Weekend America Series
Election 2008
Follow what may be the longest election season in history with Weekend America.
-
Revisiting Mike Gravel
A while back we did a story about a video called "Mike Gravel Rock". It isn't running on TV, but it's all over the internet. We see presidential candidate Mike Gravel in a park by a lake. He stares at the camera for a minute and eleven seconds in an extreme close-up, then turns, picks up a rock, throws it in the lake, and walks away. That's it. It begs for an update.
-
Campaigning to be a Delegate in Ohio
While the candidates scramble to get Ohio votes, a lot of regular folks are scrambling to become a delegate. The process varies from state to state but in Ohio, you pretty much have to back a winner.
-
An Iowa House Party
This week in Iowa, presidential candidates finished the last round of debates before the caucuses happen on January 3rd. Once the candidates stop talking, it's time for Iowans to debate over who should get their endorsements. Sometimes that debate takes place in people's homes.
-
The Momentum of Mike Huckabee
In our ongoing series "I'm Also Running For President," we focus on candidates who are doggedly determined to win the highest office in the land, but who realistically don't stand a snowball's chance - well maybe. John Moe met up with Mike Huckabee in Des Moines and got his thoughts on torture, tax policy, health care, muffins and the great bass players of the British Invasion.
-
Electing Religion in Ohio
After playing a critical role in the 2004 presidential election, conservative and evangelical groups in Warren County, Ohio, are feeling a lot less powerful this time around.
-
The Odds of Becoming President
In Las Vegas you can bet on almost anything--except who is going to win the next presidential election. It's illegal to bet on the presidential election anywhere in the United States, but that's not the case overseas. So, if you're wondering what the odds are that your favorite candidate will be in the White House in 2009, then Ben Eckstein is your man. He is the co-founder of the syndicated column "America's Line," which tracks the odds in politics, sports and entertainment. After watching Thursday's Democratic presidential debate in Las Vegas, Eckstein shares his thoughts about the odds.
-
Hamburg Inn
Everything's a little different in Iowa these days, now that the Iowa caucuses have moved to Jan. 3. As most Americans gather for long, lazy breakfasts in diners this weekend, Iowans gathering for long, lazy breakfasts might be interrupted by sudden appearances from Hillary Clinton or Rudy Giuliani. That's the case at the Hamburg Inn #2 in Iowa City. It's a regular, unassuming diner that just happens to get a lot of famous guests: Barack Obama stopping in for an omelet, John McCain grabbing a vanilla malt. We talk to Dave Panther, the owner of "The Burg," and manager Liz Sanders about how their restaurant became a stop on the road to the White House.
-
Also Running for President: Chris Dodd
Apart from Hillary, Obama and Rudy, there are many, many presidential candidates who aren't among those who will ever be covered by the media. No one is giving these candidates any chance of winning, so we want to know: why do they keep running? Weekend America's John Moe goes on the Iowa campaign trail with Senator Chris Dodd, Democrat from Connecticut.
-
Elephants in Cleveland
Ohio is the original "bellwether" state. For the past two elections, the state has been an election battleground and is noted for voting with every winning Presidential candidate since 1960, whether Democrat or Republican. During election season, Weekend America will visit communities in Ohio, starting with Cleveland this Saturday. Cleveland is usually a slam-dunk for Democrats, especially on the east side. But reporter Mhari Saito found a few lonely Republicans in Cleveland and asked then what they're looking for in a president.
-
How Does that $10,000 Dinner Taste?
As the presidential candidates embark on the campaign trail, you'll be seeing billboards and hearing ads about what they can offer the American public. The cash it takes to buy far-reaching publicity like this is often collected using the old-fashioned fundraising dinner. Weekend America reporter John Moe finds out exactly what you get for a $10,000-a-plate dinner.
-
Drafting a President
Former Senator and actor Fred Thompson is expected to join the presidential race next week. The reason he's running? He was drafted by his supporters. It's not the first time a candidate has announced they're running for President because of supporters' efforts. Weekend America reporter John Moe looks into the history of presidential drafts.
-
Summer Politics as Usual
The first week of August recess has ended for members of Congress, but that doesn't mean they had time off. Weekend America Host Bill Radke talks with Pennsylvania Congressman Joe Sestak about what recess really means for those in Congress. Then, this weekend is the Iowa Straw Poll, the official fundraiser for the state's Republican Party. There will be a lot of schmoozing and also a lot of barbecue. We asked some caterers what they are serving and got their perspective on the Iowa Straw Poll.
