Unit 2: Political Beliefs and Behaviors

“Social Issues Overtake US Politics”

http://constitutioncenter.org/NewsWire.aspx?title=Social+Issues+Overtake+US+Politics

Synopsis: The economy is not the only issue on people’s minds in politics. Social issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and contraception are now “at the center of American political discourse.” These social issues can become key tools for the candidates running in the election, even though the economy is still voters’ major concern. Republicans are trying to win votes of religious conservatives, such as Catholics in Ohio and Pennsylvania, which are battleground states. Obama is trying to preserve support among women, moderates, and independents. The Republican candidates are using the White House’s policy on birth control coverage to fuel their attacks against Obama and win voters. Rick Santorum says that the policy threatens religious freedom and violates the Constitution. Romney says that the Obama administration is “waging an assault on religion.” Gingrich, who is a Catholic, says that Democrats have “declared war on the Catholic Church.”

Analysis:  It is one’s civic duty to vote and the presidential candidates are trying to get as many voters to come out to the polls as possible. They are trying to gain support by highlighting key social issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and birth control. You can see how the two parties are on two different sides of the political spectrum. The Republicans are basing their views on conservatism, trying to win those with strong religious views, and the Democrats are basing their views on liberalism, by advocating women’s right to birth control. Mainly, the candidates are trying to appeal to their voters’ political values and political socialization. The Republicans have shown that they know voters are strongly influenced politically by their religion, which is why they are attacking Obama and saying that he is “waging an assault on religion.” And the Republicans are saying that Obama is infringing on their core American value of liberty to practice religion. However, it can be said that Obama is observing this core American value by giving women the liberty to have birth control costs covered.