Debate in Florida

Three candidates for U.S. Senate meet in final debate

The three candidates for U.S. Senate in Florida met in a debate this week, just days before the November 2 election. Florida Governor Charlie Crist, Representative Kendrick Meek, and former state Representative Marco Rubio all want to fill the open U.S. Senate seat in the Sunshine State.

I attended the debate inside the NBC WESH studio in Orlando on Friday. It was the last of a series of debates in this race. The candidates were allowed two minutes to answer each question, which resulted in a fast-paced exchange. The topics included the foreclosure crisis, the unemployment rate, and social security.

THE INDEPENDENT

Current Florida Governor Charlie Christ was attacked with rapid-fire questions and comments as to why he had changed his party affiliation from Republican to Independent.

“I am running as an Independent in this race because I believe the parties are broken,” he said. “I did not change, the Republicans did.”

THE DEMOCRAT

Representative Meek expressed his dedication to his party.

“I’m a Democrat. You can count on that,” he said.

Meek focused his remarks on the economy and the national debt. When I talked to Meek after the debate, I asked him about his education policy.

“I will stand up in the United States Senate and continue to fight for education funding in this state,” he told me. “We need to be sure to challenge not only students and teachers, but business communities and policy makers like myself to do better.”

I know there are many different viewpoints between Democrats and Republicans. People have to understand both sides to make a compromise, so I asked him to name one valid point that he agrees with Republicans on. He had to think for a minute before he answered.

“I think it’s the accountability in the education system,” he said. “You hear the Republicans talk about accountability a lot, but the policy makers who mold the type of system we have, we have to take just as much responsibility—the Democrats and the Republicans—as the teachers in the classroom.”

THE REPUBLICAN

Representative Marco Rubio focused his remarks on the future.

“Our ancestors faced their problems themselves and left the world better off for their children,” he said. “This will be the first time that our children will inherit a country in decline.”

Rubio was not available for a comment after the debate, so I caught up with him a few days later when his bus stopped in my hometown of Lakeland, Florida. My initial question was about why he running for Senate in the first place. What did he like best about it?

“We’ve gotten to meet people from all walks of life,” he said. “It shows how special America is and how we need to keep it that way.”

I reversed my question for Meek to ask Republican Rubio what he thinks is a valid viewpoint he shared with the Democrats.

“Unfortunately we have a war going on in the Middle East and the fact is that Iran should not be allowed to have a nuclear weapons,” he said. “Those are the issues I think we can work on together.”

I also asked what he would tell voters about his viewpoint on education.

“Education really belongs at the local and state level and the federal government shouldn’t be interfering,” he said.

—Shelby Fallin

PHOTOS: (TOP) Kid Reporter Shelby Fallin and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in Florida, Kendrick Meek at a debate in Orlando, October 2010. (Bottom) Kid Reporter Shelby Fallin with Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate Marco Rubio, center, his 10-year-old daughter Amanda, and Shelby's mom Cindy, at a campaign stop in Lakeland. (Photos Courtesy Shelby Fallin)

Georgia’s Next Governor

Former Gov. and current Rep. fight to lead the Peach State

Two experienced politicians are fighting to be the next Governor of Georgia in this midterm election.

The race is between Democrat Roy Barnes, a former Georgia Governor from 1999 to 2003, and Republican Nathan Deal, a member of the U.S. House of Representtives since 1992.Both are debating different ways to create new jobs, improve the education system, and protect Georgia’s water rights.

Deal comes from a family of educators. His parents and wife all worked their entire careers in the education system. He has ideas on improving student achievement in Georgia.

“When there are fewer state dollars in the budget, local administrators and educators know what will work best for their school system,” Deal told the Scholastic Kids Press Corps. “We need to give them flexibility, especially at this crucial time.”

Barnes is pushing for more technology in the classroom to enhance education.

Another item on voters’ minds is water rights. Georgia has been in several disputes over water resources and water rights with neighboring states like Alabama and Florida. Barnes and Deal both promise to settle the disputes and help Georgia keep its rights to water such as Lake Lanier and the Chattahoochee River, both important water sources.

“The availability of abundant, clean water has become as important in Georgia as the availability of other natural resources, such as gas and coal,” Barnes said. “Currently, we are in a major water crisis because of the escalation of the dispute with Alabama and Florida over Lake Lanier. This poses a threat to everything we have built in Georgia. Immediate action is imperative.”

Boosting the economy is also what voters are looking for in the candidates, with unemployment rates exceeding 10 percent in Georgia.

