Major Voter Turnout A New Beginning Or A One-Time Fluke?

Election 2008 is historic in a number of ways, including Sen. Barack Obama and Gov. Sarah Palin's candidacies and record-breaking early voter turnout.

But do you think this high level of civic engagement among African Americans this year -- especially among younger black voters -- can be sustained, barring the presence of a candidate like Barack Obama? Share your thoughts.

Geoffrey Bennett

5:34 PM ET | 10-31-2008 | permalink

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The Countdown: Day 4: Being There

Farai Chideya

Geoffrey Bennett, NPR

As this campaign comes to an end, I've noted a slew of media stories and personal sharing about the people who won't see this election.

For example, a couple of days ago, novelist Susan Straight wrote in the L.A. Times about the passing of her father-in-law, General Roscoe Conklin Sims Jr.

She said:

He had looked forward to this election. "Oh yeah, we need some change," he told me not long ago. Barack Obama, he said, "could be a Sims, with those ears." Then he laughed.

On Nov. 4, the rest of us will vote here in Riverside -- General's children, his children's children. For the first time, my eldest daughter, named for both her white and black grandmothers, will vote -- but in Ohio, where she attends college. And I know I'll cry, walking home from the polling place at the church down the street from my house, walking past the yellow irises given to me 20 years ago by my father-in-law.

There are those lucky enough to literally stand the test of time. If you keep exploring our blog, you'll see the story of a 109-year-old woman -- the daughter of a slave -- who is voting, and God bless her.

Many of us are beginning to think about the folks we wish would stand with us on this historic voting day, and the wisdom they would share.

A couple of years ago, I did a story about putting together audiotapes of my grandmother's life stories. She was dying of cancer, and those moments we spent together were precious for me AND for our family. I made a CD of her stories and our conversations so other members of the family, now including my cousins' young kids, can go back and listen to do describe what SHE was like as a girl ... plus her thoughts on patriotism, civil rights, and service. Thousands of NPR listeners have heard a little bit of Mary Catherine's wisdom, as well.

I imagine the streets filled with shadows of the men and women who waited for this day but couldn't make it. Maybe as we rush busily to work or school, or to vote, we simply are too caught up in our own time and minds to take that leap of imagination. But stay with me for a minute. ... Imagine that on election day, there are otherworldly throngs watching us do our thing.

Add to that ethereal crowd, one smartly-dressed woman, with a wry smile on her face, and a pressed handkerchief embossed with a holiday decoration in her purse. If she were there, she would not be bitter that she missed this moment. Instead, she would know that she, like so many other people, made this moment. Her struggles and sacrifice and love gave us the gift of making political choices from a broader range of choices than we've ever had before.

P.S.: Add Studs Terkel, oral historian extraordinaire, to those watching from afar. He passed away today at the age of 96.

Farai Chideya

2:34 PM ET | 10-31-2008 | permalink

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109-Year-Old Daughter of Slave Votes Obama

Amanda Jones, 109, recently mailed in a vote for Barack Obama.

Larry Kolvoord, American-Statesman

How far we've come. An elderly Texas woman, the daughter of a slave, is helping to make history by voting for Barack Obama. Unlike previous elections held in her long life, like when she voted for Franklin D. Roosevelt, this one doesn't feature such discriminatory practices as "poll taxes." Yes, there was a time when Americans actually had to pay to vote.

According to the Austin-American Statesman:

Amanda Jones, a delicate, thin woman wearing golden-rimmed glasses, giggled as the family discussed this year's presidential election. She is too weak to go the polls, so two of her 10 children -- Eloise Baker, 75, and Joyce Jones -- helped her fill out a mail-in ballot for Barack Obama, Baker said. "I feel good about voting for him," Amanda Jones said.

Jones' father herded sheep as a slave until he was 12, according to the family, and once he was freed, he was a farmer who raised cows, hogs and turkeys on land he owned. Her mother was born right after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed.

Amanda Jones' father urged her to exercise her right to vote, despite discriminatory practices at the polls and poll taxes meant to keep black and poor people from voting. Those practices were outlawed for federal elections with the 24th Amendment in 1964, but not for state and local races in Texas until 1966.

Amanda Jones says she cast her first presidential vote for Franklin Roosevelt, but she doesn't recall which of his four terms that was. When she did vote, she paid a poll tax, her daughters said. That she is able, for the first time, to vote for a black presidential nominee for free fills her with joy.

Jones isn't alone. Watch below as 114-year-old Gertrude Baines -- believed to be the oldest living woman of African descent in the world -- casts her vote. Pretty amazing stuff.

Geoffrey Gardner

11:47 AM ET | 10-31-2008 | permalink

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Actor Ben Vereen Uses Spotlight For Diabetes Awareness

One day, entertainer Ben Vereen showed up at his doctor's office, seeking treatment for his "adult-onset" diabetes. The next thing they knew, they were on the road together, spreading the word about the importance of early testing.

Vereen and Dr. Michael Bush -- a top diabetes expert and a leading advocate for awareness -- stopped by our studios to speak with Farai about their efforts to inform people about the dangers of Type 2 diabetes. Then, Vereen talked more about his wide-ranging Hollywood career.

Geoffrey Bennett

11:55 AM ET | 10-30-2008 | permalink

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What Did You Think Of Obama's TV Infomercial?

Sen. Barack Obama is reflected on a glass table, as he appears on television screens at an electronics shop in Wheaton, Maryland.

