Lou Dobbs Tonight
Wednesday August 20, 2008

Tonight, how close are John McCain and Barack Obama to naming
their vice presidential picks? We’ll have all the details.
Plus:

* Elections were once run by local election officials who were
accountable to the public. Now tabulation and running of
elections has been “outsourced’ to the electronic voting
machine companies. A report by VotersUnite documents many case
studies of local officials being supplanted by and denied
access to information by voting machine workers.

* Illegal alien Francisco Pantaleon suffered a brain hemorrhage
and is in a coma at the University of Illinois. Because he is
poor and uninsured and unable to pay, the hospital has been
absorbing all costs. Plans are now being made to move Pantaleon
home to Mexico, at the hospital’s expense. Protestors are
accusing the hospital of discriminating against Mexicans.
* Lobbyists and corporate donors know that the party
conventions are a big opportunity for influence peddling and
behind-the-scenes favors. Thanks to loopholes in federal
election laws, those corporate fat cats are able to wield more
than $100 million in campaign cash heading into the
conventions.

* Universities and alumni associations are increasingly selling
out their students to credit card companies eager for new young
customers. Schools are selling students’ personal information
for profit. This growing alliance between financial and
academic institutions is disturbing. A college degree for the
average graduate already comes at a hefty price and most often
with substantial debt. Now, universities are gaining
financially while encouraging students to spend now and pay
later using plastic.

Lou’s new radio program, the Lou Dobbs Show, debuted in March.
Join us weekdays from 3-6 p.m. Eastern, for a look at news and
politics aimed at independent thinkers. Check your local
listings at LouDobbsRadio.com, or listen live online.

Today, RealClearPolitics.com co-founder John McIntyre will
discuss the latest poll numbers, VP rumors and what’s ahead at
the Democratic and Republican conventions. Robert Crandall,
former CEO of American Airlines, will discuss the numerous
public embarrassments that have plagued his former company.
Veteran combat journalist Bing West will talk to Lou about his
new book, “The Strongest Tribe: War, Politics, and the Endgame
in Iraqâ€