With the presidential election this year, the republican primaries kicked off with a surprise win in Iowa. Whether they didn’t know what a republican was or could tell you the birthday of Rick Santorum, Mustangs share their opinions on the candidates, issues, and results:
“I think they’re funny and Ron Paul is doing the best. Mitt Romney is probably going to win though. I’m only moderately aware because I’m not Republican. Mainly, I just hear them defending themselves when other candidates make negative claims about them. I dislike Rick Perry because of his ads.”-Senior Colin Noble
“I’m not really following the election very much.”-Senior Ana Coen
“I don’t feel comfortable expressing an opinion because I haven’t really been paying close attention to the election.”-Senior Mariko Kobayashi
“I don’t really have a feeling towards the Republican primary yet, but I’m sure that will change as it gets closer to the end.” -Senior Amanda Gill
“I don’t know much about it except what we talk about in my gov. class, but the issue that is of most concern to me is the recession.”-Senior Kylie Sprague
“I hardly know anything about it except what I hear other people talking about and I don’t really dislike anyone although some of the candidates seem ridiculous but that’s just what’s publicized.”-Senior Katherine Hee
“The Republicans have already had one of their caucus already. Some of the candidates causes are very strong. I know very limited information about what is going on when who has their primaries when. I don’t really know what each candidate stands for so there is none that I really favor. One thing I am glad about is that Rick Perry is possibly dropping out.”-Senior Emily Falloner
“I really don’t feel anything about the Republican primary so far. I don’t know if Donald Trump is a candidate, but if he is, I would love for him to be president. Trump is such a cool guy with cool ideas. He would make an awesome president.”-Sophomore Taylor Johnson
“I don’t really follow it that much. When I do watch it it’s [the candidates] attacking each other instead of addressing the issues. I think I’m sufficiently aware for a high school student, but I’m not completely knowledgeable about the subject. They come on TV and I tune them out because they’re attacking each other. It’s one of those times when they come on TV so I change the channel. I know Bachman dropped out, but I disliked her because she never really seemed to know what was going on. She just sounded stupid.” -Junior Kelsey Navis
“Watching the Republican Primaries is like watching a WWE match. I’m pretty damn aware of what’s going on, but all of the candidates are making me nervous about the economy. Mitt Romney seems pretty competent, but Rick Perry is a dingus, Santorum is a fruit, and Ron Paul just seems like a clueless grandfather.” -Senior Max Pazevic
“Uhh, I’m indifferent about it and not very aware. I don’t know how I feel about any of the candidates. I like them all equally.” -Senior Kyle Dever
“I think Santorum should surge to the front, but I know that he has a Google problem. Mitt Romney talking about going back to the gold standard is pretty weird.” -Senior Nolan Gallagher
“I feel like as a whole I disagree with a lot of what [the Republican candidates] are saying. The more I learn about it, the more vile I find their viewpoints. I hope there’s so much disagreement between the Republican party as a whole that Obama will win again.” -Junior Julian Dennis
“I feel like I don’t watch the news enough. I know the economy is bad, and I know that I haven’t had a lot of time to look at [the Republican candidates]…I know that SNL made fun of all the people.” -Sophomore Hannah Pence
“[My favorite Republican candidate would] probably be Mitt Romney because he seems to have his stuff together. Michelle Bachman creeps me out a lot. She seems like she’s going to come in my room at night and kill me.” -Sophomore Michael Sculte
“I’m kind of hoping that Mitt Romney pulls ahead because he’s a moderate and I would rather have a moderate running for office than an extreme conservative. I think I’m more aware than a lot of people. I get a lot of information from the newspaper, KPBS on the radio, SNL, and “The Colbert Report”. I don’t have any extreme dislike for any of them but I don’t really like Santorum because of his extreme intolerance of homosexuals.” -Sophomore Sierra Zounes
“I kind of feel like there are a lot of fools in the party and I sincerely hope that the country makes the decision to reelect Obama because I think he has done a good job so far. … [I am] not aware at all. Definitely not aware at all. I didn’t listen to the presidential debates although I should have.” -Sophomore Lauren Nelson
