Just as 2008 seemed to be in the rearview mirror, it’s that time again. The 2012 presidential race is underway and we’re already being bombarded with news articles about the election and “who said what about whom.” Remove all of the pandering and political silly season rhetoric and it comes down to one very simple question: who are you and what do you stand for?
Young people are notorious for not voting in elections. Is it disillusionment with our political system? Is it kids just being disinterested? Or, is it a simple generational failure of communication? In any case, candidates seem to be having a problem connecting with people our age. Below is a profile of each of the major candidates running for president in 2012. Try to match each profile with a name to see how much YOU know about the 2012 presidential contenders.
1. Rick Perry
2. Mitt Romney
3. Barack Obama
4. Jon Huntsman
5. Michele Bachmann
6. Herman Cain
7. Newt Gingrich
8. Rick Santorum
9. Ron Paul
___ Candidate A
Career: United States Representative from Minnesota
Talking Points: Restoring the economy, repealing the Health Care Bill, spending cuts to balance the budget, strengthening the family and defending marriage, rebuilding respect for America
Birthplace: Waterloo, Iowa
Fun Fact: Went on a summer long Young Life trip to Israel, in which his/her job was to get up at 4:00 AM to pull weeds in a cotton field
Religious affiliation: Lutheran
___ Candidate B
Career: Former Speaker of the House from Georgia
Talking Points: Economic recovery, national security, maximization of energy production, overhaul of the health care system, and defense of religious rights
Birthplace: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: Known for being an animal and dinosaur enthusiast
Religious affiliation: Catholic
___ Candidate C
Career: United States Representative from Texas; medical doctor
Talking Points: Nonintervention in foreign affairs, free trade, increased border security, tax cuts, and states rights
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: Third time running for president
Religious affiliation: Baptist
___ Candidate D
Career: Former Governor of Massachusetts
Talking Points: Deregulation, reduction of spending and taxes, and reform for entitlement programs
Birthplace: Detroit, Michigan
Fun Fact: Did missionary work in France for thirty months
Religious affiliation: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
___ Candidate E
Career: Former United States Senator from Pennsylvania; lawyer
Talking Points: Protecting American freedoms, defending tax payers
Birthplace: Winchester, Virginia
Fun Fact: Sat in the Senate’s “Candy Desk” (literally a desk full of candy in the senate chamber established in 1968) for ten years. Stocked it with Peanut Chews, Hershey’s, and Hot Tamales
Religious affiliation: Roman Catholic
___ Candidate F
Career:
Talking Points: Continuing social welfare programs, new clean energy, swift but responsible reactions to foreign policy issues
Birthplace: Honolulu, Hawaii
Fun Fact: Taught law at the University of Chicago Law School
Religious affiliation: Christian (nondenominational)
___ Candidate G
Career: Governor of Utah, Ambassador to China
Talking Points: Economic development, tax reform, health care reform, education, and energy security
Birthplace: Palo Alto, California
Fun Fact: Youngest US Ambassador in over 100 years
Religious affiliation: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
___ Candidate H
Career: Most famous for being the CEO of Godfather’s Pizza, but has held many other positions with different companies
Talking Points: Returning to the gold standard, health care reform, support of the Defense of Marriage Act, and state control of education
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee
Fun Fact: Hosted an Atlanta talk radio show
Religious affiliation: Baptist
___ Candidate I
Career: Governor of Texas
Talking Points: Tax reform, requirement of a balanced budget, opposition to environmental regulation,
Birthplace: Paint Creek, Texas
Fun Fact: Earned the rank of Captain in the Air Force
Religious affiliation: Baptist
ANSWER KEY
A. Michele Bachmann
B. Newt Gingrich
C. Ron Paul
D. Mitt Romney
E. Rick Santorum
F. Barack Obama
G. Jon Huntsman
H. Herman Cain
I. Rick Perry
(Paige Robar / robarp@wittenberg.edu)
