The CCNY community weighs in on the Republican presidential hopefuls
By Siddiq Mohammed.
Things are getting interesting on the GOP side in the race for president. A few weeks ago both former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and New Jersey governor Chris Christie announced that they will not be running. Their decision to sit out the race shocked many people around America, but others were pleased to see that they will not be seeking the office.Christopher Engel, a 22-year-old NYIT student, says, “It's a net positive for the party and for the country that Sarah Palin and Chris Christie are not running.“When it comes to Chris Christie,” Engel adds, “he said himself he just wasn't experienced enough for the job. “Voters now have fewer Republican nominees to choose from. Currently the top candidates running for the GOP nomination are: Herman Cain, Congressman Ron Paul, Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, Governor Rick Santorum, Governor Rick Perry, and Governor Mitt Romney.Many new developments have occurred concerning these presidential hopefuls. Shortly after Christie decided not to run he announced he endorsed Romney for President. And recently Cain surged, knocking Romney from the number-one spot. Many polls such as the NBC News/ Wall Street Journal poll show Cain leading Romney by several percentage points.Still can any of these Republicans beat President Barack Obama is 2012?Shauna-Gaye Bigby, a City College senior, doesn’t think so. “Nope, Obama is a wonderful president who is doing his best, and I will vote him right back into office,” she says.Judge Michael Gregorek, an MCA professor, disagrees. He believes that Obama’s promises will not work this coming election. “I think the dividends of hope and change are pretty clear to everyone. “Gregorek is pushing for Herman Cain. “From the current candidates, I am most impressed with Cain,” he says. “He’s real change. That does give me hope. I think it is time for a non-politician.”Voters have more than a year left to decide who they want to see in office come 2012. Will they send one of the GOP hopefuls to the White House or will they re-elect Obama? Things are far too early to call.However Engel insists that the Republicans will win in 2012. “Obama is a great example of what happens when inexperience meets bad philosophy,” he says. “The people understand this and we have reality as our proof.”