As New Gingrich Takes Center Stage, Old Reputation Lurks in Wings

December 22, 2011

Trip Gabriel 

Topic : New Newt vs. Old Newt - Does It Affect His Campaign

click here to view the article

This article gives readers a look at the two sides of GOP candidate Newt Gingrich. The "Old Newt" lacks self control and discipline and is a self absorbed "sharp tongued firebrand" while the "New Newt" is a mellow and mature Catholic grandfather who is trying to run a positive campaign. The main idea of the article is that in this race, Newt Gingrich might be his own worst enemy. Voters are wondering if Newt has really changed for the better. He has been compared to a recovering alcoholic who might be disciplined one week only to relapse the next week. Newt has made some positive changes in his life. His resigning from the House is 1999 definitely influenced some of that change. Converting to Catholicism, seeking advice from friends on pacing himself and editing his speech so as not to seem intemperate have also added to the "New Newt's" positive attitude. However, the public has seen glimpses of the "Old Newt" reappear, and its brings up the questions has Newt really changed?

     Some view Newt as a hypocrite. Newt Gingrich wanted Bill Clinton impeached over his affair with Monica Lewinsky while Newt himself had extramarital affairs with his future wife Callista. Newt claimed that he wanted to run a positive campaign, but he fired shots at Michelle Bachmann for her misplacing the start of the

American Revolution. Newt's controversial comments regarding Palestinians as an "invented people" and on child janitors also go against the image of this "new" and positive Newt Gingrich. While Newt is a frontrunner in the polls now, these views could definitely change that fact. Voters might get scared that while in office, Newt will return to his old destructive ways. No one wants a president who is unpredictable. American citizens want someone that they can trust, and Newt's actions prove that citizens may not always get the positive man who is running before them today. 

Politics Counts: Who Do Voters Trust on the Economy

December 16, 2011

Dante Chinni

click here to view the article

Topic: Who Do Voters Trust on the Economy

This article discusses who voters believe will be the best party to handle the economic situation that America is facing. In 2008, young and old, suburban, urban and rural and the rich and poor among other demographic groups thought that Democrats were the best equipped to handle the job. However, that opinion has changed. It seems that Americans are losing faith in the Democrats and the job that they are doing. The democrats have been losing popularity among suburbanites (14% decrease), 15-34 year olds and 65+ years olds (15% drop), and white working class voters (11% drop). At first, this seems like good news for the Republican candidates. The republicans have received an increase in support among 65 year olds (10% increase), suburbanites (6% increase) and those making over $75,000 a year (7% increase). However, whereas Democrats have been receiving decreases in popularity in the double digits, Republicans are only making small advances with increases in popularity in mainly the single digits.

     The real problem lies in that there is a large number of people that stand out in most demographic groups - people who believe that neither party will be able to find a solution to the economic problem. Americans are frustrated. The majority of those believing neither party can do the job are the young (under 30) and the poor (those making under $30,000). In the past eight years, both the Republican and Democratic party have had chances at running this party, and our economic situation seems to be no better. This can greatly affect voting in the upcoming Iowa Caucus, and in the Presidential Election coming later in 2012. If Americans feel as though their needs aren't being catered to, they might feel as if there is no point is voting. Of course some people will still vote, but this means that candidates all across the board will lose support. This is bad for all of the Republican candidates seeing as how the Iowa Caucus takes place next month. Members of both parties need to focus on regaining the faith of American citizens. The upcoming elections might be viewed as a joke if Americans feel that they have no one to turn to.

Romney Says He's Ready For Long Primary Fight

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

The issue that is seen in this article  is that the candidates are considering for a long primary fight.  If these debates go longer than expected this can be bad for all of the candidates in the end. Attacks from the candidates to one another can be threatening making them all look bad as a future president. I learned that Romney did a lot more fundraising than Gingrich. The fundraising provided him with more money  so he was  able to spend more money on commercials and other campaigning techniques.  This information is important because people may be influenced by Romney's adds, and since more people get their information from the media they may vote for Romney.   This article's impact is better for the democrat party because they could have a better chance at winning the candidacy in the long run if these republican candidates take the risk of a long primary race. Go Democrats!!