Barnes’ strategy is to create public jobs in the short run. Deal has a plan to bring jobs to Georgia by creating a business friendly environment.

“I want to lower the corporate income tax by one-third,” Deal said. “This will encourage corporate businesses to hire more employees. Also, I want to give a waiver to small businesses that open in Georgia.”

Opinion polls show that Deal has a slight lead, but the margin of error in polls makes this a very close race.

Georgia governor’s race can make a difference in the balance of power in the U.S. Congress. Since Georgia’s population has increased according to the recent 2010 Census, Election Data Services estimates that next year, Georgia will gain one seat in the House of Representatives. The congressional districts in Georgia have to be redrawn, so every district has a population of equal size. Both parties will fight to redraw the districts to its own party’s advantage. It will up to the state legislature and the governor to veto or approve the new congressional districts. Whether that new district will be made up of primarily Republican or Democratic voters could be up to the next Governor.

As Deal and Barnes face off in the final few days before November 2, Scholastic Kids Press will be there to cover the final stage of the race. Check back here for the results on Election Night, November 2.

—Andrew Liang

PHOTOS: (Top) Nathan Deal. (Photo Courtesy Nathan Deal.) (Bottom) Roy Barnes. (Photo Courtesy Roy Barnes)

Tight Race in New Hampshire

House set in Manchester could make a different in D.C. balance of power

Former Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta hopes to unseat Representative Carol Shea-Porter to win the 1st Congressional seat in New Hampshire this mid-term election.

A Republican, Frank Guinta served two terms as mayor of Manchester. He was elected twice to the New Hampshire State House of Representatives. If elected to the U.S. Congress, he says he will work to reverse President Obama’s health care package. Guinta wants to lower taxes, cut spending, and reduce violent crime.

Democrat Shea-Porter is seeking her third term in the U.S House of Representatives. When elected in November 2006 she beat incumbent Jeb Bradley. She beat him again in the 2008 election.

Shea-Porter is the first New Hampshire woman to have been elected to a national office. She was inspired to run for congress after volunteering during the Hurricane Katrina disaster. She noticed the poor federal response and decided someone from New Hampshire needed to speak up.

According to recent popularity polls by WMUR-TV and the University of New Hampshire taken on October 15, Guinta has taken the lead. Polls shows Guinta with 48 percent of likely voters to Carol Shea-Porter’s 36 percent. 

Shea-Porter is winning the money race. Currently she has $605,595 on hand, while Guinta has $421,000. Most of Guinta’s funding is coming from the national Republican Party, which has targeted this seat as a possible win in their attempt to regain a majority of votes in Congress.

You can check back here on Election night November 2 for results as I am one of many Kid Reporters covering important races around the nation.

And don’t’ forget: Remind your parents to vote!

—Chloe Conway

PHOTOS: (Top) Former Manchester Mayor Frank Guinta. (Photo Courtesy Frank Guinta) (Bottom) Representative Carol Shea-Porter (Photo Courtesy Carol Shea-Porter)

Best Assignment Ever — Interview Taylor Swift!

When I first got the call to do a new assignment, I was so excited. I was going to interview Taylor Swift, my favorite singer of all time! She was taking part in a webcast hosted by Scholastic, Read Now with Taylor Swift, focusing on how amazingly important reading is in life. It's not every day you get to meet your idol. It was a dream come true. 

But then suddenly, I was afraid I would mess up. Sneeze in her face. Do something I wasn't supposed to do. Taylor Swift is huge. She makes headlines every day, it seems. She's a real star. 

So there I went, skipping school for the day and on my way to the Scholastic offices in New York. I was completely oblivious to everything other than meeting Taylor Swift. When I got to Scholastic, I was basically bouncing off the walls. "Stay calm." I told myself. "You're on the job, not a fan just stumbling in here and saying 'Oh, I think I'll see Taylor Swift. Yeah, okay.'"

I went to the Scholastic Auditorium where the webcast would take place and waited for the event to begin. I got a front row seat! Soon, the webcast started. Nick Cannon, the host, started the by saying how important reading is, which I agree with. "WHERE'S TAYLOR?" I thought.  

"Now let me introduce you to the wonderful Taylor Swift!" Nick finally said. The crowd roared. And screamed. At the top of their lungs. It was deafening. Once everyone got over the excitement of seeing Taylor Swift walk 20 paces to her chair on stage, Nick asked her a couple questions that had been submitted by kids in advance. 

