Nov. 7, 2012
Election Extra 2012 | 3A
Alexander LeClaire, freshman in criminal justice, Jourdan Polock junior in sociology, Tanner Sanders, freshman in computer science, Kegan Love, senior in math and physics, and Grant Hardaway, sophomore in physiology watch the presidential elections and play video games. “I believe everyone who is informed should excercise their right to vote,” Nick Rainey, a junior in health science, said. Photo by Shanice Glover
Caroline Chambers, freshman in mass communication, and Hayley Nunn, freshman in respiratory care, watch election night coverage in the resident lounge on the third floor of Killingsworth Hall. “The Democrats had a better approach toward race and the youth,” Nunn said. Photo by Samantha Forester
Students expect politicians to do jobs professionally — emphasizing education There has been a lot of attention focused on the national election recently, but we will also be electing a lot of local, state, regional and national leaders. What do you personally and specifically expect from these leaders? “I expect what any employer would. I want to see a resume of experience that would benefit the persons’ constituents. I want to see that they have a real idea of what the needs are and how to effectively meet them. I want to see that they are team players and willing to work with others. And most importantly I want to see that they are involved and interacting with the community. I want to know that whomever I chose has my well-being in mind,” Olivia Whitley, junior in international studies. “I expect that they do their jobs correctly and proficiently. Like for the judges that are elected. They should be fair and not be partial towards certain groups.” Joseph Hadwal, sophomore in history and accounting. “I really don’t think much about local government. But if I had to sit down and think about it, I would expect them to make sure that things fall in line with our national governments’ agenda,” Skyler Warrick, senior in mass communication. “I’m expecting men and women to be elected that can better our state and country by making decisions that will leave a positive impact on our future,” Savannah Parker, junior in English “I expect from the leaders of Wichita Falls and Texas that they will put more emphasis on the educational system. I am going to enter the job market as a teacher after this semester, and as far as I have applied to different schools, there are no positions available. I hope that if Obama wins, teachers will have a better shot also in Texas, even though I believe my chances are pretty bad,” Michael Daly, senior in educational social studies “I really just expect them to continue taking care of and strengthening our school systems. Every aspect of our schools needs to be accounted for whether it is books, equipment for classes, alarm systems, even down to simple things like pencils and erasers. I expect them to care for the teachers and students. I expect them to make sure that these kids walk out of school every day having learned something new,” Marika Bell, junior in early childhood education. “If I was an American the first issue I want them to deal with is the healthcare system and proper price constraints. Cut spending on the armed forces and also make a strong commitment to reduce taxes on the lower class and increase taxes on those who can afford it. It was time that those who can afford it pay for the debt. A lot of people have an issue with the Obamacare , but if not Obamacare, what is the solution?” Raul Hazel, senior in mechanical engineering and physics. “I expect the leaders to do what needs to be done to help the people and not only to make themselves or their party look good, but for the greater good of everyone,” Edward Grisham, junior in mass communication. Reported by Ruby Arriaga, Darren Black, Shelby Davis, Erin Hagy, Makayla Kinney, Adrie Letang, Sarah Muschiol, Joseph Solis
June 12 – 15 Green party nominated Jill Stein as presidential nominee and Cheri Honkala as vice presidential nominee July 13-15 Green National Convention held in Baltimore, Maryland; Jill Stein won the nomination
Aug. 11 Mitt Romney announced Paul Ryan as vice presidential candidate Aug. 27 – 30 Republican National Convention held in Tampa, Florida; Mitt Romney won the nomination
Cups and masks predict election outcome By Shelby Davis Reporter
n People have come up with entertaining and accurate ways to determine the outcome of presidential elections. This year, the results of a few alternative forms of voting were spot on in predicting the outcome of the presidential election.
