?

6. What do you think should be the foreign policy priorities for the next president? What tenor or tone do you think the next president should have with other countries and international organizations? Which candidate best meets your foreign policy vision?

1/2/2008

Start your year off with a new post! :)

Read through your classmates' posts. Pick someone to respond to that you have not responded to either term 1 or 2. Try not respond to someone's post if they already have more than 1 response. Please attack the ideas/argument of the person & not the person her/himself. Also, please respond in a manner which fosters rather than shuts down dialogue. Lastly, it is important to respond to people's posts in a way that fosters dialogue & is respectful. Good luck. And happy new year!

Post by 12/20

I had this on the schedule as being due on 12/18, but if you need until the 20th it won't be counted late.

The environmental debate used to be a fringe issue that only minor parties like the Green Party took seriously. However, in this presidential election it will be an issue that both major parties have to take seriously.

What environmental issue do you think is most important for the 2008 presidential election? Why? What policy position do you support on this issue? Is there a candidate or candidates that support your position? If so, what’s their stance? If no one supports your position, why do you think they don’t share your position?

Use news articles and research to build your case. I would particularly recommend going to interest group and think tank websites for research for this assignment. I would also recommend looking at the second half of Edwards’ ch 19 for background and terminology for this discussion.

If you are having trouble finding research please see me for help. Good luck!

Response post

My apologies for not creating the area for a response post on time. If you haven't already posted your healthcare response, please do it here. Thanks!