Nicholas Kamm, AFP/Getty Images

Did you watch Sen. Barack Obama's half-hour TV infomercial last night? If so, what did you think of it? New York magazine sums up the TV event this way:

Of course Obama's prime-time infomercial was sappy, overstuffed with images of Americana, and pretty much devoid of anything new for people who've been paying attention to the campaign. But it's not trivial that Obama appeared nothing like the terrorist-friendly, paycheck-snatching secret socialist he's being portrayed as in these closing days. We got so comfortable watching Obama calmly explain his solutions to downtrodden Americans that if he started reading Goodnight Moon, we would have passed out on the spot. Maybe that's exactly the feeling that those miraculously still-undecided voters were waiting for.

Related Links:
Money Doesn't Mean Victory, But It Does Buy Major TV Time
The Root: Closing the Deal

Geoffrey Bennett

11:41 AM ET | 10-30-2008 | permalink

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Legendary Soul Stirrers Reunite With New Album

The Soul Stirrers have inspired gospel and R&B audiences for more than eight decades. After a long hiatus, they are back together with a new album, A Soul Stirring Reunion, which combines classics with new upbeat arrangements.

Listen to more of their conversation with Farai, and watch below as four members of the group -- Leroy Crume, Arthur Crume, Willie Rogers and Floyd Taylor -- talk about the differences between religious and secular music.

Geoffrey Bennett

11:29 AM ET | 10-30-2008 | permalink

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From Hope to Hero: Political Art In Election 2008

On yesterday's show, we focused on the impact of political imagery -- specifically the iconography surrounding Sen. Barack Obama. Here, News & Notes producer Roy Hurst, who attended both political conventions this summer, expounds on the issue in word and video:

No candidacy in recent history has inspired more artistic expression than Barack Obama's presidential campaign.

During the 2008 election year, Obama imagery seemed to be everywhere -- on walls, on bumper stickers, on clothing, and on the Internet.

The vastness and variety of Obama paraphernalia has generated untold sums of money and become both a cottage industry and an arts movement. Meanwhile, for better or worse, Barack Obama's image has become an icon.

The creative push of support for Obama has its roots in black culture, in youth culture, and in a general feeling of uncertainty among everyday people about the future of world.

With two wars, a sagging economy, and a deteriorating environment, many Americans yearned for something new in national politics.

Obama spoke directly to that yearning, and has become a symbol it.

It all seemed to start with an image called "HOPE" by guerrilla artist, Shepard Fairey. The image is rendered in red, white and blue, and features the face of Sen. Obama looking upward and outward to the future, above the word "hope."

Earlier in the year, reproductions of the image began to pop up in public spaces across the country. It seemed to be on the vanguard of a wave of artistic political expression that followed.

By contrast, Sen. John McCain's campaign seemed to focus on the imagery of the candidate's past. We saw photos and video footage of "McCain the soldier" and "McCain the POW." With these images, his campaign emphasized the theme of "Country First."

We've compiled a few video examples of election images below. Some are focused directly on the candidates; others are more ambiguous. We've also recorded interviews with an array of artists, vendors, and supporters of the two candidates.

Check out the first video below, as there are more to come. Hopefully, they will serve as a small record of this unprecedented season of artistic expression during Election '08.

-- Video Produced by Roy Hurst

Geoffrey Bennett

5:34 PM ET | 10-29-2008 | permalink

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Problems At The Polls? Questions About Voting?

Residents stand in line to cast their ballots in Washington, D.C.

Tim Sloan, AFP/Getty Images

For Monday's show, we are looking for folks willing to share their experiences with early voting or ask questions of our experts about the voting process.

We plan to focus on last-minute voting issues and how to make sure your vote counts after you've left the polling place.

If you want to share your story on our air, leave us a comment below, and we'll contact you.

Meanwhile, be sure to check out our month-long, special series on voting.

Geoffrey Bennett

4:53 PM ET | 10-29-2008 | permalink

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Known For Urban Art, Justin Bua Tackles Political Imagery

Acclaimed artist Justin Bua made a name for himself with paintings and illustrations, which depict the beauty and struggle of city life.

Bua's work is collected in a book called The Beat of Urban Art. Here, he speaks with Farai about his collection and his foray into political illustration.

Geoffrey Bennett

2:04 PM ET | 10-29-2008 | permalink

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Live From Studio B: Darius Rucker Performs 'It Won't Be Like This For Long'

Newly minted country music star Darius Rucker (former frontman of Hootie & The Blowfish) dropped by our studios yesterday to promote his new album, Learn to Live.

After sitting for an interview with Farai, he performed three songs -- one of which you can check out below. It's his next single titled, "It Won't Be Like This For Long."

The interview and full performance will air on our show -- and be posted here -- very soon.

Geoffrey Bennett

11:57 AM ET | 10-29-2008 | permalink

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Charles Barkley, Future Governor of Alabama?

Charles Barkley photographed in December 2006.

Scott Wintrow, Getty Images

Ronald Regan, Jesse Ventura, and Arnold Schwarzenegger ... you might soon be able to add Charles Barkley to the list of celebrities-turned-governors.

Last night, Sir Charles told CNN's Campbell Brown he plans to run in 2014:

When asked if he was serious, the former Philadelphia 76er said, "I am, I can't screw up Alabama."

He added that his native state could only improve. "We are number 48 in everything and Arkansas and Mississippi aren't going anywhere," Barkley said.

He said that his top priority as governor would be education. "The public school system in this country is the worst it has ever been and what that does is that hurts crime, it hurts the judicial system," he said. "You know if you don't give people education and hope, they become criminals. They get involved in drugs. So we have got to fix the public school system."

