First of All We Vote: GMU Presidential Debate Public Forum This Friday

Student Government, Weekends at Mason, Mason Votes and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. are hosting a student debate between the College Republicans and George Mason University Democrats. This will be another opportunity for everyone to get information before the election on November 6th.

When:

November 2, 2012

8-10 p.m

Where:

J.C Atrium, Fairfax Campus

Moderator:

Shane Smith – Mason Votes, Executive Editor

Topics discussed will include:

The Economy

Foreign Affairs

Women’s Rights

Voter Fraud

Education

And Much More!

The hosts of the event will be taking audience questions as well. Each debater will be arguing on behalf of their candidate. This is an unprecedented event and should be a great for all of those who attend.

New CBS News Presidential Poll

Photo by: ABC News

According to the most recent presidential poll in the swing states of Ohio, Florida and Virginia, by Quinnipiac University/ CBS News/ New York Times, President Obama has a sufficient, 5-point lead in Ohio, while he is only 1 and 2 points ahead in Florida and Virginia respectively. The poll was conducted between October 23^rd and October 28^th, and has a margin of error of +/-3%.

In Florida, Obama no longer has an advantage with seniors as Romney is now leading this demographic, 53-42%; although with younger voters, the Republican nominee is behind 55-41%. While the President is still leading with female voters in this state by 10-points, the gender gap was twice as large in September.

Ohio, a vital state for both campaigns, particularly Romney, as no Republican has won a Presidential Election without it, has not see much change since the last poll. The Governor is leading with men, independents and whites, while Obama is leading with women and younger voters.

Romney is now leading with independent voters in Virginia by 21-points, a stark contrast from 2 weeks ago, when he was behind by 2%. He also has a 9-point advantage with male voters and a 13-point lead with seniors in this state. Obama is ahead with women voters by 10-points, 13-points with people under 35 years old and 3-points by people between the ages of 35 and 64.

1,073 of likely voters in Florida, 1,110 in Ohio and 1,074 in Virginia were interviewed by phone; both landlines and cell phones were used. The poll can be found at: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-250_162-57542715/poll-obama-holds-small-ohio-edge-fla-va-tight/?pageNum=1&tag=page

Join Mason Votes and the Office of Student Media on Election Night

GMU Chapter of NAACP: “What’s Your Stance?” Series Oct.24 and Oct.11

The GMU chapter of NAACP has hosted two more “What’s Your Stance?” Series events in October. Below are coverage of each event:

Event – October 24, 2012

On October 24, 2012 the GMU NAACP chapter continued their “What’s Your Stance” series introducing education issues and policies. Their guest speaker for the evening was Tina Hone, founder of Silence of the Coalition an organization launched in January 2012 in order to be the voice of underrepresented students in the Fairfax County Public School system. Hone discussed ways to bridge the achievement gap between White and Asian students and Black and Hispanic students in Fairfax County.

“I felt compelled to make sure the playing field was equal for every child in America.” said Hone.

According to Hone, Fairfax County Public Schools consists of mostly minority students compared to white students that were shown according to the Fairfax County website

(http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/demogrph/pdf/2011_youth_survey_report.pdf), take up 44.5 percent of the population as of the 2011-2012 school year. Secondly, of the students in Fairfax County, 25 percent come from less fortunate families.

Hone continued the discussion mentioning the purpose of the No Child Left Behind Act, which is now referred to as the Elementary and Secondary Act (ESEA), is to bridge the achievement gap in schools.

“Not enough is being done to close this achievement gap. They have been trying to build the achievement gap since I was fourteen years old, and I am old.” said Hone.

Although Hone believes more should be done to bridge the gap, she commended President Obama on the work he has done to help education policies.

“In this campaign, we need to look at the pressure the President has put on education.” said Hone.

One of the issues Hone explained regarding mending the gap was the use of standardized tests within the state.

“African American poor people do less well on standardized tests.” said Hone.

Furthermore, the success rates for White and Asian students are higher than success rates for Black and Hispanic students. According to the Huffington Post (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/23/virginia-new-achievement-based-on-race_n_1826624.html) 45 percent of Black students and 52 percent of Hispanic students are required to pass the math standardized tests as opposed to 68 percent of White students and 82 percent of Asian students being required to pass this test. Hone wants to make sure that each student has the same opportunity as their peers regardless of their racial background.

