Volume 1, Issue 4 April 2012 The Gavel The Official Publication of the University of Illinois Pre– Law Club Find us at www.illinoisprelaw.com

Super-Duper Tuesday

Featured Articles:

Democratic Candidates: President Obama’s Campaign p. 3

Randall Terry: The Big Name You Don’t Know p. 4

Republican Candidates: ’s Chances p. 5- 6

A Quick Look at p. 6 Photo Courtesy of www.270towin.com Profile p. 7 By Kyle Lundin Santorum on the Issues p. 7 emerged from the madness with a Tuesday, March 6, 2012 gave myriad of conclusions. Mitt Romney birth to the mother of all primaries. Election Issues: had the most resounding victory of “Super Tuesday,” as it is known, is Same– Sex Issues p. 8 typically the defining moment in the the day, albeit by an incredibly slim race for nomination. On this day there margin. Romney was victorious in are more states and more delegates up six states, including the proverbially for grabs than on any other single day important battleground of Ohio, during the primary season. Voters hit where he eked out an important win the polls everywhere from Alaska to over by less than a Virginia in seven primaries and three percentage point. caucuses; the four primary Republican In contrast, Mr. Santorum candidates all hoped to separate them- pulled together North Dakota, Ten- selves from their adversaries with one nessee, and Oklahoma; he netted him swoop. 87 delegates for the day compared to However, this election’s round Romney’s haul of 220. Newt Gin- of Super Tuesday revelry did not pro- grich limped to the finish line duce much in the way of conclusive continued on page 5 results. The Republican candidates

1 A letter from the editor

The GAVEL Dear Gavel Readers, Editor-in-Chief Maria Zyskind This month, we bring you a special election issue of the Gavel. Layout/Design Editors We have profiled the Democratic and Republican candidates to Allison Gerns Erjing Cui give you an overview of the election. In this issue, you will find candidates’ stances on key issues and polls of how candidates Section Editors Andrea Sinele… International Law are doing. Anna Choi….. Entertainment Becky Bradshaw… Copy Editor Rebecca Kaplan… Copy Editor Christopher Lowery… Law News As always, Pre-Law Club has a host of speakers and social Dan Szczesny… Sports Law events to provide you with information in the field of law. Jordan Morris.. Pre-Law Club News Lillian Fitzmaurice…. Domestic Law Make sure you take advantage of all of the professional attor- Megan Gil…. Domestic/International Law neys and knowledgeable speakers who come to our meetings.

Featured Writers Lillian Fitzmaurice Kyle Lundin Becky Bradshaw Gwendalyn Lavigne I hope you are all enjoying your semester. We are already in April, which means the school year is coming to an end soon. Pre-Law Club Executive Board Good luck with finals and good luck to all those taking the June President: Neil Vohra LSAT. I know I have a lot more studying left to do. Vice President: Iga Cyganczuk Secretary: Dan Coultas Special Programming Internal: Kate Trader Special Programming External: Ann He Sincerely, Membership/ Public Relations: Stephanie Maria Zyskind Gilbert Editor-in-Chief Treasurer: Dan Szczesny Webmaster: Stephanie Chiarelli Gavel Editor: Maria Zyskind

Pre-Law Club Honors Executive Board: Co-President: Meghana Joshi Co-President: Kate Poorbaugh Secretary: Sean Peters Treasurer: Tabitha Atkin

Special Programming: Anna Mangia Are you interested in writing for The Gavel? You can Exec Pro Temp: Meagan Leonard earn Pre-Law Club points for participating. Contact Philanthropy Chair: Katie Clausing [email protected] for more information. Membership Chair: Michelle Bolos

2 Democratic Candidates

President Obama’s Campaign By Maria Zyskind

Barack Obama, the current There were 45% who influence voters. CNN Poling Democratic president, is running disapproved, while 4% did not Director Keating Holland projects for reelection. In his early career, have an opinion. This is the first that a majority of males, older age he attended Columbia University time since the previous May when groups, suburban dwellers, and and Harvard Law School. He his approval ratings were above independents will vote for Obama taught constitutional law at the 50%. That boost was likely from While in office, President University of Chicago. In 1996, Osama bin Laden’s death. Obama ended the war in Iraq and he was elected to the Illinois State Despite this approval is responsible for the operation Senate. In 2004, he went on to the rating, a majority of Americans that killed Osama Bin Laden. He United States Senate. He was evaluate the economy as being in proposed the American Jobs Act elected as president in 2008. bad shape. Although there has to create jobs and help the A CNN poll for March 24- been in increase in Americans economy; however, it failed in 25, 2012, showed President who believe the economy is doing Congress. He proposed the Obama with a 51% approval well, the majority do not agree. Patient Protection and Affordable rating for his job as president. This will be a big issue in the Care Act, which has a goal of upcoming election that may reducing the costs of health care. People will have to have insurance, disregarding their circumstances. It will be interesting to find out how his time in office influences his chances for reelection

Polls February 1, 2012: President Obama’s approval rating is highest in D.C. and lowest in Utah.