Geoffrey Bennett

11:59 AM ET | 10-28-2008 | permalink

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Money Doesn't Mean Victory, But It Does Buy Major TV Time

Graphic Illustration: Geoffrey Bennett, NPR

He's got the time ... but what should he do with it?

For the first time in 16 years, a presidential candidate -- namely Sen. Barack Obama -- has purchased a half-hour of TV programming to speak directly to the American people ... in this case, a week before the election.

The campaign infomercial is scheduled to air in prime time this Wednesday, Oct. 29. He's even preempting Game 6 of the World Series preempting the World Series pre-game show. So whatever it is, it better be good.

Saturday Night Live thinks he should go the variety show route:

How do you think Obama should craft this infomercial? Will you be watching?

Geoffrey Bennett

12:28 PM ET | 10-27-2008 | permalink

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Will Black Turnout In Red States Spell Doom For McCain?

Could black folks cast the deciding collective vote in Election 2008?

On Sunday's Meet the Press, NBC political director Chuck Todd said that early voting among African Americans -- "somewhere between 95 and 100 percent in some states" -- could undermine Sen. John McCain's standing in places that he is favored to win, like Georgia and North Carolina. (That's assuming, of course, that all of those votes are for Sen. Barack Obama.)

What do you think? Do you live in a state that allows early voting? If you've already cast your ballot, tell us your story.

Geoffrey Bennett

12:14 PM ET | 10-27-2008 | permalink

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The Countdown: Day 10: Gratitude

Although they do not express it quite this way, many people I know are repeating some version of the same prayer. That prayer could be summed up, simply, as: "Thank You, God, For This Job That I Hate."

People who were thinking of busting loose and doing something entrepreneurial or going back to school are now clinging to jobs they loathe. Through gritted teeth, they give thanks for working unpaid overtime; or shifts that take them into unholy hours and keep them from seeing their families; or any number of other stomach-tightening scenarios. They know other friends of theirs have been cut loose, and hiring is tight.

This newfound grudging gratitude reminds me of what's going on in politics. For example, the New York Times has a piece today on whether white Americans in a crumbling steel-town will vote for the black guy. It starts out:

Voting for the black man does not come easy to Nick Piroli. He is the first to admit that.

To the sound of bowling balls smacking pins, as the bartender in the Fallout Shelter queues up more Buds, this retired steelworker wrestles with this election and his choice. A couple of friends, he says, will not vote for Senator Barack Obama.

"I'm no racist, but I'm not crazy about him either," said Mr. Piroli, 77. "I don't know, maybe 'cause he's black."

He winces at himself. "We was raised and worked with the black, the Serb," he said. "It was a regular league of nations. And the economy now, it's terrible."

"I've got to vote for him," he said finally.

Is that the equivalent of, "Thank You, God, For This Candidate That I Hate"?

Gratitude that you have a political choice -- even one you don't love -- can go a long way. Although votes are often shaped by emotions, a vote in and of itself does not carry its emotional charge past the ballot box. What I mean by that is: the vote of someone who hates the candidate, but has to choose him, is just as valuable as the vote of a true believer.

So in that case, perhaps the corresponding prayer would be from politicians:

"Thank You, God, For the Voters That Hate Me"... the ones that could carry a contestant across the finish line.

Farai Chideya

11:24 PM ET | 10-26-2008 | permalink

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Stay of Execution Issued for Troy Davis

Georgia Dept. of Corrections

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a stay of execution today for a death row inmate who had been scheduled to die this past Monday in Georgia.

Troy Davis was convicted in 1991 for the murder of a Savannah police officer three years earlier.

He has always maintained his innocence in the killing of Officer Mark MacPhail.

Witnesses claimed Davis, then 19, and two others were harassing a homeless man in a Burger King parking lot when the off-duty officer arrived to help the man.

Witnesses testified at trial that Davis then shot MacPhail twice and fled.

Since Davis' 1991 conviction, seven of the nine witnesses against him have recanted their testimony. No physical evidence was presented linking Davis to the killing of the police officer.

Web Resources:
-- Inside the Effort to Stop the Troy Davis Execution
-- Assessing Capital Punishment Trends in the U.S.

Geoffrey Gardner

12:53 PM ET | 10-24-2008 | permalink

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McCain Supporter's Mutilation Story A Racist Hoax

UDPATE: Police: Campaign Worker Admits Making Up Story

Citing "inconsistencies" in her story, Pittsburgh police are still questioning Ashley Todd, a 20-year-old woman who claimed she was robbed and then attacked for being a McCain supporter.

Here's more from WTAE TV:

[According to police spokeswoman Diane Richard:] "She further stated that the male actor approached her from the back again and hit her in the back of her head with an object, she doesn't know what the object was, causing her to fall to the ground where he continued to punch her and kick her and threaten to 'teach her a lesson' for being a McCain supporter."

Richard said the woman refused medical treatment after the assault, which happened outside the view of the bank's surveillance cameras.

Speaking to Channel 4 Action News on Friday, Richard said they're still questioning Todd because of some new developments.

"We have learned that the victim's statement has a few inconsistencies in it and her statement has changed," said Richard.

Richard said Todd now says she isn't sure if it was a bumper sticker on her car or a campaign button on her jacket that angered the attacker. Richard said Todd added new details to the attack, saying at one point she lost consciousness.

"She also indicated she was sexually assaulted as well. She indicated that when he had her on the ground he put his hand up her blouse and started fondling her. But other than that, she says she doesn't remember anything else. So we're adding a sexual assault to this as well," Richard said.

