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Thursday, February 2, 2012
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“I happen, temporarily, to occupy the White House. I am a living witness that any of your children may come here as my father's child has.
--  Abraham Lincoln
You Need to Vote

By:  Doug Brimmer
Posted:  Thursday, February 2, 2012


Every four years the American People participate in the most important of events, the Election for the Presidency of the United States.  During Good Times and Bad Times, during War and during Peace, during Prosperity and during Depression, the Constitution has been followed and a President has been Elected.

Believe it or not, but this Election Cycle is not much different than all the ones that have occurred before.  How do we address the Economy?  How do we address Security?  How do we move the United States forward and Keep it Strong in the Years to Come.

As with all Elections, we have a Number of American Citizens who Believe that they have the Ideas, that the have the Strength, that they have the Leadership Abilities to be The President of the United States. 

We at Cube Think are following the events leading up to the 2012 Presidential Election.  We are following the Candidates and would like Share Our Thoughts. 

And, of course, We Would Love to Hear Your Thoughts.  If you have Comments on the Candidates, the Issues, the Process, and have Articles that You Recommend, we would appreciate it if you would forward them to us at 

Please drop us a note with your feedback at 
comments@cubethink.com.
Meet the Republican Candidates
Mitt Romney
                   Mitt Romney
      
Home State Born - Michigan
                        Resides - Massachusetts

  
Age on November 6, 201265
  
Married  Ann Romney  (1969  -  present)
  
Children  5
 
Religion   Mormon
 
Education Bachelors
                     MBA
                     Juris Doctor

Cube Thought  (02/01/12):   With a Huge Win in Florida to go with a Win in New Hampshire and 2nds in Iowa and South Carolina - He is Solidly the Front Runner.  He Seems to Have Gotten his Mojo Back.  But, Do Not Forget about Newt.

Background Worked in Management Consulting and Private Equity Businesses.  Co-founder and CEO of Bain Capital.  President and CEO of 2002 Winter Olympics - Salt Lake Organizing Committee.  70th Governor of Massachusetts, 2003 - 2007.  Ran for President in 2008.
     
Website www.MittRomney.com
Climbing in the Race for the 2012 Presidential Nomination
  
Climbing
Newt Gingrich
                   Newt Gingrich
      
Home State Born - Pennsylvania
                        Resides - Virginia

  
Age on November 6, 201269
  
Married: Jackie Battley  (1962  -  1981)
                 Marianne Ginther  (1981  -  2000)
                 Callista Gingrich  (2000  -  present)
  
Children  2
 
Religion   Roman Catholic
                    (previously Southern Baptist
)
 
Education Bachelors
                     Masters
                     PhD in Modern European History

Cube Thought  (02/01/12):   Like "Rocky Balboa", Every Time this Guy Gets Knocked Down He Gets Right Back Up. But, was S.C. His Pinnacle?  After two "Quiet" Debates in Florida, He Got Knocked Down Again.  He May Be a Sprinter - Not a Marathon Man.

Background Former Professor of History.  Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Georgia's 6th District, 1979 - 1999.  House Minority Whip, 1989 - 1995.  58th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, 1995 - 1999.  Since leaving office has founded a number of organizations, written numerous books, and has been vocal on politics and public policy.  Has not previously run for President.
     
Website www.newt.org
Dropping in the Race for the 2012 Presidential Nomination
  
Neutral to Falling
Rick Perry
                   Rick Perry
      
Home State Born - Texas
                        Resides - Texas

  
Age on November 6, 201262
  
Married  Anita Thigpen  (1982  -  present)
  
Children  2
 
Religion   Christian
                    (raised Methodist)

 
Education Bachelors

Cube Thought  (01/19/12):   Joined the Field with Great Fanfare in Late Summer 2011 and Slowly Dropped from there.  With a 5th Place in Iowa and a 6th Place in New Hampshire - South Carolina was His Last Stand.  Endorsed Gingrich.

Background Current Governor of Texas.  47th and Longest serving Governor in Texas History.  Elected in 2002, 2006, and 2010.  Lieutenant Governor of Texas, 1999 - 2000.  Also served as Commissioner of Agriculture of Texas and in Texas House of Representatives.  Former Democrat.  Switched to Republican Party in 1989.  Former Air Force Pilot.  Worked in Family Cotton Farming Business.  Has not previously run for President.
     
