Nowadays, people are choosing natural organic foods and products. In fact, these things have become affix products in most health food stores even grocery stores. You will likely find special section of organic products in your local grocery. This is predictable with more and more consumers demanding certified organic foods and products. Not surprisingly, the sales of organic products have increased considerably over the last couple of years. Organic products are now a billion dollar market that has been growing and will continue to grow in years to come.
Today, consumers in markets choose products grown using natural methods, without harming environment or ecological land. As a result of industrial revolution human life has been constantly dependent on several artificial products. Nature and natural products almost took a back seat. However, one cannot ignore nature and all the organic products coming from it in the face of problems created by artificial products.
Right from foods to mattresses we sleep on, everything was made of artificial products. However, today people know the benefits of organic products and the way they have changed their lives. In today’s world, accepting organic products in daily routine is the magic mantra to health living.
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
China's irresponsible tone on Great India
China has lost her mind by giving statement to divide India by casteand religion. First of all China has so many ethnic background and China never existed as same even during 12-15 century. The land of China was controlled by different ruler, chieftains or you can saytribes.
When they were in such a position then how they can say India neverexisted. What type of a person has written the article? The house of aperson made of glass shouldn't throw stone at other house.
If China thinks that at one side we will keep friendly relation withIndia and at other side with Pakistan we will destroy India is like mind working like swine. India knows if there is war between China and India, it will be disaster for World and India believes that theycan't match the might of military power of China but India will notopen its door to be attacked by rogue state like China and Pakistan.
India has tradition of non-violence so China and Pakistan got chanceto lay their dirty hand on Kashimir, if India had tough foreign policy like Israel then the border of India would have been much safer and bigger.
It is wake up call for India. Politicians please unite and serve the nation like you serve your own house.
When they were in such a position then how they can say India neverexisted. What type of a person has written the article? The house of aperson made of glass shouldn't throw stone at other house.
If China thinks that at one side we will keep friendly relation withIndia and at other side with Pakistan we will destroy India is like mind working like swine. India knows if there is war between China and India, it will be disaster for World and India believes that theycan't match the might of military power of China but India will notopen its door to be attacked by rogue state like China and Pakistan.
India has tradition of non-violence so China and Pakistan got chanceto lay their dirty hand on Kashimir, if India had tough foreign policy like Israel then the border of India would have been much safer and bigger.
It is wake up call for India. Politicians please unite and serve the nation like you serve your own house.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Economy, War and Job
World economy is crumbling like bricks coming out of building. People are loosing jobs in Billions. America, Europe and many other countries are facing the worst situation after World War 2. Right now, the world growth rate is just 0.5% as it was during ww2. Countries like India and China will have 7% growth or below. But, the growth rates may change or vary for India and China in coming quarters.
George W Bush, former President of USA did not check the downfall of the economy for last 3 years. He wanted to take revenge of his dad insult, so he attacked Iraq in the name of war against terror, as the war against Iraq was unnecessary. Instead, if he had attacked Pakistan then the problem of Militants would have sorted out by this time. Now, new President of USA and his cabinet members came to know about Pakistan and real fact about ISI (Pakistani government spy wing) and its government. His predecessors will not repeat Bush mistakes, hopefully. Barack Obama, 44th President of USA knows how to tackle economy and Pakistan – main source of terrorists and militants or in other words we can say that ‘heaven for militants.’ In recent times he (Barack Obama) has started targeting SWAT Valley and killed many deadly dangerous militants.
In the year 2009, from the month January, many people of the world witnessed ‘lost job’ and it is estimated that by May 2009 1 million more jobs will be lost. People will have no choice left but to live in a very bad situation and they might witness or tame to use criminal activities. Representative of all the countries will have to deduct all type of taxes. They should generate more jobs to deduct this disturbance. CEO and all the head should deduct their salary instead of kicking out their employees as they get lakhs of salary as monthly income but there is no money to pay thousands of salary to their employees. Government should take extra care while injecting millions of cash to companies; they (government) do need to check where and how the money is used.
In India, people do have lost many jobs but still there is hope that very soon everything will come back on track. Many private companies of, America and Europe have closed their respected branches in India, which led to unemployment among Indians working with these companies. Most of them are now unable to get new job. Companies are not able to pay their employees and the hiring process is just 1% and that to hiring other, who is quoting very less salary.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Oil price is going to affect India
Day-by-day the price is going up and it is going to be tough for country like India, which is a developing nation and who is mainly depend on fossil fuel and will face tough time ahead, and right now it is facing it…
Finance Minister of India went to Saudi Arabia to talk about rising price of oil and did mention that in future it will be hard for us to go with this rate, the Saudi and their OPEC member assure him that they will try their level best to clamp the oil price down, but the rate of oil is still on rise and it is said that it will cross $200 mark in coming 2 years. In such a situation Nuclear energy, solar energy, etc should be used extensively.
Many car maker has come out with solar power car and some Japanese brand came out with hydrogen based fuel car hmmm that’s sounds cool as it going to be non-polluted as it will leave water behind. This type of car should be introduce in all the countries as soon as it is possible with low price as many middle class people can afford it and may throw their polluted created car in dump.
The nuclear deal is really needed as it is important for everyone.
SP leader like Mulayam and Amar Singh are playing politics by supporting the deal pass by congress led UPA and the two great enemies have become friend, quiet strange view in politic scenario.
Let us hope nuclear power may fulfil our all needs.
Finance Minister of India went to Saudi Arabia to talk about rising price of oil and did mention that in future it will be hard for us to go with this rate, the Saudi and their OPEC member assure him that they will try their level best to clamp the oil price down, but the rate of oil is still on rise and it is said that it will cross $200 mark in coming 2 years. In such a situation Nuclear energy, solar energy, etc should be used extensively.
Many car maker has come out with solar power car and some Japanese brand came out with hydrogen based fuel car hmmm that’s sounds cool as it going to be non-polluted as it will leave water behind. This type of car should be introduce in all the countries as soon as it is possible with low price as many middle class people can afford it and may throw their polluted created car in dump.
The nuclear deal is really needed as it is important for everyone.
SP leader like Mulayam and Amar Singh are playing politics by supporting the deal pass by congress led UPA and the two great enemies have become friend, quiet strange view in politic scenario.
Let us hope nuclear power may fulfil our all needs.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Inflation is killing India
Inflation is soaring like hungry tiger. Consumers, who are mainly from middle class and poor has to suffer a lot, the centre government is giving lame excuse to people of India by saying that they are doing best to curb the inflation. Every week we can hear that the percentage is rising and it is giving tough time to everyone. If this rate keep on rising in this manner then very soon we can see rise in criminal and suicide activity.
