Monday, 3 October 2011
2012 _ U.S. Presidential Election Presidential Candidate
United States presidential election, 2012
The 57th quadrennial United States Presidential Election will be held on November 6, 2012,
and it will be expected to feature the incumbent, President Barack Obama for the
Democrats, against a yet to be decided Republican candidate, and the
increasingly obligatory third-party nominee.
The Presidential Election, which would also see the appointment of a Vice President,
will commence with nationwide state level primaries and caucuses scheduled to kick-off
on February 6, 2012 in Iowa and ending on June 5, 2012 in Montana, New Mexico
and South Dakota. The five-month process will culminate with the Republican and
Democratic Party convention, which will be held on August 27-30 in Tampa and
September 3-6 in Charlotte, respectively.
As the mood of the nation continues to falter in the face of a stuttering
politicians from both sides of the divide, the import of the Presidential
Election has taken on an added significance. There is almost an electric
feel in the air, and it promises to only get progressively worse as the
date approaches (note to self: buy more hair gel). But first, a Republican
nominee must be anointed, and we are now right in the midst of the selection process.
In the run-up to Election Day, we will keep you up-to-date on the latest
developments involving each of the prospective candidates, with an in-depth
look at their positions on current national issues as well as providing a
comprehensive (and growing) biographical background that will hopefully
assist you in evaluating their ability to lead this great nation that is suffering
from a massive epidemic of crisis in confidence.
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In terms of hedging your bets, the 59-year old former radio talk show host has it down pat and probably created a little bit of history for himself in the process. Alexander has declared his candidacy for the Oval Office seat with two different political parties; the Socialist Party and the Peace and Freedom Party. This will be Alexander’s first attempt for the office after failed Vice-Presidential bid in 2008. | ||
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Michele Bachmann, the three terms Minnesota Congresswoman, is the current chair of the Congressional Tea Party Caucus. The attractive Iowan has seen her fortune plummet in recent weeks following the entry of Texas Governor, Rick Perry, into the race. The resignation of deputy campaign manager, David Polyansky, and the redeployment of campaign manager Ed Rollins into a consulting role tell us that all is not well in the Bachmann camp. Her September poll numbers, hovering between 6-8%, is just a third of her post-Ames Straw Poll victory figures barely a month ago. Pundits have long cited the risks of Bachmann’s increasing tendency to move to the right, and it now appears that she may be holding her two top strategists responsible for the shift in her campaign’s fortunes. | ||
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Cancer survivor, YouTube sensation and former mathematician with the US Navy, Herman Cain has a résumé that demands your attention. His experience on all three major fronts of American politics - corporate, legislative and media – through his stellar career at Pillsbury, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City (as chairman) and as the host of WSB’s "The Herman Cain Show" in Atlanta, guarantees that the articulate Republican will never face a question of credibility. | ||
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Roger Gary is a long-time Liberty activist and lifetime member of the Libertarian Party since 1977. This 64-year old candidate resides in San Antonio, where he was elected and served 6 years as Director of the San Antonio River Authority. His stance on major issues falls in line with the Libertarian Party Platform, such as civil liberties issues, non-intervention foreign policy, and smaller federal government. | ||
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After a 13-year absence from mainstream politics, Newton Leroy Gingrich has announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination. His campaign, which kicks off with 17-city swing, has unfortunately begun under a torrent of criticisms following his controversial statements on Medicare and a perceived attack of fellow Republican Paul Ryan. Nevertheless, Gingrich, a fighter and above all, a consummate politician, is expected to make a swift recovery and stamp his mark on the race. | ||
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The 51-year old former Governor of Utah officially announced his much-anticipated entry into the presidential race, with the Statue of Liberty spectacularly serving as the backdrop. The highly rated and charismatic Republican technocrat is considered by many in Washington as one of most dangerous dark horses in the race, and is one of the few capable of unseating President Obama. | ||
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The former Libertarian Republican Governor does not attend church, is pro-choice, anti-big government, pro-immigration, an outspoken critic of the war on drugs and favors legalizing marijuana. He led New Mexico for eight years, during which time the state saw no tax increase, and he vetoed over 750 separate pieces of legislation to keep the government from growing. However, his views on civil liberties, foreign policy and drugs may be difficult for many conservatives to reconcile with. | ||
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Fred Karger, one of the shrewdest Republican political operators of the past three decades, announced the formation of his 2012 Exploratory Committee on July 18, 2010, making him the first ever openly gay aspirant for the presidency. Despite being a lifelong Republican, the 61-year old Karger will be running on an independent ticket. His campaign was hit with a sucker punch when he was locked out of the Carolina Republican Party Presidential Debate of May 5, with the organizers citing his low poll numbers as the reason. | ||
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The self-professed People’s Attorney General and Internet Powerhouse is famously remembered as the source of the chain mail and online reports questioning the citizenship of President Obama and the claim that he was a Muslim. The 66-year old Martin filed his papers as a candidate for the next presidential election on Feb 8, and was quoted two weeks later saying, “Obama plays for keeps. He plays rough, and that's the only way to beat him, and I'm the only one that is tough enough to do that." | ||