One of the questions that really struck me was, "Did you always know that you wanted to perform music and write poetry, and those types of things?" Taylor answered that she fell in love in second grade — with poetry! Her answer really surprised me because I also fell in love with poetry in second grade. Taylor and I had a connection I never knew about. It was really cool. 

After the webcast, I got to meet Taylor and ask her a question for my Scholastic report. I asked her what she hoped her fans would learn from the webcast. I loved the way she answered — thoughtful, kind, and yes, poetic. 

As I was leaving Scholastic, I thought, "This is by far the most AMAZING day I will ever have as a kid reporter." 

                                                                                                              —Kid Reporter Grace McManus

Kid Reporter Grace McManus talks with Taylor Swift after her Read Now with Taylor Swift webcast at Scholastic headquarters in New York. (Photo: Dante A. Ciampaglia)

California’s Race for Governor

A little old, a little new as former Gov takes on businesswoman 

California Attorney General Jerry Brown is hoping to win the title of Governor for the third time in 35 years. Trying to keep him from regaining the state house is former E-Bay head Meg Whitman.

While Brown, a Democrat, has the family name (his father was also Governor), Whitman, a Republican, has money. She has spent more than $140 million in her effort to become the state’s first female Governor.

The main issues on the table in California are the economy, environment, education, and immigration. Both stress the importance of fixing these issues in California. However, Brown and Whitman firmly disagree on what should be done and how.What the two do have in common is that they are both running increasingly negative campaign ads accusing each other of lying.

Brown comes into the race having already served two terms as governor from 1975-1983. The maximum of two terms does not apply to him because that law did not exist when he first served. Brown is backed by the Democratic Party and currently has a small lead in opinion polls. Former President Bill Clinton has endorsed him and current President Barack Obama is showing his support by campaigning at a Moving America Forward rally this week.

Whitman is a newcomer to politics and a former businesswoman. Being a member of the Republican Party, the candidate agrees with most of the party’s current policies. However, she has avoided most appearances with Tea Party politicians such as Sarah Palin (who has a disapproval rating of over 50 percent in California). Most of the $140 million she has spent on her campaign is her own money rather than donations from supporters.

I’ll be covering the race as the election season draws to a close. In fact, there's only a week to go! Between now and then, I’ll be covering the Moving America Forward rally with President Obama in Los Angeles and a mock-election at my school.

You can also check back here on election night to see who wins the race!

—Miranda Rector

PHOTO: California Attorney General Jerry Brown (top); Republican businesswoman Meg Whitman (bottom). Photos Courtesy Jerry Brown and Meg Whitman)

Three-way Race in Florida

Clinton endorses in hot contest for U.S. Senate

Former President Bill Clinton delivered a half-time locker room pep talk to a crowd of more than 1,500 people at the University of Central Florida in Orlando this week. The purpose was to endorse Democrat Kendrick Meek in his run for the U.S. Senate.

This unusual three-party race includes Meek, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives; Marco Rubio, a former Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives and a Republican; and Charlie Crist, Florida’s Governor and an Independent.

Crist recently switched from the Republican to the Independent Party for this election.Which may be why Meek felt the need to bring out what is considered the biggest endorsement in any Democratic race: the popular former President.

Recent polls show Meek falling behind in popularity with likely voters. A three-way race is a tough one to win for any party, but the Democrat is considered the underdog in this contest.

Due to a decline in approval ratings for Democrats across the country, endorsements from big guns like Clinton and President Barack Obama can often help remind those sitting on the fence why they should vote. Republicans use the same strategy, which this year includes endorsements from former Vice Presidential candidate Sarah Palin and Republican strategist Karl Rove.

“These people like President Clinton come in here and they have experience,” said Frank Morris, a retiree who attended the Clinton rally for Meek. “We have an underdog coming in trying to take a position that is very important to the country. We need their experience.”

Another attendee, Dave Hoffman, agreed.

“I think some endorsements are important, while some don’t matter as much,” he said. He pointed out that former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani recently made a trip to Florida to endorse Rubio.

“People like that are the ones that will make a difference,” he said.

President Clinton and Representative Meek certainly hope so. For Meek to make the jump from the House to the Senate, he will need young voters like the ones Clinton addressed on the university campus to get come out on election and cast their ballots. He urged them to use social websites like facebook and YouTube to spread the word—about voting for Meek and just plain voting!

Check back for the results of that election, which happens on November 2!