Ministers are giving excuses stating that many countries have much more inflation rate and we should be proud of… Man what type of Minister we have he is feeling proud of these things.
Today the inflation rate jump to 11.05% from 8%, now it is going to give lots of tough time and the BSE lost 400 points immediately. This is tough call and government should act neither together nor fighting with each other and waste time and resources. Mrs Sonia Gandhi is pointing her finger on Non-congress state and stating that they didn’t use the fund properly from the centre and coz of them all this has happen. Mrs Gandhi should know that, when Congress was in power in centre last time in the year 6th May, 1995 and congress was in power in maximum states and then also the inflation rose to 11.11%. So please don’t blame each other and act together and please respect the consumer feeling and act together or next time there will be no vote or people will go for other party to rule India.
Finance Minister stated that this inflation is due to rise in oil products: Petrol, diesel, cooking gas etc., and he said that he was expecting this to happen.
The poor people who are extremely poor and whose monthly budget goes in strict discipline manner faces lots of problem as some one may have to pay electric bill, water bill, fees of their child and due to inflation they may have to face hard life by not buying meal or couldn’t make meal for more than 2 people.
This type of problem is always faced by middle class and poor, the rich can afford this type of imbalance thing, government should take extreme steps to avoid more embarrassing moment. They should cut taxes to make room for food supply.
UPA government should take the problem very seriously or next election will be hard for them, as the price goes up the life for people get hard and miserable.
This issue of inflation is to be address by all who have power to rule our country, India. People elect the minister, so that he/she will work for the well-being of India.
Ministers are giving excuses stating that many countries have much more inflation rate and we should be proud of… Man what type of Minister we have he is feeling proud of these things.
Today the inflation rate jump to 11.05% from 8%, now it is going to give lots of tough time and the BSE lost 400 points immediately. This is tough call and government should act neither together nor fighting with each other and waste time and resources. Mrs Sonia Gandhi is pointing her finger on Non-congress state and stating that they didn’t use the fund properly from the centre and coz of them all this has happen. Mrs Gandhi should know that, when Congress was in power in centre last time in the year 6th May, 1995 and congress was in power in maximum states and then also the inflation rose to 11.11%. So please don’t blame each other and act together and please respect the consumer feeling and act together or next time there will be no vote or people will go for other party to rule India.
Finance Minister stated that this inflation is due to rise in oil products: Petrol, diesel, cooking gas etc., and he said that he was expecting this to happen.
The poor people who are extremely poor and whose monthly budget goes in strict discipline manner faces lots of problem as some one may have to pay electric bill, water bill, fees of their child and due to inflation they may have to face hard life by not buying meal or couldn’t make meal for more than 2 people.
This type of problem is always faced by middle class and poor, the rich can afford this type of imbalance thing, government should take extreme steps to avoid more embarrassing moment. They should cut taxes to make room for food supply.
UPA government should take the problem very seriously or next election will be hard for them, as the price goes up the life for people get hard and miserable.
This issue of inflation is to be address by all who have power to rule our country, India. People elect the minister, so that he/she will work for the well-being of India.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
United States Presidential Election 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008, scheduled to be held on November 4, 2008, will be the 55th consecutive quadrennial election for president and vice president of the United States. The election will coincide with the 2008 Senate elections, House of Representatives elections, and gubernatorial elections, as well as many state and local elections.
As laid out by the United States Constitution, the individual who receives a majority of votes for president in the Electoral College — 270 votes are needed for a majority — will be the 44th president of the United States, and the individual who receives a majority of electoral votes for vice president will be the 47th vice president of the United States. If no one person receives a majority in the Electoral College at that time, then the president-elect will be selected by a vote of the House of Representatives, with each state receiving a single vote. If no vice presidential candidate receives a majority, then the vice president-elect will be selected by a vote of the Senate. These situations, however, have not occurred since 1825 and 1837, respectively.
As in the 2004 presidential election, the allocation of electoral votes to each state will be partially based on the 2000 Census. The president-elect and vice president-elect are scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
2008 presidential election characteristics
First election without incumbents in the primaries since 1928
When a United States President leaves office, his vice president is usually considered a leading candidate and likely nominee to succeed him. The 2008 election will mark the first time since the 1928 election in which there is neither an incumbent president nor an incumbent vice president running for his party's presidential nomination and thus not running in the presidential election. The 1952 election was the last time neither the incumbent president nor incumbent vice president ran in the general election, as Vice President Alben Barkley sought but failed to win the Democratic nomination.
In the three most recent presidential administrations featuring an outgoing two-term president — those of Eisenhower, Reagan, and Clinton — the incumbent vice president has immediately thereafter run for president. (Richard Nixon lost the 1960 election, George H. W. Bush won the 1988 election, and Al Gore lost the 2000 election.)
In the 1952 election, the race was between Republican candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower and Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson; earlier that year, incumbent President Harry S. Truman allowed his name to stand in the New Hampshire primary but did not campaign. He lost to Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver and formally withdrew his name from consideration.
In the 1968 election, Lyndon Johnson initially decided to seek re-election. He entered the New Hampshire primary and won. However, he had a national poll conducted, which yielded results against his favor. Therefore, in a nationally televised speech, Johnson announced to the public that he would not seek re-election. Incumbent Vice President Hubert Humphrey then chose to run and was the eventual Democratic nominee. Had LBJ stayed in the race and won, he would have served more than 9 years. The 22nd Amendment didn't disqualify him for a second elected term, as he served only 14 months of John F. Kennedy's unexpired term. The other recent Vice Presidents, such as Dan Quayle and Walter Mondale, have also sought the office of president at various times. Mondale succeeded his President, the one-term Jimmy Carter, as his party's candidate, and Quayle was unsuccessful in winning the nomination for the country's highest office.
Current Vice President Dick Cheney announced in 2001 that he would never run for president, a statement he re-iterated in 2004. While appearing on Fox News Sunday, Cheney stated: "I will say just as hard as I possibly know how to say... If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve." The 2008 race, therefore, will apparently be a non-incumbent or "open seat" election in which neither the sitting President nor the sitting Vice President will be a candidate, the first time since 1952.