Website www.RickPerry.org
Dropping in the Race for the 2012 Presidential Nomination
  
Dropped Out
Herman Cain
                   Herman Cain
      
Home State Born - Tennessee
                        Resides - Georgia

  
Age on November 6, 201266
  
Married  Gloria Cain  (1968  -  present)
  
Children  2
 
Religion   Baptist
 
Education Bachelors
                     Masters

Cube Thought  (12/03/11):   Finished!  In Debates - Was Solid, Did Nothing Wrong, and had Good Sound Bites.  But ... , Was he a Hollywood Set?  The lost look when talking to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel about Libya hurt. And those allegations ...

Background Former Chairman and CEO of Godfather's Pizza, 1986 to 1996.  Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 1995 - 1996.  Deputy Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, 1992 - 1994.  President and CEO of the National Restaurant Association, 1996 - 1999.  In the 1970's, worked for the U.S. Navy,   Coca-Cola Company, and Pillsbury.  Most recently has been an author, columnist, and radio commentator.  Has not previously run for President.
     
Website www.HermanCain.com
Dropping in the Race for the 2012 Presidential Nomination
  
Dropped Out
Jon Huntsman
                   Jon Huntsman
      
Home State Born - California
                        Resides - Utah

  
Age on November 6, 201252
  
Married  Mary Kaye Cooper
                    (1983  -  present)
  
Children  7
 
Religion   Mormon
 
Education Bachelors

Cube Thought  (01/16/12):   Nice Guy on the Stage.  Intelligent and Came Across well On Top Issues.  Went "All In" on New Hampshire, but Only Finished 3rd.  The Right Choice Ending the Run Before the South Carolina Vote.  Endorsed Romney.

Background Worked in the Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush Administrations.  11th U.S. Ambassador to Singapore, 1992 - 1993.  Worked as an Executive in the Family Business, Huntsman Corporation, 1993 - 2001.  Deputy U.S. Trade Representative in the George W. Bush Administration, 2001 - 2003.  16th Governor of Utah, 2005 - 2009.  9th U.S. Ambassador to China, 2009 - 2011.  Has not previously run for President.
     
Website www.jon2012.com
Dropping in the Race for the 2012 Presidential Nomination
  
Dropped Out
Rick Santorum
                   Rick Santorum
      
Home State Born - Virginia
                        Resides - Pennsylvania

  
Age on November 6, 201254
  
Married  Karen Garver Santorum
                    (1990  -  present)
  
Children  7
 
Religion   Catholic
 
Education Bachelors
                     MBA
                     Juris Doctor

Cube Thought  (02/01/12):   Hard Work Paid Off with a 1st in Iowa - But Could Only Muster a 5th in New Hampshire a 3rd in South Carolina and a 3rd in Florida.  The End May be Near.  Could the Focus now be on a VP Slot on the Republican Ticket?

Background After College was admitted to the Pennsylvania bar and Practiced Law in Pittsburgh.  Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's 18th District, 1991 - 1995.  U.S. Senator from Pennsylvania, 1995 - 2007.  In 2006 Lost Re-Election bid for a third term in the U.S. Senate.  Most recently has returned to Practicing Law, has become a member of a Conservative Think Tank, and has been a columnist and television commentator.  Has not previously run for President.
     
Website www.RickSantorum.com
Dropping in the Race for the 2012 Presidential Nomination
  
Falling
Michele Bachmann
                   Michele Bachmann
      
Home State Born - Iowa
                        Resides - Minnesota

  
Age on November 6, 201256
  
Married  Marcus Bachmann
                    (1978  -  present)
  
Children  5 and Raised 23 Foster Children
 
Religion   Evangelical Christian
 
Education Bachelors
                     Juris Doctor
                     LL.M.

Cube Thought  (01/05/12):   Had a Strong Summer 2011, but Slowly Faded from there on Out.  Really had Little Face Time in the Debates to Gain Any Traction.  Sometimes Seemed to Whine a Bit.  Not sure if she is strong enough for the VP Slot.

Background After College was an Attorney for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  After working for the IRS put her career on hold to be a full-time mother.  Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 56th District, 2001 - 2003.  Member of the Minnesota Senate from the 52nd District, 2003 - 2007.  Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Minnesota's 6th District, 2007 - Present.  Has not previously run for President.
     