Even conservative Michelle Malkin is skeptical:

We have enough low-lifes and thugs in the world running loose and causing campaign chaos and fomenting hatred without having to make them up. I've been blowing the whistle on the real, left-wing rage not on the front page and in-your-face tactics throughout the election season.

Hate crimes hoaxes -- by anyone, of any political persuasion, and of any color -- diminish us all.

Todd described the robber "as a dark-skinned black man, 6 feet 4 inches tall, 200 pounds with a medium build, short black hair and brown eyes."

Could she be the Susan Smith of Election 2008?

Geoffrey Bennett

11:40 AM ET | 10-24-2008 | permalink

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Robber Reportedly Carves 'B' Into Face of Female McCain Supporter

DrudgeReport.com

This is the face of a 20-year-old Pennsylvania woman, who was reportedly robbed and later attacked today by an assailant who saw a McCain bumper sticker on her car.

The Associated Press has more:

A woman robbed at knifepoint at a Pittsburgh ATM told police her attacker knocked her down and carved a "B" in her face after noticing a John McCain sticker on her car.

Police say the victim refused medical attention for the wound. An officer saw the injury, but a police report does not describe its size or severity.

Authorities say the woman is from Texas, but aren't identifying her.

Pittsburgh police spokeswoman Diane Richards says the woman was withdrawing money at 9 p.m. Wednesday when a man approached her from behind, put a knife to her neck and demanded money. She says she gave him $60.

The woman told police the robber then noticed the bumper sticker, punched her in the back of the head, knocked her down and carved a "B" on her face.

Pittsburgh's WTAE TV has more on the alleged robber and a response from the Obama campaign:

The robber is described as a dark-skinned black man, 6 feet 4 inches tall, 200 pounds with a medium build, short black hair and brown eyes. The man was wearing dark colored jeans, a black undershirt and black shoes.

The Obama-Biden campaign released a statement, commenting on the attack. The statement said "Our thoughts and prayers are with the young woman for her to make a speedy recovery, and we hope that the person who perpetrated this crime is swiftly apprehended and brought to justice."

This heinous crime, as described, is sure to dominate local Pennsylvania news and will likely make national headlines, as it develops.

The Obama campaign was quick to respond to the story. One has to wonder what effect, if any, it will have on uncommitted voters going to the polls in the battleground state.

On today's show, we focused on the psychology of voting. Robert Luskin, David Bositis, and Frank Luntz -- all experts on the topic -- explained how a candidate's stance on the issues sometimes matters less to voters than his/her overall persona and other, outside factors.

What do you think?

UPDATE: "Politically Motivated" Mutilation - Real or Hoax?

Geoffrey Bennett

5:56 PM ET | 10-23-2008 | permalink

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Do You Get Time Off Work to Vote? Check Your State Law

iStockphoto.com

This Election Day, November 4th, falls on a Tuesday. That means most of us will be at work, and being allowed time off to vote is not a guarantee every employer must make. In fact, the law differs from state to state.

Voter turnout for this presidential election is expected to be above average, which means you could be waiting in line at the polling place for hours. It's important to know if your employer is required by law to offer paid time off, or if you'll have to vote on your own dime.

Luckily, FindLaw.com and Google Maps have teamed up to create a Time Off to Vote Laws by State mash-up that aims to answer this important question, or at least get you pointed in the right direction.

Visit FindLaw's Time Off to Vote Laws by State and get prepared for Election Day!

Geoffrey Gardner

3:02 PM ET | 10-23-2008 | permalink

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Barack Obama On Commanding A Fantasy Football Team

iStockphoto.com

Sure, Sen. Barack Obama is a formidable presidential candidate ... but can the man pick a decent fantasy football team?

ESPN reporter Rick Reilly "asked each candidate to be my running mate for one week in a fantasy league, just to see what kind of president he'd make -- how he'd handle decisions under pressure and balance a budget. Only Obama bit. We settled on the Week 6 games."

Here's more from his column:

He is taller, grayer and quicker to laugh than I expected. Moves sort of like an athlete -- cool and smooth. "Now, you're the expert," he began. "And I'll gladly be the junior partner in this, but I really think we should take Drew Brees. He could have a big week. Oakland's secondary is a wreck."

Ohhhh, so that's how it's going to be. "Well, I like Carson Palmer," I said. "He's due for a big week, plus he plays in Ohio and I figure that's a state you need, so ..."

He looked at me like I'd stuck my elbow in his soup. "Man, this is more important than politics!" he insisted. "This is football!"

This is a man who could potentially audit me forever. We paid $7.3M for Brees.

He wanted Clinton Portis. I wanted Adrian Peterson. We took Portis ($6.6M). He wanted Brandon Marshall. I wanted Bernard Berrian. We took Marshall ($5.7M).

Doesn't work well with others. Check.

Have to admit, though, he knows his stuff. Turns out, he played a little. He was a tight end in ninth grade until a coach told him to "trample" an opponent's back. He gave up football for hoops. In 2004, when Mike Ditka considered running against him for Senate, Obama--remembering how Ditka let William Perry score a Super Bowl TD instead of Walter Payton--said that "anybody who would give the ball to Refrigerator Perry instead of Sweetness doesn't have very good judgment." Ditka didn't run. "Too bad," Obama says. "We were hoping he would."

Likes to bait Hall of Famers. Check.

It took us 30 minutes to pick nine slots. The man was into it. I said I'd need to talk to him the following week about how we did.

