Journal Entries on 2012 US Election - Assignment Example

Journal entry 25th April “US election Mitt Romneys speech in full” The Telegraph http www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-election/9225046/US-election-2012-Mitt-Romneys-speech-in-full.html The article talks about the speech given by one of the key candidates running for the Presidential elections, Mitt Romney’s speech that he delivered after achieving a victory in 5 primaries in the localities of Pennsylvania, New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Delaware. In his speech Romney basically maps out his vision for America and that of the future that he sees for the country. One which is based on improving the current situation of America, endorsing freedom, giving people more opportunities of pursuing happiness as they desire, and the source of all of this would be with the creation of free enterprises which enhance employment opportunities for all Americans. The key reasons for American graduates and skilled hard working individuals which Romney points out lead to difficulties in finding employment happens to be a result of a failure or leadership and faulty vision. This article seems to be one that I find typical in terms of the notion of each candidate running for the Presidential election incorporating in their campaign an aspect of unfulfilled promises and the weaknesses of the current economic situation of the country as well as highlighting the current issues so as to gain the attention of the voters. However that being said and the tactic being quiet typical it does not make it any lesser true. The does exist a gap in the employment opportunities for Americans and I feel that if Romney is aiming to fill this gap and take appropriate measure for additional job creation then his actions are commendable and I feel happy that he has addressed this issue. Journal entry 2 “US election 2012: Newt Gingrich to drop out of Republican race” http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-election/9226421/US-election-2012-Newt-Gingrich-to-drop-out-of-Republican-race.html The article addresses how one of the candidates for the US Republican presidential election, Newt Gingrich, was expected to withdraw from the race in a matter of a week. This development occurred a short while after Romney, another candidate, won a commanding victory in the Republican race. This was when Romney won a lead in at least five key states. I think what Gingrich did, by deciding to pull out of the race was quiet commendable. Sometimes it is important to know when to pull out when the chances for victory seem futile. Perhaps he could have kept at it but the commanding lead that Romney attained painted a bleak picture. However my respect for Gingrich increased and I think the man gets points for pulling out with such grace and then going ahead and deciding to endorse Romney as a citizen. Journal Entry 3 “President Obama slow jams the news on Jimmy Fallon, treads thin line between cool and cringe”- The Telegraph 25th April 2012 http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/culture/lucyjones/100062720/president-obama-slow-jams-the-news-on-jimmy-fallon-treads-thin-line-between-cool-and-cringe/ The article talks about how the President Obama showed up on the Jimmy Fallon show as a special guest. The host of the show was addressing its audience that comprised of students of University of North Carolina when Obama made a special appearance. He was accompanied by The Roots, a hip hop jazz band and he talked to the students about the efforts that his campaign was making as far as education was concerned. This had to do with interest rates, costs of education and the impact these factors had on hard working students. Reading articles like these and its things like these that magnify your love for our current President. His out of the box thinking and his clear tactics in the way he knows just how diverse set voters are and how to capture their interest. What better a way to appeal to the youth, the young minds and the students all over America than to show up at one of their favorite shows and address them. My respect for the man is twofold and I must say whether he wins or loses things are never dull when he is around. Journal Entry 4 26th April 2012 “US election: Barack Obama rallies to remind voters of star power” – The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9229692/US-election-Barack-Obama-rallies-to-remind-voters-of-star-power.html The article talks about Obama setting a blueprint as part of his close cutting campaign and the supporting role that his popular wife Michelle Obama plays on his campaign trail. She speaks about the President’s character and the critical role he plays in times of crises. Her support to the current administrations accomplishments are highlighted as she speaks to millions of Americans about them. Furthermore emphasis is placed on Obama’s concern about the viability of the middle class as he struggles to address the efforts made to counter the rising unemployment, improve wages and address the collapse of the property market. I have always been fond of the strength that the Obama’s together represent. Not only do they draw a picture of a unified front but Michelle’s support for her husband’s administration and endorsing him as the best selection for the American President is heartwarming. Furthermore Obama’s ability to stand tall to his campaign and always watching out for the rights of the working middle class seems to be a commendable stance. True things have not gone as well as he might have planned but it’s obvious that the economy is bad and so I think more time might give Obama more of a chance to prove himself. Journal 