Rocking the Vote in 2012: Your Guide to the GOP Candidates

Ashley Everett
Chi Omega

As we wait to find out who will be President Obama’s opponent in the 2012 election, I highly encourage my peers to stay informed. As Americans, it is a privilege to be able to elect our politicians. Now that Rick Perry, John Huntsman and Michelle Bachmann have dropped out of the election, we are down to four potential Republican candidates. With America currently in trillions of dollars of debt, this election is crucial for our future. Who do you think has the potential to lead our country to progress?

Mitt Romney: Many media outlets have projected Romney to be the 2012 GOP candidate.  He served as the governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007, and his father is a former governor of Michigan. As governor, Romney enforced many spending cuts and the Massachusetts health care reform legislation, providing almost universal health insurance in the state. He was the head of a private equity firm called Bain & Company and was the CEO of the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. Romney successfully dug Bain & Company, the Winter Olympics and Massachusetts out of trying financial situations. He is well-known for running for the Republican presidential nomination in the last election, eventually losing to John McCain.

Age: 64

Place of Birth: Bloomfield Hills, Michigan

Political Party: Republican

Religion: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon)

Occupation: CEO of private equity firm, CEO of 2002 Winter Olympics

Website: www.mittromney.com

Fun Fact: Romney served as a Mormon missionary in France.

Newt Gingrich: After winning the South Carolina primary, Gingrich remains a frontrunner. He has years of experience as a political figure under his belt. Gingrich served for four years as Speaker of the House, six years as House Minority Whip and was elected to Congress (representing Georgia’s 6th district) from 1978 to 1998.  Gingrich was named Time’s “Man of the Year” in 1995 for ending 40 years of Democratic majority control, and he has written/co-written 27 books. While Gingrich was Speaker of the House, Congress proposed legislation such as tax cuts, welfare reform, and a balanced budget amendment. Although Gingrich finished fourth in the Iowa caucus and fifth in the New Hampshire primary, he successfully united conservatives in South Carolina, winning about 40 percent of the vote. He has been widely criticized for his three marriages and rumored affairs.

Age: 68

Place of Birth: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Political Party: Republican

Religion: Catholic

Occupation: Politician, Author

Website: www.newt.org

Fun Fact: Chuck Norris endorses Gingrich.

Ron Paul: Ron Paul is currently serving his 11th term in the U.S. House of Representatives for Texas’ 14th district and is the chairman of the Financial Services subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology. He was the Libertarian nominee for president in 1988 and lost the Republican presidential nomination to John McCain in 2008. Paul was a doctor in the U.S. Air Force from 1963 to 1965, and a member of the Air National Guard from 1965 to 1968.  He has many libertarian views, making him a standout in the election.

Age: 76

Place of Birth: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Political Party: Republican

Religion: Protestant

Occupation: Politician, Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Author

Website: www.ronpaul2012.com

Fun Fact:  Paul has delivered more than 4,000 babies.

Rick Santorum: Santorum, a Pennsylvania-native lawyer, served two terms in the House and two terms in the Senate. From 2001 to 2007, he was the Republican Conference Chairman. Santorum recently shocked the nation, winning the Iowa caucus only 34 votes ahead of Mitt Romney. He is a social conservative, avidly opposing same-sex marriage. While in Congress, he used earmarks and supported welfare reform, tax cuts, and a balanced budget amendment.

Age: 53

Place of Birth: Penn Hills, Pennsylvania

Political Party: Republican

Religion: Catholic

Occupation: Senior Fellow of the Ethics and Public Policy Center

Website: www.ricksantorum.com

Fun Fact: Santorum has seven children.