"Cool," he said. "How's Tuesday?"

"Sorry," I said. "Getting married Tuesday."

He looked stunned. "Who'd marry you?"

Wise guy. Check.

We wound up in a dark tunnel under Fifth Third Field in Dayton for a campaign event. He was telling me a story about throwing out a first pitch when suddenly I heard over the PA system, "... the next president of the United States, Barack Obama!" He looked at me, said "Gotta go!" and sprinted up some steps to a thunderclap of a roar.

Read the rest.

Geoffrey Bennett

12:37 PM ET | 10-23-2008 | permalink

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Gay Rights Vs. Civil Rights In Same-Sex Marriage Debate

iStockphoto.com

As political analyst Earl Ofari Hutchinson once wrote, "The gay rights vs. civil rights comparison has long been a sore spot for many blacks."

Here in California, that comparison has special significance. Voters head to the polls next month to vote on a ballot measure, which could overturn a state Supreme Court ruling legalizing statewide, same-sex marriages.

According to an article in today's Los Angeles Times, "African American voters could play a crucial role in the fight over same-sex marriage. Though they make up only about 6% of the electorate in California, they are expected to vote in record numbers this election because of Barack Obama's presence on the ballot."

Here's more:

A "yes" vote on the measure means that the Constitution would be amended to disallow gay marriage.

... The Yes on 8 campaign is counting on them [blacks], arguing that some polls suggest African Americans are generally less open to same-sex unions than other groups.

"They are our strongest supporters," said Frank Schubert, who is managing the Yes on 8 campaign.

But opponents of the proposition say they think that black voters may be more tolerant than many political professionals predict.

"People have this impression that black people in general are more homophobic than the population as a whole," said Ron Buckmire, who heads the Barbara Jordan/Bayard Rustin Coalition, a black gay rights group in Los Angeles.

Both sides, meanwhile, are contending that Obama would approve of their view. That's because the first black presidential candidate of a major party has said that he is against Proposition 8 but has also expressed opposition to gay marriage.

"He said both sides. We are picking the one we like," said Derek McCoy, a minister who came from Washington, D.C., in August to organize African American clergy across the state to oppose the measure.

What do you think?

Geoffrey Bennett

11:44 AM ET | 10-22-2008 | permalink

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You Can Vote However You Like ...

(Okay, the rhyme's not very good, but it's the thought that counts.)

Farai Chideya

6:51 PM ET | 10-21-2008 | permalink

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Do Black Women Give Too Much?

Are black women generous to a fault? That's what a new study indicates:

The study of 1,000 professional black women and 454 non-black professional women by financial group ING, found that among the reasons black women didn't save enough was that they regularly gave money to family, friends and religious institutions.

More than 50 percent of the black women polled said they have loaned $500 or more to a friend or family in the last year. A third had loaned family more than $1,000.

"Black women's sense of obligation to community and family is both extraordinary and commendable," Rhonda Mims, president of the ING Foundation, told the website Diversityinc.com.

"When you are pulled in so many directions financially, something or someone has to pay the price. For black women, it appears their financial well-being suffers."

Do you agree? Read the rest.

Geoffrey Bennett

5:24 PM ET | 10-21-2008 | permalink

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Battling Pediatric AIDS, Saving Lives In Africa

Over time, the path of the AIDS pandemic has changed. African women and children are now among the key groups of people living with HIV. But just because a pregnant woman has HIV doesn't mean her baby will, too.

For 20 years, the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation has worked to stem the rise of infection among children, and its work in Africa has grown. Today, the foundation supports more than 3,000 clinics in 17 countries, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Pamela Barnes, the organization's president and CEO, recently traveled to South Africa with actress Gloria Reuben, a celebrity ambassador for the group. They share their stories with Farai Chideya. Listen to the interview and watch the video below.

Web Resources:
-- Gloria Reuben Visits Foundation Programs in South Africa

Geoffrey Gardner

12:43 PM ET | 10-21-2008 | permalink

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The Countdown: Day 15: Images

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words ... Even If It's Out Of Context

One of the first impressions many voters had of last Wednesday's final debate was of the facial expressions and body language of the candidates. According to political analysts, Senator Obama often looked tense; Senator McCain alternated between signs of exasperation and a fixed smile.

The day after the debate, our senior Washington editor, Ron Elving, made the point that the judgments about how the candidates looked do affect voters. He said:

"Part of the problem, of course, is what you see on television is not exactly what's happening on stage. What you see on television is often the result of either a one-shot, where they show you one of the two men without the other, and you don't really have a sense of how close anyone might be to him. And then there is the two shot, the split-screen, when you can actually watch the reactions on the face of the candidate who is not speaking. And that is a fairly interesting and sometimes devastating way to watch a debate.

I think everyone recalls who saw the 2000 debates between George Bush and Al Gore, that if you listened on radio or watched strictly the one-shots, you got one impression.
But if you saw the split-screen, you saw Al Gore rolling his eyes and looking heavenward and making a lot of other gestures that people thought were disrespectful and maybe a little bit bush league. That hurt, in that particular case Al Gore more than it hurt George Bush.

So, in the debate last night, a lot of those two-shots, those split-screens showed John McCain looking angry, showed him looking very irritated, showed him looking upset, and staring over what appeared to be the next head just inches away even though the two were seated at opposite sides of a rather large table."

Now a new photo of Senator McCain from Wednesday's debate -- a photo that became one of the most emailed and most popular on Yahoo News -- is reinvigorating the debate over what the eyes see versus what the ears hear.