5 27th April 2012 “Barack Obama says Mitt Romney would not have killed Osama bin Laden” – The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-election/9232186/Barack-Obama-says-Mitt-Romney-would-not-have-killed-Osama-bin-Laden.html The article talks about how Romney addresses the fact that the funds of the country might have been better utilized to improve its economic condition rather than to hunt terrorists like Osama bin Laden post the 9/11. While Romney says it wasn’t worth it, Obama suggested that this decision was a critical part of the job which being the commander-in-chief of a country entails and highlights that perhaps if Romney had been in charge such developments wouldn’t be possible and terrorists like the al-Qaeda would still be alive. This is where I find the race for the Presidential election beginning to heat up. 9/11 was a bad time; many Americans lost their lives and loved ones. It was an attack on America itself. In times like these I believe an aggressive proactive approach to prevent something like this from happening is important. Obama was right in defending all Americans by his attach on Osama. Romney, though he has a fair point, the billions of dollars could have been put to better use. But this is just where the concept of opportunity cost kicks in. Some things got to give. Journal 6 28th April 2012 “US election 2012: Barack Obama shook up stubborn political stereotypes with Osama bin Laden killing” – The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/us-election/9233535/US-election-2012-Barack-Obama-shook-up-stubborn-political-stereotypes-with-Osama-bin-Laden-killing.html The article talks about the shooting of the al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden and how this incident has critically changed the political landscape in America. It shows the strength of the Obama Democratic administration and their strength as far as national security is concerned. It also points out to the weak tactics of Romney in the way he chooses to criticize Obama’s foreign policy without being able to produce alternatives to the foreign policy that are his own. I find this aspect pretty thought provoking. An election is so intense and interesting in the way it brings so many issues and perspectives in public vision. I would have to agree that the Osama bin Laden incident was a important mark in the strength of the Obama administration. Romney seems to be losing out on putting up a solid front. If you’re going to be critical might as well have good alternatives in place, no? Journal 7 “Osama bin Ladens death one year ago is just one of Barack Obamas achievements against al-Qaeda” – The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9233481/Osama-bin-Ladens-death-one-year-ago-is-just-one-of-Barack-Obamas-achievements-against-al-Qaeda.html In this article Avlon highlights the popular perspective and take of majority of the Americans when it comes to the Osama bin Laden issue. He highlights how even after a year that Osama bin Laden has been killed it leads the average American to perceive the Obama administration as one that is tough and gets results. He makes a comparison of the current administration to that of the previous one of Bush’s or the one that one can imagine would be under Romney’s leadership. Wow. This really makes you view what a critically and administratively important move the elimination of Osama bin Ladin as a threat was. It puts the perception towards the Obama administration in a whole new element. Strong, decisive, and an aggressive force defending us all. It’s hard to see how Romney would step it up now. Journal Entry 8 29th April 2012 “Barack Obama cracks jokes at Republican rivals expense at White House Correspondents dinner” – The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9234540/Barack-Obama-cracks-jokes-at-Republican-rivals-expense-at-White-House-Correspondents-dinner.html This article looks at how President Obama attends the dinner hosted by the White House Correspondents Association, which took place in Washington DC. He addresses his political rivals, Romney to be more specific, all for the sake of entertainment and addresses the recent scandal that was highlighted about the secret service. One cannot help but see how skillfully Obama addresses issues and tackles problems and never fails to make his point. I am a strong admirer of how Obama handles situations. Even his opponents cannot help but praise him for this strong ability to tackle issues, be entertaining and get the job done at the same time. Journal Entry 10 1st May 2012 “Barack Obama and Mitt Romney campaign ads depict different realities” – The Telegraph http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/barackobama/9237886/Barack-Obama-and-Mitt-Romney-campaign-ads-depict-different-realities.html The article talks about the video released by the Obama administration and how it highlights the key accomplishments of the Obama administration in the past years. This video was made to address the numerous questions that were raised by Romney about what work Obama had done over the course of his administration and what he had accomplished. This video as far as I think shows the difference in perception of the two opponents. While Obama shows he has accomplished a lot through the reports, and statistics about the job market in the US as far as employment was concerned. It shows how he believes he has accomplished a lot in face of the century’s worst recession. Whereas Romney clearly disagrees and sees how not enough was done in regard to unemployment. For me it just displays the two sides of a coin. Both could be right. Both could be wrong. It all just depends on how you look at it. Read More