—Shelby Fallin, Florida

PHOTO: Florida Democratic senate candidate Kendrick Meek (left) listens to former President Bill Clinton address supporters during a campaign rally for Meek Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2010 in St. Petersburg, Fla. (Photo: Steve Nesius/AP Images)

The Battle for the Texas State House

State elections also slated for November 2

Two strong women, two survivors, two campaigns, one Texas State Representative seat to fill. Democratic incumbent Ellen Cohen and Republican challenger Sarah Davis have many similarities and many differences as they work to convince voters they would be the best Representatives for Houston in the Texas State House.

Neither candidate considered herself a politician as she grew up. Both candidates are concerned with similar issues, such as access to health care, education and safety, but the approaches to addressing these issues are in many ways different.

  In an interview with Representative Cohen, she discussed the democratic and election process.

"Democracy is really about standing up and defending your right to talk,” she said. “When you don't have a real discourse, you get two sides pointing fingers and not listening. In a democracy, even if I disagree, I need to pause and really listen to what you're saying."

Representative Cohen is a 40-year survivor of breast cancer. She was President and CEO of the Houston Areas Women's Center and founder of Reach to Recovery, a foundation to help women who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Davis, also a breast cancer survivor, first considered running for public office last year. As she was receiving chemotherapy, she followed the health care legislation that President Barack Obama and Congress were proposing. That is when she decided to enter the political arena.

"Battling and beating breast cancer at the age of 33 steeled my determination to fight the federal takeover of health care in America," Davis explained.

When it comes to taking care of the health care needs of children, both candidates realize that many children in Texas qualify for CHIP, the Children's Health Insurance Plan. However, many families either do not realize that they qualify or do not know how to apply. Both candidates say there needs to be easier access to the health care than is currently offered in Texas.

Safety for children is another priority for both candidates, yet the approaches differ.

Representative Cohen co-authored child safety seat legislation.

“In car crashes where children are restrained by only an adult seat, they are more likely to suffer severe head, spinal cord and internal injuries,” she said. “It's just that one moment that can change a person's entire life.”

Davis addresses the issue of safety in the schools, which she says should be handled by local school districts and not federal government.

Unlike on the federal level where the Democrats hold a majority of the legislative seats, in Texas Republicans are the party in power. The Texas state house currently consists of 77 Republicans and 73 Democrats. With such a close count, the two parties must compromise to get any legislation passed.

"That's one of the reasons, when I'm looking to author a bill, I often look for a Republican colleague to joint author the bill with me," Cohen said. "Getting things done in the Texas legislature is not about pointing fingers or making people afraid. It's about being true to your word, respecting those who may not agree with you, and working through those differences."

Which could be another area where these two very different candidates agree.

—Erin Sheena

PHOTOS: Kid Reporter Erin Sheena in the campaign offices of candidates Ellen Cohen (top) and Sarah Davis (bottom). (Photos Courtesy Erin Sheena)

A House Debate in Arizona

How three candidates are different—and alike—in a battle for Congress.

As the candidates walked into the room, the crowd chanted their names. Shouts of either, “Harry,” “David,” or “Nick,” accompanied each of the three candidates for House of Representatives, District 5, Tempe, Arizona, as they prepared for a debate in mid-October.

Incumbent Harry Mitchell, Democrat; David Schweikert, Republican; and Nick Coons, Libertarian, each waved and took their seats, along with the moderator, Robert Leger. Even though Leger and the candidates asked to the mostly over-40 audience members to restrain from clapping during the debate, applause frequently interrupted.

The main topics discussed were economy, taxes, immigration, border security, healthcare, and education. They all agreed that the most pressing issues are the economy and job creation.

Mitchell, the incumbent, called for tax cuts for small businesses, as well as reductions in estate, capital gains, and payroll taxes to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

Schweikert, who is running as a Republican, blasted a stimulus package approved by Congress earlier this year, saying it did not help his community despite $31 million that was spent locally. His solution is to provide incentives to small businesses and institute a flat tax on income.

Libertarian Coons said the government should not be trying to stimulate the economy. He said government interference only makes the situation worse.

Mitchell supported President Obama’s health care legislation, also approved by Congress earlier this year.

“The previous system could not be sustained,” he said.

Schweikert countered that the new health care reform bill, “will bring us down flat.”

A teacher by profession, Mitchell said that there should be more emphasis on education. He criticized Schweikert for opposing a 1 percent sales tax increase that would have funded public schools in the Phoenix area. Schweikert defended himself by saying that he thought that the schools’ administration would not handle the money wisely.

Coons does not support public education. He says public education is badly run and favors supporting private education instead.

