Why do senators need 60 votes? Welcome to “cloture.”

Several inquiring Janes have asked why President Obama keeps reaching out to Republicans to pass the stimulus bill when there are already 58 Democrats the Senate.  Majority rules, right?  Wrong.
Welcome to the mysterious world of Senate procedure, specifically the pesky “cloture vote.”
Before the Senate can vote on a bill, senators must first vote to end [...]

The Electoral College Doesn’t Care about Your S.A.T.’s.

We hate to be the ones to burst your bubbles, especially on Election Day, but a lesser-known fact about America’s tender democracy is that the president is not technically chosen by the people:  The president is chosen by members of the Electoral College. 
 
The good news is that the voters do tell the Electoral College who [...]

Do you know what a “provisional ballot” is? You need to…

Gals, what if you get to the polls and you’re told that you are not registered to vote, even though you think you are? Do not leave. Just ask to cast a “provisional ballot.” You will get a ballot and vote as normal. Later, the Secretary of State’s office will receive your ballot and check [...]

Porcus Politicus

  After months of hearing John McCain promise to cut “pork” from the federal budget, a Jane wrote to CJP yesterday to ask the obvious question, “Just what exactly is pork anyway?”
“Pork” is from the Latin, “porcus” (we’re not kidding), meaning pig, but the term you’ll hear in politics is “pork barrel spending.”  It refers to [...]

CJP’s Glossary of Finance: What is commercial paper?

Headlines today are saying that the Federal Reserve is purchasing “commercial paper, ” and investors are cheering because these supposedly will help the credit crisis. Don’t know what commercial paper is? Well a gal’s gotta be informed, so read on!
Commercial paper is a short-term purchase of unsecured debt by large banks and corporations, and is [...]

The Modern Girls’ Guide to the Financial Bailout

We’ve had several requests for a mini-glossary to help the Janes sort through the coverage of the ongoing market crisis.   If you don’t know a debt swap from a swap meet, you’ve come to the right place.  Use this mini-explainer as you read the news, yell at your broker, or on your blind date [...]

“Working the Refs”…Say what??

Janes, if you know CJP, you know that sports metaphors in politics really get our goat. Instead of making politics more clear for readers, it makes it confusing for anyone who doesn’t watch enough basketball, baseball or boxing to keep up. But not to worry- that’s what CJP is here for.
Last time we [...]

So glad you asked…What’s a “kitchen cabinet”?

After helpfully telling you about Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman’s roles in John McCain’s kitchen cabinet, a Jane asks the obvious question, “What is the kitchen cabinet?” So glad you asked…
The “kitchen cabinet” of a politician or leader is the group of informal advisers that surround him, often old friends, former [...]