Every nation requires a strong leader who has the country’s best interests in mind and is there to guide the populace in the direction that will cause them to prosper. As President Barack Obama’s four-year term comes to an end, America must decide whether he will continue to be that leader or if a new face will take his place. With Obama as the presumptive democratic nominee, all that is left is for the Republican Party to choose between the remaining four candidates to represent their party in the 2012 Presidential Election.
“I believe Obama has a good chance of being re-elected into office,” senior Edward Baeg said. “However, it is still too early and things can always change.”
One Republican Party candidate is the former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, who has so far taken the lead in the primary election. The 64 year-old is thought to be the one that democrats should watch for in the upcoming 2012 election. However, he must first beat out all the other republican candidates in state elections. Having already won theNew Hampshire,FloridaandNevadaprimaries, he leaves his opponents scrambling to gain more ground. Despite the loss Romney endured in the presidential election of 2008, he has thrown himself into campaigns and debates in hopes of being the Grand Old Party (GOP) representative against Obama.
“I think Romney will be our next president because he is definitely one of the more liberal of the conservative candidates,” junior Christina Tompkins said. “I think because of his political standpoint he will be able to cover more people like the independents.”
Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich trails behind Romney whom he hopes to quickly overtake as republican elections move on to more states. His win inSouth Carolinagreatly helped his cause thanks to campaigning funded by a $10 million donation from Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. and casino billionaire, Sheldon Adelson, and his wife, Miriam along with the helpful backing of former runner Rick Perry. Gingrich stands strongly by his conservative beliefs regarding health care and other major issues. Rather than place people on welfare, he wants to put a greater emphasis on creating jobs for the American people.
“Do not choose a candidate just because your parents or friends are voting for them,” junior Abdullah Tirmeezie said. “Many adults believe in Gingrich’s conservative ideals, but people should vote on the issues rather than the personalities.”
Rick Santorum is also in the running against Romney and Gingrich, now third in the race. In an unexpected turn of events, Santorum took the Minnesota, Colorado and Missouri primaries on Feb. 7. The former senator from Pennsylvania has stressed the importance of family life and focuses more on the social issues at hand in his campaigns. Following a miscount, it was announced that Santorum, not Romney, won the Iowa primary. Making yet another appearance in Republican election, Ron Paul brings back his less conservative ideals to the table. Many times, the media has been known to give up on candidates early on; however, they may still make a comeback in the coming months.
“Both Santorum and Paul can turn it around if they can attract more voters,” Tompkins said. “Santorum has good ideas-the public should not give up on him just yet.”
In the fight to be elected Republican Party candidate of 2012 and with the momentous goal of becomingAmerica’s next president, rivalry takes the place of a once united front. Intense debates and strenuous campaigning tours rule the lives of the nominees still in the race. In fact, the 2012 Republican Primary elections have been associated with the most negative campaigning to date. InFlorida, 92% of ads were aimed at hurting the image of other candidates, rather than focusing on each individual’s political positions in the race.Americais now witnessing the first presidential primary where unlimited fundraising is being allowed by the Supreme Court.
On the brighter side, the determination and dedication seen in these contenders embodies the American willpower. Their fates lie in the hands of voters across the nation. The manpower and money they put into campaigning for the people of each state shows the importance of having a say, and as voters, seasoned or new, make their way into booths in 2012, they can know that they are truly making a difference.
“Kids should vote because they get a feeling of efficacy when they are given a say,” Baeg said. “I, myself, am really excited to vote in the 2012 presidential election.”
