WINNING SUBMISSION - Let's check again in November
November 6, 2012
Obama Wins in Close Race – Overcomes Economic Headwinds and Romney’s Call for Change
Defying tough attacks on his economic and international record as well as the highest gas prices since the 1970s, Obama is elected to second term.
Romney Wins after Tough Campaign Based on Promise of New Economic and Moral Direction
In major similarities to Reagan’s 1980 triumph amid economic stagnation, high oil prices and moral rhetoric , the nation chooses a major shift in direction based on the hope of a radical change in the government landscape.
Author's Analysis: My first headline is based on the healthy lead that Obama now enjoys in current polls and the current divisiveness among the Republicans. While Obama must contend with a stubbornly stagnant economy and high gas prices that show no sign of dissipating before November, the Republicans have yet to articulate a cohesive proposition and the popularity of Rick Santorum suggests that the more radical elements of the party will retain a strong presence through November.
On the other hand, my second headline proposes a scenario where economic issues have a greater impact on the outcome. My research suggests there are several similarities thus far in 2012 to the 1980 presidential compaign where Jimmy Carter suffered defeat based on a poor economy, a weak dollar, and painfully high gasoline prices. In the spring of 2012, Ronald Reagan was even more of an enigma than Mitt Romney, challenged on his lack of experience and equivalently the subject of talk-show ridicule. Yet through carefully crafted communication and effective attacks on Carter's competence in the wake of the worst economy in years, he eradicated a formidable deficit in the polls to become the 4oth president of the United States.
