President+of+the+United+States

__The Role of the President__ //__Democrats:__// __President Barack Obama__ //__Republicans:__// __Newt Gingrich__ __Rick Santorum__ __Mitt Romney__ __Ron Paul__
 * __The President of the United States of America__**



__The Role of the President__

The President is both the head of state and head of government of the United States of America, as well as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. The execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress is also a responsibility of the President, as stated in Article II of the Constitution. The President has the power to either sign or veto a bill; however, a two-thirds vote of both houses allows Congress to override the veto. The President can also extend pardons for federal crimes, aside from impeachment. Usually given as an address to a joint session of Congress each January, the President is required to inform Congress of the State of the Union

The President and First Family have the luxury of traveling in Air Force One, a Marine helicopter, or an armored Presidential limousine. Also, the President earns a salary of $400,000 a year, serves four years per term and has a maximum of two terms.

Constitution- Voter-
 * Qualifications:**
 * 35 years of age
 * Natural born citizen
 * Lived in the country for at least 14 years
 * Older
 * Experience in politics
 * Confidence in their plans
 * Compassion for the people
 * Listen to what the people want and try to find the best way to make it happen

__Democrats__


 * President Barack Obama**



President Barack Obama ran for the presidency in 2008 and was elected on November 4, 2008. Americans were hopeful with his promise of change and he became the forty-forth President of the United States and the first African-American president in US history. President Obama enjoys being married to First Lady, Michelle Obama, and loves being a father to his two daughters, Sasha and Malia.

When it comes to the topic of health care, President Obama feels very passionate about making sure that all children receive it in their lifetime. He also feels that it should be affordable enough for everyone so that no one is without help. Towards the beginning of his presidency, he wanted to “address the crushing costs of healthcare.” Now in 2012, he is promising Americans that they will “get a better bang for their health care dollars” which could majorly benefit future generations.

Job creation in the US today is increasing slowly but not fast enough to keep up with the demand of people in need of jobs. President Obama is looking towards a more hopeful future with people receiving more education, new manufacturing jobs, and a future where we are the ones who control our own energy. But right now, we as a country, need to focus on the main problems so that we can have that kind of future.

Since President Obama’s future political career depends greatly on the rising gas prices, he has decided to lower oil market manipulation as soon as possible. His goal is to make sure Americans are secure in everyday living and not empty their pockets paying high gas prices. Another goal that he has for 2012 is to bring back focus on the nuclear power industry. He is planning to set aside around eight-hundred million dollars this year just for nuclear energy research.

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__Fun Facts__
 * President Obama used to work at a Baskin’ Robins shop as a teenager, but now cannot stand ice cream.
 * President Obama’s favorite games are Scrabble and Poker.
 * President Obama enjoys making chili.
 * If he was not the President, Obama would have most likely become an architect.

__Republicans__


 * Newt Gingrich**



Newt Gingrich is a former Speaker of the House for the House of Representatives. Gingrich also made the Contract of America. He has balanced the budget and he supports a pro-grow strategy for the economy. Gingrich wants to strengthen the dollar and hopes to repeal what is known as “Obamacare”. Gingrich also supports an optional flat tax of 15 percent. He supports maximizing production for all types of energy and off-shore drilling. He supports a “Patient Power” plan, which will save money and he wants to create more choices in Medicare. Gingrich also wants to extend Health Savings Accounts and wants to stop junk lawsuits.

__Fun Facts:__
 * Newt Gingrich has been married 3 times.
 * Newt's birth name was 'Newton Leroy McPherson'.
 * Gingrich was born to a teenage mother and was adopted by his step-father.
 * Gingrich is the author/co-author of more than 20 books.
 * Gingrich was once named 'Man of the Year' by Time Magazine.
 * Gingrich met his first wife while in high School; she was his geometry teacher.


 * Rick Santorum (Santorum suspended his campaign for President but his name will still appear on the Pennsylvania ballot.)**

Senator Santorum wishes to repeal ObamaCare and strengthen patient-driven health coverage options such as Health Savings Accounts coupled with high deductible insurance plans (and repeal ObamaCare policies that gut such options). He also wishes to reduce costs through competition, increased transparency and electronic records. Senator Santorum does not believe in man-made global warming and in 2011 referred to the notion that man was changing the climate as patently absurd. He also opposes cap-and-trade legislation, stating that it would destroy a state like Pennsylvania. Senator Santorum supports all manners of energy production. He is a strong advocate for increased oil and gas exploration and increased drilling for oil and natural gas.

__Fun Facts:__
 * Santorum is married with 7 children, the youngest Bella who is 3, suffers from Trisomy 18, a rare genetic disorder that is often considered fatal.
 * During his law career, Santorum represented the World Wrestling Federation in his most notable case involving the use of steroids among professional wrestlers.
 * In 2005, Santorum wrote a book titled, "It Takes a Family: Conservatism and the Common Good".


 * Mitt Romney**



On his first day in office, Mitt Romney will issue an executive order that paves the way for the federal government to issue “Obamacare” waivers to all fifty states. He will then work with Congress to repeal the full legislation as quickly as possible. In place of “Obamacare”, Mitt will pursue policies that give each state the power to craft a health care reform plan that is best for its own citizens. The federal government’s role will be to help markets work by creating a level playing field for competition.

