Current Politics: The GOP Presidential Contenders

The Sport of Political Campaigning

Normally I wouldn't follow a Republican Primary, yet cannot deny the excitement of a political campaign, especially one as important as the Presidency of the United States. The process of political campaigning is very intense, a continuous competition for popularity. Each candidate must compete for votes, through means of advertising, public relations, interviews, and vicious debates. I see it as a sport or game of social tactics.



Easy Sailing for President Obama

Few months ago it seemed no one could challenge President Obama. Back in April, following the death of Osama Bin Laden, his approval ratings reached a new high point of 56%. Yet his presidency took a sudden turn due to heavy opposition from the newly elected Republican Congress. By the end of the summer, following the debt negotiations, President Obama's approval ratings dipped to a new low of 33%, and he was soon being labeled as a weak leader. The GOP was once again on the rise putting all the blame on Obama.

The GOP Rises

So now it has become quite possible that President Obama could actually lose this election in 2012. He is facing a global economic crisis, high unemployment rates, high poverty rates, and especially a "Do-nothing Congress". Although most of the blame should fall on Congress, Obama has more to lose as the executive leader. So he's definitely got his work cut out for him, if he wants to win in 2012. The GOP candidates will easily gain steam on the issues given the state of things. They will disregard the Do-Nothing Congress and put the entire blame on Obama. However the real question is if they can compete with Obama's appeal, which always wins over the independent voters. So here is a brief look at the Republican Presidential Candidates. 



Mitt Romney

 Resume:

• CEO of Bain Company; one of the most profitable investment firms
• Organized the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics
• Governor of Massachusetts from 2003-2007 
• Ran for Presidency in 2008; lost to John McCain

Strenghts:

• Has experience in both the private and public sector. 
• Is a moderate conservative, most likely to work with both Republicans & Democrats
• Has lots of money (18.5 million)

Weaknesses:

• His Health Care plan in Massachussets is very similiar to President Obama's health care plan
• His Mormon faith, may not go over well with the majority of Christian Conservative voters
• He tends to be a little wishy-washy, and socially awkward 

Rick Perry

Resume:

• House of Representatives of Texas (1985-1991)
• Commissioner of Agriculture of Texas (1991-1999)
• Governor of Texas (2000-present)

Strengths:

• Has nearly 30 years of experience in government
• Has a strong physical appeal and charm
• Is a devout Christian

Weaknesses:

• He's not a quick thinker, uninformed on the issues, and a terrible debater
• Wants to do away with Social Security

Herman Cain

Resume:

• CEO of Godfathers Pizza (1986-1996)
• Chariman of the Federal Reserve of Kansas City (1992-1996)

Strengths:

• He is very likable, confident, and a good sense of humor
• Has created a very simple economic tax plan known as 9-9-9 (9% personal tax, business tax, and federal tax)

Weaknesses:

• He has no political experience
• His 9-9-9 plan is a little too simple; only gives tax breaks to the wealthy, and doesn't consider the middle-class

Newt Gingrich

Resume:

• US House of Representatives from Georgia (1979-1999)
• Minority Whip (1989-1995)
• Speaker of the House (1995-1999)

Strengths:

• The most experienced politician in the field, having served in federal public office for over 20 years
• Very knowledgeable on the issues

Weaknesses:

• Has had three wives
• Not much physical appeal; old and obese
• Not very likable; grumpy

Ron Paul

Resume:

• Received his medical degree and practiced medicine throughout the 1960s and 1970s
• Served as a flight surgeon in the United States Air Force (1963-1968)
•  US House of Representatives from Texas (1997- Present)

Strengths:

• Very Wise; Considered the intellectual leader of the Tea Party Movement
• Brings a libertarian ideal to the field, with minimal government, and an end to all wars
• Lots of Money (13.5 Million)

Weaknesses:

• His libertarian ideals may be a bit too radical for some moderate and independent conservatives, especially his views on the wars of Afghanistan and Iraq
• Not much appael; old and scrawny and sometimes grumpy

Michelle Bachmann

Resume:

• Member of the Minnesota Senate (2001-2007)
• US House of Representatives (2007-Present)

Strengths:

• The lone woman of the field, with an energetic charisma
• A strong supporter of the Tea Party Movement

Weaknesses:

• Not much political or federal experience
• Not very informed or quick-thinking on the issues

Jon Huntsman

Resume:

• Staff Assistant for Ronald Reagan (1980s)
• US Ambassador to Singapore (1992-1993)
• Governor of Utah (2005-2009)
• US Ambassador to China (2009-2011)

Strengths:

• Has an impressive political resume, especially with foreign and diplomatic relations
• Moderate-Conservative willing to work with Democrats

Weaknesses:

