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:
Rick Perry
Resume:
Herman Cain
Resume:
Strengths:
Newt Gingrich
Resume:
Ron Paul
Resume:
Michelle Bachmann
Resume:
Jon Huntsman
Resume:
Rick Santorum
Resume:
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.
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
- 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)
- 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)
- Has nearly 30 years of experience in government
- Has a strong physical appeal and charm
- Is a devout Christian
- He's not a quick thinker, uninformed on the issues, and a terrible debater
- Wants to do away with Social Security
Herman Cain
Resume:
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)
- 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)
- The most experienced politician in the field, having served in federal public office for over 20 years
- Very knowledgeable on the issues
- 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)
- 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)
- 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)
- The lone woman of the field, with an energetic charisma
- A strong supporter of the Tea Party Movement
- 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)
- Has an impressive political resume, especially with foreign and diplomatic relations
- Moderate-Conservative willing to work with Democrats
- 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)
- Solid political resume in federal public office
- Catholic-family man
- Minimal Campaign Funds ($600,000)
- Extremely flabbergasted and anxious persona
| RCP Average: Oct 17, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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.
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