Talk That Talk

December 29, 2011
By David Jackson, USA Today
Republican committee stays busy attacking Obama
Click here to view Jackson's article

The Republican party is doing nothing different than what they have been, which is attacking the president and pointing out the faults of his term.  A communications director on the Republican committee, Sean Spicer, argued that the White House and the President's re-election are one in the same.  He also pointed out how Obama has deepened the problems of our country.  Little does Spicer know, campaigning and running the White House are two different jobs.  Obama's campaign is just waiting for the Republicans to finally pick there runner so the real election can begin.  Like Obama's aides, I believe the Democratic party will have a mouth full to say when they do.

Get It Together

December 17, 2011
Jennifer Jacobs, Caucus Insider
10 factors that could determine Newt Gingrich's fate in Iowa
Click here to view the full article

In the article above, the author discusses ten factors that could possibly influence his outcome in Iowa.  If he becomes more organized during his campaigning events, it could possibly help him since his staff in Iowa quit in early June.  Gingrich is also keeping his cool when it comes down to people and ads hammering him.  He tends to receive points for taking the high road.  The fact that no candidate has Iowa in lock should be something that all the candidates should keep in mind.  No one is safe when it comes down to the last thread.  It seems as though Jennifer Jacobs has pointed out logical factors that will keep him in the race and some that will bring him down if he doesn't abide by them.  It could go either way for Gingrich.

Not Convinced Yet?

December 20, 2011
Tim Buckland, New Hampshire Union Leader
No questions at Romney event
Click here to view Buckland's article

Mitt Romney delivered a fifteen minute speech at the Bedford Town Hall in New Hampshire expressing why he is the best candidate to run against President Obama.  Yet, there wasn't a question-and answer session included at any point in his speech.  Without the Q&A session, the people that attended the meeting may have felt like Romney neglected their option to ask questions.  During his speech he repeated many of his talking points that referred to Obama, healthcare, and the economy.  Two independent voters that attended the meeting mentioned that Romney's speech was interesting, but it wasn't convincing enough.  With that being said, his speech may have not conveyed the proper message that the voters needed to hear, which isn't good. Tim Buckland highlights significant information that is useful to voters.  He mentions a point that Romney says which makes him seem like he has the right state of mind in the election.  "If this election is a bidding war for who can promise more benefits, that's a battle I'm not going to join," says Romney.  Unfortunately he already joined it and the bottom line of this issue is to always have a Q&A session at your town meetings, especially if you aren't a convincing candidate.

What does Sarah Palin think?

December 18, 2011
-Former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin responds

Here is a link to answer the question above in a segment that was posted on Fox News.  In this short clip, Palin gives her opinion about what will happen in the Iowa caucuses.  

Tortoise & Hares

December  13, 2011
Gerald F. Seib, Wall Street Journal
Paul Could Lead From Behind
Click here to view Jerry Sieb's article

Ron Paul may be able to come from behind the two front runners due to the future outcome of his performance in the Iowa caucuses.  The only factor standing in his way of how far he can get far would be based on his laissez-faire altitude toward social issues and viewson foreign policy.  If Paul exceeds expectations in Iowa, which isn't out of the ordinary, he could take Gingrich or Romney's place as a front runner.  The republicans would try to knock him even more if he wins Iowa and enventually run as an Idependent candidate because they don't think of Paul as conservative as he should appear to be.  Romney and Gingrich will have to make a come-up in the next major caucuses that are taking place in New Hampshire and South Carolina to maintain their spots in the race.

SMH

December 12, 2011
Catalina Camia, USA Today
Romney says he's ready for long primary fight
Click here to view Camia's article

The issue presented in Camia's article is that the candidates are even considering for a drawned out primary fight.  The fact that these debates could take longer could also jepordize their place in the long run.  They would be leaving themeselves more open and vulnerable to attacks from their opponents, which would make them look bad as a presidential candidate.  I learned that Romney did a lot more fundraising than Gingrich, in result Romney was able to spend more money on commercials and other campaigning techniques.  This information is important because people may be influence by Romney's adds, but they may think Gingrich is focusing on real issues rather than spending money on things that may not seem necessary to him.  This article's impact is greater on the democrat party because they could possibly have a better chance at winning the candidacy in the long run if these republican candidates take the risk of a long primary race.

For Better Or Worst

December 10, 2011
Ross Douthat
Professor vs. Professor
Click here to view Douthat's article.

The problem being discussed in this article by Douthat is the presentation of the ideal that the next president may not be suitable for the country and that he may not lead the country into the right direction. Douthat compared past elections to what could become of the 2012 election.  The next president shouldn't be based on the catchy phrases that they use.  They should be elected on solving problems that are present in our country.  The importance of electing the next president is the responsibility of the public and hopefully they will take this into consideration  if Gingrich becomes President Obama's opponent.  The public would be able to weigh the pros and cons of how each candidate will be able to handle the problems of the economy, job creation, taxes, foreign affairs, education, etc.  The author's position isn't positive or negative about Obama or Gingrich, but he is looking at the larger picture, if Gingrich could hold the seat of a leader that The United States is in need of.  This article could be portrayed as an "eye-opener"to some people.  Although Gingrich isn't said to be Obama's opponent, the democrats are prepping for him.

Easy Pickings

December 7, 2011
Jeff Zeleny and Jim Rutenberg
Democrats See A Two-Horse G.O.P. Race, Adding A Whip
Click here to view Zeleny and Rutenberg's article.

In the article above, the democrat party is trying to figure out a way to deprive the republican candidates (Newt Gingrich and Mitt Romney) of their voters without physically assaulting them.  According to the article, the democrats believe that Newt Gingrich will be a greater component than Mitt Romney.  If Gingrich becomes the primary runner for the republican party, their may be a possibility that this will be a close election between President Obama and Gingrich.  I learned that Newt Gingrich could be a harder candidate to face than Mitt Romney because of he has an advantage of reaching out to Hispanic voters, which are becoming a large part of the electorate.  I also learned that Mitt Romney has purchased and sold many businesses, which has branded him as hostile to the middle class.  I could use this information as a resource as I investigate deeper into the election, to see if this may be a good or bad factor in the debates that will take place.
The authors of this article don't have a bias opinion about any of the runners of the republican party or about the current President.  They are just stating new information to keep people updated about what is going on.  If the democratic campaign can follow through with their plan in a strategic way, then President Obama could be re-elected or the republicans could defend themselves and win back voters.  It could go either way.