In classical rhetorical theory, there are three kinds of claims that you can advance: claims of fact (i.e. 25% of Americans live below the poverty level), claims of value (i.e. it is a bad thing that so many Americans are poor), and claims of policy (i.e. in order to lift Americans out of poverty, we should raise the minimum wage).

A bipartisan group of legislators looking to restore transparency to data collection programs conducted by the National Security Agency (NSA) won an initial victory late last week.

The partisan fracturing of American politics is a topic of frequent debate and discussion. Politics is becoming increasingly personal, and antipathy between ideologies is on the rise. As activists and politicos work to solve this crisis in Washington and on Main Street, Americans may find inspiration in the oft maligned little brother of U.S. sports: the U.S. Men's National Soccer Team.

“The fallacy of ad hominem (Latin: against the man”) is the assertion that someone’s argument or viewpoint should be discounted because of character flaws that have nothing to do with the issues at hand. It is a fallacy because it ties the outcome of an argument to a question or set of questions that are not at issue. Arguments, not arguers, are the proper subject of a debate.”—Reading the World: Ideas that Matter

Midterm elections tend to see lower voter turnout and less interest from the media. Midterm primary elections have even more paltry turnout numbers among those that even are able to vote.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ox1ZEPeztrg

SAN DIEGO -- RJ Hernandez, a candidate in California State Assembly District 77, has switched his political affiliation from the Democratic Party to No Party Preference (NPP) -- also known as independent. Hernandez is challenging Republican incumbent Brian Maienschein.

Hillary Clinton and Rand Paul are both likely candidates for the 2016 presidential race. Both parties know they'll win the hardline voters who stay loyal to their party. However, who will have more success with independent voters?

If this race actually comes to fruition, it may turn out to be a race truly decided by Independents.

The U.S. has resumed drone strikes in Pakistan, ending a six-month moratorium that was put in place to facilitate peace talks between the Pakistani government and jihadist groups.

California’s primary system was initiated to curb the well-established partisanship in state politics. Following the 2012 elections, the first under the new primary, the state’s strong Democratic lean resulted in a super majority in the state Legislature for Democrats.

Consequently, Republicans will need to rethink how to be competitive in a state with a voting population that is 45 percent Democratic and 20 percent No Party Preference. Yet, the current civil war plaguing the party may significantly lower chances of a successful Republican rebirth.