Website www.MicheleBachmann.com
Dropping in the Race for the 2012 Presidential Nomination
  
Dropped Out
Ron Paul
                   Ron Paul
      
Home State Born - Pennsylvania
                        Resides - Texas

  
Age on November 6, 201277
  
Married  Carolyn "Carol" Paul
                    (1957  -  present)
  
Children  5
 
Religion   Baptist
 
Education Bachelors
                     Doctor of Medicine

Cube Thought  (02/01/12):   Oldest Candidate.   Smart like Gingrich.  Has Consistent Following, but as a Percentage of the Whole, Small.  No Chance to be the Republican Nominee.  So Why is He Spending the Time and Money?

Background Educated in Obstetrics and Gynecology.  After College served in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. National Guard as a Flight Surgeon.  After Military Service had his Own Practice.  Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 22nd District, 1976 - 1977, and 1979 - 1985.  Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 14th District, 1997 - Present.  Member of the Republican Party in Early Political Career.  Member of the Libertarian Party for 1988 Presidential Campaign.  Switched back to Republican Party after 1988 Campaign.  Ran for President in 1988 and 2008.
     
Website www.RonPaul2012.com
Dropping in the Race for the 2012 Presidential Nomination
  
Falling
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Election 2012  -  Upcoming Events
Event Date Days Away
Nevada Caucus Saturday, February 4, 2012 2
2012 Presidential Election Tuesday, November 7, 2012 278
     
Cube Thought
Cube Thought  (01/31/12):   Headlines

Update:  With 46% of the Vote, Mitt Romney "Decisively" Wins the Florida Republican Presidential Primary.  However, Newt Gingrich did Receive 32% of the Vote and Vows to Press On. The Candidates and Their Troops Now Head to Nevada for the Saturday, February 4 Caucus.

-  In One Week Romney Goes from Getting Thumped in South Carolina to Doing the Thumping in Florida.  One Strong Debate Performance and a Ton of Money in Ads and He is Right Back in the Front Runners Spot. 

-  Like Romney in South Carolina, Gingrich Just Did Not Seem to Help His Cause in Florida.  With Two "Really Strange" Debate Performances and This "Hint" of Desperation in the Air and He Finds Himself Back Where He Was at the End of December when the Bottom Fell Out.

-  But, Newt has Been Here Before  -  Seems to Do Better When Riding in the Draft  -  Has Seen How a Campaign Can Be Turned Around Quickly  -  So, the Romney Campaign Should Not Get Cocky and Think that Gingrich Can Not Come Back.

-  As for Romney - a Solid Debate Performance may have been Just What he Needed to get a Primary Win in Florida.  It may be that Hiring a New Debate Coach is (a former Michele Bachmann's aide) Really Paid Off.  Maybe it is like A Professional Golfer who needs a New Swing Coach to get his A-Game Back?


  -  Florida Primary Finish:
        1.)  Mitt Romney            -    46%
        2.)  Newt Gingrich        -    32%
        3.)  Rick Santorum       -    13%
        4.)  Ron Paul                   -      7%


Election Night Speech Critique:

Grade   Candidate       CubeThink Comments
    A           Gingrich       Another Solid Election Night
                                            Speech.  Looked Somewhat Irritated
                                            at the Start, but then Started to
                                            Roll.  A Little Long, but He Spent a
                                            Lot of Time Explaining What He
                                            Would Do on His First Day as
                                            President.  But, Can He Get There?
    B+        Romney         Short, But Effective.  Congratulated
                                            his Opponents.  Talked Briefly about
                                            Uniting the Party.  But Once Again,
                                            Jumped Into His Stump Speech.
                                            Needs to Develop an Election Night
                                            Speech - One that Comes from the
                                            Heart.  Save the Canned Speech for
                                            the Campaign Trail.  And it May Be
                                            Time Add Real Details to the Stump
                                            Speech.
    B           Santorum     A Typical Good Santorum Election
                                            Night Speech.  But, Some Energy
                                            was Missing.  His Daughter has
                                            been in the Hospital.  He was
                                            Speaking from a Smaller Venue in
                                            Las Vegas.  Or, Is it that He Knows
                                            He Has a Very Steep Hill to Climb
                                            and the Odds of Getting to the Top
                                            are Quite Slim.
    B           Paul                His Best Election Night Speech So
                                            Far.  Biggest Change - It was Short!
                                            The Nevada Crowd was Enthusiastic
                                            which is Normal for a Paul Event.
                                            But, How Long Can the Music Keep
                                            Playing when You Only Get 3rd and
                                            4th Place Finishes?