Charlotte has finally resolved its two-month-long sheriff debacle. Last night, Mecklenburg County Commissioners voted 7 to 1 to install Chipp Bailey as the new county sheriff. Bailey’s appointment ruffled plenty of feathers within the local Democratic Party, particularly among supporters of his opponent, Nick Mackey, who claim that Bailey’s nomination was invalid.
While Republican candidate John McCain lived up to expectations by scoring the most victories in the Super Tuesday states, opponents Mike Huckabee and Mitt Romney have given no indication of backing down. But the Democratic nomination is the one that’s truly still up for grabs, with Barack Obama winning 13 states and Hilary Clinton winning eight in yesterday’s lineup. Last night’s results also show that Obama and Clinton are continuing to divide voters along racial, ethnic as well as ideological lines.
Puts ‘hanging chads’ and Florida 2000 to shame
Kenya, formerly known for its safaris and relative stability in an oft-conflicted continent, is still experiencing riots and killings in the wake of last December’s contested presidential election. The death toll due to politically-related violence of the past two months now exceeds 1,000, and more than 30,000 people have been forced to flee their homes due to the violence. The conflict started when incumbent president Mwai Kibaki narrowly defeated opposition leader Raila Odinga in an election many observers say was rigged. The conflict escalated due to tribal allegiances and longtime grievances over land and other resources.
— Katie Hunter
This article appears in Feb 6-12, 2008.
