Editorial Content — Carolina Political Review

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Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Passing Ushers a Seismic Supreme Court Shakeup

Ruth Bader Ginsburg's Passing Ushers a Seismic Supreme Court Shakeup

“The death of Justice Ginsburg further shocked a nation already marred by polarization and a pandemic, and the tasteless jockeying for power that immediately ensued in her wake set the stage for a partisan showdown of epic proportions to determine the future of all three branches of government. When future generations look back on the political significance of 2020, all of the tumult and electoral uncertainty accounted for, they will doubtlessly read about her passing. It promises, in the short term and long, to have seismic consequences.”

NationalFleet WilsonSeptember 20, 2020Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Supreme CourtComment

Restoring Camelot? Joe Kennedy’s Challenge

Restoring Camelot? Joe Kennedy’s Challenge

“Joseph P. Kennedy III, the grandson of Former U.S. Senator and Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy, announced on September 21, 2019 that he would challenge incumbent Sen. Ed Markey in the Massachusetts Senate Democratic primary. Kennedy, once considered to be a rising star in the Democratic party, made headlines with the announcement as he would be the third member of the Kennedy family to represent Massachusetts in the U.S. Senate if he won. However this continuation of the Kennedy political dynasty did not come to fruition, making Joe Kennedy the first in his family to lose an election in Massachusetts, leaving the legacy of his family’s Camelot in the past.”

NationalAdam TatumSeptember 17, 2020Kennedey, Markey, Green New DealComment

Setting the Barr: How Trump's Attorney General has Bent the Justice System to His Favor

Setting the Barr: How Trump's Attorney General has Bent the Justice System to His Favor

“With the general election right around the corner, many have called for voting by mail as the COVID-19 pandemic persists. However, President Trump is adamant that voting by mail is essentially a gateway to fraud, saying that such an act is only done by “cheaters.” And right by his side is the nation’s most recognizable lawyer, Attorney General William Barr.”

NationalLejla BrkaSeptember 15, 2020Trump, Barr, Attorney GeneralComment

The Long Standing Relationship Between US Law Enforcement and White Vigilantes

The Long Standing Relationship Between US Law Enforcement and White Vigilantes

“Rittenhouse is not the first and will most likely not be the last white person whose suspected murder is no cause for suspicion to law enforcement. White vigilantes have proven to be a deadly force whose violence is propagated by their ties to police in the United States.”

NationalBrennan MaynardSeptember 13, 2020Kyle Rittenhouse, Kenosha, Police Brutality, Editor's PickComment

The “Never Trump” Republican Convention that got some Democrat’s Attention

The “Never Trump” Republican Convention that got some Democrat’s Attention

“While the Republican National Convention occurred in Charlotte this week another convention occurred simultaneously: the Convention on Founding Principles, led by Republican leaders disillusioned with Trump’s presidency. The Convention strove to bring together disillusioned former Republican and independent voters in opposition to the renomination of Donald Trump and support of a new, more unifying vision for the party and country.”

NationalGrace KinleySeptember 9, 2020RNC, Republicans, 2020 ElectionComment

What is Qanon? The Role of Conspiracy Theories in Modern Politics

What is Qanon? The Role of Conspiracy Theories in Modern Politics

“The founding fathers’ iconic belief of “We The People” has been echoed in a new group with a similar belief: “Where We Go One, We Go All (#WWG1WGA).” To Donald Trump, they’re yet another right-wing group of fans who “love our country.” To the FBI, they’re terrorists. Meet Qanon.”

NationalLabeeb AhmedSeptember 7, 2020QAnonComment

A Tale of Two Conventions

A Tale of Two Conventions

“Over the past two weeks, Democrats and Republicans gathered virtually to formally nominate their respective candidates for President and Vice President and to present a compelling case for their party ahead of November. The main event — the nominations of Biden and Harris, and Trump and Pence — operated smoothly. The real challenge though, for both parties, is to lay out a convincing appeal to voters of their vision for America’s future.”

NationalAdam TatumSeptember 1, 2020Trump, Biden, DNC, RNCComment

Kenosha Shooting Reminds Us of the Myth of Progress in a Post-George Floyd World

Kenosha Shooting Reminds Us of the Myth of Progress in a Post-George Floyd World

“Every post-George Floyd shooting should be a stark, tragic, and necessary reminder of what real progress, real activism, in this country actually looks like — Hint: it’s not pretty, not straightforward, and certainly takes a lot more than just your newfound ‘awareness’ of the issue.”

Editor's Picks, National, OpinionWilliam CozensAugust 29, 2020Editor's PickComment

The Shooting of Jacob Blake: What Happened and What’s Happening

The Shooting of Jacob Blake: What Happened and What’s Happening

“The names of victims from police brutality have been -- and continue to -- circulate within the general public and several media outlets: George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbey, Breonna Taylor. And last Sunday, Jacob Blake’s name was added to the long and troublesome list.”

NationalLejla BrkaAugust 27, 2020National, WisconsinComment

Why isn’t the second COVID-19 stimulus here yet?

Why isn’t the second COVID-19 stimulus here yet?