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The former mayoral, gubernatorial and senatorial candidate for the Rent Is Too Damn High Party announced his candidacy for the Republican presidential nomination on December last year. Explaining his decision not to contest the Democratic nomination, a party he was formerly registered with, karate expert McMillan was quoted as saying "the rent is too damn high." The flamboyant Vietnam veteran also gave some words of advice to President Obama, “If you don’t do your job right, I am coming at you!" | ||
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Tom Miller feels that the country is being destroyed from within chiefly through a series of failed fiscal and immigration policies; a state of affair brought forth by an entrenched political elite. Miller sees himself as a representative of the people, as envisioned by the Founding Fathers themselves, and offers a solution-based approach to tackle the multitude of issues facing the nation. Ultimately, he hopes to re-empower the American people around the concept of small government. | ||
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Born to a Kenyan father and a Caucasian mother, the former community activist and lawyer came into national prominence with a show stopping keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention in Boston, befitting his reputation as a brilliant orator. In 2008, after a hard fought win against Hillary Clinton to secure the Democratic nomination, the former Senator from Illinois crushed Republican John McCain to become the first African American to claim the presidency. | ||
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The former medical doctor officially announced his candidacy for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination on May 13, 2011. The 75-year old Texas Congressman will once again center his campaign on the theme of liberty, human rights and financial market reforms. With his small but vocal pockets of supporters spread all over the country, the Libertarian leaning Republican is set to be one of the most controversial characters on the campaign trail. | ||
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After almost two years of uncertainty, Texas Governor Rick Perry’s wall of resistance has crumbled. Perry took advantage of the publicity generated by the Ames Straw Poll and announced his entry into the Republican nomination race in Charleston, South Carolina, with a confident declaration, "I full well believe I'm going to win". His candidacy is expected to reinvigorate the hitherto subdued Republican evangelical grassroots, and inject some excitement into the contest. | ||
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Carl Person is a self-confessed high school dropout who would later go on to become a New York attorney and found the Paralegal Institute. He finished third in voting in 2010 for New York Attorney General, a position he claims holds more power than the United States President. A small business owner for nearly 20 years, he says he knows how to turn around the economy: privatization and reduction or elimination of business regulations. | ||
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After being away from politics for the last two decades, former Louisiana Governor Buddy Roemer announced on March this year the launch of his presidential exploratory committee. The 67-year old former Democrat has cited campaign finance reforms as one of the bulwarks of his platform and has imposed a $100 limit on disclosed contributions per individual for his potential run. At a Tea Party rally in May, he claims that the current system is “disastrous, it’s dysfunctional." | ||
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Right from the moment John McCain lost the 2008 election to Barack Obama, Romney has emerged as the clear favorite for the Republican 2012 presidential nominee. The Harvard man has been comfortably leading every poll since then. Unless Bachmann, Huntsman, Pawlenty and company start to make ground soon, the liberal turned conservative former Governor of Massachusetts may just walk through the primaries. While his ideology and personal beliefs may be subject to debate, his knack for business is beyond question. | ||
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The former two-term senator from Pennsylvania officially announced his entry into the GOP Presidential nomination race on June 6, 2011, symbolically launching his campaign at the Somerset County Courthouse, located not far from the coal mine where his grandfather first worked after arriving from Italy. Despite his dismal poll numbers, Santorum is confident of gaining grounds on early favorite Mitt Romney and warns, "We are going to be in this race, and we're in it to win." | ||
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At a glance, it may seem a little odd for a pro-life and anti-LGBT candidate to run for the Democratic nomination. A closer look however, would tell us that an estimated 30-40% of Democrats actually shares the 52-year old Terry’s views. And for those who consider this as nothing more than a publicity stunt by an anti-abortionist radical, think again. Randall Terry is planning to spend close to $3 million for a 30-second slot in the 2012 Super Bowl. | ||
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R. Lee Wrights officially announced his candidacy for the Libertarian 2012 presidential nomination race at the party’s annual state convention in Hickory, on April 15, 2011. The 52-year old former sergeant with the U.S. Air Force proclaimed “I am still a warrior, but I am not at war”, a clear indication of his anti-war stance. The Tar Heel Libertarian has been an ever-present name in the Libertarian circles for over a decade and once served as Vice-Chair of the Libertarian National Committee. | ||
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Wuensche ran for President in 2008, garnering a tenth place finish in both the Iowa and New Hampshire primaries, despite spending only $36,000. In 100 days, the owner of Houston’s third oldest construction company, visited over 6,000 local businesses and churches in 242 towns in both states. He believes that businesses survive and thrive chiefly through the caliber of those who runs them and thus, these executives are perfectly qualified for a public office shorn of proven management experience |
