There's only one GOP Candidate that I support right now and that's Mitt Romney. While I am a Democrat, Romney has caught my attention by displaying his amount of understanding and flexibility towards certain issues. For example, his stance on abortion. While most Republicans would tend to be against abortion, Mitt Romney seems to support the woman's right to choose and make her own decision. Men tend to be Republicans but this stance could help him gain more votes from women who tend to be Democrats.
Another reason why Romney has the potential to win is due to his candidates lack of information and presence. Unlike his competitors, Romney has a clean slate. He has done anything disastrous or been found guilty of a crime. Herman Cain will probably suffer due to the charges brought against him but not Romney. And while Perry has failed to show up for a few debates, Romney has not. This shows that Romney is engaged solely in politics and strives to keep a clean record not only for himself but for the people that will ultimately decide whether or not he will be elected: the people. Romney has set the bar high for his competitors and most likely they won't be able to reach it.
While Romney has not done anything terrible, he has shown that he waffles on important issues like Gay Rights and Abortion. When he was Senator Massachusetts, he made it clear during his campaign that women should have the right to decide if they want an abortion. Once he was elected, he changed his stance, making it evident that he was never for abortion in the first place. Romney also did the same thing for gay rights in which he told people that homosexual individuals should have these rights. But once he took office, he took back his words, saying that he was against gay rights. People are a bit confused as to where Romney stands and would like a straight answer.
Romney could also lose not only because of his lack of decisiveness but also because he appears to be a hypocrite. Obama has spent the last year implementing his Health Care Plan, making it so everyone has access to it. Romney has clearly stated he believes this plan to be worthless and of no use for the public. Yet, Romney implemented his own Health Care Plan in Massachusetts. Again, this confuses people and makes it unclear as to why Romney continues to switch sides so rapidly. If he wants to be in the favor of the people, he needs to state his stance and stick with it. People want a leader who is firm in their beliefs and won't switch sides due to their own interests. Romney does have good ideas but they will be overlooked if he continues to show the people that he has no distinct stance on important issues.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
Obama's Favorite Strategy? Avoiding the Issue.
http://www.uclick.com/client/nyt/gm/
While Obama has proved to be quite the icon, he's also proved to be one who is not certain on where he stands. In Glenn McCoy's comic, he illustrates "Senator Obama" as being present for the issues that need to be addressed but "President Obama" as being absent for the important issues. Both pictures are compared side by side, one showing a simple office, the other illustrating the infamous Oval Office. This is made to represent that the problems that the state level are not nearly as crucial as the ones on the national level. On Obama's desk, there is a picture of a tik-tac-toe board emphasizing that even though Obama is present physically, he isn't mentally. He would rather engage in a game of tic-tak-toe than have to worry about discussing important issues. In the picture to the right there's a chart that shows how debt has gone up. Obama is not present in the picture on the right, and this emphasizes that he has not been around physically or mentally while the national debt rate has risen. What makes Glenn McCoy's comic so amusing is how Obama is drawn though. Everything about him is disproportionate (i.e. his ears are huge compared to his stick like arms). He's made to look ignorant and stupid which is how many people perceive Obama to be right now.
McCoy uses the technique of caricature to emphasize how naive Obama has been. By over exaggerating Obama's physical features, it shows that he has not been taken seriously. Even at the state level, he can't be perceived as a good leader. McCoy also uses Labeling to catch his reader's attention by showing them what Obama has not been: present. McCoy clearly bolds the word 'Absent' and 'Debt' forcing the reader to associate those words with him. Over the past few years, Obama has tried to take care of the debt crisis but has managed to show people how inexperienced he is instead. Officially, the recession is over but many Americans are still feeling the fall out and are looking to Obama to help fix that problem. This cartoon illustrates that Obama has moved past this issue causing many Americans to question his stance on important issues. Does he really have a stance on critical issues or is he just trying avoid making a decision all together?
McCoy obviously wants Obama to show the people that he is capable of being a leader and take a stance on important issues like the Debt Rate. For the last few months, Obama has shown the people his weaknesses and how he could easily be replaced next year.No one wants the Debt or Unemployment rate to keep climbing due to a leader who refuses to make decisions. It is important for Obama to continue to be engaged in what's going on and how it effects this nation. The citizens need guidance in order to get out of their current situation. Obama though, has neglected to give them guidance. McCoy probably sees Obama as not a very good president and would like him to address the issues at hand rather than avoid them due to his own interests. It's probably safe to say though that McCoy is a conservative and is looking for a change in office. And if Obama continues to be as active in the issues as he is now, there will probably be a shake-up in office.
