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%"

TV Series: Mad Men

Ever since I got streaming Netflix, I have begun to enjoy TV series in a whole new way. There is definitely a certain appeal to a growing storyline with character development, and no commercial breaks. There still is however a lack of quality in a TV series that can never quite match up to a movie production. And that still holds true for most TV series, with the exception of Mad Men.

Don Draper

I've had a desire to watch this series for quite some time, knowing that it a was period piece with cool looking visuals. Once I saw it on Netflix I wasted no time, to embark on the 4 seasons of which it offered. The story is set in the 1960s, in an advertising agency in New York City, called Sterling and Cooper. The main character, Don Draper, played by Jon Hamm, is the backbone of the series, and brings a very suave, charming, and mysterious demeanor to his role. He starts off with a cliche middle class life; a hard-working business man, two children, and a beautiful wife, played by January Jones. Yet as the series goes on, Don Draper's personal life grows more complex, with the development of his mysterious past and his suspicious wife.

Supporting Characters

To add to Draper's intriguing story, are numerous other side-stories, played by a very talented supporting cast in this series. First there is the ambitious young secretary named Peggy Olson, played by Elisabeth Moss. Throughout the series, we witness Peggy defy the norms of female discrimination and quickly rise up the ranks of copy-writing.

Then there is Pete Campbell, also a very ambitious and young professional, played by Vincent Kartheiser. Throughout the series he is experiencing the early stages of marriage, yet seems to care more about his work as an account executive, and gaining respect throughout the office.

Roger Sterling is the senior partner of the ad agency, played by John Slattery, and has a smooth persona, similar to Don Draper's yet a very hot-headed temper. Throughout the series he begins to slip and constantly lets his party-lifestyle interfere with his professional work.

Then there is the office manager, Joan Harris, played by the womanly Christina Hendricks. She is perhaps the X-factor of the series, with an unquestionable visual flare of feminine style and confidence.

There are other minor characters in the series, both in and outside the office, who also contribute some solid performances.

The Appeal

While the storyline branches off into many directions, the setting always revolves around an office or some form of business, bringing it a serious and dramatic appeal. And as good as the story and drama are in this series, that's not even the best of it. It's the visuals of well-dressed professional's at work with one another, sophisticated and very composed, always drinking or smoking. It looks great on screen! It is an extremely fashionable show, with a retro touch to it, a backdrop of 1960s cultural history, great performances, and a very interesting story. It is unlike any series I've seen before, well deserving of it's 4 for 4 Emmy Awards of Outstanding Drama Series.

Current Politics: More Bad News for Obama

Last Thursday, President Obama gave an address on jobs to a joint-session of Congress, and nailed the delivery. He gave a very detailed plain of creating more jobs, with a fierce tone of urgency; "Pass this Bill Right Away"! It was a much needed tone from a president that has appeared quite weak in the past month. He had to even change the date of the speech in order to appease the Republicans, a total slap to the respect of his presidency. Yet the real problems began after the debt ceiling negotiations where he practically conceded to the Republicans' demands.


Turn in his Presidency

His presidency has now begun to take a terrible turn. Following the Budget Balance Act, the economy experienced it's first every credit downgrade, terrible news in Afghanistan, and very low job numbers. It wasn't long until the American public began to blame not only Congress but especially President Obama. And although the majority of the blame falls on Congress, Obama is the one with most to lose. At one point, his approval ratings dropped to a new low, down to 39%. So it appears quite clear now, that the public feel this economic crisis is no longer entirely President Bush's fault, yet the system of Washington DC in general.

Regain Momentum

This speech was the perfect chance for President Obama to once again regain momentum. The delivery was perfectly executed, strong and passionate, and seemed to instill some fear in the hall. Even after the speech, both Speaker Boehner and Eric Cantor agreed that his job's plan has some merit to it, and could be considered. President Obama then carried his push into the weekend, taking his jobs-plan to the public, yet also commemorating the tenth anniversary of 9/11 and the importance of American ideals. By Monday morning, it seemed President Obama was back in the game!

More Bad News

Then came more bad news... It began with a new poverty report on Tuesday, putting the nation's poverty rate at 15.1%, the highest since 1993. On Wednesday came a double slam to his presidency, with special congressional elections in New York and Nevada, both seats going to Republicans. The elections are a clear indicator, that the public are ready for a new direction, especially the New York Jewish population, perhaps upset with Obama's relations with Israel. This diplomatic tension with Israel will continue for the president next week, as Palestine takes their case of statehood to the United Nations. He and his secretary of state, Hillary Clinton, will have to somehow play center-ground on this ongoing tension in the Middle East. To make matters worse for Hillary, a recent insurgency in Afghanistan has occurred with an attack on the US embassy and NATO headquarters.