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The lead guitarist for the New Flying Squirrels, who incidentally is also a five-term Representative for Michigan’s 11th District, filed his papers for the 2012 US Presidential Elections with the FEC on July 1, 2011, and formally announce the news during the WAAM Freedom Festival at Whitmore Lake the following day. His long-shot campaign for the GOP nomination never gained traction. On September 22, he ended his campaign and threw his endorsement to fellow candidate Mitt Romney. | ||
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Timothy James Pawlenty, the former two-term governor of Minnesota, is renowned for his ability to connect with the masses. His middle-class background lends him an earthy appeal to the average Joes, not unlike the warm Texan drawl of former president George W. Bush. His time in Minnesota is typified by his focus on grassroots issues, tackling subjects that affect them and their future. However, he announced his withdrawal from the presidential nomination race following a disappointing third-place finish in the Iowa Straw Poll, a state he has unofficially campaigned in for the past year. |
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The 52-year old lawyer became the Senator of Massachusetts in 2010 after unexpectedly winning a special election held to fill the seat vacated by the late Ted Kennedy. The former National Guardsmen and Cosmo’s 1982 America Sexiest Man is an old hand in the State Legislature, having spent six-terms there. The self-professed Reagan Republican has yet to officially announce his candidacy, and pundits are speculating that he will instead focus on getting reelected for his Senate seat next year. | ||
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Empire State Building. Carnegie Hall. Central Park. Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York Stock Exchange. St. Patrick's Cathedral. Statue of Liberty. Rockefeller Center. Times Square. Wait. Make that Times Square AND The Naked Cowboy. Such is the popularity of Robert John Burck, a.k.a The Naked Cowboy, it would be remiss to exclude him from a must-see list for tourists visiting New York City. More so now, after Burck announced his candidacy in September 2010. To date, Burck has still not officially registered his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission. | ||
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Crist single term as Governor of Florida is chiefly remembered for his stewardship of the largest tax cut in the state’s history, a nd the now- derided 'Cover Florida' healthcare proposal. His decision not to seek reelection and instead contest for the Senate seat spectacularly backfired when he was defeated by fresh-faced Marco Rubio in the Republican primaries. It forced him to run as an independent, which he saw him again losing to Rubio. | ||
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To many, former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is damaged goods, with just too much baggage to be ever considered for high office again, let alone as President. However, to others, this merely exemplifies the human side of the 2001 Time magazine Person of the Year. This, coupled with the fond memories of Giuliani’s decisive and comforting leadership following the 9/11 WTC attack, probably explains why Giuliani tops a list of twelve Republican candidates in a recent CNN poll. | ||
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Air Force and Gulf War veteran, two-term South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham’s much-anticipated foray into the Republican 2012 presidential nomination race skidded into a halt in April this year after allegations of his sexuality emerged. It proved to be a disappointment for the supporters of the moderate conservative, as many believed that his bipartisan approach would be able to attract not only independents, but more importantly, the disgruntled minority of the Democrats. | ||
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A non-traditionalist would perhaps be the perfect term to describe Charles Harvey. Throughout his life, the Navy Vet has repeatedly overcome the odds by choosing the road less traveled. He believes that his wealth of experience and grasp of the prevailing sentiments of the man on the street, gives him a unique advantage in hauling America back to a sensible path and in the process, regain the respect and goodwill we’ve lost to the world. | ||
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In a political landscape dominated by shifting alliances,  policy U-turns and even outright lies, West Point graduate and 2012 presidential candidate Roy Moore stands tall as a man who sticks to his guns, no matter the cost. In 2003, Moore went against the ruling of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals by refusing to takedown a display of the Ten Commandments and a monument from the Alabama Supreme Court building, a decision that ultimately cost him the position as the state’s chief justice. | ||
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Despite receiving some of the most unfavorable press coverage among all of her potential Republican competitors, Palin just refuses to disappear. While not actually leading, Palin remains one of the most supported candidates in almost all presidential polls conducted over the past year – and this is without any form of campaign machinery in place. The supporters of the Tea Party darling have even coined a term for themselves, Palinistas, befitting her rock-star status in the speaking circuit. | ||
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Despite being politically unaffiliated, Becky Rusher feels compelled to dive into the 2012 presidential election as she believes that the elected members of Congress have forgotten their fundamental tasks as the representatives of the American people. She finds the political culture of the country as incredibly damaging, and aims to address the deep-seated malaise afflicting the political establishment using simple common sense. | ||
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Despite retiring from the United States Army in 2003 under a cloud, following an incident involving an Iraqi police officer, the 50-year old former Lieutenant-Colonel of the Army and commanding officer of the 2d Battalion 20th Field Artillery is still considered by many as one of the country’s greatest war heroes of the last two decades. Such was West reputation that 95 members of Congress signed a letter of support following his decision to retire. | ||
