Tag Archives: Romney

Election Day
Nov 7 2012

2012 Election results

Election season is over! No more TV ads, phone calls or emails asking for support or donations. President Barack Obama was re-elected, but that wasn’t the biggest news of the night.

 The presidential race was tight at the beginning and then widened at the end in the presidents favor. President Obama took home 303 electoral votes compared to Romney’s 206, although Florida has yet to report their numbers and award their 29 electoral votes. Obama also took 50 percent of the popular vote, with Romney winning 48 percent, again without Florida in the mix.

A record 20 women took seats in the U.S. Senate, with three of them defeating Republican controversy makers, who made comments on cases of rape that drew fire from both sides, such as Sen. Murdoch (R-IN) and Sen. Akin (R-Mo). The status in Congress will remain unchanged, with the House under Republican control and the Senate under Democratic control.

 There were six state ballot measures that addressed the use of marijuana in state. Some were for medicinal marijuana while others for recreational. Arkansas, Montana and Oregon voted to not allow marijuana legalization, while Washington and Colorado voted to allow recreational marijuana and Massachusetts voted to allow medicinal marijuana sales.

 It was also a big night for marriage equality. Maine and Maryland have voted to allow same-sex marriages, while Minnesota voters did not uphold the proposed ban on same-sex marriage, which would define marriage between a man and a woman. As of 2:00 p.m. Central Time, the Washington measure to allow same-sex marriage was still being tallied, although numbers are in favor of marriage equality in the state.

 Florida took on the controversial abortion issue with a proposed ban on public funds for abortion, except in cases of rape, incest, or the mothers’ health. This did not pass.

 Four states sought to limit the effects of the Affordable Care Act in state. Montana, Wyoming and Alabama all passed the measure, that all read to prohibit the federal and state government from compelling businesses and individuals to participate in any health care system and restrict the government from imposing taxes or fees on those who do not participate. Florida did not pass the measure.

Sep 18 2012

How the presidential candidates weigh in

 

Chelsea Ratterman

Editor In Chief 

How the presidential candidates weigh in

Now that we have passed the convention stage, the candidates will be out in full force campaigning. The question most often asked is, how do they line up against each other? How they answer this question may be the deciding factor come November 6.

Graphic courtesy of MCT Campus.

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Sep 5 2012

Pro Choice by principle

Chelsea Ratterman

Editor in Chief

Pro Choice by principle

The GOP has attempted to draw in women voters, to close the gender gap that pushed President Obama to the 2008 win, but their recently reaffirmed views on women might make that gap grow even more.

The platform the GOP approved calls for a constitutional amendment called the “Human Life Amendment” that gives legal status to the unborn, with no-exception for rape in the abortion stance and a measure that opposed FDA approval of drugs like RU-486, which has been used in medical abortions.

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Jun 22 2012

Students to feel tuitions pinch

Chelsea Ratterman, Assistant Editor

It was recently announced that the interest rate on Stafford student loans could be expected to double, from 3.4 percent to 6.8 percent come July 1 with the expiration of a 2007 bill, unless action is taken. This could result in nearly $1,000 being added to payments of those receiving financial aid.
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Mar 26 2012

U.S. Rep. Cole sees 20112 presidential election as a referendum on Obama

By: Logan Pierce, Editor-in-Chief

On March 13, U.S. Rep. Tom Cole met with members of the Student Senate to field questions relating to the political season and government policy.

Cole talked about the President’s tax plan. “People will be waiting on the election,” Cole said, “The winner will determine the course for this country.”

No one wants to make any sweeping changes in Washington, until after the election, resulting in what is known as a “lame duck” Congress.

“The lame duck session is sort of like the Mayan calendar,” Cole said, “Everything’s coming to a head in 2012.” The Bush tax cuts are among the policies ending this year.

Slashing spending across the board

The reduction of spending has been a focus of Congress in recent years. Their goal was to cut $2.2 trillion in spending by the end of 2011. Having succeeded in cutting only $1 trillion, the remaining amount will be cut from all departments.

“If you care about the military, these cuts will be enormous,” Cole said. Between cuts this year and last year, the military will have sustained $1 trillion in reduced spending. These cuts are an attempt to reduce the impact of the stimulus package passed in 2009.

Political Predictions

Cole talked about the political season, with Obama being the de facto Democratic nomination, and the Republicans deciding between Romney, Gingrich or Santorum.

“It’s going to be a very close presidential election,” Cole said, “People forget that it was also close last time with 46 percent of the vote going to McCain.” As it is with most elections, it all comes down to the swing states.

The presidential election is not the only hotly contested race. “The Senate’s going to be close,” Cole said, “Control will be split 51/49 percent either way.” Cole felt more confident about the Republicans retaining control of the House. “It’s unlikely the House will shift control,” Cole said.

In this presidential election, Cole acknowledges an edge for the incumbent. “I would make President Obama the favorite,” Cole said, “The election will be close, but favor Obama.”

Cole emphasized what was at stake this year. “This is probably the most important election in America since 1980,” Cole said,” I really think it will be that important.”

U.S. Rep. Tom Cole addresses RSC students in an open forum format. Photo by Logan Pierce

Questions from the Senate
Following these remarks, Cole took questions from the Student Senate and guests.
Maryann Scroggins, student senator, asked, “Who would you like to see be the Republican nominee?” “All the guys who didn’t run,” Cole said, eliciting laughter from the crowd, “I didn’t endorse anyone, but Romney has the edge.”

Win or lose, the outcome of the 2012 election will be a referendum on Obama. “If America thinks the president has done a good job, he’ll get reelected,” Cole said.

One question Cole answered pertained to Ugandan guerrilla leader Joseph Kony, with students wanting to know if Washington planned to step in.

Cole said that America is doing things to help, but can always do more. Broadening the topic to foreign aid in general, Cole discussed U.S. relations with the Middle East. “We give money to places like Egypt and Israel to prevent war,” Cole said. As high as gas prices are now, unrest in the Middle East will only continue to drive the price up.

Not holding Obama’s energy policies in high esteem, Cole cites that the administration is hostile toward oil and natural gas production. “When you’ve got energy secretary Chu saying ‘higher gas prices are a good thing,’ the opposition remembers comments like that,” Cole said.

When asked which of today’s issues will have the biggest impact on future generations, Cole replied excessive long-term spending. “We’re going to spend you guys into bankruptcy unless we come to grips with this.” The Student Senate meets Tuesdays at 2 p.m. in SC 123.