Murad's AP Govt Blog

1. Which two senators does the article single out as being potential obstacles to the passing of the tax bill & where are they from? 1. Senator Murkowski and Senator    Susan Collins . 2. What indications has Murkowski made about how she may vote on this tax bill? 2. She has said she disagrees with the deficit addition it would cause, as well as the loss of healthcare for 13 million Americans.  3. What did Republicans add to the bill that would specifically encourage Murkowski to vote for the bill? 3. They added a provision allowing for oil drilling in the arctic preserve for her.  4. Why would Murkowski be more likely to support the bill if it adds this provision? 4.  She would get more support from oil companies in her home state, and her state's economy would benefit. 5. Why does Murkowski support "Obamacare" if she is a Republican? 5. It provides healthcare for the poor, that isn't supporting the bill its supporting a b...

1. How many total Republicans in Congress have already announced that they will not run for reelection in 2018? 1. 12 2. How many total Democrats in Congress have already announced that they will not run for reelection in 2018? 2. 3  3. What is so unique about the discrepancy between these two groups? 3. It reveals the very real possibility of a "democratic wave", where democrat incumbents win traditionally Republican seats. 4. What factors do the authors of the article suggest are behind these decisions not to run for reelection? 4.  The vast majority are retiring as to not have their reputation - and that of their party - sullied by an increasingly right wing Republican party. 5.  Why might the elections for those in "safe red districts" be more difficult than in recent elections? 5. The republican party is decreasing in over all support, and thus it would be easier for a democratic party member to assume the position of a traditiona...

1. What three observations did the study find about media outlets with a right leaning audience? 1. They cite less sources than the left, while challenging less of the president 2. How did right leaning media outlets and left leaning media outlets use sources differently? 2. They included less sources from the president or his allies  3. How much more likely were left leaning outlets to include negative coverage of Trump? 3. 31% more likely to carry negative coverage of Trump 4. How often did left leaning and right leaning outlets refute something said by Trump? 4.15% by left sources and 2% by right sources. 5. What five topics accounted for most of the media coverage about Trump? 5.Political skills, Immigration, Appointments,  US-Russian Relations, Health care. 6. Are journalists more likely to cover the president's character or his policies? Why do you think this is? 6.Much more likely to discuss his character 7. Who were the most com...

1. What news events are being covered by major outlets as the same time as Hurricane Maria? 1. The controversy surrounding NFL athletes kneeling during the national anthem.  2. Use the first chart to estimate about how many fewer times Hurricane Maria & Puerto Rico are mentioned online than the hurricanes that hit the mainland US. 2. Hurricane Maria and Puerto Rico were mentioned roughly a fourth of the times that hurricane Irma and Harvey were. 3. Use the second chart to estimate about how much less time was devoted to  Hurricane Maria & Puerto Rico in TV coverage than the hurricanes that hit the mainland US. 3.Maria got roughly half the time other hurricanes did. 4. Which two networks mentioned Hurricane Maria the most? 4. CNN and BBC 5. What do some cite as the reason for Puerto Rico being treated differently by the media? 5. Many people are unaware that Puerto Rico is a part of the  US. 6.  Given what you know ...