“I feel that the Republican Party is just trying to look out for themselves as conservatives. Conservatives are bad. No disrespect, though.”-Senior Maile Greenwell
“I think that I’m pretty aware of what’s going on and the issues that are debated. The debt crisis? That’s a thing, right?”-Sophomore Marc Bahbahani
“Currently, I am still of the opinion that all politicians are evil; however, as we must deal with them constantly, I think Obama is probably the least likely to start World War III.” -Sophomore Jacob Duga
“ I am somewhat aware of the Republican primaries. It’s surprising Santorum’s leap in popularity throughout the year, I expected others to rise such as Huntsman, who I prefer. He seems to be more balanced than the other candidates and bases his policies on facts rather than emotions. Even if I could vote I wouldn’t vote for any of them.”-Junior Brady Mears
“I am kind of follow the debates and aware of what’s going on. If any of them win that will be the end of the world. I don’t really agree with any of them. “-Junior Courtney Houle
“I watch the debates, well sometimes. I like Mitt Romney and Rick Perry because I agree with their views and how they present themselves. I think their policies will benefit our country and can only do good.”-Junior Sarah Carlos
“I feel [the Republican primary] is a ridiculous sideshow that serves better as a reality show than as a legitimate democratic process. They don’t debate issues. [I favor] John Huntsmen because he’s the only one who believes in global warming. [I dislike] Ron Paul because he’s crazy.” -Junior Benjy Malings
“I’m not too interested in the primaries, [but] the whole Iran thing interests me. [I favor] Ron Paul because he has a brain. [I dislike] Rick Perry because he’s retarded.” -Junior Alex Sweat
“Most of the [Republican candidates] are idiots. To me the Iran situation, abortion, and improving the private sector [are the biggest concerns]. [I support] Ron Paul because he presents more unorthodox, original viewpoints, and Mitt Romney, because he has experience in the private sector and the ability to improve the political machine.”-Senior Raphael Rivard
“If I made a Santorum joke, would that be inappropriate? I only know as much as The Man wants me to know. I don’t really care about any issues! I’m still on the Cain Train. I don’t think there’s anyone I dislike. Oh, wait, Santorum’s sweater vests are a crime against fashion.”-Senior Will Chu
“[The primaries] seem kind of lame. There’s not a main guy who stands out. I’m a Democrat. Ron Paul seems more like a Democrat than a Republican, really. I’ve only watched a couple of interviews and stuff like that. [I care about] bringing our troops back and civil rights. Based off what I’ve seen of the Republicans, I guess I would support Ron Paul of course because he seems more liberal. Rick Perry! His ads are like, super… ‘I’m proud to be a Christian and gays are not supposed to be here.’ Ron Paul is cool. He’s like, ‘Do heroin!’” -Junior Riley Rowe
“I feel like some candidates, like Ron Paul, have made some bad moves to ruin their campaign. Like Ron Paul has expressed some of his ideas in a derogatory manner, like his views on gays.” -Junior Ben McCrink
“I need to see more happening in the primaries before I make a decision. I’m not very aware on what’s going on except for the big issues. I don’t think I’m updated enough to have an issue of most concern. I favor John Huntsman because he is the most appropriate. I extremely dislike Rick Santorum because I have a strong personal connection with the gay community and I don’t like his opinions. “ -Junior Justin Santana
“It pisses my off that people are so ignorant to their surroundings. It irritates me. I am moderately aware of the issues and I use youtube occasionally. I’m most concerned with the gays. I favor John Huntsman because he seems less crazy and ridiculous than some others. I hate Rick Perry. He pushes his religion onto the world and shoves it down our throats.”-Sophomore Celeste Jepson
“I feel like it’s a “find the best-worst choice scenario” with these debates. I consider myself decently aware. The biggest concern to me is jobs and the method to jobs and also how candidates are approaching social issues. I would love to have a libertarian office but I think Ron Paul is a bad choice. Like I said before, Mit Romney is awesome.”-Senior David Swan
“I’m not sure who I hate but I’m not sure I like anyone either. I just don’t like the candidates too much at all. I feel like I should be more aware of them then again I’m going to miss being eligible for the next election by six months. “-Junior Emily Nathan
