November 7, 2012

Young voters make lasting impact on election despite lack of action

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The Houstonian Election Issue

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Likens: Elections all the same, pick how your election goes

Volume 122 / Issue 21

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Four more years

AP Photo/Craig Ruttle

THE WINNER IS. People celebrate at Rockefeller Center in New York, Tuesday, after President Barack Obama televised news reports projected him to win a second term, 303 to 204.

STEPHEN GREEN Editor-in-Chief Brandon Scott, Molly Waddell contributed to this report It’s for more years for President Barack Obama.

Many major media outlets called the election for Obama after Ohio, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Iowa, Colorado, and Nevada were projected to be in his favor. Those battleground states proved key to the incumbents reelection.

Sam Houston State University students are still split on the outcome.

“I’m happy and excited,” freshman Jakeitha Mims said.

Others didn’t share the joy Mims had.

“I [feel] disappointment... another four years,” Zack Goodlander, political science sophomore said. “I wanted Romney to win.”

Like most of America, there are a good handful of people who aren’t too upset either way.

“I don’t really like [Obama’s] foreign policy,” Rene Bolanos, criminal justice sophomore said.

“I’m not going to be so angry as to leave the country though.”

The social media reaction

to the re-election was much like the election itself; divided.

The Houstonian monitored the reaction on Twitter of accounts listed within 15 miles of Huntsville. Just like the election results, the tone was mixed with support/resentment of the Obama administration as well as the same for Romney.

As the results of the presidential election came in and the states were called, Obama supporters grew increasingly worried when Romney was out to an early lead.

But they were singing a different tune once it became clear that Obama would maintain his seat.

Popular Vote: National

elected president. Fix da system,” @aaronallen64 said.

“Romney has more than a millon more votes than Obama.”

- @Alex_Mewbourn “Obama had his chance already, let a new guy take the stand. But IF he wins i better be able to get food stamps when i collect unemployment.” - @chyzontwitta Some were just ready for it to be over.

“Some people are taking this whole election thing too far. #CHILL” - @_RobbieRay “Ok. Obama won. Now everyone can shut up.” - @_ ButtonMyZipper

2012 ELECTORAL MAP WA (12) MT (3)

ND (3)

OR (7)

49%

“Just the thought of Romney winning makes me cry.” - @ MarissaH0301 There was panic early on about Romney winning states that Obama didn’t win in the previous election either, such as West Virginia and Kentucky.

Romney supporters were disappointed in the Republican nominee having the advantage in the popular vote for much of the night, but not being able to win the Electoral College. Some were calling for an adjustment to the voting process.

“Romney is winning the popular voted and still doesn’t get

49%

ID (4) NV (6)

Texas

NE (5)

UT (6)

CA (55)

CO (9)

KS (6)

41% AZ (11)

58%

(4)

MN (10) WI (10)

SD (3)

WY (3)

(11) (4) (7) (14) (3) (10)

PA (20)

IA (6) IL (20) IN (11) OH) MO (10) AR (6) MS (6) LA (8)

TX (38)

Huntsville

ME (4)

NY (29)

MI (16)

OK (7)

NM (5)

(4)

AK (3)

WV (5)

KY (8) TN (11)

VA (13)

NC (15) SC (9)

AL (9)

GA (16)

FL (29)

34.4% 63.6%

HI (4) *Numbers calculated up until final newspaper deadline. Numbers have been updated since and are therefore approximate.