Campaign costs
Main article: Fundraising for the 2008 presidential election
The reported cost of campaigning for President has risen significantly in recent years. One source reported that if the costs for both Democratic and Republican campaigns are added together (for the Presidential primary election, general election, and the political conventions) the costs have more than doubled in only eight years ($448.9 million in 1996, $649.5 million in 2000, and $1.01 billion in 2004). In January 2007, Federal Election Commission Chairman Michael Toner estimated that the 2008 race will be a "$1 billion election," and that to be "taken seriously," a candidate will need to raise at least $100 million by the end of 2007.
Although he has said that he will not be running for president, published reports indicate that billionaire and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg would have been considering a presidential bid of $1 billion of his own fortune to finance it. Should Bloomberg decide to run as an independent, he would not need to campaign in the primary elections or participate in the conventions, greatly reducing both the necessary length and cost of his campaign.
Effect of the Internet
In late April, Huffington Post, Yahoo!, and Slate magazine announced that they would be hosting one Democratic and one Republican debate for Presidential hopefuls. The debates are proposed to be held after Labor Day and hosted by Charlie Rose. Of the debates, Arianna Huffington remarked "It was clear to me, the 2008 campaign was going to be dominated by what's happening online — new technologies, new media like never before."
CNN and YouTube hosted a debate between the Democratic presidential candidates on July 23, 2007, with questions coming from YouTube viewer submitted videos. The debate took place at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. In all, 39 questions were asked from the 3,000 submissions YouTube said it received. Different types of questions were asked to the candidates. Most observers agreed that none of the candidates debating particularly outshone their rivals, doing nothing to challenge Hillary Clinton's position as the Democratic race's front-runner. A Republican debate was scheduled for September 17, 2007, in Florida, but has been rescheduled to November 28, 2007, at the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg.
Yahoo! Answers has become a platform for an ongoing Q & A process for voters to ask and answer questions posed by presidential candidates and US voters including Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama.
Many of the presidential candidates have been trying to connect with younger voters, through YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook. Currently Republican Ron Paul and Democratic candidate Barack Obama are most actively courting the Internet.
Timeline
United States presidential election, 2008 timeline
Early stages
Federal law requires reporting of funds spent and raised for elections. Potential candidates harboring serious intentions of running in the 2008 election had to create and register a campaign committee before receiving contributions. As the first candidates began filing the paperwork, other politicians felt a pressure to build support before a front-runner emerged, spurring on further declarations of candidacy. News media coverage and attendant "buzz" would increase around certain individuals, and those without an active campaign (and not just a legal status as a candidate) risked being regarded non-contenders. Most potential candidates formed exploratory committees or announced their candidacies outright by November 2006. The goals of these committees were media attention and fund-raising. Boadcast media discussions by various pundits and a series of events sponsored by the different parties during 2007, including debates, straw polls, and other events were staged to give voters a chance to get to know the candidates. The Democrats, for example, hosted a series of candidate forums and debates in Nevada, which began on February 21, as well as a debate in South Carolina on April 26.
The Republican Party also planned events for the candidates, for example, the televised debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in California on May 3, the traditional Ames Straw Poll in Iowa on August 11. In 1999, two of the nine candidates that participated in the straw poll dropped out of the race for the 2000 nomination after faring poorly there.
"Front runner" status is dependent on the news agency reporting, but by July 2007, the consensus listed about six candidates as leading the pack. For example, Ted Rall lists Clinton, Edwards, Giuliani, McCain, Obama, and Romney as the front runners. The Washington Post listed Clinton, Edwards and Obama as the Democratic frontrunners, "leading in polls and fundraising and well ahead of the other major candidates." MSNBC's Chuck Todd christened Giuliani and McCain the Republican front runners after the second Republican presidential debate.
Three candidates, Clinton, Obama, and Romney, raised over $20 million in the first three months of 2007, and three others, Edwards, Giuliani, and McCain, raised over $12 million, the next closest candidate was Bill Richardson, who raised over $6 million.
According to a poll featured on ABC News and released February 2007, 65% of respondents stated that they are following the 2008 election closely, a very high number considering that the election was more than a year away.
Official primary and caucus dates
Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008 and Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008
Delegates to national party conventions are selected through direct primary elections, state caucuses, and state conventions. The process continues through June, but in previous cycles, the Democratic and Republican candidates were effectively chosen by the March primaries. This is due to winning candidates collecting a majority of committed delegates to win their party's nomination. Most third parties select delegates to their national conventions through state conventions.
February 5, 2008, looks set to be a decisive date, one month before the traditional Super Tuesday, as up to twenty states, with half of the population of the United States among them, are moving to hold their primaries on what is being called Tsunami Tuesday, National Presidential Primary Day, Giga Tuesday, The Unofficial National Primary or Super Duper Tuesday.
Later events
April 2008: 2008 Constitution Party National Convention, to be held in Kansas City, Missouri.
May 23–26, 2008: 2008 Libertarian National Convention, to be held in Denver, Colorado.
July 10-13, 2008: 2008 Green Party National Convention, to be held in Chicago, Illinois.
August 25–28, 2008: 2008 Democratic National Convention, to be held in Denver, Colorado.
September 1–4, 2008: 2008 Republican National Convention, to be held in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
November 4, 2008: All 50 states and the District of Columbia will hold elections to select members of the Electoral College.
December 15, 2008: Members of the U.S. Electoral College meet in each state to cast their votes for President and Vice President.
January 6, 2009: Electoral votes officially tallied before both Houses of Congress.
January 20, 2009: Inauguration Day.
Candidates and potential candidates
Politicians with ambition have begun to express formally their desire for the presidency in the form of "exploratory committees," which allow the hopeful to raise money and travel without having to follow certain financial restrictions mandated by federal law. With official events, such as debates and candidate forums, beginning as early as February 2007, the status of a candidate will be based on whether or not he or she is invited. Several minor candidates in the past have tried to litigate their way in, generating some publicity but little public support.
Politicians who have expressed interest in a 2008 candidacy and have not ruled it out qualify for listing in the "Potential candidates" sections.
Major Parties
Democratic Party
2008 Democratic presidential candidates
Candidates for the Democratic Party:
Joe Biden, U.S. Senator from Delaware (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator from New York and Former First Lady (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Christopher Dodd, U.S. Senator from Connecticut (Campaign Site)
John Edwards, Former U.S. Senator from North Carolina and 2004 Democratic Vice Presidential candidate (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Mike Gravel, Former U.S. Senator from Alaska (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Representative from Ohio (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Barack Obama , U.S. Senator from Illinois (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico and Former Secretary of Energy (Campaign Site)
Potential candidates:
Al Gore, Former Vice President and former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (AlGore.com)
Withdrawn candidates:
Tom Vilsack, Former Governor of Iowa, a presidential candidate from November 30, 2006 to February 23, 2007, withdrew from seeking the Democratic nomination due to a lack of funds.
