UConn's Alternative Political Society Holds Mock Nameless Presidential Debate and Straw Poll: Anderson wins easily, Obama and Romney Net Less Than 25% Total

STORRS--On October 15, 2012, Alternative Political Society, a student organization at the University of Connecticut, held a mock presidential debate. Students represented Barack Obama of the Democratic Party, Mitt Romney of the Republican Party, Jill Stein of the Green Party, Gary Johnson of the Libertarian Party, Virgil Goode of the Constitution Party, and Rocky Anderson of the Justice and Connecticut Independent Parties. These were the six candidates who met at least one of the three criteria - they must either be on the ballot in Connecticut, be on the ballot in enough states to mathematically have a chance of getting 270 electoral votes, or they must have gotten at least 1% in a national tracking poll.


This debate was followed by a straw poll where audience members could vote on their preferred candidate.


However, there was a catch. Those in the audience were not told which candidate was which until after they voted. Instead, they watched and voted on "Candidate 1", "Candidate 2", etc.


The results were:


First Place: Rocky Anderson, 57.6%
Second Place: Mitt Romney, 15.4%
Third Place: Jill Stein, 11.5%
T-Fourth Place: Gary Johnson, 7.7%
T-Fourth Place: Barack Obama, 7.7%
Sixth Place: Virgil Goode, 0%


The point of this debate was to show how people would vote if they voted based just on the issues and not on the Party line next to the candidate's name. As the results show, when voters choose their candidate just on the issues, third parties get a lot more support.


Alternative Political Society is a non-partisan political organization on the UConn campus. Rather than advocate any specific ideology, they advocate awareness of all candidates, parties, and ideologies rather than just the Democrats and Republicans. This debate furthered that mission by giving all candidates equal attention and showing students how to vote on the issues.


Watch for an article in the Daily Campus, UConn's student paper. It will be published soon.

Barack Obama and Marriage Equality

Newsweek's characterization of Obama
as "the first gay president" is both
unnecessary hyperbole and
factually misleading.

Recently, President Obama announced his support for same-sex marriage. This "evolution" of his views had gay rights activists very vocally supporting him, while conservative activists were just as vocal in opposition. However, I feel there are several key points to be made here. First of all, the timing of Obama's "evolution" to coincide with the passing of Amendment 1 in North Carolina, a key swing state in November's Election seems a bit suspect. Additionally, Obama made another point, almost always overlooked, that this should be "an issue for states to decide". Finally, there is a major candidate in this election who, unlike Obama, believes marriage equality is a Constitutional Right protected by the Fourteenth Amendment.

More after the jump.

"Baracketology" - Is Obama Biased Towards Teams from Swing States?

Today, we will look at a slightly esoteric topic - Baracketology. Some of you might know President Obama made his NCAA Tournament picks on ESPN this morning. You can view them here. However, his picks may show a bias towards teams in swing states. Is this a coincidence? You can decide.

Barack Obama makes his picks
on SportsCenter.

Two of Obama's Final Four picks - the Missouri Tigers and UNC Tar Heels - come from states that were each decided by less than 0.5% in 2008. Additionally, both schools have fan bases that are highly concentrated in those states. Could Obama be appealing to those voters? It seems silly that voters would choose who to vote for based on Tournament predictions, but we've seen some pretty strange reasons. My 7th grade social studies teacher Mr. Bowdren once referred to the voters who "go into the voting booth, say 'I had eggs for breakfast this morning' and decide to vote Republican". So voters can be stupid like that. Additionally, sports fans are passionate about their teams and may be offended if the President picks against them. It also may indicate a lack of confidence in the state.

Perhaps this is overthinking it, but look at Obama's third Final Four team - Ohio State. Ohio is one of the key Swing States in this election. He also has the Buckeyes beating Florida State in the Sweet 16. The Seminoles come from another big swing state.

Only Kentucky makes Obama's Final Four from a non-swing state. Obama could have picked Duke out of that region, but UNC was already covering North Carolina. Other than that, the only high seed from a swing state is Indiana (#4). If Obama really wanted to get serious, he could have picked Duke, but this makes it slightly less obvious.

Is Obama just picking the Rams
because Virginia is a swing state?
Possibly.