204 Electoral College Votes

303 Electoral College Votes

By the states: Obama Romney

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois

39 -43 37 54 51 55 59 50 46 -33 57

60 -56 61 44 47 43 40 49 53 -65 41

Obama Romney

Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Lousiana Maine Maryland Massachussettes Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana

44 52 39 38 39 58 61 61 52 51 43 44 44

54 47 58 61 59 39 37 38 47 47 56 54 53

Obama Romney

Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island

38 53 52 58 53 60 48 39 49 33 54 52 63

61 45 46 41 43 38 51 59 49 67 43 47 35

Obama Romney

South Carolina 42 South Dakota 39 Tennesee 39 Texas 41 Utah 26 Vermont 67 Virginia 50 Washington 55 West Virginia 36 Wisconsin 52 Wyoming 28 Washington D.C. 91

56 58 59 58 71 31 49 43 62 47 69 7

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Youth/State & Local Elections

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 houstonianonline.com/news

Senate

House of Representatives

182 seats

133 seats

43 seats 49 seats 8not called seats

120 seats not called

*Numbers calculated up until final newspaper deadline. Numbers have been updated since and are therefore approximate.

Huntsville City Council Position 1 At-Large

Position 2 At-Large

Recount called in city election STEPHEN GREEN Editor-in-Chief

Lydia Montgomery 100% 5483 votes

James Fitch 100% 5431 votes

Position 4 At-Large

Position 3 At-Large

NO IMAGE

Don Johnson 52% 3408 votes

Joe Rodriguez 48% 3206 votes

Keith Olson 51% 3349 votes

Kendall Scudder 49% 3209 votes

City council incumbent Keith Olson narrowly defeated Sam Houston State University student Kendall Scudder in Tuesday’s election. The final vote tally separated the two by 140 votes.

Campaign officials from Scudder’s campaign said Scudder has officially filed for a recount with county voter officials.

No information has been gathered on the election between Mayor Pro Temp Don Johnson and Joe Rodriguez. That election was seperated by 202 votes.

The last time a city council election was recounted, Dr. Tom Cole captured his seat, overtaking the apparent victor on the 2010 election night.

Young voters make their own impact on elections MOLLY WADDELL A&E Editor President Barack Obama won 59 percent of the youth voters in Tuesday’s election, while Governor Mitt Romney only won 37 percent by deadline.

Based on a poll released by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement, if the election was held on Nov. 3, Obama would win the youth vote (ages 18-29) by 52.1 percent while Romney would receive 35.1 percent of the vote.

This poll is accurate based on the election results.

This poll is based on 1,695 youth polled in June and July and 1,109 of the same youth between Oct. 12-23.

Sam Houston State University Political Science professor, Robert E. Biles, Ph.D. believes young voters have an impact on the election because the race is so close.

“Any small increment can mean win or lose,” Biles said. “The question for the Obama campaign is whether the young will turn out

in large numbers.”

Biles said that four years ago Obama had a substantial amount of young voters hit the voting booths. They still favor him this year but they don’t seem as enthused.

In 2008 Obama won 66 percent of the young voters; this year he lost seven percent of the youth voters, according to Politico.

Another factor that Biles took into consideration was where the youth turn out to vote.

“If the young vote in large number in battleground states, they will make a difference,” Biles said.

Sophomore Criminal Justice major Rene Bolanos said that the youth will affect the vote substantially because of their numbers. She worries because many of them are basing their vote on what’s trendy instead of focusing on the issues. Other students agreed with her.

“More lately it has been pop culture rather than people focusing on the issues,” Riata Robledo, freshman biology major said.

Molly Waddell | The Houstonian

YOUTH AND POWER. SHSU students watch at the presidential watch party on Tuesday in the Kat Klub in the LSC.

Political Science professor, Heather Evans, Ph.D. is not surprised by the numbers favoring Obama.

“I think that a lot of young people are drawn more to Obama due to his stance on social issues,” Evans said. “Studies have shown that young people today are more ‘progressive’ than their predecessors.”

Sophomore Marissa Pineda disagrees with Evans. She believes the youth greatly affect the vote

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but in a different way.

“A lot of people don’t utilize a lot of the things we have access to,” Pineda said. “I mean they don’t vote or they aren’t a part of anything.”

Zack Goodlander, sophomore political science major agreed with Evans saying that the youth is more proactive because many of them have to vote absentee.