Republican Party
2008 Republican presidential candidates
Candidates for the Republican Party:
Sam Brownback, U.S. Senator from Kansas (Campaign Site)
Rudy Giuliani, Former Mayor of New York City (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Mike Huckabee, Former Governor of Arkansas (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Duncan Hunter, U.S. Representative from California (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Alan Keyes, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Campaign Site)
John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Ron Paul, U.S. Representative from Texas (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Mitt Romney, Former Governor of Massachusetts (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Tom Tancredo, U.S. Representative from Colorado (Campaign Site)
Fred Thompson, Former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Additional third tier candidates have filed with the FEC - See main article.
Potential candidates:
Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the House (Winning The Future)
Withdrawn candidates:
Jim Gilmore, Former Governor of Virginia, a presidential candidate from December 19, 2006 to July 14, 2007, withdrew from seeking the Republican nomination, citing fundraising problems.
Tommy Thompson, Former Governor of Wisconsin and Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, a presidential candidate from April 1, 2007 to August 12, 2007, withdrew from seeking the Republican nomination, citing a poor showing in the Ames Straw Poll held on August 11.
Third parties
2008 United States third party presidential candidates
Constitution Party
Candidates for the Constitution Party:
Don J. Grundmann of California (Campaign site)
Bryan Malatesta of Texas
Potential candidates:
Alan Keyes, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Campaign Site)
Green Party
Candidates for the Green Party (Official Press Release):
Elaine Brown of Georgia (Campaign site)
Jerry Kann of New York (Campaign site)
Kent Mesplay of California, California Delegate to the Green National Committee (Campaign site)
Kat Swift of Texas, co-chair of Texas Green Party (Campaign site)
Potential candidates:
Ralph Nader of Connecticut (Draft Movement)
Rebecca Rotzler of New York
Libertarian Party
Candidates for the Libertarian Party:
Daniel Imperato of Florida (Campaign Site)
Mike Jingozian of Oregon (Campaign Site)
Bob Jackson of Michigan (Campaign Site)
Steve Kubby of California (Campaign Site)
Alden Link of New York. (Campaign Site)
George Phillies of Massachusetts (Campaign Site)
Christine Smith of Colorado (Campaign Site)
Wayne Allyn Root of Nevada (Campaign Site)
Potential candidates:
Ed Thompson, former Tomah, Wisconsin mayor and 2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate.
Withdrawn candidates (Minor parties)
Green Party candidate Alan Augustson of Illinois withdrew on June 30, 2007, to seek instead the United States House of Representatives seat for the Illinois' 5th congressional district.
Jerome Corsi was seeking the Constitution Party nomination, but withdrew on July 14, 2007.
Dale Thompson, Bride front-man was seeking the Constitution Party nomination. He dropped out around March 19, 2007.
Doug Stanhope, comedian, had publicly announced his intentions to run, in Early to Mid 2007, for the Libertarian Nomination, but withdrew due to Federal Election Commission regulations on May 3, 2007.
Independents
Candidates running as Independents:
Blake Ashby of Missouri (Campaign Site)
Don Cordell of California (Campaign Site)
Joe Schriner of Ohio (Campaign Site)
Jon A Greenspon of California (Campaign Site)
Brad Lord-Leutwyler of Nevada (Campaign Site)
Charles T. Maxham of New Jersey (Campaign Site)
James H. Mccall of Ohio (Campaign Site)
David J. Masters of North Carolina (Campaign Site)
Donald K. Allen of Ohio (Campaign Site)
Steve Adams of Kentucky (Campaign site)
David Koch of Utah (Campaign site)
John Taylor Bowles of South Carolina (Campaign Site)
Bob W. Hargis of Oklahoma (Campaign Site)
Thomas J. Kozee Jr. of Ohio (Campaign Site)
Active draft movements
Michael Bloomberg, New York City mayor. (Draft Movement)
Ralph Nader of Connecticut (Draft Movement)
Self-declared potential candidates
Former Senator Sam Nunn (D-Georgia)
Marcela Pena of Oregon (Campaign site, to be updated later this year)
Possible Electoral College changes
DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2007
In 2007, Rep. Thomas M. Davis (R-VA) introduced the "DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2007" in the U.S. House. If enacted, the act would have the effect of increasing the size of the electoral college by one. The bill's primary purpose is to give House representation to the District of Columbia, alongside an additional electoral college vote award to Utah in order to balance the addition. The Congressional Research Service has determined that if passed, the bill would likely be found unconstitutional, on the suggested basis that Congress does not have the authority to grant a Representative to the District.
The bill also grants, for partisan balancing, an additional House seat to Utah, which very narrowly missed gaining another seat in the 2000 census, and increases Utah's electoral votes by 1, since Utah is likely to vote Republican and the District of Columbia is likely to vote Democratic. However, this will only be valid until the next census, when the extra seat will be reapportioned like all other seats. The District of Columbia's electoral vote count would remain unchanged at 3, as required by the 23rd amendment. The likely effect of the change, if enacted, on the 2008 presidential election would be to give a +1 advantage to the Republican candidate: Utah has not been carried by a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964, and in the most recent election gave the Republican 71% of the vote. Even though the size of the electoral college would increase to 539, a candidate would still need 270 electoral votes to win.
Presidential Election Reform Act (California)
There is a proposed initiative in the state of California to alter, in time for the 2008 election, the way the state's electoral votes for president are distributed among presidential candidates. For more information, see Presidential Election Reform Act.
Potential battleground states
Pundits and political experts have identified certain battleground states whose close votes may be crucial to the election. These states include (but may not be limited to):
Arkansas, Colorado: Florida Iowa: Michigan: Minnesota: Missouri: Nevada: New Hampshire: New Mexico: Ohio: Oregon: Pennsylvania: Virginia: West Virginia: Wisconsin and many more.
As laid out by the United States Constitution, the individual who receives a majority of votes for president in the Electoral College — 270 votes are needed for a majority — will be the 44th president of the United States, and the individual who receives a majority of electoral votes for vice president will be the 47th vice president of the United States. If no one person receives a majority in the Electoral College at that time, then the president-elect will be selected by a vote of the House of Representatives, with each state receiving a single vote. If no vice presidential candidate receives a majority, then the vice president-elect will be selected by a vote of the Senate. These situations, however, have not occurred since 1825 and 1837, respectively.
