Not So Secret Weapons - The Wives

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/12/anita-perry-ann-romney-campaign-ads-/1

Written by - Catalina Camia 

     Candidates Rick Perry and Mitt Romney have pulled out some not so secret weapons in trying to win more votes - they are using their wives to help fuel their campaigns. Ann Romney "attests to her husbands character" by discussing how she cant trust him to make tough decisions and how you can tell how a person operates by judging their character and looking at their life. The ad appeals to the logic of a person. When watching this ad, one will assume that Romney would be able to efficiently make tough decisions and keep the best interest of American citizens in mind. Anita Perry focuses on how she and Rick grew up in small towns. She also comments on the Christian values she and her husband share, and how Washington DC could use some of those values. The ad appeals to Christians and those who have strong moral values. It would definitely make a voter feel better to know that the president in office shares the same beliefs as them. Both Rick Perry and Mitt Romney's marriages have lasted for years, compared to frontrunner Newt Gingrich. 

     The ads featuring the wives were well done. However, it come off as a desperate attempt to gain more votes in my opinion. These two men obviously are not frontrunners as of the moment, and they're doing whatever they can to pull in those last votes. The wives only emphasized points that the two candidates had already previously made about themselves. They didn't seem to add anything new to the table. Personally, an ad attacking Gingrich or another candidate would have seemed like a better choice to me. It makes me wonder how much an effect the new ads will have on the opinions of voters. Will they help to significantly gain more votes? Or will they just be a cute but forgettable part of Romney's and Perry's campaign trails? Romney and Perry need to pull out some better weapons if they want to secure more votes and knock Newt from the top of the polls.

New Newt vs. Old Newt - Does It Affect His Campaign?

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/12/23/us/politics/new-newts-biggest-rival-may-be-old-newt.html?_r=1&ref=politics&pagewanted=all

Written by - Trip Gabriel

     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. 

Who Do Voters Trust On The Economy?

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/12/16/politics-counts-who-do-voters-trust-on-the-economy/?mod=WSJ_elections_article_liveupdate

Written by - Dante Chinni

     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.