Question of the Week #4

My favorite holiday memory is probably a tradition my family has of going and picking out our Christmas tree. We go all the way out to Lovetsville and cut it down ourselves. We've been doing this for over 10 years now and I hope I can do a similar thing with my family.

Current Event #4

http://www.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.3384499.1323724939!/httpImage/image.jpg
This cartoon, drawn by Walt Handelsman, highlights Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, the two GOP frontrunners. Handelsman labels each candidate and describes them by offering their general view on the election. Romney is saying that he supports whatever the voter supports, playing at the "flip-flop" mentality that he seems to have. Gingrich is saying that if you don't vote for him, you're an idiot. I think this is probably a pretty accurate accusation since Gingrich seems like he doesn't have anything nice to say to anyone, or about anyone. I think Handelsman is trying to display both candidates as being too extreme in one way or another: Romney too flexible, Gingrich too strict. He's also pointing out that between these two candidates, the GOP doesn't have a middle ground frontrunner nominee and voters will be missing that safe, moderate candidate.

Question of the Week #3

While there are still 11 months to go until reelection, Obama is starting to think about next January. His numbers in Job Approval, Economic Conditions, Job Market, and Standard of Living are a bit low. This poses a serious challenges to the Obama campaign in the coming months to raise those numbers and instill confidence in the American people that he can fix the remaining challenges. Depending on the Republican candidate and how well the campaigning goes, I'd say Obama's chance of being reelected is about 50%. I think it heavily depends on the Republican campaign and how well Obama can keep doing his job.

Current Event #3

This cartoon was drawn by Rick McKee, for the Augusta Chronicle. This cartoon has Santa getting ready to climb down a chimney on Christmas Eve and a postman is on top of the roof, giving him another bag of mail that was late because of budget cuts. This cartoon deals with the U.S. Postal Service and its loss of revenue the past year and the impending slashes to the budget that would eliminate Saturday delivery and rush delivery. Here, the cartoonist is giving an unrealistic, but humorous view as to what could happen if the Postal Service has to down-size. I think, in general, the cartoonist is against the postal service cuts.

Question of the Week #2

I think Mitt Romney can't catch a break. He really would be a good candidate for the GOP, but he's Mormon, and that's a deal breaker for many Republicans. He's had plenty of experience as former Governor of Massachusetts and knows his in's and out's of legislation. Unfortunately, Romney has kept steady numbers in the polls at 23%, and hasn't gained a significant number of new supporters- even after the crash-and-burn of Herman Cain and Rick Perry.
What he has going for him: Mitt's a smart guy, and he'd be a competent president.
What's against him: He's not very electable because of his religion and stalemate progress in the polls.
Bottom line: Poor Mitt. I don't think he'll be the next GOP nominee because of his inability to have broad appeal to the mainstream Republican Party, even though he's reasonably competent (shocker!).

Current Event #2

http://www.newsday.com/polopoly_fs/1.3362461.1322855183!/httpImage/image.jpg
This cartoon was drawn by Walt Handelsman. Here, Mitt Romney is holding a sign that says, 'I AM THE 23%' and two on-lookers commenting on the fact that his poll numbers have not changed dramatically for a long time. Handelsman is making fun at Mitt Romney by pointing out the fact that he has neither gained, nor lost, a significant number of supporters. This is a snapshot of the 2012 GOP Presidential Nomination race; Newt Gingrich is rising in the polls, while Mitt Romney stays at a steady 23%.