The Battle For the White House: A Preview of Election 2012
An installment in The NEXT New York Conversation Series
An "I Voted" sticker from the 2008 election.
Overview
Farai Chideya, WNYC political contributor, and guests from across the ideological spectrum discussed the themes and tactics that will shape the Presidential election one year from now. Will the election be a referendum on jobs, Wall Street, moral leadership, and taxes? Will it hinge instead on image and personality of the contenders? Will the wave of first time voters who came out in 2008 retreat, stung by the economic hard times? And how will social media and technology transform the art of campaigning.
The audience was engaged in a conversation with:
Talib Kweli, rapper, entrepreneur, activist, and independent political pundit. After joining forces with Mos Def in the seminal group Blackstar, he went on to produce solo hits (including the single “Get By” and the album “The Beautiful Struggle”) and use his platform to address the needs of urban communities and youth. Yearoftheblacksmith.com
Robert George, who is on the editorial board of the New York Post. He previously worked for the Republican National Committee and then-Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich. George also sponsors his own political/cultural blog “Ragged Thots,” and occasionally moonlights as a stand-up comic. http://raggedthots.blogspot.com/
Micah Sifry, who co-founded the influential Personal Democracy Forum and analyzes the influence of technology on politics for his blog, TechPresident.com
United States Representative Yvette D. Clarke, a Brooklyn native first elected to Congress in November 2006. She represents the 11th Congressional District which includes the communities of Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Sunset Park, Carroll Gardens, Kensington, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect-Lefferts Gardens and Prospect Park.
Daniel W. Isaacs, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer or the New York Republican County Committee
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