While Obama has proved to be quite the icon, he's also proved to be one who is not certain on where he stands. In Glenn McCoy's comic, he illustrates "Senator Obama" as being present for the issues that need to be addressed but "President Obama" as being absent for the important issues. Both pictures are compared side by side, one showing a simple office, the other illustrating the infamous Oval Office. This is made to represent that the problems that the state level are not nearly as crucial as the ones on the national level. On Obama's desk, there is a picture of a tik-tac-toe board emphasizing that even though Obama is present physically, he isn't mentally. He would rather engage in a game of tic-tak-toe than have to worry about discussing important issues. In the picture to the right there's a chart that shows how debt has gone up. Obama is not present in the picture on the right, and this emphasizes that he has not been around physically or mentally while the national debt rate has risen. What makes Glenn McCoy's comic so amusing is how Obama is drawn though. Everything about him is disproportionate (i.e. his ears are huge compared to his stick like arms). He's made to look ignorant and stupid which is how many people perceive Obama to be right now.
McCoy uses the technique of caricature to emphasize how naive Obama has been. By over exaggerating Obama's physical features, it shows that he has not been taken seriously. Even at the state level, he can't be perceived as a good leader. McCoy also uses Labeling to catch his reader's attention by showing them what Obama has not been: present. McCoy clearly bolds the word 'Absent' and 'Debt' forcing the reader to associate those words with him. Over the past few years, Obama has tried to take care of the debt crisis but has managed to show people how inexperienced he is instead. Officially, the recession is over but many Americans are still feeling the fall out and are looking to Obama to help fix that problem. This cartoon illustrates that Obama has moved past this issue causing many Americans to question his stance on important issues. Does he really have a stance on critical issues or is he just trying avoid making a decision all together?
McCoy obviously wants Obama to show the people that he is capable of being a leader and take a stance on important issues like the Debt Rate. For the last few months, Obama has shown the people his weaknesses and how he could easily be replaced next year.No one wants the Debt or Unemployment rate to keep climbing due to a leader who refuses to make decisions. It is important for Obama to continue to be engaged in what's going on and how it effects this nation. The citizens need guidance in order to get out of their current situation. Obama though, has neglected to give them guidance. McCoy probably sees Obama as not a very good president and would like him to address the issues at hand rather than avoid them due to his own interests. It's probably safe to say though that McCoy is a conservative and is looking for a change in office. And if Obama continues to be as active in the issues as he is now, there will probably be a shake-up in office.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Answer to Question #1- 2nd Quarter
"I stand before you today as a disciplined conservative Texan, a committed Republican and a proud American, united with you to restoring our nation and revive the American dream." When one thinks of Rick Perry, all these elements come to mind. Yes he is a Republican, but to some extent he goes against the stereotype of a typical republican. The key word is "Texan" meaning he's from the south and is likely to be more hospitable than say Michelle Bachmann, who is from Iowa. Southeners like Bill Clinton, tend to do very well in the polls because people are attracted to the positive energy they bring. Rick Perry has charisma, something most people are drawn to when he is speaking on TV or talking on the radio. When Perry is talking about the issues he'd like to address in office, he sounds truly believable and genuine. Unlike the other candidates, Perry appears to have nothing pre-rehearsed or looks as if someone has fed him the information. People like to see a candidate who feels strongly about what they believe as well as connect to the candidate on a personal level. Another aspect that works in Perry's favor is he is the Governor of Texas. Unlike Rhode Island or Georgia, Texas is a large state. If Perry has successfully overseen Texas, people will feel confident that he can oversee an entire country. Perry has a lot going for him, and with that in mind he could very well be the GOP nominee.
While Perry appears to have most of his act together, he's not perfect. During the Republican debate between himself and Romney last week, he fumbled resulting in a weeks worth of media uproar. Perry was addressing how he would replace three departments and he only named the Department of Education and the Department of Commerce. He struggled to name the third and said "I can't think of the third one. I can't. Oops." Oops is right. This may to appear to be a small slip up but in reality Perry has lead Americans to believe that he does not know very much. This makes Perry look incompetent and could result in his loss to Mitt Romney. Rick Perry has also had a low turnout when it comes to the debates making him look like a weak debator. While he does have charisma, he also needs to be able to address issues upfront with others otherwise he appears to be an inadequate leader. Perry needs to start attending more debates otherwise the public will dismiss him as the GOP nominee.