• Has a weak persona of civility, a soft leader

Rick Santorum

Resume:

• US House of Representatives from Pennsylvania (1991-1995)
• US Senator from Pennsylvania (1995-2007)

 Strengths:

• Solid political resume in federal public office
• Catholic-family man

Weaknesses:

•  Minimal Campaign Funds ($600,000)
• Extremely flabbergasted and anxious persona

RCP Average: Oct 17, 2011

26.0 Herman Cain:
25.5 Mitt Romney
12.5 Rick Perry
9.2 Newt Gingrich
8.5 Ron Paul
4.8 Michelle Bachmann
2.0 Jon Huntsman
1.6 Rick Santorum

My Prediction: Mitt Romney seems like the most realistic candidate for the Republican Party. To be quite honest the field is not very impressive, and each of these candidates seems to have more weaknesses than strengths. Their greatest advantage going into the 2012 election, will be the current state of the economy, which they will be able to push hard against President Obama. I feel it could be a very competitive election, and perhaps a close one. However in the end, I feel Barack can once again pull it off, thanks to his personal appeal of intelligence and likability. 

Current Topics: The Occupy Wall Street Movement

Economic Inequality

The movement against economic inequality has finally taken hold within America, and it could not have come a moment too soon. For the past three years now, our global economy has been in a sharp downturn, beginning with a 2008 recession at the end of the Bush presidency. President Obama did his best to turn things around, yet the crisis had already spread like a bad virus growing worse into Europe and Asia. Businesses began to cut spending, jobs began to disappear, and the world governments began to shut down.

Government Defaults

This year saw the beginning of many government defaults and bail-outs, such as Greece, Ireland, Portugal, and Spain. Protests have amassed all throughout Europe, against austerity measures and salary cuts. This past July our own government, divided by politics, came days away from a potential and historical default. Congress managed to pass a temporary bill, that raised the debt ceiling yet ultimately pushed the problem aside. It seems the world leaders are divided between two solutions to this economic crisis; Cut Government Spending or Raise Taxes on the Wealthy. This is a problem that will only continue to grow worse, until a radical economic reform is put into place.

The Arab Spring

Yet the first real hope in this crisis came from the public of the Arab Spring, where the people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Syria, and many other Middle Eastern countries began to unite and speak out against their corrupt governments. Thousands of people filled their town squares, to speak out against poverty and corruption. Countries such as Tunisia and Egypt were successful in their revolution, while other countries such as Libya, have averted to civil war. Although the Arab Revolution is mostly targeted against authoritarian governments, it also targets economic inequalities. The Arab people have clearly demonstrated a strong message of unity, that has inspired both Europeans and Americans alike, who also share similar frustrations. 

Occupy Wall Street

So after our debt-ceiling soap opera, it became quite apparent to the public, that our economy was in a dire condition, and that our government was unwilling to compromise to solve this serious matter. With growing unemployment and poverty rates, it seemed the only solution was for the people to take action and speak up. It began in a park in New York City, on September 17th, near the Wall Street financial district, where a small group of protestors began to make their accusations heard. Accusations of wealth inequality, corporate greed, and a broken government.

Through the use of internet and social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, their numbers grew and the movement quickly expanded. It received minimal media coverage at first, yet after a pepper-spraying incident on Sept. 24th, it seemed the movement had finally won it's due coverage. On October 1st, 700 protesters were arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge, and the Occupy Wall Street Movement had suddenly become world news. Last night on October 5th, the movement had it's biggest demonstration yet, joined by the unions, they gathered together near Wall Street with over 20,000 people.It was an inspiring and peaceful demonstration.

The Technology Factor


Similar to the Arab Spring, technology has played a major factor in organizing this movement. Through the use of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, blogs, cameras, and smartphones, people are able to instantly connect, share pictures, live videos, and live feeds. With such a growing movement, Occupy Wall Street had to create a network of websites, to unite in it's general purpose. This main network has become known as Occupy Together, and has begun to organize movements in many major cities throughout the country.

Occupy Together

Through the development of Occupy Together, this can now become an American Revolution, and not just a New York Revolution. Protests similar to Occupy Wall Street have already begun to gain media attention in Los Angeles, Chicago, Seattle, Boston, and San Fransisco. Many other cities will soon join in, on this united message; a people against the power elite.

Already a Victory! 


This movement has already succeeded in bringing attention to a very serious matter that is far too often overlooked. Capitalism may work for 1%, but not the other 99%. It is a cause that a majority of Americans should agree on, no matter their political affiliations, race, gender, religion, sexuality, or philosophy. It's a movement that will only grow stronger, and  will not go away, until this economic crisis goes away.  It is a peaceful movement with a powerful message of unity; "We are the 99%"