As in the 2004 presidential election, the allocation of electoral votes to each state will be partially based on the 2000 Census. The president-elect and vice president-elect are scheduled to be inaugurated on Tuesday, January 20, 2009.
2008 presidential election characteristics
First election without incumbents in the primaries since 1928
When a United States President leaves office, his vice president is usually considered a leading candidate and likely nominee to succeed him. The 2008 election will mark the first time since the 1928 election in which there is neither an incumbent president nor an incumbent vice president running for his party's presidential nomination and thus not running in the presidential election. The 1952 election was the last time neither the incumbent president nor incumbent vice president ran in the general election, as Vice President Alben Barkley sought but failed to win the Democratic nomination.
In the three most recent presidential administrations featuring an outgoing two-term president — those of Eisenhower, Reagan, and Clinton — the incumbent vice president has immediately thereafter run for president. (Richard Nixon lost the 1960 election, George H. W. Bush won the 1988 election, and Al Gore lost the 2000 election.)
In the 1952 election, the race was between Republican candidate Dwight D. Eisenhower and Democratic candidate Adlai Stevenson; earlier that year, incumbent President Harry S. Truman allowed his name to stand in the New Hampshire primary but did not campaign. He lost to Tennessee Senator Estes Kefauver and formally withdrew his name from consideration.
In the 1968 election, Lyndon Johnson initially decided to seek re-election. He entered the New Hampshire primary and won. However, he had a national poll conducted, which yielded results against his favor. Therefore, in a nationally televised speech, Johnson announced to the public that he would not seek re-election. Incumbent Vice President Hubert Humphrey then chose to run and was the eventual Democratic nominee. Had LBJ stayed in the race and won, he would have served more than 9 years. The 22nd Amendment didn't disqualify him for a second elected term, as he served only 14 months of John F. Kennedy's unexpired term. The other recent Vice Presidents, such as Dan Quayle and Walter Mondale, have also sought the office of president at various times. Mondale succeeded his President, the one-term Jimmy Carter, as his party's candidate, and Quayle was unsuccessful in winning the nomination for the country's highest office.
Current Vice President Dick Cheney announced in 2001 that he would never run for president, a statement he re-iterated in 2004. While appearing on Fox News Sunday, Cheney stated: "I will say just as hard as I possibly know how to say... If nominated, I will not run; if elected, I will not serve." The 2008 race, therefore, will apparently be a non-incumbent or "open seat" election in which neither the sitting President nor the sitting Vice President will be a candidate, the first time since 1952.
Campaign costs
Main article: Fundraising for the 2008 presidential election
The reported cost of campaigning for President has risen significantly in recent years. One source reported that if the costs for both Democratic and Republican campaigns are added together (for the Presidential primary election, general election, and the political conventions) the costs have more than doubled in only eight years ($448.9 million in 1996, $649.5 million in 2000, and $1.01 billion in 2004). In January 2007, Federal Election Commission Chairman Michael Toner estimated that the 2008 race will be a "$1 billion election," and that to be "taken seriously," a candidate will need to raise at least $100 million by the end of 2007.
Although he has said that he will not be running for president, published reports indicate that billionaire and New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg would have been considering a presidential bid of $1 billion of his own fortune to finance it. Should Bloomberg decide to run as an independent, he would not need to campaign in the primary elections or participate in the conventions, greatly reducing both the necessary length and cost of his campaign.
Effect of the Internet
In late April, Huffington Post, Yahoo!, and Slate magazine announced that they would be hosting one Democratic and one Republican debate for Presidential hopefuls. The debates are proposed to be held after Labor Day and hosted by Charlie Rose. Of the debates, Arianna Huffington remarked "It was clear to me, the 2008 campaign was going to be dominated by what's happening online — new technologies, new media like never before."
CNN and YouTube hosted a debate between the Democratic presidential candidates on July 23, 2007, with questions coming from YouTube viewer submitted videos. The debate took place at The Citadel in Charleston, South Carolina. In all, 39 questions were asked from the 3,000 submissions YouTube said it received. Different types of questions were asked to the candidates. Most observers agreed that none of the candidates debating particularly outshone their rivals, doing nothing to challenge Hillary Clinton's position as the Democratic race's front-runner. A Republican debate was scheduled for September 17, 2007, in Florida, but has been rescheduled to November 28, 2007, at the Mahaffey Theatre in St. Petersburg.
Yahoo! Answers has become a platform for an ongoing Q & A process for voters to ask and answer questions posed by presidential candidates and US voters including Hillary Clinton, John McCain, and Barack Obama.
Many of the presidential candidates have been trying to connect with younger voters, through YouTube, MySpace, and Facebook. Currently Republican Ron Paul and Democratic candidate Barack Obama are most actively courting the Internet.
Timeline
United States presidential election, 2008 timeline
Early stages
Federal law requires reporting of funds spent and raised for elections. Potential candidates harboring serious intentions of running in the 2008 election had to create and register a campaign committee before receiving contributions. As the first candidates began filing the paperwork, other politicians felt a pressure to build support before a front-runner emerged, spurring on further declarations of candidacy. News media coverage and attendant "buzz" would increase around certain individuals, and those without an active campaign (and not just a legal status as a candidate) risked being regarded non-contenders. Most potential candidates formed exploratory committees or announced their candidacies outright by November 2006. The goals of these committees were media attention and fund-raising. Boadcast media discussions by various pundits and a series of events sponsored by the different parties during 2007, including debates, straw polls, and other events were staged to give voters a chance to get to know the candidates. The Democrats, for example, hosted a series of candidate forums and debates in Nevada, which began on February 21, as well as a debate in South Carolina on April 26.
The Republican Party also planned events for the candidates, for example, the televised debate at the Ronald Reagan Library in California on May 3, the traditional Ames Straw Poll in Iowa on August 11. In 1999, two of the nine candidates that participated in the straw poll dropped out of the race for the 2000 nomination after faring poorly there.
"Front runner" status is dependent on the news agency reporting, but by July 2007, the consensus listed about six candidates as leading the pack. For example, Ted Rall lists Clinton, Edwards, Giuliani, McCain, Obama, and Romney as the front runners. The Washington Post listed Clinton, Edwards and Obama as the Democratic frontrunners, "leading in polls and fundraising and well ahead of the other major candidates." MSNBC's Chuck Todd christened Giuliani and McCain the Republican front runners after the second Republican presidential debate.
