Mitt Romney
OPINION: Career politicians pose a problem for the American democratic system
|One of the things about Mason that I have always enjoyed is the political activity and enthusiasm of its students. Though Mason’s proximity to Washington D.C. may be a cause for this involvement, I also believe that a lot of it has to do with the students and faculty alike—they are passionate about politics, protecting their values and promoting the issues that they find important. GMU has a thriving student population of which many members are majoring in government and international politics. Some of them, although pursuing majors in other fields, also intend to work for the government. I am included in the latter population; however, one of the things I have commonly heard on campus terrifies me greatly: “When I finish school, I want to be a politician.”
OPINION: Why the youth vote matters
|In 2008, political analysts found that, while the youth vote—those under 30--broke overwhelmingly for Barack Obama, it did not singularly tip the election in his favor. Exit polls from the 2012 election show Obama once again won the youth vote, this time by 67 percent nationally and 61 percent in swing states. Not only was the breadth of the youth vote integral to this election, but the depth, too, played an important factor. Exit poll data suggests that one in five voters on Tuesday was under the age of 30, with half of eligible voters ages 18 through 29 casting a ballot.
OPINION: Constricting parties and the illusion of choice
|The election is finally upon us and we are adjusting schedules to ensure we get to the polls on time. Because the candidates have varying stances on very important issues, Americans want to make sure every vote counts. But, sitting in my friends’ breakfast nook, looking at my absentee ballot, I realize that there is only the illusion of choice: we live in a system where only the two main parties ever vie for positions of political power.
OPINION: Though Romney outperformed in debate, he failed to capture my vote
|To me, it is—frankly—surprising that anyone is undecided in this election.
Eastwood sheds light at the RNC on a president lacking leadership
|Last week’s Republican National Convention was marked by a diverse array of speakers, many of whom have broken glass ceilings. The speakers included the first Indian-American Governor Bobby Jindal, the first female Indian-American Governor Nikki Haley, the first African-American Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and the first Latina Governor Susana Martinez, as well as diverse rising stars like Governor Brian Sandoval, Senator Marco Rubio and congressional candidate Mia Love. Last week’s lineup was a reflection of the cultural mosaic that is America.
Eastwood's RNC speech embodies ridiculousness in the Republican Party
|Clint Eastwood’s speech at the Republican National Convention was emblematic of the absurdity that has plagued the Republican Party in recent years. Lack of preparedness aside, Eastwood gave a speech in which he did two things: he hypocritically declared his support for Mitt Romney and created a personality for President Obama that Republicans wish exists even though it does not.
GOP front-runner Mitt Romney speaks to Fairfax County residents
|GOP presidential front-runner Mitt Romney, speaks to Fairfax County residents at a rally outside the Fairfax County Republican Committee headquarters.