Ask the Expert: Republican Primaries

The 2012 Republican primaries are quickly approaching with the first caucus to be held in Iowa on Jan. 3. New Hampshire, which has traditionally been the first state to hold primary votes on election years, will be voting on Jan. 10. While voting starts in just about two months, the Republican nomination is still up for grabs. Mitt Romney, Rick Perry, and even the outspoken Herman Cain, are all in the mix with no clear front runner.

The 2008 presidential election was defined as the election that got young people excited about politics and voting. A record number of people between the ages of 18 to 35 voted in the election. Many experts believe that the voter turnout will be much lower in 2012, especially from the younger age group. Professor of Political Science Scott McClean, from Quinnipiac University, weighs in on the Republic Party primaries and what young people can do to become active in politics.

Q: What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of the Republican candidate field as its stands right now?

A: The challenge is, traditionally Republican have had slots. There is always an established Republican, a socially conservative Republican, a Libertarian, and on down the list. Usually what happens is the established Republican is usually in there, which is Mitt Romney, and everyone else is sort of trying to oust him. This time, it's not really working that way. The Republicans really aren't happy with Mitt Romney. I think it's partly because he's Mormon and there is a segment of the party that will have to get used to that. I think part of it too has to do with Romney being the governor of Massachusetts and signing into law the Massachusetts health care plan which is really close to the Heath Care Reform Act that Obama passed.

Q: Besides Mitt Romney, how have the other candidates performed so far?

A: Unfortunately, all the other alternative candidates; Herman Cain and Rick Perry, have all really not performed well. They have their moments where they seem to challenge Romney but then they stumble. We are in one of those periods right now where it really doesn't look like anyone will seriously be able to challenge Romney.

Q: Has there been any major changes in the campaigns from a few months ago?

A: There really hasn't been much change. As I said before Mitt Romney is still the one everyone things will win the primaries. People think it's his turn because he came so close last time and that just seems like the way Republicans operate. The real change and surprise is the Herman Cain candidacy. He had taken the slot under the eccentric candidate. He didn't talk or sound like anyone else and he seemed kind of gimmicky but suddenly he's started to pick up and make some traction. In some polls he's even ahead of Mitt Romney. Unfortunately now there is some sex scandal involving him and also some charges of financial impropriety. The other change is of course some of the candidates that seemed to be looking rather good many months ago such as Michele Bachmann and Sarah Palin have sort of disappeared

Q: How does the recent success of President Barack Obama affect the Republican Candidates?

A: Barack Obama's new approach of bypassing Congress and getting stuff done by himself has definitely added to his popularity. However, this may actually help Mitt Romney. When it looks easy to beat Barack Obama then sort of alternative and corky candidates have more of a shot to get the nomination, but when it looks harder to beat Obama, Republicans are much more likely to support someone who is stable and established like a Mitt Romney.

Q: What issues have dominated the Republican primary race so far?

A: I think the Occupy Wall Street movement has become an issue. I think it shows more people now favor the Wall Street movement over the Tea Party movement. This means that the main focus has shifted away from the national deficit, which hurts the Republican Party.

Q: How can young people get more involved with political elections?

A: I think the best way, if you have a candidate you believe in, is to start organizing your campus. Just trying to get people to register to vote doesn't really work. What you really need is to not try to reach out to the apathetic but to find people who are already interested and start organizing. Then people who are less interested will start to take note and become interested.