TECHNICIAN
The different paths, backgrounds of 2012 presidential candidates STORY BY TAYLOR O’QUINN
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ach of the three presidential candidates became involved in politics in very different ways. The presidential elections always focus on why the candidates are running, but not why Barack Obama, Gary Johnson and Mitt Romney became involved in politics. Throughout their college and early adult years, all of these candidates strengthened their interest in politics and gained recognition for their political achievements.
Barack Obama
Mitt Romney
Gary Johnson
Obama attended Occidental College from 1979 to 1981. This is where he gave his first public speech, endorsing Occidental’s divestment from the Apartheid regime of South Africa. After completing two years at Occidental, Obama transferred to Columbia University where he studied political science with a concentration in international relations until he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in 1983. After graduating, Obama moved to New York City to work for Business International Corporation. In late 1988, Obama was accepted into the law program at Harvard University. “A degree in law is a vehicle to facilitate better community organization and activism,” Obama said. At the end of his first year, he became editor of the Harvard Law Review by making the GPA cutoff and winning a writing competition. One year later, Obama made history by being elected as the first African-American president of the Harvard Law Review, according to the White House website. Later in life, Obama married Michelle Robinson and settled down in Illinois. In 1997 he became a senator in the Illinois state senate. His success as a U.S. Senator ultimately led to his triumph in the 2008 presidential election.
Mitt Romney enrolled in Stanford University out of high school, where he stayed for one academic school year until leaving for France on a 30-month mission for the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. After an almost fatal car accident, Romney came back to the states and married his high school sweetheart, Ann Davies. Romney then attended Brigham Young University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English. Soon after, Romney moved to Boston and enrolled in a joint law program between the Harvard Business School and the Harvard Law School. He graduated cum laude from Harvard University and received his doctorate of law that same year. “Leadership is about taking responsibility and not making excuses,” Romney said. Af ter graduate school, Romney went to work in 1984 for Bain & Company in the private sector until he co-founded the spin-off equity firm Bain Capital, according to the 2012 Republican Candidate’s website. Ten years later, Romney ran for governor of Massachusetts and defeated the democratic incumbent, John Lakian. Romney ran for president in the 2008 election as a “political outsider” where he was defeated in the Republican primaries. Four years later, Romney is back and has become the official republican candidate.
Gary Johnson was a businessman who had a different path to politics than Romney or Obama. Johnson did not attend Harvard, but instead graduated with a bachelor of science from the University of New Mexico at Albuquerque. Jason Melehani, the cocoordinator for North Carolina’s Libertarian Party, said during Johnson’s college years he started a successful door-to-door handyman business. Soon after, Johnson founded his construction company, Big J Enterprises. “Rather than contracting out for specialty services like electricity and plumbing, Big J Enterprises brought all the parts under one roof,” Melehani said. In 1994, Johnson became known for his common sense business approach when he entered the political arena and ran as a Republican for governor of New Mexico. He beat the Democratic incumbent, Bruce King. “Johnson’s responsible use of tax dollars and no-holdsbarred attitude proved popular as he was reelected in 1998,” Melehani said. After serving as Governor from 1995 to 2003, Johnson pursued an athletic career climbing various mountains and competing in triathlons and Iron Man competitions around the world. Johnson returned to the political scene as a Libertarian and decided to run for president in this year’s election.
Republican
Staff Writer
The Mitt Romney campaign announced on Oct. 18 that it is moving its resources out of North Carolina and into states like Ohio and Florida. Robert Reid, the senior officer and chief North Carolina spokesman who originally led Romney’s campaign, said he wants to attract past Obama voters to Romney’s economy-driven message. But as campaigning advertisements and debates affect polls, the Romney campaign has changed its tactics. In the 2008 election, Obama captured North Carolina’s 14 electoral votes with his proposed stimulus package and detailed extraction of U.S military out of the Middle East.
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2012
Libertarian
Doctors ask students to get vaccinated for flu Elizabeth Moomey
are grown in eggs. Getting the flu shot is the best way to prevent getting the flu, according to the CDC. AccordSome students have decided to risk it this ing to Neel, the vaccination is also beneficial flu season, refusing the vaccination despite for people with chronic illnesses, like asthma warnings from the Center for Disease Con- and diabetes, who could see a serious impact trol and Prevention and the Student Health on their health if infected with the flu. The flu Center. vaccine is important for pregnant women and According to Dr. Elizapeople 65 years and older beth Neel, medical director as well. of student health service, Neel also said the sympstudents decide not to get toms of the flu could keep the flu vaccine because they students out of class, which do not like getting shots, can destroy a grade or projthe cost of the shot or canect. College students have not find the time. Neel also about the same chance of said students tend to think getting the flu as the genthey can potentially get the eral population. flu from the shot. Symptoms include fever, Elizabeth Neel, Medical Director “You cannot get the flu cough, sore throat, runny for Student Health [from the vaccine], but or stuffy nose, body aches, there are some side effects,” Neel said. headaches and fatigue. Some people may exThe side effects of the flu shot include: perience vomiting and diarrhea, though this soreness, redness and swelling where the is more common in children than adults. shot was given, a slight fever and aches. The Dani High, a senior in elementary educarisk of the flu shot causing serious harm or tion, decided to get the flu shot for the first death is extremely small, according to the CDC. There is the chance of an allergic reaction, since the three influenza viruses FLU continued page 3 Staff Writer
“You cannot get the flu [from the vaccine], but there are some side effects.”
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Members of Kappa Delta paint the freedom of expression tunnel on Thursday Nov. 1 in support of the N.C. State homecoming week.
North Carolina: campaign battle ground Naomi Whidden
november
Raleigh, North Carolina
technicianonline.com
Democrat
friday
As conservatives woo unsure voters, dential elections, North Carolina’s the Obama campaign is aiming to current status as a swing state is increase voter registration in minor- due, in part, to the state’s declining ities, young people number of elected and new citizens. democrats in of“Nor t h C a ro f ice—the most lina, by the way, is outstanding of exhibit A,” Obama which is Gov. Bev told suppor ters Perdue, who deduring a conference clined to run for ca ll in Septema second term. ber. “Unbelievable T h i s pol it ic a l work is being done shift combined President Barack Obama on the grassroots with the passage level. You guys are of Amendment blowing it up when it comes to reg- One earlier in the year gives Romistering voters.” ney an easier audience in the state. According to Allan Lichtman, “There is no doubt that the people distinguished professor of history of North Carolina are not better off at American University in Washing- today than they were four years ago, ton, D.C., and an expert on presi- which is why we’ve seen such strong
“You guys are blowing it up when it comes to registering voters.”
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support for Governor Romney,” Reid stated in a New York Times article. Obama’s campaign manager, Jim Messina has executed an intense ground plan for North Carolina that could result in “a point or two difference” on polls. In 2008, Obama won the state by 14,000 votes—the first time a democrat had won the state in 40 years. Now, the election seems to be falling on slimmer odds. While the Obama campaign can afford to lose North Carolina, the state is essential to Romney’s success, which makes Reid’s announced move to Ohio
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