However, the Wildcats' regional is notable for two upsets. First, Obama's biggest first round upset is #12 Virginia Commonwealth over #5 Wichita State. The Republicans are expected to easily win Kansas, but Virginia will be a swing state. Additionally, most of the Rams' fans live in Virginia. Could Obama be trying to win over Virginia residents? The President also picked Xavier (of Cincinnati, Ohio) over Notre Dame. Notre Dame may play their home games in a swing state, but their fan base is more national. Also, the Irish fans are overwhelmingly Catholic, which is not a group Obama plans on doing well with. Needless to say, he is more focused on winning the votes of Ohioans than Catholics. In this regional, Indiana and Duke represent swing states in the Sweet 16.

In the East Regional, three of Obama's four Sweet 16 teams are from swing states - the aforementioned Buckeyes and Seminoles, and the University of Wisconsin. Again, most of the Badgers fans live in Wisconsin.

Is North Carolina's "swing"
status a motivation for Obama
to advance the Wolfpack
to the Sweet 16? Perhaps.

In the Midwest, we see another interesting trend. The only underseed (9 or lower) Obama has in the Sweet 16 is #11 North Carolina State. Obviously, the Wolfpack play their home games in North Carolina, and once again, most of their fans live in North Carolina. Could this be a subtle ploy? Obama also has Michigan in the Sweet 16, along with UNC as well as Kansas. Obama does have Purdue (Indiana) knocking off St. Mary's (California) in a first round upset, once again, one where a team from a swing state beats a team from a non-swing state. And again, the swing state team has most of their fans in their home state.

In the West regional, there simply aren't many swing state teams. But both Elite Eight teams, Michigan State and Missouri, come from swing states. And it is the Tigers, from the far closer swing state, who advance to the Final Four. The only First Round Upset Obama has here is Virginia over Florida. These teams are both from swing states, surprisingly.

Overall, in terms of first round upsets (by seeding), Obama picked six of them. Four of them involve a team from a swing state beating either a team from a non-swing state or a team that is unlikely to have many fans who are consdering voting Democrat (Notre Dame). One (Virginia over Florida) involves two swing-state teams, and one (West Virginia over Gonzaga) involves two teams not from swing states.

This is the last "Baracketology" before the election. If Obama is trying to appeal to swing-state voters, this is certainly an interesting way to do it. But looking at his predictions, it seems entirely possible that this is what he is trying to do. I'm not saying he is, I'm just saying it's possible.

Why Ron Paul is finished and I support Gary Johnson

Gary Johnson is
running for president.
Here is why to vote
for him. 

Previously on this blog, I mentioned I supported Gary Johnson for the Republican nomination. Then, Johnson switched to the Libertarian Party and I said I would support Ron Paul for the nomination. But now, Ron Paul is pretty much finished, realistically speaking. He has said he will not seek a third party nomination. So, realistically speaking, I've got to turn to a third party. Johnson is currently polling at over 70% among Libertarians, and it seems likely he will get the nomination at the Convention the first weekend in May. If not, I will figure it out from there.

But why do I support Gary Johnson? There are several reasons. First, Johnson will significantly reduce government spending. He will pass a balanced budget in his first year, and eliminate wasteful government spending and pork. No other candidate besides Dr. Paul is willing to do that. Our country is on the brink of financial disaster, so much so that even Ben Bernanke admits it. We need to reduce spending, and we need to do it now.

Second of all, Gary Johnson will end useless wars. So long, War in Afghanistan. So long, Libyan war. Good-bye, War on Drugs. All in all, the defense budget will be cut 42% under Gary Johnson. Meanwhile, Obama finally ended the War in Iraq two and a half years after he said he would, and only after starting wars in Libya and Somalia. Romney/Gingrich won't cut military either. We shouldn't be the world's policeman.

The Libertarian Party
is fiscally conservative
and socially liberal. They
advocate small-government
libertarianism. It's a good idea.

Third, Johnson will protect out liberties. He opposes PIPA, SOPA, and ACTA, and would work to get those bills overturned if they pass under Obama. If they don't, Johnson will ensure they don't pass under his watch. Johnson (unlike Paul) also supports nationwide gay marriage. While I don't think the government should be involved in marriage at all, legalizing gay marriage is a good start. He also opposes all forms of censorship as well as the indefinite detentions authorized under NDAA. It's scary what Obama is doing and what Bush did to our civil liberties. Reverse the loss.

Gary Johnson is a "classic liberal". Back in the day, these people were just called "liberals", but now we sometimes call them "libertarians". He opposes most forms of government intervention, except in cases of force or fraud by one person against another. He would downsize government and keep it out of our personal lives. We would stay out of other countries and balance the budget. So why has nobody heard of him? I'll let that sink in for a while and answer it later.