Aside from healthcare, Romney states that climate change is occurring, with some human contribution. He believes that the reduction in the size of global ice caps is hard to ignore and that human activity is a contributing factor. He does not support policies like a unilateral US cap-and-trade mandate. He states that such policies would have little effect on the climate but could cripple economic growth.

Another aspect that Romney looks at includes nuclear power; he believes that nuclear power is a win-win with no CO2 and no imports. He states that it's a domestic energy source with zero greenhouse emissions and a power that poses the single largest opportunity to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

In terms of the economy and jobs Romney plans to rebuild the foundations of the American economy on the principles of free enterprise, hard work, and innovation. His plan seeks to reduce taxes, spending, regulation, and government programs. It seeks to increase trade, energy production, human capital, and labor flexibility. It relinquishes power to the states instead of claiming to have the solution to every problem. __Fun Facts:__
 * Locals in Massachusetts refer to Mitt's hairstyle as "The Mitt".
 * Romney left his school in 1966 and served a mission for LDS Church in France for 2 years.
 * Mitt maintains a healthy diet but at the same time he is also very fond of eating. His favored specialties are Ann’s homemade Granola, Hires Burger, chicken bowl, hot dogs, meatloaf cake and fish.
 * Romney got his first name William from his father’s friend named J. William Marriott. His middle name Mitt was the nickname of his father’s cousin, Milton who was a football player for the Chicago Bears.
 * Romney was once arrested in 1965 in accuse of sliding down the slopes of a golf course on huge ice blocks.


 * Ron Paul**

Ron Paul is a person who sticks to his principles, no matter what. He is listed as the premier advocate for liberty in politics in this day and age. He has quite a consistent voting record in the House of Representatives. Paul never votes for legislation unless it is authorized by the Constitution. Dr. Paul served as a flight surgeon in the 1960’s in the US Air Force. Paul made a living in Texas in 1968 by being a specialist in obstetrics/gynecology. Over his lifetime he has delivered over 4,000 babies. Paul is definitely a family oriented man, with his wife Carol and five children with eighteen grandchildren. He is quite pro-life and pro-family values. Paul votes to lower or even to get rid of federal taxes, spending and regulations. Paul has served many roles in the government and uses his positions to advocate reducing the size of the federal government. Paul wishes to return to constitutional principles. A congressman has been quoted in saying //“Ron Paul personifies the Founding Fathers”.//

hbAs a man who is well versed in the medical field, Ron Paul is certainly one to uphold the principle of giving patients the best care possible, even if they could not afford it. Paul plans to save America money while making America’s health care a model for other countries. One of the main things Paul plans to do is to repeal ObamaCare. Paul plans to allow exemption from employee portions of the payroll taxes for terminally ill patients while they are not working. A beneficial aspect of Paul’s plan for health care is to make sure all money paid to Medicare and Medicaid will be used for only that. Also relating to the problem of obesity in America Paul wishes to stop the FDA and the FTC from interfering with America’s perspective of dietary supplements. Ron Paul wants America to have a government they can trust with their medical needs. America needs a government that will “do no harm”.

Ron Paul believes that the free market is the solution to America’s energy needs. Much of the problems with energy come from “pain at the pump” or extremely high fuel costs. The blame for the high fuel prices is because of federal policies that were created by environmental alarmists. The alarmists wanted to punish tradition energy production (oil, coal, natural gas) with the hopes that they could make energy sources that they believe are more economical. Paul has been called a “pro-energy president”. Paul will allow drilling into the vast amount of oil we have here on American land. He wants to remove the federal tax on gasoline. Doing this would reduce the cost of gas exponentially. He wants to open the gates to coal and nuclear power as well. As president Ron Paul wants to recognize the free market’s power by unleashing the full potential. The full potential to produce affordable, environmentally sound and reliable energy.

Ron Paul thinks that problem with unemployment is the stimulus. This only appears to work for some people for a short period of time. People believe that big government and more spending will fix the problems and create jobs. Ron Paul believes in free markets. He wants to cut regulations and reduce taxes, which in turn will strengthen the economy and create more jobs. Paul has been quoted saying //“Government destroys jobs; the market creates jobs.”// He criticizes the Fed in saying that they fail to grasp that an interest rate is a price, the price of time. When they attempt to manipulate the price it becomes as destructive as any other government price control. Paul simply wants America to be able to have jobs that will last and prosper, unlike the short term jobs that the government is currently creating.

__Fun Facts:__
 * While a Junior at Dormont High School in Pittsburgh, Paul was the state champion in the 220-yard dash.
 * Dr. Paul is a specialist in obstetrics and gynecology and has delivered more than 4,000 babies throughout his medical career.
 * Dr. Paul served as a flight surgeon for the U.S. Air Force during the 1960s.
 * During his medical career, Dr. Paul lowered fees or offered services for free to avoid accepting Medicare or Medicaid payments.
 * Ron Paul is 76 years old. At the end of his hypothetical first term he would be 80.
 * He is of German and Irish ancestry.
 * He has written a number of books on economic and political matters.
 * Paul worked on his parent’s dairy farm, as a paper boy, and at a local drug store.
 * Ron Paul was the President of his high school student council.