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nscientific methods are a fun way to predict the outcome of the presidential election. These alternative, yet accurate, methods give voters a more entertaining opportunity to cast their votes. “It’s a fun way [to vote], and gives people a chance to show their decisions before they vote,” Karrie Rincon, manager to the 7-Eleven convenient store on the corner of Southwest Parkway and Barnett Raod, said. For presidential elections, 7-Eleven convenient stores have been offering their customers a choice of coffee cups. They offer a Democratic, Republican and an undecided cup so that coffee drinkers can display their allegiance for presidential candidates. In the past three elections the number of cups sold by each party have closely resembled the outcome of the election. Wichita Falls
7-Eleven locations take part in this alternative form of voting. Rincon said this year’s warm weather has resulted in fewer people buying the cups. But when coffee drinkers do come in they usually participate in the voting. “When they come in to get coffee that’s usually what they go for,” Rincon said. According to 7-Eleven.com, in Texas, Obama lead the polls with a 57 percent lead over Romney. In the United States, as a whole, Obama also lead the polls with a 59 percent lead over Romney. In Wichita Falls, however, it seems to be a different story. “In the last two weeks we have sold twice as many Romney cups,” Rincon said of the Barnett location. The coffee-cup method is not the only one that showed Obama taking the majority vote for president. Halloween masks also gave Obama as the favorite for the 2012 election. For the past four presidential elections, the number of Halloween masks sold of each candidate has predicted the outcome of the election. This year, the Spirit of Halloween stores, with its more than 1,000 locations nationwide, reported that 60 percent of presidential masks sold were of Obama.
our opinion
Obama didn’t live up to the hype n Four years ago college students were raving about Obama’s educational promises. All across the country, college students attended rallies, used the slogan “Change we can believe in” and chanted “Yes We Can.”
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resident Barack Obama failed to live up to the hype. Since those promises were left empty, young voters seem less interested and were unsure of which way to vote. This presidential campaign has seen slippage in interest on both sides of the ballot. A Pew Research Center poll showed only half of adults under 30 were certain they were registered to vote. This was a decrease from 61 percent in 2008. Throughout this campaign students have taken the backseat to other major issues. Without education being a hot-topic, we are left with unanswered questions. It’s time Obama get to work on issues of importance to students. Jobs. The economy. Supporting higher education.
We need more jobs after college. Jobs are essential to the economy. When students graduate from college and are competing for the same jobs as those who have not obtain a degree, a college education seems like a waste of money and time. Without jobs, the future for college graduates is not bright, either nationally or locally. Local businesses and the government need to create jobs that provide careers for college graduates and the economy bounce back. According to the National Education Association, 80 percent of voters said education is important. Voters said they even supported an increase in funding. In the past four years, legislators have been made draconian cuts in education budgets and the amount financial aid available to students. This affects us not only in our ability to pay for school but also in the quality of the education we receive. Now it’s time to move on. Four more years. Fund education. Create jobs. And don’t make us regret it.
©2012 The Election Extra is a production of the News Writing and Reporting class at Midwestern State University. Opinions expressed in the Election Extra do not neccessarily reflect those of the students staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents. The Election Extra is a supplement to the Wichitan and printed by Morgan Printing of Bowie, Texas. Staff | Ruby Arriaga, Darren Black, Jessica Davis, Shelby Davis, Sam Forester, Rachel Garrett, Shanice Glover, Erin Hagy, Skye Hera, Miguel Jaime, Makayla Kinney, Adrie Letang, Cristina Martinez, Sarah Muschiol, Jayson Owen, Roylyka Roache, Joseph Solis, Kenni Wallace Coordinator | Sarah Long Instructor | Bradley Wilson, Ph.D.
Sept. 3 – 6 Democratic National Convention held in Charlotte, North Carolina; Barack Obama won the nomination Oct. 3 First Presidential Debate moderated by Jim Lehrer of PBS
Oct. 11 Vice Presidential Debate moderated Martha Raddatz of ABC Oct. 16 Second Presidential Debate moderated Candy Crowley of CNN Oct. 22 Third Presidential Debate moderated by Bob Schieffer of CBS
Nov. 6 Election Day
2013
Dec. 17 Election of president and vice president by Electoral College
Jan. 6 Votes of Electoral College counted before Congress Jan. 20 Inauguration Day