Search query: minnesota

On Nov. 20, the justices of the US Supreme Court will decide whether they should hear one of the several cases that challenge the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act, or DOMA. DOMA defines marriage as between a man and a woman for federal purposes, effectively preventing same-sex couples from receiving the benefits of several federal laws. The case in question is Golinski v Office of Personnel Management. Karen Golinski, a lawyer for the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, married Amy

After an astounding $6 billion was spent this election cycle, Americans are once again confronted with the issue of campaign finance reform and the role of corporations in deciding the future of America. Inherent in any discussion of campaign finance reform is the 2010 Citizens United decision, which prohibits the government from restricting political spending by corporations and unions, essentially ruling that corporations are entitled to unlimited campaign spending. Since the ruling, opponent

On Friday, Gallup released the results of a survey that showed a significant gender gap in voter preference during the presidential election. In fact, the gender gap in 2012 was the largest in the history of the polling agency. President Barack Obama won the 2012 presidential election because his campaign was able to reach out and appeal to multiple demographics in the electorate, including women voters. Mitt Romney polled fine with married women, but Obama took the single female vote by an ove

With the 2012 election finally behind us, we all witnessed how divisive and partisan our political culture has gotten. Diversity of opinion is a defining and essential characteristic of democracy, but it does not have to divide us. This week on IVN, we will pay special attention to the new make-up of our political landscape and its implications on America's evolving political culture. Popular Articles on IVN 100 Ways Republicans Are Just Like DemocratsWhile there are certainly differences be

With the 2012 election finally behind us, we all witnessed how divisive and partisan our political culture has gotten. Diversity of opinion is a defining and essential characteristic of democracy, but it does not have to divide us. This week on IVN, we will pay special attention to the new make-up of our political landscape and its implications on America's evolving political culture. Popular Articles on IVN 100 Ways Republicans Are Just Like DemocratsWhile there are certainly differences be

of all US Senators are up for re-election. Every two years approximately one-third 1. Max Baucus (Montana) Baucus is the longest-serving US Senator in the history of Montana, having first won election in 1978. He has voted to allow concealed carry and was a major player in the passage of the Affordable Care Act. 2. Mark Begich (Alaska) Begich is the former mayor of Anchorage and defeated Ted Stevens in 2008, the longest-serving Republican US Senator in history. In his term in the Senate,

Election Day produced some very close races. One in particular was decided by 0.4% of the vote which propelled Scott Peters ahead of Brian Bilbray to represent California's 52nd congressional district. We interviewed Congressman-elect Scott Peters to look back on the race, look forward to Congress, and talk about what to enjoy in San Diego. Mr. Peters let us know that he was, "doing well, just trying to take care of all the errands that are left since the campaign, it took all my time." The ra

A few notes on the election and what it 'means.' Much will be said about how Obama's win and Romney's loss reflects policy, politics, demographics, social issues, cultural issues, etc. In my opinion, most of the commentary on the presidential race is wrong. 1. The general consensus is that Obama ran a great campaign and Romney ran a terrible one. Really? Apparently, Obama is the first president in history to lose votes in his reelection bid. A few presidents (Carter, Bush 41, etc.) have been de

...

While America voted for president, states across the nation voted on social issues, with voters making same-sex marriage legal in Maryland and Maine. While widely ignored by the presidential candidates, America displayed a broad acceptance for previously rejected social issues in Tuesday's election. In Maryland, voters passed Question 6, approving the Civil Marriage Protection Act that made it legal for same-sex couples to marry. Prior to this election, proponents of same-sex marriage had been