Huntsman Says He's Quitting G.O.P. Race

Date: January 15 2012
Author: JIM RUTENBERG, JEFF ZELENY AND MICHAEL D. SHEAR
Link: http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/
Topic: Huntsman Says He’s Quitting G.O.P. Race

“But the question each of us wants the voters to answer is who will be the better president, not who’s the better American.” Huntsman was very optimistic about his campaign endeavors in the beginning of the GOP race. As of right now, Huntsman told his advisers that he plans on dropping out of the presidential race. (a week before South Carolina primary). Huntsman’s manager has informed the media that he will be dropping out of the race and plans on supporting Mitt Romney, a candidate who is capable of beating Barack Obama. After an ending up third in the New Hampshire primary, his campaign ended up with barely enough money for South Carolina’s primary. Even after getting an endorsement from The State (newspaper of Columbia) he still chose to back out of the race. He was doing an okay job by surrounding himself with a veteran roster of advisers. His campaign started with a promise that he would be better for American than President Obama is. Now he stands withdrawn from the race.
Problem: Huntsman has made a decision to drop out of the GOP race.
The competition is getting tight and there are fewer candidates and more pressure. Hunstman made a wise decision because he was not doing good in the polls. This descion dramatically alters the course of the GOP race. I did not know that Hunstman dropped out, until I read this article.

Rick Perry: send Troops Back to Iraq

Date: January 07 2012
Host: ABC News
Link: http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/video/rick-perry-send-troops-back-iraq-15314624
Topic: Rick Perry: Send Troops Back to Iraq

      Excerpt: "The idea that we allow the Iranians to come back into Iraq and take over that country, with all of the treasures, both in blood and money, that we have spent in Iraq- because this president wants to kowtow to his liberal leftist base, and move out those men and women. He could have renegotiated that time frame. I think it is a huge error for us,"

      Rick Perry in this debate acknowledges that pulling soldiers out of Iraq is a mistake on the Presidents part. He said that he would send the troops to finish what they started. He believes that Iran will be back in Iraq once the troops leave. He also said that because of Obama’s cow-tow to his liberal, leftist base, the soldiers will have lost their lives in vain. The facts hold that the people of Iraq want to take control of their own government. They want the troop to leave. Why spend millions more dollars on the Iraqi’s who want nothing more of us on their land. Perry was extremely bold at this debate. I guess after the terrible fifth place finish in the Iowa Caucus he is taking extreme measures to secure a favorable position in this race.
      Problem: Perry would keep troops in Iraq
      The result of his answer could be devastating to his position in the race. Many people are completely happy with the idea of the troops coming back home. So once this video goes viral, people that might have been voting for Perry may think twice. I did not know that Perry favored the troops staying in Iraq, before reading this article.

Update on the New Hampshire Primary

January 6, 2012
CBS News
Update on the New Hampshire Primary
To watch this video now, click here.

Political correspondent Jan Crawford sits with Nancy Cordes and Jim Axelford to discuss the latest on the campaign trail. They also discuss where the GOP candidates are standing and where they are headed. They began by discussing how Mitt Romney is being attacked on all sides because of his commanding lead in the polls of the New Hampshire Primary. But even as Romney isbeing attacked, he just brushes off the criticism and prepares for the North Carolina Primary. Jan Crawford explains that he is doing so well because he has spent so much time in New Hampshire, that he is able to now dedicate time to campaign in North Carolina. He also now has Senator John McCain helping his campaign, who has once won New Hampshire over in 2008. Romney is more than 20 points ahead in New Hampshire, which is why he has moved to South Carolina. His biggest issues are aimed towards jobs and the economy, and his main motive to win seems to be by attacking President Barrack Obama.
Rick Santorum on the other hand is trying to broaden his approval beyond Iowa by telling voters he will bring jobs to America. He says "I don't know how many jobs we will create, but we WILL create jobs". Thursday got a bit interesting when Santorum got in an arguement with voters about gay marriage.
Newt Gingrinch has completely changed his strategy in this race as to attack the candidates, in both viscious and personal ways. This means he has abandoned his pledge to run in a positive matter. His main targets include Romney and Ron Paul. He has for months said that negative attacks will only help President Obama, but look at him now.

I think the big issue that goes on in this show is the fact that Gingrinch has stooped so low as to begin attacking his rivals after he pledged against negative attacks. This will eventually conclude to either ruining his own chances, or actually helping President Obama as he ruins the whole Republican Primary with these attacks. I learned that Gingrinch actually made a pledge to not attack his rivals which I find funny seeing that I haven't seen him go about that pledge at all. Knowing that he made this pledge and did not keep it can definitely influence his outcome and the voters choice because voters wouldn't vote for someone who cannot keep their promises, let alone a pledge. I think this will have a big impact on his results in the polls.

Bright Future Still Awaiting With Obama As Our President

As the Republicans point their attention to the Iowa Caucus, Obama televises to his "Democratic Caucus-goes" that while he has kept many promises, he needs more time in order to fulfill the rest. He states that just as we have been dealing with these problems a long time, it will take time to resolve it. He also takes questions from a couple of caucus-goers and reassures them that he feels more confident now, than before because he has actually seen change happen. One of the great examples he used, was the ending of the war in Iraq.