Three candidates, Clinton, Obama, and Romney, raised over $20 million in the first three months of 2007, and three others, Edwards, Giuliani, and McCain, raised over $12 million, the next closest candidate was Bill Richardson, who raised over $6 million.
According to a poll featured on ABC News and released February 2007, 65% of respondents stated that they are following the 2008 election closely, a very high number considering that the election was more than a year away.
Official primary and caucus dates
Democratic Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008 and Republican Party (United States) presidential primaries, 2008
Delegates to national party conventions are selected through direct primary elections, state caucuses, and state conventions. The process continues through June, but in previous cycles, the Democratic and Republican candidates were effectively chosen by the March primaries. This is due to winning candidates collecting a majority of committed delegates to win their party's nomination. Most third parties select delegates to their national conventions through state conventions.
February 5, 2008, looks set to be a decisive date, one month before the traditional Super Tuesday, as up to twenty states, with half of the population of the United States among them, are moving to hold their primaries on what is being called Tsunami Tuesday, National Presidential Primary Day, Giga Tuesday, The Unofficial National Primary or Super Duper Tuesday.
Later events
April 2008: 2008 Constitution Party National Convention, to be held in Kansas City, Missouri.
May 23–26, 2008: 2008 Libertarian National Convention, to be held in Denver, Colorado.
July 10-13, 2008: 2008 Green Party National Convention, to be held in Chicago, Illinois.
August 25–28, 2008: 2008 Democratic National Convention, to be held in Denver, Colorado.
September 1–4, 2008: 2008 Republican National Convention, to be held in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
November 4, 2008: All 50 states and the District of Columbia will hold elections to select members of the Electoral College.
December 15, 2008: Members of the U.S. Electoral College meet in each state to cast their votes for President and Vice President.
January 6, 2009: Electoral votes officially tallied before both Houses of Congress.
January 20, 2009: Inauguration Day.
Candidates and potential candidates
Politicians with ambition have begun to express formally their desire for the presidency in the form of "exploratory committees," which allow the hopeful to raise money and travel without having to follow certain financial restrictions mandated by federal law. With official events, such as debates and candidate forums, beginning as early as February 2007, the status of a candidate will be based on whether or not he or she is invited. Several minor candidates in the past have tried to litigate their way in, generating some publicity but little public support.
Politicians who have expressed interest in a 2008 candidacy and have not ruled it out qualify for listing in the "Potential candidates" sections.
Major Parties
Democratic Party
2008 Democratic presidential candidates
Candidates for the Democratic Party:
Joe Biden, U.S. Senator from Delaware (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Hillary Clinton, U.S. Senator from New York and Former First Lady (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Christopher Dodd, U.S. Senator from Connecticut (Campaign Site)
John Edwards, Former U.S. Senator from North Carolina and 2004 Democratic Vice Presidential candidate (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Mike Gravel, Former U.S. Senator from Alaska (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Dennis Kucinich, U.S. Representative from Ohio (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Barack Obama , U.S. Senator from Illinois (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico and Former Secretary of Energy (Campaign Site)
Potential candidates:
Al Gore, Former Vice President and former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (AlGore.com)
Withdrawn candidates:
Tom Vilsack, Former Governor of Iowa, a presidential candidate from November 30, 2006 to February 23, 2007, withdrew from seeking the Democratic nomination due to a lack of funds.
Republican Party
2008 Republican presidential candidates
Candidates for the Republican Party:
Sam Brownback, U.S. Senator from Kansas (Campaign Site)
Rudy Giuliani, Former Mayor of New York City (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Mike Huckabee, Former Governor of Arkansas (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Duncan Hunter, U.S. Representative from California (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Alan Keyes, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Campaign Site)
John McCain, U.S. Senator from Arizona (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Ron Paul, U.S. Representative from Texas (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Mitt Romney, Former Governor of Massachusetts (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Tom Tancredo, U.S. Representative from Colorado (Campaign Site)
Fred Thompson, Former U.S. Senator from Tennessee (Campaign Article, Campaign Site)
Additional third tier candidates have filed with the FEC - See main article.
Potential candidates:
Newt Gingrich, Former Speaker of the House (Winning The Future)
Withdrawn candidates:
Jim Gilmore, Former Governor of Virginia, a presidential candidate from December 19, 2006 to July 14, 2007, withdrew from seeking the Republican nomination, citing fundraising problems.
Tommy Thompson, Former Governor of Wisconsin and Former Secretary of Health and Human Services, a presidential candidate from April 1, 2007 to August 12, 2007, withdrew from seeking the Republican nomination, citing a poor showing in the Ames Straw Poll held on August 11.
Third parties
2008 United States third party presidential candidates
Constitution Party
Candidates for the Constitution Party:
Don J. Grundmann of California (Campaign site)
Bryan Malatesta of Texas
Potential candidates:
Alan Keyes, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (Campaign Site)
Green Party
Candidates for the Green Party (Official Press Release):
Elaine Brown of Georgia (Campaign site)
Jerry Kann of New York (Campaign site)
Kent Mesplay of California, California Delegate to the Green National Committee (Campaign site)
Kat Swift of Texas, co-chair of Texas Green Party (Campaign site)
Potential candidates:
Ralph Nader of Connecticut (Draft Movement)
Rebecca Rotzler of New York
Libertarian Party
Candidates for the Libertarian Party:
Daniel Imperato of Florida (Campaign Site)
Mike Jingozian of Oregon (Campaign Site)
Bob Jackson of Michigan (Campaign Site)
Steve Kubby of California (Campaign Site)
Alden Link of New York. (Campaign Site)
George Phillies of Massachusetts (Campaign Site)
Christine Smith of Colorado (Campaign Site)
Wayne Allyn Root of Nevada (Campaign Site)
Potential candidates:
Ed Thompson, former Tomah, Wisconsin mayor and 2002 Wisconsin gubernatorial candidate.
Withdrawn candidates (Minor parties)
Green Party candidate Alan Augustson of Illinois withdrew on June 30, 2007, to seek instead the United States House of Representatives seat for the Illinois' 5th congressional district.
Jerome Corsi was seeking the Constitution Party nomination, but withdrew on July 14, 2007.
Dale Thompson, Bride front-man was seeking the Constitution Party nomination. He dropped out around March 19, 2007.
Doug Stanhope, comedian, had publicly announced his intentions to run, in Early to Mid 2007, for the Libertarian Nomination, but withdrew due to Federal Election Commission regulations on May 3, 2007.
