we were asked in humanities class why is it important to know who are the candidates for speaker of the house?
831676
The Speaker of the House is important because he controls the Congress particularly in addressing the national issues properly to make good laws.  Likewise, the Speaker plays a great role in government and could even be President when the President, Vice President and Senate President are all incapacitated.
902719
Why is this a political question?
62703
The Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert
708610
There was a time when Speakers of the House were all powerful. Those days are long gone. Nevertheless, Speakers still possess a few formidable powers worth noting:\n\n1. The Speaker is the chair of the steering committee that chooses all committee chairs.\n\n2. The Speaker directs all bills to their respective committees. (This is a HUGE power -- as if the Speaker hates the bill he can send it to a committee he knows will kill it -- or vice versa).\n\n3. The Speaker is personally responsible for elevating members to the all powerful (and never to be messed with) "Rules Committee".\n\n4. The Speaker is responsible for organizing floor debates, ruling on the acceptability of floor motions, and recognizing members who wish to address the House.\n\n5. In any dealings with the Senate, the Speaker appoints all members of conference committees.\n\n6. Because of all of these things, the Speaker is the agenda setter of the House. What bills are heard? What bills simply get thrown away? What policies do we wish to impact, and how? These are all questions that only the Speaker gets to answer.\n\nAs I said, there was a time when Speakers could singlehandedly destroy members. Those days have passed; but still the Speaker is the primary person for creating the rhythm and flow of the House. And that's not bad.\n\nHope this answer helps. Cheers, mate.
856867
The speaker of the house.  THen it goes to the President Pro Tem of the senate, and into the Cabinet secretaries.  The list has something like seventeen people on it.\n\nThe Vice President Richard Cheney\nSpeaker of the House John Dennis Hastert\nPresident pro tempore of the Senate1 Ted Stevens\nSecretary of State Condoleezza Rice\nSecretary of the Treasury Henry Paulson\nSecretary of Defense Vacant\nAttorney General Alberto Gonzales\nSecretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne\nSecretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns\nSecretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez2\nSecretary of Labor Elaine Chao3\nSecretary of Health and Human Services Mike Leavitt\nSecretary of Housing and Urban Development Alphonso Jackson\nSecretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters\nSecretary of Energy Samuel Bodman\nSecretary of Education Margaret Spellings\nSecretary of Veterans Affairs Jim Nicholson\nSecretary of Homeland Security4 Michael Chertoff\n\n\nhttp://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0101032.html
473397
your school - your voice\nyour future - your representative
863550
Oh heck no, that is when you find out the most about each politician.  It is quite entertaining as well.  Kinda like watching Superbowl commercials.
725693
It gives the public an opportunity to see and hear the candidates that they will be voting for.  A chance to understand their views and decide if they are worthy of getting a vote.\n\nPublic debates, along with the recent 'Town Hall Meetings' that have popped up in the last few years are vital in allowing voters to size up and interact with candidates and make a somewhat informed decision.
957081
They are voted in by the majority party of the House.\nIf the Dems take the house. Pelosi will be the speaker of the House.
592907
Those that gave me opportunity to think, to think for myself.  I appreciated language courses.\n\nEverything we need to learn about life we have learned in kindergarten.  By the time of high school, the most important class will be how we relate to teachers and to other students.  So we learn to get along with those who agree with us and with those who disagree.
812833
Instead of the candidate, look at what the party states.  Republicans are cutting taxes, fighting the terrorists, and the House Republicans are the only ones willing to enforce the borders.  \n\nDemocrats have yet to offer any agenda other than against Republicans and Bush.
17549
have faith in humanities willingness to survive, the depletion of fossil fuels is but a bump in the road, we may get a flat tire but surely the wheel will survive. Humanities ingenuity is probably its only saving grace. I would be more worried about the current state of international politics in regaurds to humanities ability to exist anywhere.....
484017
It goes:\n1. Speaker of the House\n2. President Pro Tempore\n3. Secretary  of State\n4. Secretary  of Treasury\n5. Secretary  of Defense\n6. Attorney General\n\nThat's all I remember
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Nancy Pelosi, Democrat\n\nIf you're looking for yours, go here:\nhttp://www.house.gov/
869840
It is because they are easy polarizing topics.  Politicians look for low hanging fruit so they won't have to address real topics - like the budget or social security.
840334
Speaker of the House. The position of Speaker is established in the U.S. Constitution and is the most senior officer of the House of Representatives (and the third most senior official in the entire federal government.) Institutionally, the Speaker holds broad-ranging powers and presides over debate in the House, makes rulings on points of order, has priority right of recognition on the floor, and sets the agenda by deciding what and when legislation comes before the House. In addition, the Speaker appoints task forces and commissions and oversees the management of support functions to the House. Finally, by modern practice, the Speaker serves as the primary spokesperson for his congressional party.\nSee also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speaker_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives\n\nHouse Majority Leader. The Majority Leader, the second most senior official in the House, is by recent practice the day-to-day manager of business on the House floor.\nSee also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majority_Leader\n\nHouse Majority Whip. The responsibilities of the Majority Whip includes persuading Members to support the party's position on votes and projecting support for the party's position. The Majority Whip is assisted by a network of members assigned to count votes and "whip" or convince their colleagues to supporting their party's legislative position.\nSee also: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Majority_Whip_of_the_United_States_House_of_Representatives
251208
Let everyone know that in order to maintain a society that is orderly and law abiding, we should all participate in an election. It's important that we research candidates and laws prior to an election so that we know what we want. We have to make ourselves heard. Every vote counts!