political party news stories on Newser

Political Parties Act Like Schools of Fish

Matt Cantor — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 13:23:05 CST

Wondering about the future of the Tea Party, or what affect the Occupy Movement might have on Democrats? Try asking a bunch of fish. Scientists have found that in a school of fish, a "vocal minority"—that is, a group determined to swim in a certain direction—can entice a...

Sex Party Enters Aussie Political Fray

Nick McMaster — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:12:27 CDT

Australia’s “Sex Party” has been certified as a political party after receiving approval from the Electoral Commission, the Sydney Morning Herald reports. The commission’s approval is a victory for free speech and “democratic rights,” says the Sex Party’s convenor. The party hopes to “provide a positive platform for sexual issues...

Pirate Bay Ruling Invigorates Pirates

Harry Kimball — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 12:14:17 CDT

Last week’s guilty verdict against the Swedes behind the Pirate Bay filesharing site not only hasn’t shuttered the operation—it’s boosted support for the cause of free information, the Christian Science Monitor reports. The affiliated Pirate Party, which advocates for copyright reform, has doubled its membership just since the verdict...

Seeking Talks, US May Allow Taliban Political Party

Matt Cantor — Sun, 22 Mar 2009 12:35:00 CDT

In an effort to establish a dialogue with the Taliban, the US may allow the militant group to create a political party or be represented by election candidates, the Guardian reports. Other options include removing Taliban leaders from UN blacklists, releasing prisoners, and revising Afghanistan’s constitution. But there’s “no way...

GOP Still Hasn't Seen the Bottom

Ambreen Ali — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:29:08 CST

Just when the Grand Old Party thought it couldn't get worse, it has: Conservative infighting from a caustic radio host, stumbles from its emerging non-white leaders—Michael Steele and Bobby Jindal both—and polls that suggest just 25% of Americans support them. Meanwhile, Dems enjoy great popularity and steady donations....

This Time, Iraq Gets Politics With Its Elections

Ambreen Ali — Thu, 22 Jan 2009 10:55:47 CST

If Iraq’s tumultuous 2005 elections were a trial run at democracy, the current provincial race has main-event flavor, the Washington Post reports. Greater stability has allowed town-hall gatherings, where voters grill some 14,000 candidates running for 440 seats on everything from housing to militarization. And campaign posters, T-shirts and...

India Must Crack Down on Muslims, Hindus Alike

Matt Cantor — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:39:37 CST

The terrorist attacks in Mumbai are tied to growing disillusionment among Indians with a government that manipulates religious divisions for political gain, writes Dileep Padgaonkar in the Washington Post . Each party accuses the other of pandering to a religious constituency, be it Muslim or Hindu—and such posturing has filtered...

Time for Hopefuls to Wax Philosophical

Matt Cantor — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:42:01 CDT

Barack Obama is rising in the polls, but he still seems “exotic”; John McCain is playing the maverick but his maneuvering on the bailout may have been “too cute.” In a week with “all categories upside-down and out the window,” it’s time for both candidates to explain how they think,...

Why Is Edwards AWOL in North Carolina?

Harry Kimball — Sun, 04 May 2008 06:16:10 CDT

Why has John Edwards maintained silence as the precarious Democratic contest heads to his home state of North Carolina? Could be, Politico posits, because he knows he has little sway there. According to insiders, the state, which holds its primary Tuesday, knew the senator only fleetingly before he leapt to...