Embassy Highlights

Public Diplomacy Office opens Dialogue on US Elections

Speaker Ann Stone addresing the audience at a Digital Video Conference (DVC) held at the Public Diplomacy Office. Bucharest, February 4, 2008.

February 4, 2008

Because of the tremendous interest in this year US elections and in the tight presidential nomination race, on the eve of Super Tuesday, former White House speech writer Kenneth Baer and entrepreneur and activist Ann Stone addressed Romanian audiences in a DVC at PD.

Our interlocutors explained the US election system and the relevance of primaries and caucuses, focusing on the significance of Super Tuesday. The audience of journalists, academics, students and think tank representatives appreciated being updated with first-hand information on the campaigns of each candidate and their strategic plans in their battle for delegates’ support.

Questions ranged from specific issues such as the difference in the candidates’ policies regarding healthcare and immigration; the use of appeals to hope and change, religion and family; the current issues of the economy and the Iraq war; how minorities see the candidates; to predictions on who the candidates will be from each of the parties.

Useful resources on U.S. Elections:
(Collection provided by the Information Resource Center)

The Center for Voting and Democracy
This organization works to ensure everyone has access to voting.
http://www.fairvote.org/

The Center for Voting and Democracy – The Electoral College
This page describes how the system works and challenges it faces today.
http://www.fairvote.org/e_college/?page=964

Commission on Presidential Debates
This commission determines the schedule and format of presidential debates.
http://www.debates.org/

Council on Foreign Relations: Campaign 2008
Foreign policy experts cover the U.S. presidential campaign
http://www.cfr.org/campaign2008/

Election 2008: Primary, Caucus, and Convention Phase
This site tracks the voting process during the primary and caucus season.
http://www.thegreenpapers.com/P08/

League of Women Voters
This nonpartisan grassroots organization helps candidates and voters.
http://www.lwv.org/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home

U.S. Election Assistance Commission
This independent bipartisan commission is charged with implementing voting guidelines established in the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
http://www.eac.gov/index_html1

U.S. Federal Election Commission
The government entity enforces U.S. electoral laws.
http://www.fec.gov/

U.S. National Archives and Records Administration: U.S. Electoral College
This agency provides important facts and teaching resources about the Electoral College.
http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/electoral-college/index.html

United States Politics and Elections
This site lists relevant Web sites that provide information about elections.
http://library.albany.edu/subject/USCAM.HTM

You Choose ‘08
This webpage provides links to the candidates' YouTube videos.
http://www.youtube.com/youchoose

e-democracy: Political News, Information and Links
This nonpartisan organization works to encourage more people to be involved in the democratic process.
http://www.e-democracy.org/us/

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