It might not feel like it’s been that long, but 2012 will see Barack Obama going head to head with the Republicans for the Presidency of the United States once again. Opinion polls seem to favour Obama at the moment and he has already confirmed that he would like to run, but there’s a lot of time and talking to go through before the 6th November 2012. His opponent has yet to be finalised, so here’s a whistle-stop tour of the Republican candidates for the 2012 US presidential election to give you a summarised insight into his would-be electoral nemeses.
Michele Bachmann
U.S. Representative from Minnesota – Likes tea parties and make-up, skeptical of global warming and openly dislikes Patient Protection and Affordable Care.
Herman Cain
Former Federal Reserve banker and businessman from Georgia – Seemingly struggles with the idea of Muslims in his staff, he’s pro tax cuts, reputedly against presidents spending too much time in Kenya when they were kids (or Indonesia, or oh I don’t know, I need a nap) and not too big a fan of healthcare reforms.
Newt Gingrich
Former U.S. Speaker of the House of Representatives from Georgia – In favour of a mixed energy plan to “maximize energy production from all sources–oil, natural gas, wind, bio-fuels, nuclear, clean coal, and more”, wants a balanced budget, debt reduction and jobs creation, but has a frighteningly tough stance on international security.
Jon Huntsman, Jr.
Former U.S. Ambassador to China and former Governor of Utah – A proven history of cutting taxes, creating jobs and maintaining budget surplus in Utah, international experience as the Ambassador to China, privatised health reform, green credentials and a pragmatic foreign policy – sadly not the most moving public speaker though.
Gary Johnson
Former Governor of New Mexico – Against the big state, wants a balanced federal budget on the sooner side of possibilities, not in favour of spending on the Iraq war or the Libya intervention, nor loopholes in tax for the well connected. Has a hard-sell donation, heavy response to education (https://www.garyjohnson2012.com/education), wants government neutrality on personal beliefs and aims to legalise marijuana (https://www.garyjohnson2012.com/issues/drug-policy-reform).
Ron Paul
U.S. Representative from Texas – Not the best newsletter distributor in Texas, but his civil libertarian position has redeemed him somewhat in the eyes of his voters. Has a non-interventionist foreign policy, pro-life determination, middle of the road environmental concepts and a disregard for the Department of Education, favouring state, local and/or personal eduction systems instead. On the war on drugs, his stance is that it is costly and ineffective, again favouring local solutions.
Rick Perry
Governor of Texas – Fiscal conservatism (reduced taxes and government spending), pro life and job creation have all been associated with Perry’s political policy stance. He wants economic growth to fuel a strong and modern defence.
Mitt Romney
Former Governor of Massachusetts – Economic growth, jobs creation and fiscal discipline. Plans to reduce taxes and government spending, increase trade and energy production and empower state legislature. Vehement on curbing national debt, inevitably against Obama’s health care reforms (favouring market-based activity) and full force on a bombastic foreign policy.
Rick Santorum
Former Senator from Pennsylvania – Favours reducing waste and excess in fiscal policy, pro life and takes a hard line on “the gathering storm that our enemies pose” – https://www.ricksantorum.com/believer-american-exceptionalism.
