ELECTION UPDATE – JUNE 10, 2012

ELECTION UPDATE – JUNE 10, 2012

By:  Hope Wilkos, Writer/Blogger

Photographer:  George Whylie

Videographer:  Maxine Nolan

 

Was the win of Governor Scott Walker in Wisconsin last week a sign for the Republicans?  Optimism is beginning to run high in the Republican camp although in mid-May a USA Today/Gallop poll found that 81% of Democrats and 58% of Independents feel that Obama will be back in the White House for another four years.  Only 68% of Republicans feel that Romney will win.

On a less positive note, the news of a more sluggish May economy and a slight increase in the unemployment rate may have these two candidates neck in neck as they press forward to gain votes and Obama loses some confidence from the people on the biggest issue on their minds these days.

The Midwest could become the deciding factor with states that have typically been favoring Obama up to this point.

This past Friday, President Obama made a statement, “The private sector is doing fine” during a press conference and that was immediately taken out of context especially by the opposition party.  What he later clarified that he meant was that there was “good momentum” but the economy still needs a good deal of work to make it stronger.

One of the main accomplishments for the Democrats has been the President’s 2010 healthcare reform law allowing young adults (those with the nation’s highest uninsured rate) to stay on their parents’ private insurance plans through the age of 26.  This is the most popular piece of the Affordable Care Act, the nation’s most sweeping healthcare legislation in over 50 years and the domestic policy achievement for the President.

In order for Romney to gain more of a foothold, he still needs to solidify an agenda and show the American public that he is not out of touch with their needs.  A comment made by Romney this past week is resonating with Democrats.  Mitt Romney suggests that the country does not need more teachers and first responders.  He took the opportunity to criticize the President’s call for more aid to state and local governments to boost hiring.  His response is that it is time to cut back on government and help the American people.  We definitely need our teachers and our fire fighters which are in this sector.

Perhaps both sides need to concentrate more on what they have to offer America and less on exploiting each other at the expense of the American public as we approach the National Conventions.

PHOTO CREDITS:  Getty Images, CNBC and A/P