“The most pressing issue to me is for as many brothers and sisters from the poorest neighborhoods to make it out.” said Hone.

Even with a law degree, Hone was an instructor through the Teach for America program and expressed that she understood the challenges of teachers in the classroom. She mentioned the importance of programs like Teach for America.

“Some of our best teachers are asking to go to tougher schools.” said Hone.

A final issue that Hone brought up was about evaluating the teaching profession.

“There are still teachers teaching who don’t have our kids best interest at heart.” said Hone.

In Hone’s last remarks, she informed Mason students that in countries such as Finland, it is harder to be a teacher than getting accepted into Medical School.

Event – October 11, 2012

On October 11, 2012 the George Mason chapter of the National Association of Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) held their second segment of their “What’s Your Stance” series. The topic at hand was Women’s Health and Cortney Hughes-Rinker, a Mason Assistant Professor, Anthropology; Sociology & Anthropology led the discussion.

The first question asked was, “Why are women’s rights important in politics?”

Rinker continued with 4 solutions to the question. The first being, women’s bodies are fields of contest, the second being women should have control over their bodies and not a government with a majority of male politicians; the third being the concept on war on women is not just about women’s health; and lastly, politicians should not make women and their bodies interconnect.

Mason students were able to interact with Rinker and participated in a discussion regarding the presidential candidate initiatives on women’s health.

During this discussion, the topic of abortion was brought up where Veronica Ramos-Coreas, NAACP member, shared her thoughts on Planned Parenthood.

“Planned Parenthood doesn’t just perform abortions. There are contraceptive services and sex education provided also.” said Coreas.

Rinker mentioned that these issues are also social issues and men have different issues from women issues.

Beenish Butt, a senior stated that “men can’t have children and that alone is a major difference in men and women issues.”

Rinker informed Mason students that during this year, $16.8 million dollars were spent on Abortion ads in media alone.

Rinker also discussed topics in healthcare regarding women’s rights stating that “critics have claimed Romney’s plan of including more services for less money but not mentioning what services will be included are vague. Meanwhile, critics claim that Obama’s plan will take out money of elderly and taxes will increase to help preventative programs.”

By the end of the event, Mason students were asked what they thought the government’s role was in overreaching in healthcare.

“I want to know that the government should have regulations to prevent me from harming myself, but when it comes to my decision making, I want to have that freedom.” said Coreas.

Following the event, Ebonie Miller, biology major shared her thoughts on the event.

“It brought to light a lot of the issues that are never discussed. We talk about women’s issues but never talk about how policies affect our decision as women.” said Ebonie.

Electoral College Analysis: Six Days Out

With just 6 days until Americans go to the polls, the electoral map is more congested and confusing than ever. Polls are all over the place and the race seems to be tightening everywhere. Let’s go through it.

Using the map from Real Clear Politics, there are 11 “toss up” states. That distinction is given to states where the polling is +/- 5 points. The electoral vote with out the 11 toss-ups is 201-191 Obama. But in order to really attempt to predict anything, I’m going to put some of these states as leaners for Obama and Romney.

States like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Nevada seem pretty set as leaning towards Obama. Romney seems to have a significant, albeit significant lead in North Carolina, Florida, and Virginia. After allotting those votes, the race remains tight with Obama leading Romney 253-248.

There are 4 states left that are pure toss-ups. Obama and Romney are within a single point of each other in New Hampshire, Iowa, Colorado, and Ohio. Just 37 electoral votes are between these states. However, taking nothing away from New Hampshire, Iowa, and Colorado; the state of Ohio really is the lynchpin of this election for both sides. It’s 18 electoral votes would put Obama over 270 if he were to win it, and would put Romney just 4 votes short if he were to pull it out.

Many people may pontificate on TV about how they know exactly what will happen in Ohio or anywhere else, but this race is truly one that is too close to call. The polling is simply too erratic and the margins just too close together. It’s hard to believe that either candidate will pull away in the final days. What’s more likely is that the race will be a turnout matchup. Which side can get more of their side to the polls. Most independents have made up their minds, and those that haven’t historically split anyway. The winner of the Presidency on November 6 will be the team that can motivate their respective supporters to brave the weather and vote. Down the final stretch, that’s where you can expect the focus to be.