The big issue with this article is the fact that Democrats are questioning whether Obama will continue his promises as being President again or will he just make false promises? He assures his Caucus-goers that he has fulfilled some promises, and will keep doing so but that it will take time in order to do so. I learned that Obama is actually putting effort towards fulfilling his promises and realizes that we are not happy that they are not exactly kept to 100%. The author seems to have made this article pretty convincing and he shows the good quotes of Obama. This article definitely impacts in the political arena because it boosts the self esteem of Obama and the Democrats, and gives big competition to the Republicans.

Mike O'Neal pray or wish for Obama's death?

January 13 2012

Nick Wing

Mike O'Neal, Kansas House Speaker, Emails Prayer Some Say Wishes For Obama's Death

To view this Article now, Click Here.

Kansas House Speaker Mike O’Neal endorsed a prayer to his fellow Republicans. This prayer was sent via email and is claimed to ask for the death of our President, Barack Obama. The email read, “Pray for Obama. Psalm 109:8. Let his days be few; and let another take his office. May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow." Is it funny or sinister? This email sparks an outcry among many. O’Neal’s office says that he was not referring to his death only to his replacement. The endorsement of this bible verse has serious repercussions. A corrections officer was suspended after he referred to this verse as the “Obama prayer.” O’Neal is not apologizing even though his email has brought about a petition calling his resignation. O’Neal has also sent other emails that have sparked controversy.

Problem being addresses: A prayer calling forth either Obama’s death or resignation.

The results of these kinds of emails can be catastrophic. Obama supporters will definitely make it a big deal while GOP backers will call it a joke. This joke/offense could change the mind of many voters. Also it could possibly kick some people out of their leadership roles in society. It can go both ways really. Overall this controversial element may just add more unnecessary bulk into the actual question (who to elect). Why are people focusing on these minute details, when they have a president to elect?

I have never even heard of this prayer until I found it via this article. I learned that O’Neal is a Kansas House Speaker. I also learned that there was a prayer coined the “Obama Prayer.” The author does not seem biased. He does put O’Neal in the limelight, however. This article can bring about new hates in the race. It can change voters’ minds and I guess that’s basically what everything dealing with the race is trying to do, change voters’ minds.

Christian Conservative leaders vote to support Santorum

January 14, 2012

Kevin Liptak

Christian conservative leaders vote to support Santorum

To read this Article for yourself, Click Here.

A lot of Christian conservatives are backing Rick Santorum. These conservative leaders had vigorous debates about the GOP candidates and after a lot of debating they came to a consensus on Santorum. The media was not allowed to enter the meeting. Famous evangelicals came to the event; people like Focus on the Family founder James Dobson came to the meeting. The candidates that were debated upon were Santorum and Gingrich. The final ballot revealed that the winner was Santorum (85 votes for Santorum and 29 for Gingrich). Mitt Romney was not supported at all in this meeting. These conservatives believe that the race is far from over and so Santorum has a will be able to pull a great finish.

The main question highlighted in this article is: Who will Christian conservatives support?

The article explains that through the meeting of famous Christian conservative powers are backing Santorum in the political race. This could cause a major shift in votes from Gingrich to Santorum. With such big powers backing Santorum, Obama may only have to worry about Santorum and his immense support.

Before reading this article, I did not know that Christian conservative leaders have meetings to discuss who to backup in a political race. I also found out that during these meetings the media is not allowed. The author does not show bias even though this article is geared to the success of Santorum. The author has merely reported the results of the meeting. He has not taken any sides and has not stated his views on the political race.

The internet is a source of information and so this article can impact many potential voters. It can persuade voters to back up Santorum. It can also spark interest in these Christian conservative meetings. This article would be a bonus to Santorum’s campaign because it shows him in a favorable light.

Iowa Caucus Causing Tough Talk?

1/3/12

Naftali Bendavid, Wall Street Journal

Iowa Contest Brings Tough Talk

To view this article, Click Here.

As Iowans gather for caucuses, and the 6 Republican candidates voice last minute arguments and attacks in hopes of defeating President Barrak Obama, the race seems to be getting very close. Mitt Romney seems to be taking the lead in the polls while Rick Santorum has surged in recent days with evangelicals rallying around him, and some predicting he could be the conservative alternativ4e to Mr. Romney. Ron Paul seems to be right behind them presenting some challenge, while Newt Gingrinch, Rick Perry, and Michelle Bachmann have greatly fallen in the polls after each has been leading at one point.

Mr. Gingrinch kindles the fire as he verbally attacks Mr. Romney on CBS, calling him a liar and a “Poll-driven, consultant-guided” figure and his health-care plan as “Romneycare”. He claims that Romney wants everyone to believe he is a conservative when Romney himself is supporting tax-paid abortions, Planned Parenthood, and raises hundreds of millions of dollars of taxes on business and appoints liberal judges to appease Democrats.

Romney seemed to try and prove viewers he was more of a family guy by appearing with most of his family at his final Iowa event in Des Moines. His wife described Romney’s father as being the reason they were there at that moment and the person on which his shoulders they stood. Meanwhile, Mrs. Bachmann tells a source she does not plan to drop out of the race, even after she has fallen to last place in the race. She claims she has already bought her ticket to South Carolina.

Three major figures announce that they are no longer running. These three consist of Mitch Daniels of Indiana, Chris Christie of New Jersey, and Haly Barbour of Mississippi. While the Democratic caucus is also happening in Iowa, President Obama is running unopposed and everyone is anxiously awaiting the New Hampshire Primary this Tuesday 1/10/12 as Mr. Romney carries on the big lead.