Independents
Candidates running as Independents:
Blake Ashby of Missouri (Campaign Site)
Don Cordell of California (Campaign Site)
Joe Schriner of Ohio (Campaign Site)
Jon A Greenspon of California (Campaign Site)
Brad Lord-Leutwyler of Nevada (Campaign Site)
Charles T. Maxham of New Jersey (Campaign Site)
James H. Mccall of Ohio (Campaign Site)
David J. Masters of North Carolina (Campaign Site)
Donald K. Allen of Ohio (Campaign Site)
Steve Adams of Kentucky (Campaign site)
David Koch of Utah (Campaign site)
John Taylor Bowles of South Carolina (Campaign Site)
Bob W. Hargis of Oklahoma (Campaign Site)
Thomas J. Kozee Jr. of Ohio (Campaign Site)
Active draft movements
Michael Bloomberg, New York City mayor. (Draft Movement)
Ralph Nader of Connecticut (Draft Movement)
Self-declared potential candidates
Former Senator Sam Nunn (D-Georgia)
Marcela Pena of Oregon (Campaign site, to be updated later this year)
Possible Electoral College changes
DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2007
In 2007, Rep. Thomas M. Davis (R-VA) introduced the "DC Fair and Equal House Voting Rights Act of 2007" in the U.S. House. If enacted, the act would have the effect of increasing the size of the electoral college by one. The bill's primary purpose is to give House representation to the District of Columbia, alongside an additional electoral college vote award to Utah in order to balance the addition. The Congressional Research Service has determined that if passed, the bill would likely be found unconstitutional, on the suggested basis that Congress does not have the authority to grant a Representative to the District.
The bill also grants, for partisan balancing, an additional House seat to Utah, which very narrowly missed gaining another seat in the 2000 census, and increases Utah's electoral votes by 1, since Utah is likely to vote Republican and the District of Columbia is likely to vote Democratic. However, this will only be valid until the next census, when the extra seat will be reapportioned like all other seats. The District of Columbia's electoral vote count would remain unchanged at 3, as required by the 23rd amendment. The likely effect of the change, if enacted, on the 2008 presidential election would be to give a +1 advantage to the Republican candidate: Utah has not been carried by a Democratic presidential candidate since 1964, and in the most recent election gave the Republican 71% of the vote. Even though the size of the electoral college would increase to 539, a candidate would still need 270 electoral votes to win.
Presidential Election Reform Act (California)
There is a proposed initiative in the state of California to alter, in time for the 2008 election, the way the state's electoral votes for president are distributed among presidential candidates. For more information, see Presidential Election Reform Act.
Potential battleground states
Pundits and political experts have identified certain battleground states whose close votes may be crucial to the election. These states include (but may not be limited to):
Arkansas, Colorado: Florida Iowa: Michigan: Minnesota: Missouri: Nevada: New Hampshire: New Mexico: Ohio: Oregon: Pennsylvania: Virginia: West Virginia: Wisconsin and many more.
Friday, September 21, 2007
Bin Laden on hunt for Pakistani president
Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden called on Pakistanis to wage a holy war against President Gen. Pervez Musharraf in a new recording released today, saying his military's siege of a militant mosque stronghold makes him an infidel. The storming of the Red Mosque in Islamabad in July "demonstrated Musharraf's insistence on continuing his loyalty, submissiveness and aid to America against the Muslims ... and makes armed rebellion against him and removing him obligatory," bin Laden said in the message.
"So when the capability is there, it is obligatory to rebel against the apostate ruler, as is the case now," he said. Bin Laden's voice was heard over video showing previously released footage of the terror leader. The video was released today on Islamic militant Web sites and first reported by Laura Mansfield, an American terrorism expert who monitors militant message traffic.
The message, titled "Come to Jihad," was the third from bin Laden this month in a flurry of videos and audiotapes marking the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad, a Pakistani army spokesman, said the army will continue its fight against terrorism, regardless of any threats.
"We have the aim and objective, as our national duty, to eliminate terrorists and eradicate extremism. The Pakistan army will continue to carry out its role against terrorists wherever they are found, whether in the tribal areas (of northwest Pakistan) or elsewhere." "Such threats issued through videos or in any other way cannot deter us from fulfilling our national duty," he said. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the message was "not surprising" since Pakistan is an ally to the U.S. in the fight against terrorism.
Earlier today, al-Qaida released an 80-minute documentary-style video that had a new speech from bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, who boasted that the United States was being defeated in Afghanistan, Iraq and other fronts. Speakers in the video promised more fighting in Afghanistan, North Africa and Sudan's Darfur region. The Pakistani military stormed the Red Mosque after it became a stronghold for Islamic militants and at least 102 people were killed in the fighting, including one of the militants' leaders, Abdul Rashid Ghazi. The siege was followed by a series of suicide bombings in retaliation.
In his message, bin Laden said Ghazi and his followers were killed for seeking the application of Sharia Islamic law, and he condemned Musharraf for allying himself with the U.S. in the fight against al-Qaida. He quoted fatwas, or religious edits, from hard-line Islamic scholars on the duty to overthrow infidel rulers.
"So Pervez, his ministers, his soldiers and those who help him are all accomplices in the spilling the blood of those of the Muslims who have been killed. He who helps him knowingly and willingly is an infidel like him," bin Laden said. The tape of bin Laden speaking in Arabic with English subtitles was also released in versions with his voice dubbed in Urdu and Pashtu, two languages widely used in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Al-Zawahri and another top al-Qaida figure, Abu Yahia al-Libi, both called for Pakistanis to rise up against Musharraf in messages released after the mosque bloodshed. But the call from bin Laden now adds weight to the cry for jihad. The Pakistani president has come under four assassination attempts since 2002.
Bin Laden and al-Zawahri are thought to be hiding in the lawless Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, where many analysts believe they have rebuilt al-Qaida's core leadership. Today's other video underlined al-Qaida's growing technical sophistication in its videos, interspersing al-Zawahri's speech with scenes from the Sept. 11 attacks, interviews with experts and officials taken from Western and Arab broadcasters, and old footage and audio of bin Laden.
The tone was triumphal, with al-Zawahri calling for attacks on French and Spanish interests in North Africa and on U.N. and African peacekeepers expected to deploy in Darfur. "What they claim to be the strongest power in the history of mankind is today being defeated in front of the Muslim vanguards of jihad six years after the two raids on New York and Washington," al-Zawahri said.