“While Washington continues to ponder over a second stimulus bill, the American economy is experiencing its worst period of the last decade and the average American is struggling in the wake of slowed economic growth. With no certain second stimulus in sight, many Americans are hard-pressed for economic relief from their lawmakers.”

NationalBreana WeaverAugust 26, 2020COVID-19, Pandemic, RecessionComment

Delays, Cutbacks, and Missing Mailboxes: What’s Happening to the Postal Service?

Delays, Cutbacks, and Missing Mailboxes: What’s Happening to the Postal Service?

“President Trump has long been an outspoken opponent of vote-by-mail, mistakenly arguing that it creates conditions for voter fraud. His Democratic opponents, however, believe that his opposition to vote-by-mail is rooted in his desire to suppress voter turnout during the COVID-19 pandemic. The postal service is a critical part of vote-by-mail infrastructure, and slowdowns could potentially disqualify millions of votes.”

NationalIan StevensAugust 22, 2020Comment

Why the House Vote on DC Statehood was Long Overdue

Why the House Vote on DC Statehood was Long Overdue

DC residents lack a representative and two senators, meaning they have never had an elected representative to vote on the confirmation of Supreme Court justices, declarations of war, the passage of federal budgets, or impeachment proceedings, despite the fact that they pay federal taxes. And, while Congress normally allows DC to pass legislation without too much pause, if a proposed law or budget is exceptionally partisan and there’s a Republican-held Congress (as DC is overwhelmingly Democratic), District laws often end up on the chopping board.

NationalAbbey KormanJuly 1, 2020DC, Statehood, RepresentationComment

America's Reckoning with Police Violence

America's Reckoning with Police Violence

There is a new political agenda emanating from the streets and boroughs of America, defined by the pain and hope of Black Americans, and its advocates will not go quietly. As the nation comes to a boil, no less in the heat of the summer, thousands have resolved not to ask for change, but to make the change.

NationalKimathi MuiruriJune 15, 2020Protests, George Floyd, Race RelationsComment

Citizens Look to State Governments for COVID-19 Solutions

Citizens Look to State Governments for COVID-19 Solutions

Unfortunately, no one can say with much certainty when the outbreak will subside. Citizens are looking to their local governments for both action and reassurance, making the pandemic an intense test of trust in our institutions.

NationalLindsey OldtApril 6, 2020Comment

Where the Democratic Primary Stands After Super Tuesday

Where the Democratic Primary Stands After Super Tuesday

With Super Tuesday now in the rearview, and several candidates having dropped out abruptly before and after, it seems the Democratic primary is finally down a two-person race (apologies to Tulsi Gabbard). As it stands now, former Vice President Joe Biden has a narrow edge on Senator Bernie Sanders, leading by 639 delegates to 564.

NationalAndrew NenowMarch 6, 2020Comment

Trump Grants Clemency to a Slew of Supporters and Allies

Trump Grants Clemency to a Slew of Supporters and Allies

Last Tuesday, President Trump used his presidential pardon power to grant seven pardons and four commutations to 11 individuals out of the 14,000 clemency petitions that currently sit unaddressed in the Justice Department. The clemency orders freed celebrity felons like Rod Blagojevic and Michael Milken. Each recipient had a personal connection to Trump or was promoted and discussed on Fox News, the President’s network of choice.

NationalStuti ShahMarch 3, 2020Comment

Confronting Horrid Injustice in Mississippi Prisons

Confronting Horrid Injustice in Mississippi Prisons

From Dec. 29 to Feb. 16, ten inmates in the Mississippi system have died as a result of altercations between prisoners or of apparent suicides. Activists fear that the death toll will continue to rise without much needed reforms.

NationalLindsey OldtFebruary 26, 2020Opinion PickComment

Can Bloomberg Meme His Way Past the Competition?

Can Bloomberg Meme His Way Past the Competition?

In 2016, a grasp of social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter propelled Donald Trump to the highest office in the land. The president’s ability to genuinely connect with prospective voters shattered antiquated expectations of a neatly packaged, professional online campaign presence.

NationalFleet WilsonFebruary 24, 2020Comment

Confusion and Uncertainty in Iowa Caucus Results

Confusion and Uncertainty in Iowa Caucus Results

These critiques came to a head as what was already viewed by some as a flawed system showed signs of systematic failure. In an attempt to increase transparency, the Iowa Democratic Party allowed precincts to report to Democratic National Committee (DNC) Iowa headquarters in three ways: a now infamous smartphone app, a phone call to headquarters, and paper records to ensure accuracy.

NationalAbbey KormanFebruary 17, 2020Comment

The High Court and Your Health: The Controversies, Cases and Conclusions that Shape Access to Care

The High Court and Your Health: The Controversies, Cases and Conclusions that Shape Access to Care

In 2012, a high court’s ruling on states’ rights left millions of indigent people stranded without insurance. A single justice’s vote in favor of an individual mandate forced every citizen to purchase health insurance or pay hundreds of dollars in taxes. Nine unelected judges had the power to render an entire healthcare system plan obsolete with the stroke of a pen.

NationalMikhal Ben-JosephFebruary 10, 2020Comment