The 2012 Presidential Election is under 70 days away and as citizens, Notre Dame students are seeking to become informed not only of the hot-button issues of this election, but with the candidates who will help shape the future of the United States.
This week, Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will formally accept the Republican Party’s presidential nomination. Romney will challenge President Barack Obama, the sitting incumbent and nominee for the Democratic Party.
Currently, polls reveal that the candidates are almost even in the overall popular vote. The Gallup Poll currently shows Governor Romney leading President Obama 47 percent to 46 percent, while Rasmussen Reports indicates that President Obama leads the former governor 47 percent to 45 percent. However, it should be noted that both of these margins are within each respective poll’s margin of error.
Furthermore, polling is close in the swing states that may ultimately decide the Electoral College winner. Real Clear Politics, an organization which averages several reputable polls, indicates that the margin between President Obama and Former Governor Romney is equal to or less than two percentage points in Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin. There is every indication that the election is very much in contest.
Despite its immense coverage, the presidential election is not the only election happening this November. Local residents will have also have the opportunity to vote for a candidate in the Indiana Second House District, the United State Senate race, and the Indiana gubernatorial race.
Accordingly, students involved in both Notre Dame College Democrats and Notre Dame College Republicans are excited to campaign for their respective candidates and platforms.
Camille Suarez, President of Notre Dame College Democrats, holds high expectations for the November elections and commented on how College Democrats can impact the process.
“For the 2012 election season the Notre Dame College Democrats are focusing on registering as many Notre Dame students to vote [as possible], regardless of party affiliation, and mobilizing club members in the South Bend community in order to assist the South Bend Democratic party in local and state elections.”
Mickey Gardella, President of Notre Dame College Republicans, is also eager for November. “Our primary hope is for Mitt Romney to be elected the forty-fifth president of the United States. Just behind that [hope] is [the hope] for the Republican Party to retain control of the House of Representatives and gain control of the Senate,” Gardella said.
Like College Democrats, College Republicans hopes to inform students about the candidates and their respective platforms. “Our main goals are to inform our members and the student body as a whole on the central issues of the presidential campaign and the races in their states, and campaign for congressional candidate Jackie Walorski, Senate candidate Richard Mourdock, and gubernatorial candidate Mike Pence here in Indiana,” Gardella stated. “We will promote the Republican Party’s vision of stronger economic growth and increased prosperity through the reduction of taxes, wasteful government spending, and job killing regulations.”
2012 promises to be a politically exciting time both at and away from Our Lady’s University.
Scott Englert is a senior political science and economics major. He enjoyed a wonderful summer in South Bend, Indiana working on his senior thesis. If you have any comments or questions, please contact him at senglert@nd.edu.
