The Election: Why Mitt Romney is Happy

I have a problem with the 2012 Presidential Election: there is no way for anyone to evaluate it.

Let me explain.

In 2008, President Obama inspired the nation with his message of "Hope" and "Change". Obama released his plan for America, which consisted of health care reform, tax changes and foreign policy goals. Senator John McCain spent the majority of his campaign trying to prove that he was not the same candidate as President Bush. He also released many proposals that illustrated this point. The United States population was given a choice between the old and the new-- they chose the new.

Now I may have simplified the 2008 election for some of you, but the point I am trying to make is that the 2012 Presidential election does not contain anywhere near the same magnitude or the parody as the 2008 election. What we are seeing now is a feud between classmates. A debate of the "nuh-uhs!"

For the past few months, television adds from both candidates have utilized out-of-context soundbites and calls of inexperience to bash their respective opponent. Obama has focused on Romney's work with Bain Capital, the Private Equity group. Romney has repeatedly referred to Obama as a politician in over his head.

To be clear, I believe that the United States has found itself at a crossroads. We, admittedly, must fix a problem with our financial services-based economy and our inefficient government. Republicans spend time calling out the failings of the public sector and propose spending cuts to remedy these problems. Democrats place the blame on Wall Street bankers and their "crony" politicians and political action groups.

While I tend to align myself more with Democrats, I do not think they have it all correct. The Republicans have many legitimate concerns with the direction of the economy and the public sector. The problem is that we have not addressed any of these keys concerns. Democrats have spent their time blaming Republicans for the immobility of congress and the demonization of President Obama. Republicans criticize Democrats for being barriers to progress and political lightweights in terms of budgets and fiscal policy.

I agree with both sides on this criticism. My problem is that Mitt Romney is loving this criticism. He might be able to take it to the White House. The deception is exactly what he needs. Right now, Romney is able to escape any and all criticism directed at the economy. Obama takes it all. Romney does not have to answer for Obamacare because it was passed by Obama (even though he passed nearly the same thing while governor of Massachusetts). Romney does not have to talk specifically about foreign policy-- He just has to question Obama's decisions. Romney does not even have to propose a 4 year budget. He just has to give general statements about what he thinks he may (or may not) do.

Romney's biggest point of concern, at least recently, is his refusal to release his tax returns. However, as much as the Obama campaign tries to use this to their advantage, it will never compare to the other points of contention for Romney. Instead, Obama has found himself constantly on the defense as Romney takes his place as the Republican nominee. As a result Obama has had to go on the offensive and release those negative adds about Bain Capital (which I don't think are a good strategy). The result has been a rise in the polls by Romney. As the economy continues to stagnate, Obama pays the penalty and Romney reaps the rewards.

Granted, Romney still has many barriers to overcome before he becomes president; nevertheless, the ability of the entire conservative community to demonize Obama and his administration is very troubling. Moreover, Romney has been able to easy cruise through this summer without any demand for him to release a major proposal. Romney is essentially running a Presidential campaign on vague generalities. This is an outrage.

If we as voters are supposed to elect a President, we must be able to fairly and EASILY evaluate them. Right now, the Romney campaign is doing their very best to make sure that his cannot happen.