Here in our office, we spent quite a bit of time working to verify the photo. Members of our show staff, political staff, and research library staff all tried to see if it was real, or a Photoshopped image.

The reality is intriguing. The image is, in fact, real ... but it is also out of context.

If you go to YouTube and look roughly at 4:30 on the time clock on this clip of the debate, you will see a VERY brief different angle on Senator McCain doing what he did in the photo.

When I say brief, I mean perhaps 3 seconds, and the gesture was clearly a quick sign that he did not know precisely where to go on stage. In the video version, he is not in any way interacting with Senator Obama, and the moment is brief and easy to miss.

(Many thanks to a member of NPR's Reference Library staff, Katie Daugert, for tracking down the moment in the video; and to Day to Day staffer Jolie Meyers for finding the original photo.)

There have also been, of course, unflattering photos of Senator Obama, but none at such a critical moment in the campaign:

So, was the photo fair game for a major news organization to distribute if it shows what was not a representative moment in the debate? That's up to the voters (and perhaps media critics) to decide.

We contacted Reuters to ask them how they made the call to send this (incredibly popular) photo out on the wires. Gary Hershorn of the Reuters photo department and communications rep Alexandra Honeysett replied to my questions by email:

1) Is it real?

Yes, the picture is real. It was taken when U.S. Republican presidential nominee Senator John McCain (R-AZ) reacted to almost heading the wrong way off the stage after shaking hands with Democratic presidential nominee Senator Barack Obama (D-IL) at the conclusion of the final presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, October 15, 2008. In addition to the photo, we have television film of the event that confirms Senator McCain's reaction.

2) How do you decide what pictures to run, and do questions of whether a photo might appear mocking, Photoshopped, or staged (even if it is NOT) play into your decisions?

When deciding which photos to publish from a debate or any event, we look for images that tell a story. Our photographers have snapped thousands of photos of both candidates along the campaign trail, and we keep balanced photo files. Inevitably, people will interpret the photos we publish according to their own beliefs, but our job is to tell, or in this case show, the story as it played out.

3) Do you find yourselves syndicating more content that is snarky, or otherwise bloggable, because people want to see it? In other words, either through push or pull, has the tone of your shooting and syndication changed?

Accurate and fair reporting standards are the pillar on which our Reuters News file stands, and our campaign coverage clearly reflects these principles. We record what we see and we have clear editorial procedures that determine what goes out on our photo wire.

I followed up with the question, "What story does this picture tell?"

And Honeysett answered:

"We leave that up to you to decide. :)

Celebrities have faced the onslaught of "gotcha" photojournalism. But there were times that the press followed a far different standard ... showing barely an unflattering shot of John F. Kennedy, or even shooting in a way that didn't show President Roosevelt used a wheelchair.

The times, they are a-changing. So, do we get a good laugh and move on; or do moments like these catch our attention ... and even change our opinion?

Farai Chideya

7:42 PM ET | 10-20-2008 | permalink

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You Know What Time It Is: HBCU Homecoming Season

"'Tis the season for HBCU homecomings," writes Natalie P. McNeal for The Root:

From now through November, thousands of college alumni from historically black institutions will descend on campuses across the South.

Employers, please understand why the few African Americans at your workplace are taking Fridays off from now until November. Non-HBCU grads, please be patient with your black college friends who keep crowing about how excited they are for homecoming. They mean no harm with their college chants and incessant telling of tales from the yard.

HBCU homecomings are like a black family reunion, minus the tacky T-shirt with an oak tree on it. It's a posh celebration and mass arrival of those who feel they've arrived.

Read the rest. But in the meantime, take our poll:

Geoffrey Bennett

6:22 PM ET | 10-20-2008 | permalink

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Terrence Howard Surprised About 'Iron Man' Recasting

It was reported last week that the summer blockbuster, Iron Man, would be filming a sequel without popular actor Terrence Howard. The role of Tony Stark's best friend, Jim Rhodes, will instead be played by Don Cheadle.

When MTV asked about the recasting, Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige responded:

"As is the policy with most people, when you talk about dotting I's and crossing T's, certainly that isn't the case yet on a number of things we're doing, but that Hollywood Reporter story was not an announcement. That was, as it tends to happen in the business, is rumors and leaks and things like that. I do think there will be clarity soon."

Well, we hope for Terrence Howard's sake that this whole mess has a happy ending. The sensitive soul sat down with NPR's Scott Simon on Weekend Edition Saturday and discussed -- among other things -- his reaction upon hearing the Iron Man news.

"It was the surprise of a lifetime. There was no explanation. The contract just ... up and vanished. I read something in the trades that implicated it was about money or something, but apparently the contracts that we write and sign aren't worth the paper that they're printed on, sometimes. Promises aren't kept, and good faith negotiations aren't always held up."

Related Links:
-- Terrence Howard Talks Tunes, Family, Science
-- Watch Video of Terrence Howard on Weekend Edition Saturday

Geoffrey Gardner

5:40 PM ET | 10-20-2008 | permalink

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Rudy Ray Moore aka 'Dolemite' Dies

Actor Rudy Ray Moore, creator and star of the classic Dolemite films, poses in Las Vegas, Nev., back in 2005.

Ethan Miller, Getty Images

The Website EURWeb is reporting that Rudy Ray Moore, the actor/comedian best known as Dolemite, has died.

Moore, who won fame after his role as a rhyming, kung fu pimp in the 1975 film, Dolemite, died in Akron, Ohio, at the age of 81.

