The United States presidential election of 2012 was a closely contested race between incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Obama ultimately won the election, securing a second term in office.
In this article, we will take a closer look at the candidates who ran against Obama in the 2012 election, examining their backgrounds, qualifications, and campaign strategies. We will also discuss the key issues that dominated the race and how they shaped the outcome of the election.
The 2012 presidential election was a watershed moment in American history, marking the first time an African American president was reelected to a second term. It was also a highly polarized election, with the candidates representing sharply contrasting views on a wide range of issues.
Who Ran Against Obama
The 2012 presidential election featured a diverse field of candidates, each with their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
- Barack Obama: Incumbent Democratic President
- Mitt Romney: Republican challenger
- Ron Paul: Libertarian candidate
- Gary Johnson: Former Republican governor
- Jill Stein: Green Party candidate
- Virgil Goode: Former Virginia congressman
- Rocky Anderson: Former Utah governor
- Tom Hoefling: Independent candidate
These candidates represented a wide range of political views, from the progressive policies of Obama and Stein to the conservative stances of Romney and Paul.
Barack Obama: Incumbent Democratic President
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, was the Democratic candidate in the 2012 presidential election. He was seeking a second term in office.
- Political Experience:
Obama had a long history of public service before becoming president. He served as a community organizer, state senator, and U.S. senator from Illinois.
- Key Policies:
During his first term, Obama enacted several landmark policies, including the Affordable Care Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
- Strengths:
Obama was a charismatic and popular leader. He was also seen as a strong advocate for progressive causes, such as healthcare reform and environmental protection.
- Weaknesses:
Obama faced criticism for his handling of the economy and foreign policy. Some voters also felt that he was too inexperienced to be president.
Despite these challenges, Obama ultimately won the election, defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney. He became the first African American president to be reelected to a second term.
Mitt Romney: Republican challenger
Mitt Romney, a former governor of Massachusetts, was the Republican challenger in the 2012 presidential election. He was a wealthy businessman and a member of the prominent Romney family.
Romney had a long history in politics. He served as governor of Massachusetts from 2003 to 2007, where he implemented a number of conservative policies, including tax cuts and education reform.
Romney was a strong critic of President Obama's policies. He argued that Obama's policies were hurting the economy and that he was too willing to compromise with Democrats.
Romney's strengths included his business experience and his ability to connect with voters on a personal level. However, he was also criticized for his lack of foreign policy experience and his perceived aloofness.
Despite these challenges, Romney was a formidable opponent for Obama. He came close to winning the election, but ultimately lost to Obama in the Electoral College.
Ron Paul: Libertarian candidate
Ron Paul, a former congressman from Texas, was the Libertarian candidate in the 2012 presidential election. He was a staunch advocate for individual liberty and limited government.
Paul had a long history in politics. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1976 to 1988 and again from 1997 to 2013. During his time in Congress, Paul was known for his strong libertarian views and his opposition to government intervention in the economy and social issues.
Paul's platform in the 2012 election focused on reducing the size and scope of the federal government, cutting taxes, and ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also called for an end to the Federal Reserve and a return to the gold standard.
Paul was a popular figure among young voters and libertarians. However, he was also criticized for his extreme views and his lack of experience in foreign policy.
Despite these challenges, Paul received over 1 million votes in the 2012 election, making him the most successful third-party candidate since Ross Perot in 1992.
Gary Johnson: Former Republican governor
Gary Johnson, a former two-term governor of New Mexico, was the Libertarian Party's vice presidential nominee in 2012. He was a self-described "fiscally conservative, socially liberal" politician.
Johnson had a long history in politics. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999 to 2003, where he was known for his libertarian views and his opposition to government spending. As governor of New Mexico, Johnson implemented a number of libertarian policies, including tax cuts, education reform, and criminal justice reform.
Johnson's platform in the 2012 election focused on reducing the size and scope of the federal government, cutting taxes, and ending the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also called for an end to the Federal Reserve and a return to the gold standard.
Johnson was a popular figure among young voters and libertarians. However, he was also criticized for his lack of experience in foreign policy and his perceived aloofness.
Despite these challenges, Johnson received over 1 million votes in the 2012 election, making him the most successful third-party candidate since Ross Perot in 1992.
Jill Stein: Green Party candidate
Jill Stein, a medical doctor and activist, was the Green Party's presidential nominee in 2012. She was a strong advocate for environmental protection and social justice.
- Political Experience:
Stein had a long history of activism and advocacy, but no prior experience in elected office.
- Key Policies:
Stein's platform focused on environmental protection, social justice, and economic equality. She called for a transition to renewable energy, universal healthcare, and a living wage.
- Strengths:
Stein was a passionate and articulate advocate for her progressive views. She was also seen as a credible alternative to the two major party candidates.
- Weaknesses:
Stein was criticized for her lack of experience and her radical views. She was also seen as unlikely to win the election.
Despite these challenges, Stein received over 460,000 votes in the 2012 election, making her the most successful Green Party candidate in history.
Virgil Goode: Former Virginia congressman
Virgil Goode, a former Republican congressman from Virginia, was the Constitution Party's presidential nominee in 2012. He was a conservative politician with strong views on immigration and social issues.
- Political Experience:
Goode served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1997 to 2009. He was known for his conservative views and his opposition to illegal immigration.
- Key Policies:
Goode's platform focused on reducing the size and scope of the federal government, cutting taxes, and opposing abortion and same-sex marriage.