“I think Romney is the best Republican candidate. He’s the only one not going to shoot anyone! Come-on Ron Paul would die in office because he’s older than McCain. I’d want Ronald Reagan or Stephen Colbert for president. ”-Junior A.J. Vasquez
“I’m actually really scared. Incredibly, incredibly scared. I’m pretty aware, because being in debate makes me want to keep informed. They keep talking about cutting education… seriously, we don’t even have enough paper. Also, foreign policy. They don’t seem to be very knowledgeable when they talk about that. Who do I favor… does Obama count? I really extremely dislike all of them, especially Rick Perry. He’s just a turd. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.” -Sophomore Roya Chagnon
“I don’t think there is a good candidate at all, none strong enough to face Obama. I’m very aware, I love keeping up with current events. The economy, jobs, education, and gay marriage are big issues for me. I don’t agree with anyone, but I’d have to say Ron Paul would present the best competition for Obama. I really don’t like Perry, Santorum, Romney, and Bachmann. I don’t want a president in the White House who makes decisions based on bigoted perspectives.” -Sophomore Ian MacGregor
“I have not paid much attention… and I’m not enough Republican. I’m not really aware. I just know that it’s going on and I want to know the results, cause I’ll be voting. I don’t really watch the debates… but Obama is my best match. We are compatible. I don’t really like or dislike any of them all that much.” -Senior Allison Ryall
“I don’t think I’m aware of anything to do with the primaries. I don’t pay attention to that. The only issue that is most concern to me is jobs. There’s not really jobs for everyone.”-Sophomore Fabiola Arrelanes
“I’m not aware at all about the primaries. I don’t even know who is running.”-Sophomore Bella Tesoro
“I’m kind of indifferent towards the Republican primaries. I don’t really follow politics. I’m not extremely aware of what’s going on, I should be, because I’m taking gov. right now, but I’m sort of apolitical. I like Newt Gingrich’s name.”-Senior Lindsey Valenzuela
“From what I’ve seen, it seems really aggressive. [Agression] is not really needed. I wish it was less rough.. I would favor Mitt Romney because he’s best at giving speeches and has the best answers.” -Junior Cole Teza
“The Republican Primary’s cool. I don’t pay that much attention, but I knew something about McCain until he dropped out. There’s no one that I really dislike.” -Junior Nicholas King
“I don’t really know who the candidates are or anything.” -Senior Rachel Huddleston
“I haven’t been following the primaries that much; I don’t believe it’s my duty to do so. The issues that concern me are things to do with education, LGBT rights, things like that. I don’t favor any one candidate this time around, but if I had to pick then it would be the person who scored the highest according to me.” -Sophomore Calvin Borchers
“I think it’s a pretty tough race this time, but I’m not following it that closely. I don’t care so much about republicans, so I guess I’m a democrat. The candidate that I’m most aware of is Mitt Romney, but I’m pretty neutral about the whole thing.” -Senior Caitlin McKinley
“I’m pretty indifferent about the primaries. I’m not very aware of what’s going on, but I do try to stay updated. It concerns me most when the candidates debate about LGBT rights. I don’t really favor anyone at this point, but I don’t really like Rick Perry. He’s kind of an idiot.” -Sophomore Elisa Willes
“The Republican primary is a three ring circus. Mitt Romney is about the best of the candidates because he is the most center of them. Rick Perry is the worst because of his Brokeback Mountain anti-gay commercial.” -Senior Colin Wilson
“I was very surprised with the Iowa results. I knew close to nothing about Santorum, so to hear about how many votes he got, really took me by surprise! I don’t like to talk about politics openly because that topic often gets out of hand. However, I do support Romney for many reasons not just because I’m LDS, like several assume. I was able to hear him speak and talked to him briefly because I went to a lunch he had in November of last year, so that helped me gain a better understanding of some of his plans he hopes to carry out.” -Senior Ashley Beltran
“I’m pleased to see that the candidate I support is ahead in all polls. I am fully aware of the primary. Politics is a passion of mine and I have been analyzing events that have happened on the campaign trail for the last few months now. I care about the economic and foreign policy issues and not too much about social issues. I am comMITTed because I fully support Mitt Romney and think he can beat Barack Obama.” -Senior Derrik Marrow