Voters have seen a lot of action from politicians over the last two days. Between the GOP debate and President Obama’s job speech, not only has a lot of information been presented to the public, but there have also been some major changes in the political landscape. So what is different about the 2012 presidential election today?
Michele Bachmann is Falling Out of the Spotlight
Michele Bachmann was a surprising frontrunner early on, winning the straw poll in Iowa and performing well at the Fox News GOP debate. Her performance at the debate Wednesday left many wondering if she still has what it takes to win. She seems stuck on her talking points; $2 per gallon gas, Obamacare’s effect on jobs, and reducing government spending. She has yet to provide the details as to how these promises can be upheld.
There has been some discussion of the media’s treatment of Bachmann. She was placed far from the center of the stage, was not given as many opportunities to answer questions, and even went 15 minutes during the debate without saying a word. It was a far cry from her previous debate performance, and leads many to wonder if the media decided for the voters that Bachmann is no longer viable.
Rick Perry and Mitt Romney become the Candidates to Watch
Perhaps orchestrated by CNN, Romney and Perry were positioned front and center on the stage. The two stood next to each other, and the similarities between the candidates were unmistakable. Both men, deeply religious, have experience as governors and appear presidential onstage. The similarities, however, end there.
The two hopefuls took part in a heated debate that made the Bachmann-Pawlenty exchange at the last debate look tame. The two took issue with each other on job creation and Social Security, and came out of the debate looking like the frontrunners. Unfortunately for the rest of the candidates, they were not given the opportunity to participate once the media selected their superstars for the debate.
Obama Gets the Last Word
Much has been said of Obama’s weakness after capitulating to House Speaker Boehner’s request that the much-anticipated jobs speech be moved to accommodate the GOP debate. Obama’s rescheduling of the speech allowed him to get in the last word.
Candidates for the presidency spoke a lot about job creation at the debate Wednesday. What none of them put fourth is a plan for how to create those jobs. Romney did publish a free ebook that outlines his jobs plan, which so far has received a reader rating of one star by Kindle users. Obama presented a comprehensive plan to create more jobs and ease the burdens already placed on middle-class taxpayers, and he has a way to pay for it.
In perhaps the biggest win of the night, Republicans have even expressed a willingness to work on the president’s plan. That says a lot for a president who just months ago couldn’t get Congress to agree on anything.