Bronwen Vogel

National:
McCain embraced the label of the front runner of the Republican party after a good showing on Super Tuesday. If elected, McCain would be the oldest President elected. "Although I've never minded the role of the underdog, and have relished as much as anyone come-from-behind wins, tonight I think we must get used to the idea that we are the Republican Party front-runner for the nomination of president of the United States." McCain said from the ballroom of the Biltmore hotel Tuesday night. After supporting the war in Iraq and a plan supporting citizenship for 12 million illegal immigrants last year, McCain was extremely unpopular. Neither Romney or Huckabee have dropped out of the race.

McCain is not my favorite candidate, I do not find him bourgeois enough. To defeat either of the two democratic candidates I believe a Republican needs to be to the extreme in order to gather the kind of momentum necessary to win the presidency. McCain has been bickering with Romney over who is more conservative and I believe it is clearly the latter, despite his skewed religious views. I do not think Cheney will be able to win if Barak is the democratic nominee and that scares me.

National:
After winning a good number of electoral votes Tuesday, Clinton looked to bash Bush instead of Obama. "We know the Republicans won't give up the White House without a fight. So let me be clear. I won't let anyone Swift Boat this country's future" Ever since loosing to Obama in the South Carolina primaries Clinton has been campaigning vigorously across the country, until she could not even speak Tuesday morning. She continues campaigning with an optimistic outlook on the Texas and Ohio primaries to come on March 4.

Well I hope she gets nominated and continues to do girly little things like loose her voice. She has momentum, especially after winning California. I do not know what she hopes to accomplish by bashing republicans at this point; she is still in a close competition with Obama. Really though, don't bash anyone, just focus on your own good qualities as a democrat..... oh wait, yes, I can see why she has nothing to do but bash.

International:
Idriss Deby, President of Chad, claims to be in control of the country even though three fourths of the government had disappeared since the rebel attacks started. He did say it was possible that his government had been weakened. After meeting with the French defense minister Deby said, "We are in total control, not only of the capital, but of all the country." The rebel presence worsened and France offered to fly Deby out of the country and French troops are ready to attack the rebels if necessary, but no such plan currently exists for them.

First of all, almost every building in N'Djamena has been looted and that is no sign of control. When the majority of your government is missing (and it's very likely they did not dessert their posts, they would make very likely rebel targets) it is no sign of control. Admit to having no control and maybe France will help you like they should have done weeks ago. If France does not think intervention is necessary now, I don't believe they will ever find it necessary. Their history of intervention in Africa does not bode well for Chad now.

International:
Al Qaida in Iraq are training boys as young as 10 to kill and kidnap. "Al-Qaida in Iraq wants to poison the next generation of Iraqis It is offering children as the new generation of mujahedeen." The US cannot estimate how many boys are members of the Al Qaida. It is also not certain the videos were made in Iraq, although it is most likely. "We believe this video is used as propaganda to send out to recruit other boys ... and to send a broader message across Iraq to indoctrinate youth into al-Qaida," Gregory Smith, a US military spokesman said.

Their religion goes back to the 7th century, so it is no surprise the Al Qaida is avidly pushing it on to the youth. With children blowing themselves up this war is as serious as ever, prompting me to say I hope a Democrat is not elected to the office of President! The youth seem to be joining the Al Qaida on their own free will- that makes them as guilty as anyone else. America needs to ardently finish the war on terror.