http://bigblog.dukechronicle.com/wp-content/themes/press

Hello White House University

05 Nov 2008, Posted by Troy Shelton in election 2008, News, 1 Comments


Very interesting nota bene over at the Chronicle of Higher Education today. This will be the very first election to usher in a White House where the commander in chief, his VP, and both their spouses have all worked in the higher education field. Obama worked in Chicago Law until 2004, and it seems Biden has been an adjunct professor at a law school for the past 17 years.

But what does this mean for us who are now and will continue to be in the higher education establishment when Obama is inaugarated?  The article doesn’t offer too much speculation–mainly because higher education has been such an underplayed issue in this election as a result of the urgencies of the tumultuous financial markets. The Chronicle does believe that research funding to universities will increase, but I suspect that within the first year of a Democrat-controlled Congress and White House, we will see some very important legislation being decided tuition costs, federal aid (e.g., Pell grants), and science funding, especially to stem-cell research (which is a very big issue over at the techie magazine Wired).

The Chronicle of Higher Education also lays out a warning. Woodrow Wilson was also a Professor in Chief, but he served only one term, seeming very distant to the American electorate. While Obama has told a very compelling narrative in this election compared to McCain, a first-term president must not forget to always keep policy discussions relevant to the lives of Americans.

The Chronicle’s Election Issue available

05 Nov 2008, Posted by Naureen Khan in election 2008, News, 0 Comments


Filed at 11:29 p.m.

Check out the Chronicle’s in-depth election coverage, in bins now or available online.

You got a sneak preview of both the N.C. GOP and N.C. Dems watch parties last night right here on the Election blog. Now, read our full coverage of the North Carolina Republicans’ reactions to the loss of the presidency as well as seats in Congress in contrast to the Democrat’s exuberant celebrations in response to the historic election of Barack Obama, the surprise victory of State Sen. Kay Hagan over incumbent Sen. Elizabeth Dole and the triumph of Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue over Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory in the hotly contested gubernatorial race.

In the meantime, reporter Ryan Brown held it down in Durham, covering both the day at the polls and Durham’s joyous celebration over the new president-elect at Barack N’ Roll, accompanied by a stellar photo-essay by the Chronicle’s Maya Robinson, Zach Tracer and Chase Olivieri.

Putting it all in perspective, take a look at our sound-off with voices of Triangle voters and Duke students reflecting on the once-in-a-lifetime election.

North Carolina Still Hangs in the Balance

05 Nov 2008, Posted by Naureen Khan in election 2008, News, 1 Comments


Filed 7:55 am

Even as the morning after an historic Election Day dawns with president-elect Barack Obama victorious over Sen. John McCain by a commanding margin, 338 to 158 electoral votes, the fate of North Carolina’s 15 electoral votes remains unclear.

The NYT as well as the major networks show the total tally as too close to call, with Obama leading with the slimmest of margins, 49.8% to McCain’s 49.6%. An absolute difference of less than 12,000 votes seperates the two candidates.

Indiana and Missouri have also been deemed to close to call, leaving 39 electoral votes up in the air.

Check back to the blog for more updates on the Election Blog as the aftermath of Election Day unfolds.

The scene in Sanford

05 Nov 2008, Posted by Zachary Tracer in election 2008, News, 0 Comments


Filed at 5:02 p.m.

Chronicle photographers Courtney Douglas and Michael Naclerio spent the evening of election day in the Sanford Building, watching election returns with hundreds of other Duke students. Click here to check out a full slideshow of their photos.

Duke Students Celebrate

Duke Students Celebrate - Courtney Douglas/The Chronicle

Ballot measures fly under the radar

05 Nov 2008, Posted by Zachary Tracer in election 2008, News, 0 Comments


Filed at 5:01 p.m.

While you were busy watching Sen. Barack Obama win the presidency, you might have missed some of the interesting ballot measures that passed and failed today.

Voters faced a choice to ban gay marriage in three states. In Arizona, they chose to do so in a 56-44 percent vote. In Florida, such a measure passed 62-38 percent. In California, the vote on the proposition is still undecided.

A ban on gay couples adopting children has passed in Arkansas.

In two states, questions concerning affirmative action appeared on the ballot. In Nebraska, the practice was ended by a 58-42 percent vote. Colorado voters are split on whether or not to end affirmative action in their state; at this point, it is impossible to say if the amendment banning affirmative action will pass in the state.

Michigan voters have approved the use of medicinal marijuana, while Washington voters answered in the affirmative on a ballot initiative that will allow for doctor-assisted suicide.

In my home state of Maryland, citizens voted in favor of allowing video lottery machines (a.k.a. slot machines) to be installed in the state. Proceeds from the machines will go to finance public education.

  • Polls

    What is the best thing about the holidays?

    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...