The president finds himself once again extremely overwhelmed both domestically and internationally, and new reports are coming in today, that both Democrats and Republicans are beginning to pull at his jobs' plan. It seems the Republicans will once again play their ace, by controlling the house. They will appear to appease the public, perhaps agreeing on parts of the jobs plan, yet surely will not budge on tax hikes. Once again President Obama will have to sacrifice much, in order to get anything done. The question remains, will he be able to gain political points from all this and continue this centrist approach into the 2012 elections. As of now, it seems the American public may be leaning towards a new direction, and Republican contenders like Rick Perry and Mitt Romeny could be a serious challenge for him. President Obama needs to push harder than ever, and lose his cool demeanor, if he cares to be re-elected in 2012.

Historical Look: The Start of the Roman Empire

After watching the classic 1963 film, Cleopatra, starring the stunning Elizabeth Taylor, I was suddenly able to develop a new perspective on Roman history. I realized that the pinnacle of Roman history lays within the transition from a Roman Republic to the mighty Roman Empire, (60 BC- 27 BC), with key players such as Julius Caesar, Mark Antony, Octavian-Augustus, Marcus Agrippas, and Queen Cleopatra at the center of it all.

The Roman Republic was established in 509 BC, and after the fall of the Macedonian Empire, had become the ultimate power in Europe. It established a completely new form of government, free of a monarchy, and run by both the people and the senate. This system of separation of powers and checks and balances lasted for several hundred years, until politics as usual got in the way. It was in 60 BC, that an up-and-comer leader by the name of Julius Caesar desired to rattle the cage of the Roman government. He did this by creating a political/military alliance with leaders, Crassus and Pompey that became known as the First Triumvirate. It was the undisputed military alliance of Rome.

In 51 BC, Julius Caesar led a victorious conquest into Gaul, that extended the Roman territory into the English Channel, thus making him the ultimate general of Rome, with an unmatchable army. He was however opposed by his former conservative ally Pompey, to contend for the leadership of Rome. This sparked the Roman Civil War, from 49 BC- 45 BC, fought in Italy, Greece, Africa, Egypt, and Spain. Caesar finally defeated Pompey at the Battle of Munda, and thus began the transition into a new form of government. Julius Caesar became the first dictator of Rome.

However during his civil war and political reformation, Caesar fell under the seduction of Queen Cleopatra VII of Egypt. At the time, she ruled jointly with her brothers, yet was able to use her beauty and charm to win over the affection of Caesar. Caesar in return made her the undisputed pharaoh of Egypt. The two lovers, later had a child, named Caesarion. Cleopatra had big plans for her child to rule both Egypt and Rome, yet these plans were suddenly halted by the assassination of Julius Caesar on the Ides of March, by several conspirators in the Roman Senate. The conspirators, led by Cassius and Brutus, felt that Caesar was attempting to transform Rome into a tyranny, and considered themselves liberators.

The after-result led to another series of civil wars, from 44 BC to 30 BC. Julius Ceaser's nephew Octavian, formed a military alliance with Mark Antony and Marcus Lepidus, known as the Second Triumvirate, to redeem the honor and legacy of Julius Ceaser. Their first civil war was against Caesar's assassins, known as the Liberators Civil War fought from 43-42 BC. This was a successful victory for the triumvirate, and eliminated all the political conspirators.



In 44 BC, a revolution in Rome occurred, known as the Sicilian Revolt, led by Pompey's son, Pompeius. At one point, Pompeius was able to claim control of Sicily from the Roman armies, however Octavian and his right-hand general Marcus Agrippas, were able to eventually defeat the revolution in 36 BC.

The Final Civil War of the Roman Republic took place in 32 BC, where general Marc Antony, broke away from the Second Triumvirate, and under the sway of his lover Queen Cleopatra, waged war against Octavian. He was eventually defeated, by General Marcus Agrippas at the sea Battle of Actium, and later committed suicide with Cleopatra in Alexandria, Egypt. With Marc Antony and Cleopatra out of the way, Octavian became the undisputed leader of Rome, and would go on to finish his uncle's work by transforming the democratic Roman Republic into an autocratic Roman Empire. In 27 BC Octavian became the first Roman Emperor known as Augustus.