The two main candidates, Mitchell and Schweikert, didn’t disagree on everything. They agreed on the fence recently built along the border of Arizona and Mexico to keep out illegal immigrants. Also, Mitchell said that the controversial Arizona immigration law which calls on law enforcement to stop anyone they suspect of being in this country illegally, has created a bad image for Arizona. Both Schweikert and Coons agreed.

What the voters think will be decided on November 2. Check back here to find out which candidate will represent the 5th Congressional District in Arizona when the 112th Congress is seated in January 2011.

—Maya Williams, Arizona

PHOTO: At a debate in Tempe, Arizona, are candidates (from left) Nick Coons, David Schweikert, Harry Mitchell, and moderator Robert Leger. (Photo Courtesy Maya Williams)

U.S. Senate Race in California

Boxer seeks third term, Fiorna hopes to win in upset

In California, one of the hottest races is between two women fighting for the U.S. Senate currently held by Democrat Barbara Boxer. Boxer won the seat in 1992.

Seeking to keep Boxer from serving a third six-year term is Republican candidate Carly Fiorina. Fiorna is the former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the computer company Hewlett Packard (HP). She is supported by members of the Tea Party political movement, a group backing many Republican candidates around the nation.

The candidates have opposite views on how to manage California’s continued economic troubles. They have fairly similar views on education and jobs.

“One of the most important things that we could do is to make sure that kids have an opportunity to fulfill their potential,” Fiorina told the Scholastic Kids Press Corps in a recent interview. “That’s why I’m focused on creating more jobs in the state.”

Democrats have criticized Fiorina for firing thousands of employees when she was the CEO of HP. However, Forbes magazine recently declared her one of the most powerful women in the world.

In an interview with Boxer, the Senator also spoke of her plans for improving the education of Californians.

“Education is so crucial because we have to make sure that our young people are getting a good education,” she said. “There’s a [federal] program called ‘Race to the Top’ and we want to make sure California can qualify for that so we get some funding and so we can get some really good programs in there for the kids.”

Currently Senator Boxer is leading in the popularity polls taken by polling companies. Whether or not she wins will greatly affect the balance of power in Washington.

Currently Democrats hold 57 seats in the 100 member Senate. Two Independents usually vote with the Democratic Party, giving Democrats a 59 vote majority. That's one short of the 60 votes needed to block Republican moves to block Democratic legislation.

Sound complicated? Sometimes it is, but mostly it’s all in the numbers. Do you have enough votes to push through controversial legislation? After this election, neither party may have that power.

I'm going to be following this race through Election Day results. Check back here to find out which of these two women will be representing California in the U.S. Senate in January 2011.

—Mariam El Hasan

PHOTOS: Kid Reporter Mariam El Hasan interviews Republican Senate candidate Carly Fiorna (TOP PHOTO) and later, U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, Democrat (BOTTOM PHOTO). Photos Courtesy Mariam El Hasan

Buck vs Bennet in Colorado Debate

U.S. Senate candidates debate on Friday

Ken Buck, a Republican supported by Tea Party members, will debate Michael Bennett, the Democrat incumbent, this Friday, October 15. The two are Colorado candidates for the U.S. Senate.

This debate, which is sponsored by the ABC news affiliate in Denver, is to help people choose which candidate they will vote for on Election Day November 2.

The election between Buck and Bennett is an important one, with influence beyond Colorado’s borders. If Buck, the Republican, is elected, he could help Republicans take over the Senate.

Currently Democrats hold 59 of the 100 seats in the U.S. Senate, including the two officials from the Independent Party. Projections by experts say the 2010 elections could split the Senate 48 Democrats to 47 Republicans, leaving Independents in the position of swing votes.

If Bennett is elected, the Democrats have a better chance of holding onto power (majority votes) in the Senate. Bennett is the incumbent Senator, but he was not elected to the position. He was appointed when U.S. Senator Ken Salazar left the seat vacant after President Obama named him Secretary of the Interior.

This election is a crucial one for Colorado. Either candidate could change which party has power in the nation.

Check back soon to find out the results of the debate. And you can find out who wins by following this blog on Election Night. I’ll be reporting results as they come in!

—Topanga McBride

PHOTOS: Senatorial candidates Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet, left, and Republican Ken Buck, right, debate at the King Academic and Performing Arts Center on the Auraria Campus hosted by 9NEWS in Denver, Monday, Oct. 11, 2010. (Credit: Barry Gutierrez/AP Images)