“I think it’s hard because a lot of them are away from home so they can’t vote as much. So if they

vote they have to vote absentee,” Goodlander said. “If they vote absentee it should count as two votes because of the extra effort.”

Political Science professor, Mike Yawn, said the youth have a strong impact at the voting booth.

“I think they make up a large segment of the electorate, and they represent the future of the country,” Yawn said.

Yawn said that it is great to see young people take an interest in politics and be engaged.

Page 3

Viewpoints

Wednesday, November 7, 2012 houstonianonline.com/viewpoints

(Democrat / Republican) wins presidential election

Did you vote?

Why or why not?

“

Taylor Likens encourages readers to circle what applies, suggesting that the candidates were not all that different

I voted because this is my first presidential election. I want to enjoy my freedoms and help make a difference.

This article was composed before the results of the election were finalized and the future President of the United States was determined.

To update this article, you need only circle what applies.

Yesterday, Americans of every race, age and height were drawn to the voting booths to elect their President. Their voices were heard, and for next four years, the United States government will be helmed by the (Obama/Romney) administration.

Thankfully, we can now all look forward to a fantastic four years of (red/blue) ties.

But not everyone will be sleeping so easily tonight; races this close have the downside of angering just as many people as they uplift. For months, the future was uncertain with candidates knit closely together in the polls, trading places with each minor mistake, a clear winner ever elusive till the very end, not unlike an elaborate game of Connect

“

Kessler McLaughlin – junior, broadcast journalism

“

Yes, I believe it is important to vote in this 2012 election due to how crucial the outcome can be; if the incumbent, Obama, is reelected, he has raised the federal deficit to titanic proportions and ostracized fellow Americans in Libya in a time of need when they needed our assistance most.

An endnote for college students in general the current average of college students have graduate and living with their parents is 25 percent, an outrageous number in the aspect that Obama said as one of his policies was to have more highly educated people filling American jobs.

“

JOSLYN CEASAR Contributor

“

Every four years, the United States takes part in a political process in order to decide who will run our country and be one of the most powerful people in the world.

Millions of American voices were heard and they let out a resounding cry for Barack Obama. This election has brought

Not only is voting a way to voice your opinion, but for minorities it is a thank you to those who worked so hard to get us where we are today. We still have a long way to go, but every chance you have to contribute, you should educate yourself, find who you agree with and then proceed to help them into office.

to the forefront how money could potentially destroy or disrupt the nature of the democratic process by out comrades on the right. This election season has also brought to the rights’ idea of conservatism, which entails limiting a woman’s right to choose and redefining what does and what does not constitute as rape. The right advocated placing power in the hands of the “few” and completely wrote of the

“many.”

Republicans fought to grant tax cuts to individuals and companies that didn’t need them at the cost of placing a higher burden on the middle class.

They advocated deregulating big businesses which is what took place during the bush years and what played a crucial role in the rapid decline of our economy.

The election proved that American’s were willing to take

the fate of their country into their own hands and say that Mitt Romney was not going to put us on the path of progress and for that, we thank you.

Thank you for giving President Obama four more years. Thank you for helping to move America forward.

Joslyn Ceasar is Vice-President of Bearkat Democrats. She is also a senior history major.

“

Americans must make best of Pres. outcome

Jessica Oswald – junior, sociology/public relations

I choose to vote because I feel like just one vote can make a difference in the election.

Taryn Gann – junior, public relations

“

“

quick mixture of Wikipedia, Fox and CNN comment sections, and various bathroom limericks, I was astounded to find that the public despised (Obama/Romney), on account of him being (a nefarious tycoon and flip-flop/Barrack Obama).

Never one to go against the grain when it can be helped, it was merely a hop, skip and a several minutes of waiting in line to come to the conclusion that the America would only be safe nestled in the ever reliable arms of the (Republican/Democratic) party.