Rudy Ray Moore was also known as the "king of the party records" and released many comedy records throughout the 1960s and 1970s, developing a style even more rude and explicit than contemporaries like Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. This kept him off of television and major films, but cultivated an enduring fan base.

Geoffrey Bennett

5:36 PM ET | 10-20-2008 | permalink

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Who Would Round Out Obama, McCain's Cabinets?

iStockphoto.com

Inasmuch as a president is only as good as his counsel, many political watchers (and News & Notes editors) are beginning to flash forward beyond Nov. 4 -- Election Day -- and straight to Jan. 20 -- Inauguration Day. How would a President Obama or President McCain govern, and to whom would each give Cabinet positions?

Naturally, both campaigns are keeping mum on the topic -- so as not to appear presumptuous -- but the candidates and their advisers have given signals in published interviews.

First off, Sen. Barack Obama said today Gen. Colin Powell "will have a role as one of my advisers. ...Whether he wants to take a formal role, whether that's a good fit for him, is something we'd have to discuss."

John Podesta, a former White House chief of staff under Bill Clinton, is heading Obama's transition efforts.

Here's more, care of the Times Online (UK):

A host of well-known figures, including some Republicans, have indicated they would be willing to serve in some capacity as Obama begins to acquire a winner's glow. From Senator John Kerry, the 2004 presidential candidate with hopes of becoming secretary of state, to Larry Summers, a former US Treasury secretary under President Bill Clinton, and Chuck Hagel, the Republican senator who has been tipped as defence secretary, there are plenty who have signalled their availability.

Obama is thought likely to cherry-pick a few high-profile names, while rewarding the loyalty and discretion of advisers such as his foreign policy expert Susan Rice who have served him so well throughout the campaign.

"He has no patience whatsoever with prima donnas," said one leading Democrat policy adviser. "He's surrounded himself with people who are pretty smooth in dealing with each other."

Sen. McCain has reportedly handed his campaign's transition responsibilities to lobbyist William Timmons Sr. But McCain has also, according to another report, "instructed his team to not spend time on the transition effort ... both out of a desire to have complete focus on winning the election as well as a superstitious belief that the campaign shouldn't put the cart before the horse."

While Republicans say Timmons is making plans for the transition if McCain wins in November, the campaign wouldn't confirm his role. Timmons didn't return a phone call seeking comment.

Related: Transition Planning Gets Started Early So Candidates Can Be Prepared for National Security Threats

Geoffrey Bennett

4:49 PM ET | 10-20-2008 | permalink

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The Countdown: Day 16: Colin Calls It For Obama

A couple of days ago, we blogged about whether former Secretary of State, General Colin Powell, would cross party lines and endorse Senator Barack Obama.

Today, on the Sunday morning talk show Meet the Press, he did make that endorsement.

We'll have more on tomorrow's show. Meanwhile, here is a link to the video and part of the transcript.

Gen. Colin Powell on Meet the Press

On NOT Endorsing His Friend Senator McCain; and Endorsing Senator Obama

GEN. POWELL (previous taping vs. new one on Sunday): I'm an American, first and foremost, and I'm very proud--I said, I've said, I've said to my beloved friend and colleague John McCain, a friend of 25 years, "John, I love you, but I'm not just going to vote for you on the basis of our affection or friendship." And I've said to Barack Obama, "I admire you. I'll give you all the advice I can. But I'm not going to vote for you just because you're black." We, we have to move beyond this.

GEN. POWELL (live): Yes, but let me lead into it this way. I know both of these individuals very well now. I've known John for 25 years as your setup said. And I've gotten to know Mr. Obama quite well over the past two years. Both of them are distinguished Americans who are patriotic, who are dedicated to the welfare of our country. Either one of them, I think, would be a good president. I have said to Mr. McCain that I admire all he has done. I have some concerns about the direction that the party has taken in recent years. It has moved more to the right than I would like to see it, but that's a choice the party makes. And I've said to Mr. Obama, "You have to pass a test of do you have enough experience, and do you bring the judgment to the table that would give us confidence that you would be a good president."

And I've watched him over the past two years, frankly, and I've had this conversation with him. I have especially watched over the last six of seven weeks as both of them have really taken a final exam with respect to this economic crisis that we are in and coming out of the conventions. And I must say that I've gotten a good measure of both. In the case of Mr. McCain, I found that he was a little unsure as to deal with the economic problems that we were having and almost every day there was a different approach to the problem. And that concerned me, sensing that he didn't have a complete grasp of the economic problems that we had. And I was also concerned at the selection of Governor Palin. She's a very distinguished woman, and she's to be admired; but at the same time, now that we have had a chance to watch her for some seven weeks, I don't believe she's ready to be president of the United States, which is the job of the vice president. And so that raised some question in my mind as to the judgment that Senator McCain made.

On the Obama side, I watched Mr. Obama and I watched him during this seven-week period. And he displayed a steadiness, an intellectual curiosity, a depth of knowledge and an approach to looking at problems like this and picking a vice president that, I think, is ready to be president on day one. And also, in not just jumping in and changing every day, but showing intellectual vigor. I think that he has a, a definitive way of doing business that would serve us well. I also believe that on the Republican side over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower. Mr. Obama, at the same time, has given us a more inclusive, broader reach into the needs and aspirations of our people. He's crossing lines--ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines. He's thinking about all villages have values, all towns have values, not just small towns have values.

