Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Are Current Political Elections a Warning for the 2012 Presidential Election?


The New York Times’ article “G.O.P. Gains House Seat Vacated by Weiner” by Thomas Kaplan, reports the results of the Ninth Congressional District special election. Bob Turner, a Republican businessman with little political experience defeated Democrat Assemblyman David I. Weprin. In the article Kaplan discusses Turner and Weprin’s strategies, their supporters and the general mood of the district’s population.
            The primary theme of the article and of Turner’s campaign, as depicted by Kaplan, was the perceived incompetence of President Obama is spurring the economy and creating jobs. Kaplan emphasized this by exclusively quoting citizens’ who are traditionally left-leaning but voted for Turner to “send a message to the president that he’s not doing a very good job.” This is further evidenced by the fact the Ninth Congressional District hasn’t been represented by a Republican in 91 years.
            The message of the article as exemplified by Kaplan is critical because it illustrates a national trend: American citizens are not content with the status quo. Some would contend the November mid-term elections, the Ninth Congressional District election and Nevada’s Second District election are evidence not just Republicans are dissatisfaction but Democrats as well. The article warns of the challenge politicians and Washington face amongst a sea of frustrated, scared and in some cases, desperate citizens.  

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