The donkey and elephant are the famous symbols of the Democratic and Republican Parties in the U.S. But how did these two animals become linked to the parties? Did the parties choose them through votes or laws? Surprisingly, these symbols came from jokes and political cartoons. Here’s the story of how it all happened. Democrats: … Continue reading “Political Icons: The Donkey and the Elephant”
As the American presidential election approaches, the film The Apprentice, is set to debut in French theaters on October 9th. This feature film explores the early career of Donald Trump, the former U.S. President and current Republican candidate, in the ruthless world of New York real estate in the 1970s and 80s. A Remarkable Transformation … Continue reading “The Apprentice: A Controversial Biopic on Donald Trump”
Back at the beginning of 2024, it looked like this year’s presidential race was going to be very predictable, and somewhat boring, a replay of 2020. Boy, was that wrong! One candidate, Joe Biden, pulled out after a disastrous first TV debate, which was held untraditionally before the summer. Another, Donald Trump, has been the … Continue reading “The Rocky Road to the White House”
All U.S. states are not equal when it comes to time and budget lavished on them by presidential candidates and political parties. Most of the focus is on states which are variously referred to as swing states, battleground states or purple states. In the presidential election, it’s not the national popular vote that counts, but … Continue reading “Red, Blue or Purple States: a Colorful Guide to U.S. Elections”
Who will get out and vote, and for whom, in the U.S. Presidential elections? There has been a lot of interest recently in celebrities endorsing one or other of the tickets. Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Elon Musk’s endorsements of Harris-Walz and Trump-Vance respectively have made headlines. Celebrity endorsements of candidates are nothing new: Warren … Continue reading “Getting Out the Vote”
It’s not been the most typical U.S. electoral year, with the primaries counting less than usual in the process, and the late withdrawal of Joe Biden as the Democratic candidate. This article explains the basic system of how the U.S. President is elected and focuses on the 2024 candidates now they are finally settled, quickly … Continue reading “How to Elect a U.S. President”
On 6 August, Kamala Harris announced her running-mate for the Democratic ticket for the 5 November presidential election. The vice-presidential candidate is Tim Walz, a former school teacher from the Mid-West who has been a Representative for Minnesota and is currently in his second term as the state’s governor. The announcement came somewhat as a … Continue reading “U.S. Election: Tim Walz”
Kamala Harris has transformed rapidly from Vice-President to presidential candidate since Joe Biden withdrew from the race to the White House on 28 July. Harris, 59, was born in California in 1964. Her parents both came to the U.S.A. to continue their studies. (Her father is from Jamaica and her mother from India.) They divorced … Continue reading “U.S. Election: Kamala Harris”
On 15 July, Donald Trump announced his running mate for the 5 November presidential election: Senator J.D. Vance. The new Republican candidate for Vice-President is a conservative serving his first term in the Senate and a former critic of Trump. James David Vance grew up poor in the mid-west, in Ohio, although his family roots … Continue reading “U.S Election: J.D. Vance”
The two main candidates for the 2024 U.S. Presidential election will participate in a TV debate on 27 June, months earlier than in usual campaign years. Donald Trump and Joe Biden aren’t even officially the Republican and Democratic candidates yet: that will happen when their parties hold their national conventions, from 15 July for the … Continue reading “Biden and Trump Debate”
