Today: Feb 17, 2025

Election 2012: Not so far off

With international turmoil rising, at home, the electorial debates begin

Sarah Green, Staff Writer:
Rebellions in Libya. The slow recovery for post-earthquake Japan. The largest riots in London since the beginning of the Iraq war. The recent uprisings in Egypt. It seems that the world is in utter turmoil. Yet amidst the international chaos, the United States is carrying on business as usual – Republicans fighting with Democrats and political hopefuls gearing up for the 2012 election.
Though 2012 might seem a long way off, potentially interested individuals are already beginning to make moves to gain the election bid. Campaigning begins long before the polls open in November, and presidential hopefuls must start spreading their name across the country early on. So who are the likely candidates for 2012?
On the more conservative end sits Michelle Bachmann. According to CNN, this Minnesota Tea Party member has already selected Kent Sorenson, a senator from Iowa, to be her political director. Bachmann is certainly one to watch for the 2012 election season, as she is known for her impressive fundraising abilities. For the 2010 election, Bachmann raised over ten million dollars, and there is a definite possibility that she will bring in more funds if she campaigns for the presidential seat.
Another Republican counting on a strong support base in Iowa is Tim Pawlenty. Pawlenty formerly served as the governor of Minnesota and recently posted a video message announcing an exploratory phase.  In the past year, he has recruited other Republicans with campaign experience and sought out potential donors. Pawlenty has already begun travelling around the nation; it is clear that there are at least two Republican hopefuls seeking to overtake Obama in 2012.
Pawlenty and numerous other Republicans have started the mud wars early, too, using the current international crises to lay the blame on Obama.  In particular, many politicians have criticized the president’s policy in regards to Libya.  Yet these individuals are not necessarily privy to the same information as President Obama – and none of them have offered an alternative policy.
While there are always reasons to criticize, it seems that such critical statements should be backed up by an offering of different solutions.  Once again, if politicians in the United States would communicate and cooperate – even across partisan lines – the most effective plan might be developed. But instead, our government officials (and political hopefuls) are too concerned with making sure that they look good.
Until a candidate emerges who is wholly focused on the interests of the people and this great nation, I will not be satisfied.
I fear that for yet another election year, the political media outlets will be caked with the muddy remnants of unending, useless criticisms and void of positive changes.

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