The video included footage of al-Qaida's leader in Afghanistan, Mustafa Abu al-Yazeed, meeting with a senior Taliban commander. In contrast to past videos showing al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in rough desert terrain, Abu al-Yazeed and the commander were shown sitting in a field surrounded by trees as a jihad anthem played, extolling the virgins that will meet martyrs in paradise.
Abu al-Yazeed said al-Qaida's ties with the Taliban were strengthening. The Taliban commander, Dadullah Mansoor, vowed to "target the infidels in Afghanistan and outside Afghanistan" and to "focus our attacks, Allah willing, on the coalition forces in Afghanistan." Another clip in the video showed Abu Musab Abdulwadood, the leader of Algeria's main Islamic insurgency movement, addressing bin Laden and vowing that "our swords are unsheathed."
Al-Zawahri called on supporters in North Africa to "cleanse the Maghrib (western region) of Islam of the children of France and Spain. ... Stand with your sons the mujahedeen against the Crusaders and their children." He denounced Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for agreeing to an international peacekeeping force in Darfur, saying, "the free mujahid (holy warrior) sons of Sudan must arrange jihad against the forces invading Sudan in the same way their brothers arranged the jihadi resistance in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia."
The video also included old, but previously unreleased footage of bin Laden, according to IntelCenter, a U.S. counterterrorism group that monitors militant messages. The images show bin Laden, with a beard streaked with gray and white cloth draped over his head, in front of a map showing the Middle East and South and Central Asia. He condemns Arab Gulf governments that have allied themselves with the United States, saying they have "sold the Islamic nation, colluded with the enemies of Islam and backed the infidels."
"So when the capability is there, it is obligatory to rebel against the apostate ruler, as is the case now," he said. Bin Laden's voice was heard over video showing previously released footage of the terror leader. The video was released today on Islamic militant Web sites and first reported by Laura Mansfield, an American terrorism expert who monitors militant message traffic.
The message, titled "Come to Jihad," was the third from bin Laden this month in a flurry of videos and audiotapes marking the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in the United States. Maj. Gen. Waheed Arshad, a Pakistani army spokesman, said the army will continue its fight against terrorism, regardless of any threats.
"We have the aim and objective, as our national duty, to eliminate terrorists and eradicate extremism. The Pakistan army will continue to carry out its role against terrorists wherever they are found, whether in the tribal areas (of northwest Pakistan) or elsewhere." "Such threats issued through videos or in any other way cannot deter us from fulfilling our national duty," he said. State Department spokesman Tom Casey said the message was "not surprising" since Pakistan is an ally to the U.S. in the fight against terrorism.
Earlier today, al-Qaida released an 80-minute documentary-style video that had a new speech from bin Laden's deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri, who boasted that the United States was being defeated in Afghanistan, Iraq and other fronts. Speakers in the video promised more fighting in Afghanistan, North Africa and Sudan's Darfur region. The Pakistani military stormed the Red Mosque after it became a stronghold for Islamic militants and at least 102 people were killed in the fighting, including one of the militants' leaders, Abdul Rashid Ghazi. The siege was followed by a series of suicide bombings in retaliation.
In his message, bin Laden said Ghazi and his followers were killed for seeking the application of Sharia Islamic law, and he condemned Musharraf for allying himself with the U.S. in the fight against al-Qaida. He quoted fatwas, or religious edits, from hard-line Islamic scholars on the duty to overthrow infidel rulers.
"So Pervez, his ministers, his soldiers and those who help him are all accomplices in the spilling the blood of those of the Muslims who have been killed. He who helps him knowingly and willingly is an infidel like him," bin Laden said. The tape of bin Laden speaking in Arabic with English subtitles was also released in versions with his voice dubbed in Urdu and Pashtu, two languages widely used in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Al-Zawahri and another top al-Qaida figure, Abu Yahia al-Libi, both called for Pakistanis to rise up against Musharraf in messages released after the mosque bloodshed. But the call from bin Laden now adds weight to the cry for jihad. The Pakistani president has come under four assassination attempts since 2002.
Bin Laden and al-Zawahri are thought to be hiding in the lawless Pakistan-Afghanistan border region, where many analysts believe they have rebuilt al-Qaida's core leadership. Today's other video underlined al-Qaida's growing technical sophistication in its videos, interspersing al-Zawahri's speech with scenes from the Sept. 11 attacks, interviews with experts and officials taken from Western and Arab broadcasters, and old footage and audio of bin Laden.
The tone was triumphal, with al-Zawahri calling for attacks on French and Spanish interests in North Africa and on U.N. and African peacekeepers expected to deploy in Darfur. "What they claim to be the strongest power in the history of mankind is today being defeated in front of the Muslim vanguards of jihad six years after the two raids on New York and Washington," al-Zawahri said.
The video included footage of al-Qaida's leader in Afghanistan, Mustafa Abu al-Yazeed, meeting with a senior Taliban commander. In contrast to past videos showing al-Qaida and Taliban fighters in rough desert terrain, Abu al-Yazeed and the commander were shown sitting in a field surrounded by trees as a jihad anthem played, extolling the virgins that will meet martyrs in paradise.
Abu al-Yazeed said al-Qaida's ties with the Taliban were strengthening. The Taliban commander, Dadullah Mansoor, vowed to "target the infidels in Afghanistan and outside Afghanistan" and to "focus our attacks, Allah willing, on the coalition forces in Afghanistan." Another clip in the video showed Abu Musab Abdulwadood, the leader of Algeria's main Islamic insurgency movement, addressing bin Laden and vowing that "our swords are unsheathed."
Al-Zawahri called on supporters in North Africa to "cleanse the Maghrib (western region) of Islam of the children of France and Spain. ... Stand with your sons the mujahedeen against the Crusaders and their children." He denounced Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir for agreeing to an international peacekeeping force in Darfur, saying, "the free mujahid (holy warrior) sons of Sudan must arrange jihad against the forces invading Sudan in the same way their brothers arranged the jihadi resistance in Afghanistan, Iraq and Somalia."
The video also included old, but previously unreleased footage of bin Laden, according to IntelCenter, a U.S. counterterrorism group that monitors militant messages. The images show bin Laden, with a beard streaked with gray and white cloth draped over his head, in front of a map showing the Middle East and South and Central Asia. He condemns Arab Gulf governments that have allied themselves with the United States, saying they have "sold the Islamic nation, colluded with the enemies of Islam and backed the infidels."
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