One more thing.... Go Giants

Presidential Candidates Make their Super Bowl Picks (Satire)

Well, in 2008, Super Bowl Sunday fell a mere two days before Super Tuesday. While there is nearly a month separating the two, one can't help but notice that as soon as the NFL regular season draws to a close, the Election Regular Season starts in Iowa. So, let's look at the following discussion we had with the seven Republicans and one Democrat who are running.

Obama: Calvin Johnson
has been an enormous stimulus
package for Detroit.

Barack Obama: Four years ago, the people of Detroit wanted more. Their football team was 0-16 and the city was in shambles. But then America wanted change. And we bailed out the city of Detroit. And with that, the Lions were bailed out too. The City of Detroit wants more change and they're going to get it!
Ron Paul: I hope you don't plan on calling Jim Schwartz to congratulate him if your prediction is correct.
Barack Obama: Why not?
Ron Paul: Well, where in the Constitution does it say you can?
Barack Obama: Where does it say I can't?
Ron Paul: The Tenth Amendment states that any powers not granted explicitly to the Federal Government are reserved to the states. So you'll just have to let Governor Snyder call.
Rick Perry: Well, the three teams I think have a chance are the Packers, the Ravens, and ... ahh.. um... oops?
Ron Paul: The Eagles?
Rick Perry: Uh... sure?
Moderator: Really? Because the Eagles aren't in the playoffs.
Rick Perry: No, it wasn't the Eagles.
Moderator: Mr. Romney?

Although Romney disagrees,
Santorm feels the Pats have no
chance without Randall Gay.

Mitt Romney: As an elected official by the State of Massachusetts, I feel compelled to carry out their will and predict the Patriots.
Rick Santorum: Well, I think that by passionately opposing abortion, Tim Tebow has won the favor of God, and as much as it pains my true Pittsburgh steel mill heart to say it, he will win the Super Bowl. And Mitt, the Patriots have no chance without their cornerback Randall Homosexual. Why do you think they lost in 2008?
Moderator: If a woman were hypothetically raped by a quarterback on your favorite football team, should she be allowed to get an abortion?
Rick Santorum: No. Abortion is wrong in all cases. And nothing was ever proven with our quarterback.
Mitt Romney: No, it was consensual with all 39 of Brady's girlfriends. So it doesn't matter. Unlike Senator Santorum's QB, we don't have anything to prove.

Bachmann: Make Green Bay
a one-term champ.

Moderator: Let's get back on topic. Congresswoman Bachmann, your take?
Michele Bachmann: The Green Bay Packers will be a one-term Super Bowl Champion!
Moderator: And who will win?
Michele Bachmann: We will defeat the Green Bay Packers and make them a one-term Super Bowl Champion!
Moderator: We? You coach football?
Michele Bachmann: No! We as in America! America will make Green Bay a one-term Super Bowl Champion!
Moderator: Ok then... Speaker Gingrich?
Newt Gingrich: The Ravens are going to win the Super Bowl, defeating Atlanta 38-21. Absolutely.
Moderator: And finally, we turn to Jon Huntsman.
Jon Huntsman: I personally think the Falcons have the best shot.
Newt Gingrich: Are you crazy? It's going to be the 49ers over the Ravens. Atlanta isn't even getting past the Giants!
Ron Paul: Didn't you just say that the Ravens would beat Atlanta in the Super Bowl? Yet another example of hypocrisy and flip-flopping from Newt Gingrich. Is this really who you want leading the country?

And Gingrich flip-flops
again.

Newt Gingrich: No. I never said that. You're putting words in my mouth and outrageously attacking me.

Ron Paul: We all heard you.
Michele Bachmann: Let's just make Green Bay a one-term Champion, OK? And then we can show the world how great America is!
Rick Perry: Aha! I remember the third team. The Saints!


*cut to shot of Gary Johnson*

Gary Johnson: Notice how during this entire debate, Jon Huntsman got only one line? And Ron Paul wasn't even allowed to make a prediction? Well, that's what the media has come to. Fixing elections like they should be able to pick the President. Well, this is why I'm running as a Libertarian. See you in May at the LP Convention. Vote Johnson 2012!

Too Short For a Column: 2011 Remarks in Review

Here is a wrap-up of everything I wanted to post in 2011 but found I could only make one or two lines out of it. Some of it I already said elsewhere, but here is a complete collection of it. So, let's go. Cue the "In Review" music of your choice.