And I've also been disappointed, frankly, by some of the approaches that Senator McCain has taken recently, or his campaign ads, on issues that are not really central to the problems that the American people are worried about. This Bill Ayers situation that's been going on for weeks became something of a central point of the campaign. But Mr. McCain says that he's a washed-out terrorist. Well, then, why do we keep talking about him? And why do we have these robocalls going on around the country trying to suggest that, because of this very, very limited relationship that Senator Obama has had with Mr. Ayers, somehow, Mr. Obama is tainted. What they're trying to connect him to is some kind of terrorist feelings. And I think that's inappropriate.

On Obama, Islam, Terrorism, and Muslim-American Patriots

Now, I understand what politics is all about. I know how you can go after one another, and that's good. But I think this goes too far. And I think it has made the McCain campaign look a little narrow. It's not what the American people are looking for. And I look at these kinds of approaches to the campaign and they trouble me. And the party has moved even further to the right, and Governor Palin has indicated a further rightward shift. I would have difficulty with two more conservative appointments to the Supreme Court, but that's what we'd be looking at in a McCain administration. I'm also troubled by, not what Senator McCain says, but what members of the party say. And it is permitted to be said such things as, "Well, you know that Mr. Obama is a Muslim." Well, the correct answer is, he is not a Muslim, he's a Christian. He's always been a Christian. But the really right answer is, what if he is? Is there something wrong with being a Muslim in this country? The answer's no, that's not America. Is there something wrong with some seven-year-old Muslim-American kid believing that he or she could be president? Yet, I have heard senior members of my own party drop the suggestion, "He's a Muslim and he might be associated terrorists." This is not the way we should be doing it in America.

I feel strongly about this particular point because of a picture I saw in a magazine. It was a photo essay about troops who are serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. And one picture at the tail end of this photo essay was of a mother in Arlington Cemetery, and she had her head on the headstone of her son's grave. And as the picture focused in, you could see the writing on the headstone. And it gave his awards--Purple Heart, Bronze Star--showed that he died in Iraq, gave his date of birth, date of death. He was 20 years old. And then, at the very top of the headstone, it didn't have a Christian cross, it didn't have the Star of David, it had crescent and a star of the Islamic faith. And his name was Kareem Rashad Sultan Khan, and he was an American. He was born in New Jersey. He was 14 years old at the time of 9/11, and he waited until he can go serve his country, and he gave his life. Now, we have got to stop polarizing ourself in this way. And John McCain is as nondiscriminatory as anyone I know. But I'm troubled about the fact that, within the party, we have these kinds of expressions.

So, when I look at all of this and I think back to my Army career, we've got two individuals, either one of them could be a good president. But which is the president that we need now? Which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time? And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities--and we have to take that into account--as well as his substance--he has both style and substance--he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president. I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the world--onto the world stage, onto the American stage, and for that reason I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama.

MR. BROKAW: Will you be campaigning for him as well?

GEN. POWELL: I don't plan to. Two weeks left, let them go at each other in the finest tradition. But I will be voting for him.

What do you think of Powell endorsing Obama ... and his motivation for doing so?

Farai Chideya

4:25 PM ET | 10-19-2008 | permalink

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The Countdown: Day 16: Beige

Novelist and memoirist Danzy Senna contextualizes the narrative of Barack Obama-- a man who is "conveniently black, conveniently not black," as she puts it -- vis a vis her satire essay "The Mulatto Millenium."

She's in conversation with the brilliant-black-Brit-in-America Gary Younge, who says the Obama euphoria among some folks will "create a problem for us."

Meanwhile, enjoy a hunka hunka brooding biraciality, or whatever, Vin Diesel. You can go online and watch his youthful breakthrough short film Multi-Facial. (The vid made me laugh at/pine for the cheezy-fab New York of the early '90s).

Farai Chideya

5:17 PM ET | 10-18-2008 | permalink

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The Countdown: Day 17: Will They Vote?

So, many people have moved on from watching the polls to watching the people.

On our show yesterday, political scientist Mark Sawyer (talking about overseas voting here; and about displaced domestic voters here) pointed out that American elections can be decided within the margin of error. That is, there is always room for error in ... well, just about everything. The margin of error is a guesstimate of how close you can get and still get something right. Polls have margins of error listed on the bottom, based on how many people they sample and in which way. And so do election counts. (Just think of Bush v. Gore 2000, and all those dimpled and hanging chads, and the recount, and the storming of the recount office....)

Anyway, Sawyer's point was that EVERY vote counts ... you never know if you'll be casting a decisive ballot.

Both campaigns are swinging into high gear to get registered voters to the polls. In some ways, the Obama campaign has more to lose, because although he has registered more new voters, those new voters are harder to track and possibly more unpredictable in their behavior.

As part of our voting series, we'll discuss more about how you get out the vote, and how the parties and other groups are doing it in Election 2008.

Farai Chideya

6:19 PM ET | 10-17-2008 | permalink

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Singer Dee Dee Bridgewater Tells of Past Racism

Renowned singer Dee Dee Bridgewater recently sat down with NPR's Tony Cox, and opened up about her life and career. Among many topics discussed was Dee Dee's hair -- specifically how the dreadlocks she sported some years ago invited discriminatory remarks and reactions from strangers.

In November, News & Notes will launch a month-long series all about race in America. Please share your own stories and thoughts in the comment section below, and let us know what types of race-related subjects and questions you would like to hear discussed.

The entire interview with Dee Dee Bridgewater will air on News & Notes this Monday, October 20th.

Geoffrey Gardner

6:14 PM ET | 10-17-2008 |