AVOID the Lines: In person, voting available with extended hours in some counties (including this Saturday)

Dear Virginia Colleges and Universities,

Please share this information with your campuses to make voting as easy as…

1) Verify your Voter Registration

2) Confirm your polling place and vote early (ALL students qualify for absentee) to AVOID long lines and missing classes

3) Get informed – Check out these nonpartisan Presidential and Senate voting guides to help you make your decision

Due to certain county closures from Hurricane Sandy, there are extended voting hours in the following counties (including this SATURDAY):

Accomack extended hours include 8:30 – 12:30 and 1 – 7 pm Wednesday – Saturday.
Arlington extended hours include Wed. and Thursday 8-7, Friday 8-5 pm, and Saturday 8:30 – 5.
Fairfax County: Wed. – Fri. 8 am – 8 pm, Sat. 8 – 5 pm
Falls Church City: Wed. – Fri. 8:30 -7 and Sat. 9-7 pm
Fauquier County: Wed – Fri. 8 – 4:30 pm, Sat. 9 – 5 pm
Loudoun County: Wed. – Fri. 8 – 8:30 pm, Sat. 8 – 6 pm
Tazewell: Wed. – Fri 8:00 – 6:30, Sat 8 – 6 pm
Westmoreland: Wed – Sat, 8:30 am – 6:30 pm
Wise Counties: Wed – Fri 8:30 – 7 pm, Sat 9 – 7 pm
Gloucester County: Wed – Saturday from 8 am until 6 pm
Virginia Beach City: Wed – Friday 8 am – 7 pm and this Saturday, 8 am – 5 pm

From your friends at VA CEEP,
Virginia Campus Election Engagement Project
www.campuselectva.org
[email protected]
(863) 968-3159

Rommey’s Deception

Photo by: lepesunset on flickr.com

Last week, the Romney/ Ryan campaign once again proved that their primary strategy for this election is deception.

At a campaign rally in Ohio, a key battleground state and a major beneficiary of the 2009 auto bailout, Governor Romney informed the crowd of a story he had read earlier that day; stating “that one of the great manufacturers of this state, Jeep, now owned by the Italians, is thinking of moving all production to China.” This was of course, far from accurate and a complete distortion of the article he was referring to, written in Bloomberg News.

Not only does Jeep have zero intention of moving all production from the U.S. to China, it has added about 7,000 jobs in North American since 2009. In actuality, the article in which Romney was referring to, explains that Chrysler, who owns Jeep, would be reopening its plants in China due to the increase in demand of Chinese costumers, never implying they were halting American production.

Executive, Gualberto Ranieri at Chrysler was quick to respond with a statement denouncing Romney’s dishonesty, saying “Jeep has no intention of shifting production of its Jeep models out of North America to China… A careful and unbiased reading of the Bloomberg take would have saved unnecessary fantasies and extravagant comments.”

What did Romney do next? Apologize for his misrepresentation? No. Pretend that he had never made those comments and move on? No.

Instead, he began airing an ad making the exact same accusation.

If Governor Romney would decide to run a commercial reiterating a fact he had already been publically ostracized for stating, one can only wonder what ethical decisions he would make as President.

*The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Obama Campaign’s Last Ditch Desperation

If the polls are not convincing you that Barack Obama is in trouble, then just look at his actions. With just 10 days remaining until Election Day, the Obama campaign has attempted a number of desperate tactics that are intended to swing the balance and eek out a narrow reelection victory.

Obama’s campaign began this late cycle barrage by jumping on seemingly innocent, off the cuff, comments by Mitt Romney during the debates and blowing them up into major campaign attack spots for TV. One of the first ones featured Sesame Street’s Big Bird. The ad satirizes Romney as standing up to the ‘menace’ that is the adolescent character, emblazoned with Barack Obama’s verbal endorsement at the top of the ad. However, what’s worse than stooping to such a juvenile level, being rebuffed by the bird himself. Sesame Street’s non-profit group issued a statement condemning the ad, “We have approved no campaign ads, and, as is our general practice, have requested that both campaigns remove Sesame Street characters and trademarks from their campaign materials.”