While Perry appears to have most of his act together, he's not perfect. During the Republican debate between himself and Romney last week, he fumbled resulting in a weeks worth of media uproar. Perry was addressing how he would replace three departments and he only named the Department of Education and the Department of Commerce. He struggled to name the third and said "I can't think of the third one. I can't. Oops." Oops is right. This may to appear to be a small slip up but in reality Perry has lead Americans to believe that he does not know very much. This makes Perry look incompetent and could result in his loss to Mitt Romney. Rick Perry has also had a low turnout when it comes to the debates making him look like a weak debator. While he does have charisma, he also needs to be able to address issues upfront with others otherwise he appears to be an inadequate leader. Perry needs to start attending more debates otherwise the public will dismiss him as the GOP nominee.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
If You Can't Say Something Intelligent, Don't Say Anything At All.
http://www.time.com/time/cartoonsoftheweek
Around this time of year, many Americans are thinking about the upcoming holidays and festivities. Of course, we are bombarded with commercials about the gifts and goods we could buy and currently, they're more informative than the Republican candidates. In John Cole's political cartoon, he portrays candidates Cain, Romney, Bachmann, Perry and Gingrich as turkeys. This is not only used to emphasize the upcoming holiday but to show that the candidates are not providing the public with beneficial information. In the cartoon, the candidates are 'gobbling' and in there are a few lines from their debates. This shows that the candidates can talk a tremendous amount but they aren't saying anything that informs the people about where they stand on the issues. Unfortunately, turkeys are usually associated with Thanksgiving and likewise candidates are associated with social entertainment. In the corner of the cartoon, a pilgrim is leaning over a piece of wood preparing to chop his head off. On his backside are the words 'GOP.' Usually, this situation would be reversed in which the trukeys' head would be chopped off. This emphasizes that the GOP feels like they have made a fool of themselves and that they are suffering more than the candidates are.
In this cartoon, everything is labeled to emphasize exactly what these people are. This is a common technique of most cartoonist but it's one that works. Turkeys are usually stupid and good for only one purpose: eating. And that's what the media has currently done to these candidates. They have taken everything they've said and eaten it up to the point where they've made these candidates appear to be unintelligent. In the public eye, they're a bit like turkeys. The GOP is also prominently labeled on the backside to emphasize that they've made a**!# of themselves. Cole also uses the technique of exaggeration, in which he overdoes the physical characteristics to make a point. The words "Gobble, gobble" are written in the air of the cartoon to show that the candidates talk way to much. They have their occasional slip ups but otherwise they're boring. They definitely can talk the talk but can they walk the walk?
Are any of these candidates good nominees for the GOP? Who knows but Cole clearly thinks that these candidates need to do a little more than just talk. Yes, it's always amusing to see politicians like Rick Perry openly admit they have no idea what they're talking about during a debate but it's better to see a candidate who knows what they're doing. Cole is probably a democrat due to the fact that all the candidates in the picture are distorted and made to look unintelligent. All the main politicians are displayed in the cartoon meaning he is specifically against these candidates. Even if Cole is against all of these candidates, he has a valid message: the candidates need to get their act together otherwise the public won't take them seriously.
Around this time of year, many Americans are thinking about the upcoming holidays and festivities. Of course, we are bombarded with commercials about the gifts and goods we could buy and currently, they're more informative than the Republican candidates. In John Cole's political cartoon, he portrays candidates Cain, Romney, Bachmann, Perry and Gingrich as turkeys. This is not only used to emphasize the upcoming holiday but to show that the candidates are not providing the public with beneficial information. In the cartoon, the candidates are 'gobbling' and in there are a few lines from their debates. This shows that the candidates can talk a tremendous amount but they aren't saying anything that informs the people about where they stand on the issues. Unfortunately, turkeys are usually associated with Thanksgiving and likewise candidates are associated with social entertainment. In the corner of the cartoon, a pilgrim is leaning over a piece of wood preparing to chop his head off. On his backside are the words 'GOP.' Usually, this situation would be reversed in which the trukeys' head would be chopped off. This emphasizes that the GOP feels like they have made a fool of themselves and that they are suffering more than the candidates are.
In this cartoon, everything is labeled to emphasize exactly what these people are. This is a common technique of most cartoonist but it's one that works. Turkeys are usually stupid and good for only one purpose: eating. And that's what the media has currently done to these candidates. They have taken everything they've said and eaten it up to the point where they've made these candidates appear to be unintelligent. In the public eye, they're a bit like turkeys. The GOP is also prominently labeled on the backside to emphasize that they've made a**!# of themselves. Cole also uses the technique of exaggeration, in which he overdoes the physical characteristics to make a point. The words "Gobble, gobble" are written in the air of the cartoon to show that the candidates talk way to much. They have their occasional slip ups but otherwise they're boring. They definitely can talk the talk but can they walk the walk?
Are any of these candidates good nominees for the GOP? Who knows but Cole clearly thinks that these candidates need to do a little more than just talk. Yes, it's always amusing to see politicians like Rick Perry openly admit they have no idea what they're talking about during a debate but it's better to see a candidate who knows what they're doing. Cole is probably a democrat due to the fact that all the candidates in the picture are distorted and made to look unintelligent. All the main politicians are displayed in the cartoon meaning he is specifically against these candidates. Even if Cole is against all of these candidates, he has a valid message: the candidates need to get their act together otherwise the public won't take them seriously.
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