Homework

1. Television-- network and cable, radio, newspapers, social media, wire services, internet.

2. 6 companies own around 90% of the American media:GE, News-Corp, Disney, Viacom, Time Warner, CBS. These companies control nearly 70% of cable. 

3. UT-Austin: Wants to create well-rounded, ethical journalists who believe that journalism is the most important part of the First Amendment. 

4. Watchdog journalists protect the public by fact checking and other methods. They watch societal and political events.

5. The media tends to be liberal.

    The media doesn't like Republicans

Bill Clinton back on campaign trail

The former president joined his wife at a rally in Des Moines over the weekend. The Times reports that even though Clinton can be a dazzling public speaker, he has the tendency to cause controversy, as he did in the 2008 presidential race when he claimed Barack Obama was the biggest fairy-tale he had ever seen. None the less, Mr. Clinton does bring significant political star power to his wife's campaign, which could prove crucial in the long run.

Jim Webb considers going Independent

After the first Democratic Party Debate, in which he felt as if he didn't receive enough time to talk, Jim Webb has announced that he is through with the party and is now considering going independent. A former Secretary of the Navy and Republican, after entering the Democratic race over the summer he has been basically invisible in the race and barely registering on the polls. Webb really shocked viewers when he bragged about killing an enemy as a Marine during the Vietnam War and even came out and said he believed the whole debate was rigged.

Chance to meet Bush Family

Jeb Bush has recently opened a sweepstakes that will bring a lucky winner to Houston to meet all of the "big-name Bush's." The prize is worth over $2,000 and will be taxable as income. Jeb Bush's son says that "We're not joking when we say that this type of contest won't come around for awhile." However, in typical Bush fashion, the sweepstakes is not being left to chance. Ten winners will be chosen and from those ten the one who shows the best support to the Bush campaign will receive the trip.

Democrats still see Joe Biden entering race

After the first Democratic debate, there has been much talk over wither Biden will decide to run for president or not. Many people find it hard to believe that Biden could even find a path after such a dominating performance by Clinton. However, the Jefferson-Jackson dinner is coming up, which happens to be the same dinner that in November of 2007, then Senator Obama, tore apart her chances of becoming president without even naming her. Could we see Joe Biden do the same in an effort to make his way into the presidential Race?

Hillary leads democrats in CNN Poll

Former Secretary-of-State Hillary Clinton leads all Democrats with 45% support. The poll indicates that even after her rough summer with the e-mail scandal that she has solidified her place within the hearts of Democratic Voters. The Times reports that she was the clear winner of the first debate and she was the most qualified to represent the party. The only true challenger for Hillary and competitor for Donald Trump is Joe Biden.

Speaker of the House

1.       What does the Constitution have to say about the job of Speaker of the House?

In Article 1, Section 2, the Constitution states "The House of Representatives shall chose their Speaker and other officers." The Speaker is also understood to be the leader of the House and third in command following the President and Vice President. 

2.       The Constitution has nothing to say about parties – yet parties are the basis for organizing leadership in Congress.  Read about Congressional leadership here.  List the leadership roles that exist in each house of Congress – along with a brief description of each job.

House Of Representatives:

Speaker of the House- presides over proceedings on the House floor, influence which bills go to which committee and  rules on questions of parliamentary procedure. 

Majority Leader- helps plan the party's legislative program

Minority Leader- leads the minority party, has less power than the majority leader

Senate:

Vice President- leader of the Senate, can only vote in case of a tie.

Majority leader- most power within senate, begins debates on legislation

Minority leader- tends to work with majority leader, but has less power. 

3.       What would have to happen for the Speaker of the House to become the President?

For the Speaker of the House to become President it would require the incapacity, death, impeachment or resignation of both the President and Vice President. 

4.       Who was the longest-serving Speaker in history?

Samuel Rayburn served as Speaker of the House for 17 years, making him the longest serving Speaker. 

5.       Who was the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House?  (Provide dates and party)

The first female Speaker of the House was Democrat Nancy Pelosi. She served as Speaker from 2006 to 2010.

6.       When did Newt Gingrich serve as Speaker?  For what is he famous?

Newt Gingrich served as speaker from 1995 to 1999. He is famous for leading the "Republican Revolution" which started after Gingrich led a charge on a Democratic Republican Party who had violated campaign rules, shortly after this he became the first Republican Speaker of the House in over 40 years.

7.       Who just resigned as Speaker of the House?  How long had he been serving as Speaker, and why is he quitting now?  (Find a news article that analyzes this question.)

John Boehner, who served as Speaker of the House for almost 5 years, just resigned. Boehner chose to step down due to the heat he was facing from Conservatives who threatened to "vacate the chair" if Boehner did not pursue a policy that cut funding to Planned Parenthood. After sensing that he would probably be ousted, Boehner decided to just step down. 

8.       Who was considered to be a likely successor?  Why is that no longer the case?

Kevin McCarthy was widely considered the most likely successor, but that is no longer the case as he feels that the party is split right now and needs to unite behind one leader.

9.       Why do many Republicans in Congress hope Paul Ryan will enter the race for speaker?  What is the latest news on whether or not he is likely to do so?

He is very popular with the conservatives in congress. He is currently not planning on running, but is allegedly thinking about it. 

10.   What committee does Paul Ryan currently chair?  What is this committee responsibility?  Visit it’s website to learn about it.

Paul Ryan serves as a chairman for the Committee on Ways and Means, which is the chief tax-writing committee in the House of Representatives. 

11.   What is a congressional committee? How many are there?

A congressional committee's job is to decide which bills move forward to the House or Senate. There are currently 43 congressional committees. 

12.   What are some of the reasons he may choose NOT to take the job?

One obvious reason for Ryan to not take the job is that it has historically been political suicide. Another possible reason is that he doesn't want to spend the time away from his family at the moment. 

13.   What would you do if you were in his position?  What would be the best reasons for taking the job?  Or for avoiding it?

After doing this research, I most likely would not choose to take the job of Speaker of the House. It seems to me that rarely does any good come of it and that it tends to end politicians careers. 

14.   The Speaker of the House is an important position – but is it a stepping stone to the White House?  Has a former Speaker ever risen to the presidency? 

I don't believe it is a stepping stone to the White House as I could find no instances in which the Speaker of the House became President. 

15.   What is a congressional caucus?  How many are there?  How are caucuses different from committees?

Congressional Caucuses are groups of members of congress put together to form the political or legislative agenda.  There are far more caucuses than committees and they differ in that caucuses seem to find what the political problems are and the committees decide what bills actually make it to congress. 

16.   What is the House Freedom Caucus?  What role is it playing in the current struggle over leadership?  What kind of speaker do they want?

It is a new Caucus designed to springboard a candidate in the the job of Speaker of the House. They are making the struggle for leadership because they want a leader who will support their border control bills. 

17.   Add a current articles summary to your blog, based on one or more of the articles you’ve read today. 

First Quarter Reflection

One cool thing that we have learned, in my opinion, was the stereotypes that go with either being a conservative or liberal and I enjoyed the political typology quiz we did the first day of school. We also learned the reasoning behind our constitution and how policies are made. I've enjoyed the class so far, just because I like the people in it and I enjoy Mrs.  Lawson's teaching style. Other than that, I don't really enjoy the class. The subject of government doesn't interest me as much as I thought it would. I hope to get to where I can connect the dots and make assumptions based on questions like our homework, and I believe this class will help me with it.