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Credit: lib.utexas.edu Ideology is being replaced by realpolitik in the world political arena, with competition and cooperation between frenemies perhaps becoming the norm. The war on terror began on September 11, 2001 in New York City and Washington DC, where teams of terrorists professing a militant brand of Sunni Islamism killed thousands of Americans using commercial airliners, brought down the World Trade Center, damaged the Pentagon and caused roughly $100 billion in direct and indirect e

As reported here on IVN on Tuesday, former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz defeated Texas Lt. Governor David Dewhurst in the Texas Republican primary runoff for U.S. Senate. With 52.92% of the vote, compared to Dewhurst's 47.07%, Cruz was the Tea Party favorite, running against the Republican backed "establishment politician". So how'd he do it? I'd argue that a considerable amount of credit should be given to his social media strategy and execution. Going into the primary, Ted Cruz had over t

Photo: Gage Skidmore Texas lawyer and Tea Party candidate, Ted Cruz, scored an easy and unexpected victory in Tuesday's Republican primary runoff election against the party-anointed, establishment candidate, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst.  As the Houston Chronicle reports: "Cruz once was considered a long shot to take down well-heeled Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst – the favorite of the party establishment and Hutchison's heir apparent. But he steadily gained in the polls during their bare-knuckles campaig

Angus King, former independent governor of Maine in 1994 and 1998 is running for senate as an independent in November. King has gotten a lot of media atention so far, what other independent governors are we overlooking? Illinois Maine Minnesota Oregon Rhode Island and Texas have all had formally elected independent governors. In 1974, Illinois elected its first two governors, Shadrach Bond and Edward Coles, both independents. Besides Angus King, Maine elected independent James B Longley in 19

A Tea Party win sent shockwaves to Texans yesterday as Lt Gov. David Dewhurst lost to Tea Party candidate Ted Cruz in the republican primary runoff.  In Texas, to win the primary a candidate must win 50% plus one percent of the vote.  If no candidate reaches the 50%+1 mark, a primary runoff is held 6 weeks later. The Texas primary was in late May and the runoff primary was yesterday.  Normally, the Texas primary would have been in April but the legislature and courts took too long to approve ne

There has been considerable discussion of Governor Romney's views about the causes of climate change and about policies such as cap and trade. It's not easy, however, to find detailed documentation. For that reason, I've assembled as much information as I could find about what Romney has said and done over the years, with links to sources (including video or original documents when I could find them). Jan. 2003. Romney takes office as Governor of Massachusetts. to New York Governor George Patak

With a lot of discussion as of late on issues surrounding voter registration laws and voter suppression in the U.S., the discussion of alternatives to improving the voting process becomes a relevant topic. On the more intensive side of the spectrum, the idea of Biometric Voter Registration (BVR) can be considered. Although most likely not a viable option for the U.S., it is nevertheless an interesting subject that has growing prevalence in Africa. Biometric Voter Registration is the process of

Photo: Gage Skidmore With 274 co-sponsors, H.R. 459, Ron Paul's bill to audit the Federal Reserve Bank, went to the House floor for a full vote one last time Wednesday and passed 327 to 98. All but one Republican voted for it, along with 89 Democrats. The bill's sponsor, 76-year-old Texas congressman Ron Paul, is serving his final term in the House and will retire from electoral politics after this year. Paul is notorious for his opposition to the Federal Reserve and commitment to greater tran

Photo: Gage Skidmore NASHVILLE (IVN) -- Saturday morning in Huntersville, North Carolina, libertarian voters gathered for a "Liberty 5K Fun Run" fundraiser. Then during a packed lunch fundraiser at Fox and Hound in uptown Charlotte, Libertarian Party presidential candidate, Gary Johnson didn’t hesitate to distinguish himself from President Obama and Gov. Romney in an energetic campaign speech. North Carolina’s Libertarian Party gubernatorial candidate, Barbara Howe was present throughout the da

Photo: Gage Skidmore This past Thursday, Rep. Ron Paul made an appearance on Fox Business and while most of the interview involved the Texas congressman's coming retirement and his work on the Fed, he was asked whether or not he would vote for Mitt Romney. Congressman Paul said he had not yet made a decision on who he would vote for. No matter what Paul decides to do with his endorsement, it is unlikely to affect the outcome of the 2012 elections. It is commonly known that Dr. Paul's endorseme