Personally, I will be completely ecstatic to have a President that I have (no faith in whatsoever/ no faith in whatsoever). With January ushering in (the same old nonsense/a new wave of stupidity), I will gladly sit back and look forward to the coming (Obamacalypse/binders full of disappointment).

Obama reelection to help move nation forward

Tyler Ellis – sophomore, business administration

“

Four. country. Or when Now, with a his behavior during (Democratic/ the first debate Republican) in Denver made regime now set in him look like an stone, half of the (arrogant bully/aircountry is forced to headed buffoon). begrudgingly accept Usually I place the reality of the my support situation.

Among on whichever the disgruntled candidate has the TAYLOR LIKENS are supporters wackiest running Staff Reporter of (Planned mate attached to the Parentho o d/coal ticket--as to insure industries). America’s first (Black/ yet another four years of excellent Mormon) president has spoken satire--but in this case, I found harshly of them in the past, which the Democrats and Republicans spells out dark horizons for them equally matched in their potential now that his presidency has been for hilarity. assured.

With my usual means of choice For some, it may be hard to rendered mute, I eventually see how (Obama/Romney) could found myself voting for (Obama/ have possibly won over the nation. Romney) and was pleased to wake There were, after all, some bumps to the news that I had been swayed along the way, such as that time he to the winning side just in time. strapped (his dog/the economy) And why, might you ask? to the roof of his car and took it Simple. I did my research. for an unpleasant spin across the After educating myself with a

SAMANTHA MCCARL Copy Editor

I chose not to vote because I don’t think either one of the major candidates is a good choice. Voting third party ‘sends a message’ but not in the way I think abstaining from voting does.

By choosing not to vote, I’m trying to express how I feel about the entire political situation.

Let’s face it. Either candidate who won office come Jan. 20 would be facing a country filled with their supporters and their opposition.

There is no middle ground or way for every citizen to be happy. Americans must make the best out of the situation and support their president.

CNN.com predicted that the partisan balance of Congress would likely remain the same with a dominant Democratic force in the Senate and Republican control of the

House of Representatives, though the margins of their control would be smaller. Some things won’t change, and neither will the presidency.

Obama has won a second term, and the economic crisis will remain on his radar. The president plans on vetoing any proposal that would extend the Bush-era tax cuts for the wealthy. He has made tremendous spending cuts already and plans to continue reducing the economic deficit.

Democrats close to Obama have commented that he has learned from his first term about approaching the Republicancontrolled House and is prepared to stand his ground. A senior Democrat said of Obama that “he’d (Obama) rather work with them (Republicans) than against them.” An addition to the statement was included quickly, adding “he won’t give them two years to jerk him around like he did last time.”

Romney marketed himself as a muchneeded change, aiming to “bring people together.” The presidential hopeful fought a long, hard battle deep in traditionally blue states. The irony of this is not lost on the

public audience. This campaign has proved a challenge for both candidates, Romney being no exception.

Romney wanted to make an easy transition into office. The passing of health care reform in his state hinted at the chance for the candidate to work with both parties on key issues. Between the Tea Party Republicans who hold little room for compromise and potentially irked Democrats coming off of a loss of president, Romney would have faced constant opposition at every turn.

Regardless of which candidate won the election, the future of our nation would still rest on a tentative see-saw of power. With each main party controlling one part of Congress, Obama will have a challenge in keeping things settled and working smoothly.

Now that a second term has been won, Obama will have to try to repair the damage from criticism of his first term. If Romney gets the chance to take a crack at the highest office in the United States in four years, he will have a lot to develop if he wants to implement many of his policies.

“

Josh Smith – junior, biology

“

No, neither candidate appealed to me. I didn’t feel that I fully understood both policies to choose sides. And to top it off, I don’t feel like driving three hours to Dallas where I’m registered to vote.

“

Brian Bartsch – sophomore, criminal justice

Editorial Staff Robin Johnson

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A&E Editor mwaddell@houstonianonline.com

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News

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

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