Ryan Evans

National:
As of today, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney has endorsed GOP frontrunner John McCain. Romney dropped out of the presidential race last week as a result of a poor Super Tuesday showing. He collected about 282 delegates, all of which he is persuading to support McCain. This would give the Arizona senator a count close enough to the 1,191 spot to automatically win the nomination. Even while campaigning, Romney continued to acknowledge the caliber of candidate McCain was. The other Republicans remaining are Mike Huckabee and Ron Paul.

Opinion:
I think this is a good gesture on the side of Mitt Romney. He said last week that he wanted to give McCain a head start of sorts for the general election in November. Romney is doing what he can to gather support for McCain. Hopefully it will be enough to create a Republican victory in a few months. However, McCain’s finances are running out. Hopefully this delegate boost will be enough to get his name and ideals around the country in time. Again, this is a very good showing on the part of Romney.

National:
According to a Quinnipiac University poll, Sen. Hillary Clinton leads Barack Obama in both Ohio and Pennsylvania. These are both very crucial states; in the primary and general elections. In fact, Clinton has double digit leads too. She apparently holds a fifty-five to thirty-four percent advantage among Democrats who plan to vote in the Ohio primary. Clinton has lost nine straight primaries but is sitting will in Ohio. This is blue-collar America, and it is apparently a good fit for her. Ohio, Rhode Island, Texas, and Vermont hold nominating competitions on March 4th, while Pennsylvania holds its primary on April 22.

Opinion:
These polls I am assuming are accurate, but there is still plenty of time between now and the actual primary. I think the Senator from Illinois still has plenty of time to raise support and millions of more money. I have a feeling he will win either Ohio or Pennsylvania, if not both. I simply cannot see him losing both of these crucial states. They are prospective swing states with a high delegate count in November. I am sure we will be seeing John McCain on the campaign trail there soon.

International:
In Germany, lawmakers are considering changing the current stem laws in the country. Pressure is growing from the local science community to ease the restrictions regarding stem cells and such research. The Bundestag in the German parliament talked over four hours on Thursday on the sensitive issue. The Nazis experimented with genetics in hopes of creating a master race so many years ago. However, German scientists need better cells if they hope to keep up with the rest of the world in discovery and research. Scientists are unable to work on any sort of stem cell lines.

Opinion:
I do not seem to have any real problem with stem cell research. These lines are apparently able to repair damaged organs, treat diabetes and Parkinson’s disease. If they are beneficial for man, then why not research? However, I can see the sensitivity of Germany over the Nazi goals and aspirations. That is in the past and Germany needs to get past it. As long as the stem cells are not taken from aborted fetuses, I am fine with the research.

International:
Mexican president Felipe Calderon was speaking in Sacramento, California this past Wednesday. He was speaking on behalf of current Mexican immigrants. He criticized presidential candidates for having an anti-Mexican demeanor. Calderon also touched on the fact that the dynamic economy of California was based on the labor of immigrants. He also said that the immigration policies of the United States need to become more so organized. America should not cut itself off from Mexicans wanting to make it better for themselves. He said that integration was a key to American/Mexican success.

Opinion:
Who is the guy? Is this the Mexican president telling us how to run and organize our government? This is absolutely preposterous. Isn’t the Mexican government telling its citizens to leave the country and illegally enter the United States? Goodness gracious, the citizens of Mexico are suffering. Terrible land, no electricity or running water; it is an impoverished country. I think Calderon should fix his country up to ‘average’ and then maybe speak out to others. Gosh, this is so frustrating!