- Strengths:
Goode was a strong advocate for conservative values. He was also seen as a credible alternative to the two major party candidates.
- Weaknesses:
Goode was criticized for his extreme views and his lack of experience in foreign policy. He was also seen as unlikely to win the election.
Despite these challenges, Goode received over 120,000 votes in the 2012 election, making him the most successful Constitution Party candidate in history.
Rocky Anderson: Former Utah governor
Rocky Anderson, a former Democratic governor of Utah, was the Justice Party's presidential nominee in 2012. He was a progressive politician with strong views on environmental protection and social justice.
- Political Experience:
Anderson served as mayor of Salt Lake City from 1999 to 2007 and as governor of Utah from 2007 to 2011. He was known for his progressive views and his commitment to environmental protection.
- Key Policies:
Anderson's platform focused on environmental protection, social justice, and economic equality. He called for a transition to renewable energy, universal healthcare, and a living wage.
- Strengths:
Anderson was a passionate and articulate advocate for his progressive views. He was also seen as a credible alternative to the two major party candidates.
- Weaknesses:
Anderson was criticized for his lack of experience in foreign policy and his perceived aloofness. He was also seen as unlikely to win the election.
Despite these challenges, Anderson received over 400,000 votes in the 2012 election, making him the most successful Justice Party candidate in history.
Tom Hoefling: Independent candidate
Tom Hoefling, a businessman and perennial candidate, was an independent candidate in the 2012 presidential election. He was known for his eccentric views and his long history of running for office.
- Political Experience:
Hoefling had run for president several times before, but had never won a major election.
- Key Policies:
Hoefling's platform was eclectic and included a wide range of proposals, from abolishing the Federal Reserve to legalizing marijuana.
- Strengths:
Hoefling was a colorful and entertaining candidate. He was also seen as a credible alternative to the two major party candidates.
- Weaknesses:
Hoefling was criticized for his lack of experience and his extreme views. He was also seen as unlikely to win the election.
Despite these challenges, Hoefling received over 100,000 votes in the 2012 election, making him the most successful independent candidate in history.
FAQ
Who ran against Obama in the 2012 presidential election?
The following candidates ran against Obama in the 2012 presidential election: Mitt Romney (Republican), Ron Paul (Libertarian), Gary Johnson (Libertarian Party vice presidential nominee), Jill Stein (Green Party), Virgil Goode (Constitution Party), Rocky Anderson (Justice Party), and Tom Hoefling (independent).
Who were the major party candidates in the 2012 presidential election?
The major party candidates in the 2012 presidential election were Barack Obama (Democratic) and Mitt Romney (Republican).
What were the key issues in the 2012 presidential election?
The key issues in the 2012 presidential election included the economy, healthcare, and foreign policy.
Who won the 2012 presidential election?
Barack Obama won the 2012 presidential election.
How many electoral votes did Obama win?
Obama won 332 electoral votes, while Romney won 206 electoral votes.
What was the popular vote margin in the 2012 presidential election?
Obama won the popular vote by a margin of about 5 million votes.
What was the significance of the 2012 presidential election?
The 2012 presidential election was significant because it was the first time an African American president was reelected to a second term.
What are some of the challenges that Obama faced during his second term?
Some of the challenges that Obama faced during his second term included the rise of ISIS, the ongoing conflict in Syria, and the economic recovery from the Great Recession.
These are just a few of the questions that people have about the 2012 presidential election. For more information, please visit the websites of the candidates and the major news organizations.
Now that you know more about the 2012 presidential election, here are some tips for staying informed about future elections:
Tips
How to stay informed about future elections:
1. Register to vote.
The first step to participating in an election is to register to vote. You can register to vote online, by mail, or in person. The deadline to register to vote varies by state, so be sure to check your state's deadline.
2. Learn about the candidates and the issues.
Once you are registered to vote, you can start learning about the candidates and the issues. You can do this by reading news articles, watching debates, and attending campaign rallies. It is important to be informed about the candidates and the issues so that you can make an informed decision on who to vote for.
3. Vote early, if possible.
Many states offer early voting. Early voting allows you to vote before Election Day. This can be a convenient option if you have a busy schedule on Election Day or if you want to avoid long lines at the polls.
4. Get involved in the political process.
There are many ways to get involved in the political process, even if you are not running for office. You can volunteer for a campaign, donate to a candidate, or simply talk to your friends and family about the issues. By getting involved, you can help to make a difference in the outcome of the election.
These are just a few tips for staying informed about future elections. By following these tips, you can be sure that you are prepared to participate in the political process and make your voice heard.
Now that you know more about the 2012 presidential election and how to stay informed about future elections, you are ready to make a difference in the political process.
Conclusion
The 2012 presidential election was a closely contested race between incumbent Democratic President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. Obama ultimately won the election, securing a second term in office.
In this article, we have taken a closer look at the candidates who ran against Obama in the 2012 election, examining their backgrounds, qualifications, and campaign strategies. We have also discussed the key issues that dominated the race and how they shaped the outcome of the election.
The 2012 presidential election was a watershed moment in American history, marking the first time an African American president was reelected to a second term. It was also a highly polarized election, with the candidates representing sharply contrasting views on a wide range of issues.
Regardless of your political views, it is important to be informed about the candidates and the issues in every election. By staying informed, you can make an informed decision on who to vote for and help to shape the future of our country.