Politics

Iowa caucuses carry limitations, receive too much attention

Over the past several months, presidential candidates have traveled across Iowa in search of support from the first voters in the 2016 election. Though the Iowa caucuses have garnered much media attention lately, it is important to recognize some of the limitations of the results.

Hillary Clinton's "Fighting for us" campaign

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton held an organizing event in Toledo, Iowa.

Sarah Palin endorses Donald Trump for president

[youtube=https://youtu.be/7QW0RFLds4M&noredirect=1&w=560&h=315] AMES, IA - Donald Trump held a special announcement event at Iowa State University today.

Donald Trump's message to college students

Donald Trump rally in Urbandale, Iowa

[embed]https://youtu.be/4ogIkyGZqlI[/embed]

Bill and Chelsea Clinton campaign for Hillary Clinton in Des Moines, IA

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1mlJ6WZGpg?rel=0] Bill and Chelsea Clinton attended an organizing event for Hillary Clinton's campaign at Lincoln High School in Des Moines on Saturday. With the former president and first daughter at opposite ends of a "Fighting for us" campaign sign, the two explained to the crowd why the former First Lady and Secretary of State is right for the job. "Everything I care most about is at stake in this election." said Chelsea Clinton. She listed issues such as a women's right to choose, climate change, and core American values that she said have been "under significant assault". "I've known my mom my whole life," Chelsea Clinton joked to the crowd, "And I think that's pretty awesome." She then turned the microphone over to Bill Clinton, who she said has known Hillary Clinton longer. Former president Clinton echoed similar statements President Obama made in his State of the Union address. In regards to the economy, Clinton said, "We are the best positioned big country in the world." He also discussed the decreasing life expectancy of non-college educated, middle-aged white people. "These people are dying of a broken heart because they think the American Dream is out of reach." he said. He concluded that Hillary Clinton will not give up on those people as president and work to give all Americans a better life. Hillary Clinton returns to the state Monday for an organizing event in Toledo, IA.

Marco Rubio holds town hall meeting in Johnston, IA

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xc85tx40As?rel=0&w=560&h=315] Florida senator and Republican presidential candidate Marco Rubio held a town hall meeting at the Stoney Creek Inn in Johnston, IA. At the event, Rubio focused on appealing to demographics from millennials to Baby Boomers. He discussed his plan to make some changes to Social Security and Medicare, but not to get rid of these programs like other candidates have suggested.

Marco Rubio on College Debt

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1xJ0WeAb44

Chris Christie returns to Iowa with multiple campaign stops

[youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lryd0j5YkkE&noredirect=1&w=560&h=315] New Jersey governor and Republican presidential candidate Chris Christie returned to Iowa Saturday with multiple campaign stops Christie began the day with a breakfast meet and greet at Machine Shed Restaurant in Urbandale. The Republican presidential candidate greeted supporters over breakfast while also having conversations about topics such as the economy, the military, and healthcare with some diners. Christie then traveled 45 minutes to Ames to host a town hall meeting at the Brick City Grill.

What is Conservatism?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=begC8enD0i8&feature=youtu.be

ELN Exclusive interview with Martin O'Malley

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dIghF8QF5I[/embed] Democratic Presidental Candidate Martin O'Malley spoke with Elon Local News following a speech at the Ankeny Area Democrats Winter Banquet.

Undercard debate candidates share thoughts on education

Throughout the course of the Jan. 14 Republican undercard debate, former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee and former Pennsylvania Sen.

Cruz, Trump go on attack against one another at prime-time debate

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. -- Much of the focus of the Republican prime-time debate on Jan. 14 centered around gun violence and immigration. Sen.

Drake University class analyzes campaign messages in 2016 election

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bUN-_1fPxA?rel=0&w=560&h=315] While Elon students are spending part of their winter term in Iowa to study the Iowa Caucus, students at Drake University in Des Moines are also studying this major statewide event. Drake University offers the winter term class "Strategic Messaging and the Iowa Caucus." Sophomore Evan Guest is one student participating in the class. Guest says the class goes to various political events across the state and keeps a class blog to analyze the messages of each candidate. This will be the first presidential election Guest will be able to caucus for.

Jeb Bush talks military strategy, gun rights, and college finances

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YDIPawUSjcY[/embed] A firearms manufacturing warehouse is an uncommon location to host an event.

Minority Issues Take Center Stage at Democratic Forum

The three major Democratic candidates took part in "The Iowa Brown & Black Forum" Monday night, presented by Fusion TV. Hosted by Drake University, Sec.

United States Conference of Mayors calls on candidates to focus on Urban issues

DES MOINES -- In the hours before "The Iowa Brown and Black Forum," a minority focused forum featuring the three major Democratic presidential candidates, the United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) held a press conference where it said urban issues are American issues. "The significant majority of Americans live in cities and metropolitan economies as well as the fact that the vast majority of our gross domestic product comes from those cities," Columbia, South Carolina Mayor Stephen Benjamin said. Baltimore Mayor and USCM President Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Benjamin, Santa Fe Mayor Javier Gonzales, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and USCM CEO and Executive Director Tom Cochran all spoke at the event. "We represent all people and we want to hear real reasons for real problems and we want to hear candidates address things that really are meaningful to all the people in this country," Cownie said.

Bernie Sanders hosts town hall in Iowa

PERRY, IA -- Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) held a town hall today in an effort to share his platform with Iowa residents in preparation for the upcoming Caucuses on February 1.

FEC releases updated presidential primary dates

The Federal Election Commission released an updated version of the 2016 presidential primary dates earlier today.

David Gergen to deliver Elon's 2016 Commencement address

CNN political commentator David Gergen has been announced as Elon's 2016 Commencement speaker. Gergen is a former adviser to four American presidents and currently serves as co-director of Harvard's John F.