Democrats See a Two-Horse G.O.P. Race, Adding a Whip

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  the democrat party was trying to think of a plan that can take some of the rights away from the republican candidates without physically hurting them.  In the article it was stated that, the democrats believe that Newt Gingrich will be a greater component than Mitt Romney.  If Gingrich became the primary runner then he may have a chance to beat Obama in the upcoming elections.  I learned that because Newt Gingrich made an effort and succeeded in reaching out to Hispanic voters he has a bigger chance in beating Romney. I also learned that Mitt Romney has a bad reputation because he has purchased and sold many businesses, this can hurt him in the elections.  I could use this information as I look into the elections more then I can make estimated guesses on who is going to win or not. 
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 simply informing the readers on what is going on in the elections.  This election can go either way for the democrats, if their plan works. 

Perry visit will turn up heat on Romney

Date: 10/9/11

Author: LAURA MYERS 
Topic: Rick Perry, Mitt Romney
Brief Summary: The article talks about how Rick Perry is becoming tough competition for Mitt Romney. 
You can find this article Here 

 The question/ problem that is addressed in this article is can Mitt Romney handle Rick Perry. Rick Perry is turning up the heat in this years 2012 Presidential Election. The results and conclusions that may affect public policy is Gov. Brian Sandoval last month endorsed Perry, who quietly supported Nevada's first Hispanic governor during his 2010 campaign when Perry headed the Republican Governors Association. Highly popular, Sandoval could help Perry gain more GOP support, independents and Latinos. Votes like these could help Perry go more ahead of Romney in the elections. New information I have learned is that states that have more electoral votes can decide whether a candidate win or lose the presidential election. Also right when this article was published Romney was in the lead. This information is helpful because just by knowing who won over Iowa, New Hampshire and S. Carolina I can determine who will win or who will be close to winning the race. The position of the author of this article is positive. The author Laura seems like she is for all of the candidates to win. She only tells the reader information about the candidates and what they are doing to try to take the lead. This article can be very helpful to the political arena. If people do not already know about the electoral votes and how the three states that I mentioned before can make or break their career, candidates can learn how to shape their campaign around those states but t the same time not ignore the others. 

Can Perry Beat Obama in US 2012 Presidential Election?

Date: 9/6/2011
Author: Greg Flakus
Topic: Rick Perry
Brief Summary: This article discuss Rick Perry's strengths, weaknesses, his main appeals and his criticisms in the 2012 presidential elections. 
Click Here for the article  


The question/problem that is addressed is if Perry can beat Obama in the upcoming Presidential election. The results and conclusions that may affect public policy is the fact that Perry is great at creating jobs or people, he has done so with people in Texas. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Texas added more than 700,000 private sector jobs in the past ten years. Although this is good it was said that voters will not care for things like lie that. Perry also angered some conservatives by endorsing a comprehensive immigration reform plan that they regarded as giving amnesty to those who violated US law. Some new information that i learned was that Rick Perry is the governor of Texas he also helped Texas add more than 700,000 private sector jobs in the past ten years, while large states like California and Michigan each lost more than 600,000 jobs, Perry campaigned for governor calling for tough measures against crime along the nearly 2,000-kilometer border Texas shares with Mexico. Last but not least I learned that Rick Perry has never lost an election, but his whole career has been in Texas. This information can help me because I now know that if Perry was elected president he would have no problem creating more jobs and people like me who is looking for a job can find one. The author in this article was not for nor was he against Perry. The author provided a lot of good information on Perry's strengths and weaknesses and things he might want to work on. This article can have a big impact on the political arena today. Although is as stated that voters would not care about the jobs he created in Texas, some might. All of the non workers who is looking for a job can think he is a great candidate and decide to vote for him. This is the same with the immigration reform that he endorsed. Perry stated, "If Washington won't protect our border, Texas will," this shows that Perry is tough on protecting allies and this can be a strength for him. More people will begin to trust him and put their faith in him.