Next was Romney’s seemingly praiseworthy effort to find qualified women to serve in his cabinet as Governor. Romney said he received “binders of women” who were qualified. That too, was seized upon by Obama HQ as a point of ridicule. Virginia Congressman Gerry Connolly even used the prop when introducing the President at his campaign event at George Mason just last week. Obama also debuted his new attack line against Romney last week at Mason, ‘Romnesia’. This immature line of attack has been used over and over again not only by his surrogates, but by the President himself. Even more childish, the Obama Tumblr site this week even featured Romney in a dunce cap.

What all this points to is a long held strategy that the Obama team has had to defeat Romney. They would paint Romney as out of touch, elitist, corny, and an object of ridicule. It was a more personal form of attack than Jimmy Carter attempted to subject Ronald Reagan to. Carter only tried to paint Reagan’s policies as extreme. What the Obama campaign has attempted to do is paint Romney as personally unacceptable; almost like a high school popularity contest. Obama’s hope it seems is that their character assassination of Romney will trump the real issues.

However, much like Reagan beat back Carter’s attacks in a debate, so to did Romney. He showed in front of over 70 million people that he wasn’t quite so dislikeable as Obama had painted. On the contrary, he looked like the only person on the stage that could handle the next four years.

Now Team Obama is becoming more desperate. With no arrows left in the quiver, the Obama team will now be on a mad dash over the next 10 days to do anything they can to smear Romney and sway just enough voters to squeak out a narrow win. However, it seems the tide is set and it’s not going in Obama’s direction. The question does remain unanswered: Will Obama’s last minute distractions work? Only on November 7, when America’s verdict is read, can we know the answer.

*The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

Importance of Election for Young Adults

Photo by: dkachur on flickr.com

With less than two weeks before the General Election, the Obama campaign is out in full force. As President Obama was concluding his 48 hour, 6 state campaigning marathon yesterday, Dr. Jill Biden, Second Lady of the United States, Stephanie Cutter, Deputy Campaign Manager of Obama for America and Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood held a press call with college and university media outlets from around the country. They emphasized how consequential the outcome of this election will be for young adults.

Dr. Biden drew from her experiences as a professor at Northern Virginia Community College and a mother whose child was in the military, to explain how much good President Obama and Vice President Biden have already done for young men and women in the United States; stating that “we have seen what forward means.” She highlighted how Pell Grant funding has doubled, the war in Iraq has ended and the economy is improving, with a foreclosure rate the lowest since 2007 and an unemployment rate the lowest since the President has taken office. Students are graduating into a better economy than they were four years ago.

Additionally, this administration has implemented student loan reform and created a college tax credit. Stephanie Cutter explained how under Obama, higher education has been made more accessible over the last four years, and how the President plans to continue this trend over the next four years. Federal student loan monthly payments have been capped at 10% of monthly discretionary income, helping ensure that graduates do not drown in student loans. Banks are no longer the middleman, reducing fees and allowing for the reinvestment of money into scholarships and Pell Grants. If reelected, President Obama will implement policies that will cut tuition by 50% in 10 years, as well as implement the Race to the Top initiative that is already used in elementary and secondary schools, in institutions of higher education.

Cecile Richards, who has taken a leave of absence as president of Planned Parenthood to campaign fulltime for the Obama/ Biden ticket, emphasized how important the President’s reelection is for the accessibility of healthcare for young people. The implementation of the Affordable Care Act, which Romney has vowed to overturn, allows people to not only stay on their parent’s insurance plan until they are 26 years old, but has eliminated copays on women’s preventative care; both of which substantially impact the economic well-being of young adults.

She also discussed how detrimental a Romney Administration would be for Planned Parenthood, the largest women’s preventative care provider in the country. Governor Romney has called to eliminate federal funding, which goes solely to preventative care, for Planned Parenthood. Something that Congressman Ryan has already voted to do. This will not only result in birth control, cancer screenings and numerous other essential health care needs becoming inaccessible to many, but is anything but economical. Every dollar the government spends on preventative care, $3-4 is saved on unplanned pregnancies.

All three women made it clear, there could not be more on the line in this election. To learn more about President Obama’s plan for the next four year go to barackobama.com/plan.

*The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.