::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . RHETORICAL ESSAY/ANALYSIS By Mona Austin It was not until the election of President Barack Obama that African Americans could truly believe one of their own could be occupy the presidency. In fact, when Obama won, people started to believe anything was possible in politics.   This could be the year that changes everything for women in America.  With the prospect of a woman being elected as president, for the first time in America, women  having it all is a very real possibility. Are women handling their pinnacle moment to reap the benefits for all women's rights? I don't think so. Conversations about women's accomplishments and worthiness to appear on money and lead the nation, yet not in ways that would expand the narrative of a "feminine ideal" in society across the spectrum of American life. Two bold, historic  voices are currently at the center of women's rights conversations -- Harriet Tubman and Hillary Clinton....

buzzz worthy. . . Could Pres. Obama have secured a third victory if he was allowed to run again? According to a Washington Post reporter on assignment in Hawaii where the first family spends their Winter vacation , when POTUS was leaving a game of golf, as the motorcade traveled along S. Kalaheo Ave., two women standing along the road hoisted a large cardboard sign above their heads. Scribbled with marker, the sign read: "4 more Obama!" Photo: Pete Souza Like these citizens, POTUS is confident that he would have won again, which he has stated publicly. “I am confident in this vision because I'm confident that if I — if I had run again and articulated it — I think I could've mobilized a majority of the American people to rally behind it.”   His confidence is based on his ability to go directly to people and bring them together as a former community organizer, an effort that helped him develop coalitions of support around the nation that he said the Clint...

buzzz worthy. . . A week before the nation chooses its next leader, there are still signs of turmoil on both political camps.  Hillary Clinton (D) and Donald Trump (R) are still standing beyond the scandals that threatened to consume them.  Clinton continues to hemorrhage from an FBI probe into the email scandal that has caused many voters to distrust her while Trump can not escape the stigma of being a racist, misogynist. The fact that both President ad First Lady Obama have campaigned for Hillary Clinton recently and her poll numbers are not tracking higher and Trump continues to draw large crowds despite facing controversy  may not only indicate we are a divided nation, but a desperate one. The Slice has gathered a few news headlines that show both candidates are entering the final stretch surrounded by negative press.  How will these reports impact the early voting numbers or election day results? For undecided voters, this period becomes a time when they beg...

buzzz worthy. . . Donald Trump is calling for the resignation of interim DNC Chair Brazille after she allegedly released email questions to Hillary Clinton from a prior to a town hall debate. FOX News' Megyn Kelly cited an email released by Wikileaks from March  that Brazille allegedly wrote to Clinton's Director of Communications, Jennifer Palmieri.  Brazile stated in the email that she had advance knowledge of some questions. BRazille had pointed out that a question on the death penalty worried her.   On the following day during the Ohio town hall that was presented by CNN and TV One, a question about the death penalty that appeared to relate to the email was asked. Brazile is a former CNN contributor. Kelly grilled Brazile about sharing the email beforehand.  "   "As a Christian woman I understand persecution but I will not stand here and be persecuted because your information is totally false," Brazile said.  Continuing she said, "I ...

buzzz worthy. . . In Philadephia at the DNC Convention, Hillary Clinton made history today as the first woman to become the official Democratic nominee for President of the United States. She becomes the first woman to lead a major party ticket after over 200 women attempted throughout the years. In her failed bid for the White House in 2008, remarked Clinton, “We put about 18 million cracks” in the glass ceiling of women's inequality, referring to the number of votes she received at the time. Should she win the election, she will reverse roles with her husband, former president Bill Clinton.

buzzz worthy. . . By Mona Austin At the top of DNC Convention week, DNC Chairperson Deb Wasserman Shultz resigned on Sunday.  Unable to get a handle on leaked emails of party leaders, she bowed to pressure to leave. Senator Bernie Sanders and his supporters for months called for her resignation after an  email hack revealed Shultz and many party leaders had  a bias in favor of his then opponent, Hillary Clinton.  Shultz,a Florida Democrat said in a statement she will finish her tenure at the end of the convention. However, due to opposition at the breakfast of the Florida delegation this morning and from others within the party her job is over. This will not be the end of Shultz.  Hillary Clinton has offered Shultz the role of honorary campaign chair per various reports.  Clinton pledged her continued support to her "long-time friend" in the following statement: “I want to thank my longtime friend Debbie Wasserman Schultz for her leadership of t...

buzzz worthy. . . By Mona Austin Hillary Clinton has selected current Virginia Senator Tim Kaine as her strategic running mate, aiming to turn a historically red state blue. Tweeted Clinton Friday evening, "I'm thrilled to announce my running mate, @ TimKaine , a man who's devoted his life to fighting for others. -H" "Just got off the phone with Hillary," replied Kaine in a tweet.  "I’m honored to be her running mate. Can’t wait to hit the trail tomorrow in Miami!" Last week the Mr. Kaine, 58,  campaigned with Clinton in Annandale, VA and had a follow up meeting, signaling he was a favorite. In both 2008 and 2012 Virginians supported Obama.  The state had been Republican heavy for nearly 60 years prior to that. As such, without getting into mind boggling political math, experts say the candidate that wins 270 electoral votes in Virginia has an advantage. Aside from the home team advantage Kaine offers experience on key issues...

buzzz worthy. . . On Thursday,  Hillary Clinton  sat through 11 hours of testimony facing the House Select Committee on the over skepticism about her leadership during the September 11, 2012 the Benghazi attacks. The former secretary of state underwent a verbal flogging as one Republican after an other pressed her to admit negligence in not sending security support  when Ambassador John Christopher  Stevens (who was killed during the attack) had requested additional support numerous times. Clinton testified that she had not seen the requests. Democrats say pressing the issues is a Republican tactic to thwart her run for the White House. After the lengthy inquisition, in which Clinton was mostly emotionless, Republicans did not find anything in Clinton's testimony to justify she had violated the law. Oct. 23, 2015 Hillary Clinton Opening Statement at Benghazi Hearing   Full Benghazi Hearing

buzzz worthy. . . By Mona Austin After reviewing thousands of private emails from Hillary Clinton, FBI Director James Comey said he will not recommend criminal charges are filed against the former Secretary of State. Clinton voluntarily met with the FBI for 3 hours over the weekend to further clarify if she mishandled classified information in some 60 thousand email transactions. Comey said in a press conference Tuesday morning using personal email servers was "careless," but not criminal.   “Our judgment is that no reasonable prosecutor would bring such a case,” Comey said.   The year long probe into Clinton's email usage has concluded that she had no criminal intent. However, he noted  7 email chains were classified as top secret, adding Clinton and others in the email communique should have known that the information should not have been on any unclassified system. Comey said the case will now be referred to the Department of Justice for ...

buzzz worthy. . . Winning four out of six state primaries on June 7, 2016, Hillary Rodham Clinton was declared the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee. Mrs. Clinton is the first woman in American history to secure a nomination for a major party. A day before the nomination was confirmed the AP and NBC projected she was the nominee. The biggest victory came from the state of California Clinton will face off against Donald Trump in the general election, but will officially accept the nomination at the DNC Convention in Philadelphia this July. Meanwhile,Sen. Bernie Sanders is undeterred and has vowed to remain in the race an take his fight all the way to the convention."The struggle continues," he said after winning only two states last night, North Dakota and Montanna. UPDATE, 6/10 "I am going to do everything in my power to make sure Donald Trump does not become the President of the United States." Sanders, said on June 9 following a one hour m...