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Part 1: Reporter Paul Steinhauser
Steinhauser was CNN’s longtime DC-based political editor who moved to New Hampshire to report on politics in the first-in-the-nation primary state. He’s also the co-host of ‘On Background,’ a weekly radio program focusing on Granite State politics and the 2020 White House race. Find him on Twitter at @steinhauserNH1
The Democratic candidates debated last night (Thursday), and was notably more spirited than Wednesday’s debate. Several candidates took the opportunity to criticize VP Joe Biden, currently the front runner. Sen. Kamala Harris took him to task for his stance on busing during the 1970’s. Others referred to his age. Harris, as a former prosecutor, appeared ready to take on Trump, and looked strong. Her reference as having been a student who was bused, brought this to the fore. Both Biden and Sanders seemed to be running and ‘old’ campaign. The various topics covered in the debate included health care, climate change, the immigration crisis.
Part 2: Harold Myerson’s article, “Who is rigging our elections? The Courts” and more debate discussion
Myerson is the editor-at-large at “The American Prospect”.
https://prospect.org/article/never-mind-russians-its-court-rigs-our-elections
A discussion of how recent court rulings have frustrated the intent of the Voting Rights Act, and other legislation passed by voters, such as the restoration of the franchise to former convicted individuals in Florida. This in effect serves to support Republican initiatives, by allowing redistricting based on politics, rather then demographics. However, redistricting based on race is still illegal. Republicans-leaning courts have enabled Republicans to become entrenched in legislatures in many states, despite not really having a true majority vote.
Opinion analysis: No role for courts in partisan gerrymandering https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/06/opinion-analysis-no-role-for-courts-in-partisan-gerrymandering/
Another topic covered was the Democratic debate. Health care topics seem to be a dividing issue, because there seems to be a misunderstanding about how to make changes: all-or-nothing, or in incremental ways.
The census citizenship question was also discussed, as was the immigration crisis.
Opinion analysis: Court orders do-over on citizenship question in census case https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/06/opinion-analysis-court-orders-do-over-on-citizenship-question-in-census-case/