Source: Gallup.com

Photo Courtesy of: guardian.co.uk

“President Obama’s Campaign”: “Profile: ” 2012 (MSNBC News). “General Election, Economy, Obama Approval” 2012 (CNN News). 3 Democratic Candidates

his literature and on his website, Polls Randall Terry: The he takes little time in letting the world know that he is Catholic, March 19, 2012: The Big Name You which he converted to in 2006. He unemployment rate decreased had the honor of meeting Pope from February to March. It went Don’t Know John Paul II and lecturing at the down from 9.1% in February to Vatican. If he were to be elected, 8.8% in March. By Gwendalyn LaVigne he would be the second Catholic president, the first having been Source: Gallup Polls Unlike the incumbent, the John F. Kennedy. On his website, name of the other Declared Terry lists his many Democratic candidate is not too accomplishments as an activist, well known. It is that of Randall especially as a presidential author and singer-songwriter. No candidate. His main literature that Terry, a Democrat with a twist. that is not an error. An album of Historically, Democrats are he passes out at rallies and mainly Christian songs of his own campaign stops is titled “Is Voting described to be pro-choice. writing was recorded and However, Randall Terry’s main for Obama Immoral?” distributed in 2002. He has You will notice there is argument is wholly opposite. written seven books on the topics Randall Terry is a New one thing about Randall Terry that of abortion and religion. I have not mentioned: the federal York City native and unlike every As an activist, he was the other candidate in many ways. In offices that he has held. Well it front-man of what his website turns out the only political office describes as the largest act of civil this activist has ever held was disobedience in history: Operation student body president at his Bible Rescue. It has grown to include (non-degree) college. He has run 70,000 participants. The point of as a Republican for Congressional this movement was to show that and Senate seats in 1998 and 2006 abortion was immoral and get rid respectively, losing in the of it by overturning Roe v. Wade. primaries both times. This time he Because of Operation Rescue, is running as a Democrat for Terry has been arrested 50 times President against the charismatic and once incarcerated for an incumbent Barack Obama. How extended period of time. The most this plays out at the DNC will be recent of those arrests was for quite a show, especially since trespassing while protesting neither Democratic candidate has President Obama giving a campaigned very heavily at the commencement at the Catholic present time. university Notre Dame. He has been sued by abortion groups to Photo Courtesy of 2012- the point that he had to declare presidentialcandidate.findthedata.org bankruptcy and “lost everything”. However, he still argues his case,

“Randal Terry: The Big Name You Don’t Know”: “Randall Terry” 2012 (TerryforPresident.com). “Randall Terry ” 2012 (Wikipedia.com).

4 Republican Candidates

ble lead in overall delegate count Ron Paul with 9.3%, and finally with 429, compared to Santorum’s Newt Gingrich with 8%. 169 and Gingrich’s 118. Forth runner Mitt Romney The next several contests was the 70th Governor of Massa- are in primarily southern states chusetts from 2003 until 2007. like Alabama and Mississippi, Now he is running for the presi- whose populations consistently dency; however, this is not the identify themselves as evangelical first time Romney has run for or very conservative. This closely president. In 2008 he ran for presi- mirrors Santorum’s base and may dent, but dropped out in February even resuscitate Gingrich. Rom- after trailing behind McCain in ney has traditionally struggled in delegates. In between his races he these states, as well as the upcom- focused on touring, giving speech- ing states of and Missouri, es, and raising funds for the Re- when posed next to Santorum and publican Party. Photo Courtesy of news.nationalpost.com Gingrich. He could cede signifi- As governor of Massachu- cant ground in the delegate count setts, he was able to eliminate a Continued from front page in the upcoming weeks. three billion dollar deficit by Tuesday night with only one vic- While none of the candi- bringing conservative policies to tory in his home state of Georgia dates are within touching distance their economy. Romney is also and 83 total delegates. of the 1,144 delegates needed for known for managing and reviving Ron Paul did not win a automatic nomination, the next the 1999 controversial Salt Lake single Super Tuesday state and his several weeks will likely provide City Olympics, which were almost campaign appears to be slowly a much clearer picture of the cancelled. suffocating. However, Paul has march towards November. Until given no indication that he intends then, Romney will continue to to drop out of the race for nomina- slog towards the finish line with tion despite significant public Santorum just a few steps behind. speculation that he will soon do Gingrich will hang on for dear so. Paul has yet to win any caucus life. or primary outright and does not have much hope for pulling to- gether a solid victory in any of the Mitt Romney’s upcoming contests. The aftermath of Super Chances Tuesday has revealed one thing By Becky Bradshaw about this year’s run for the White House: it’s going to be close. As The U.S. Republican Pres- the incumbent, Obama has his bid idential Primaries are in, and the for reelection all sown up, while Illinois favorite is Mitt Romney the Republican’s fight to reach the with 46.7% of the vote. Following top of the pile. Romney has a siza- with 35% is Rick Santorum, then Photo Courtesy of Freedom Defense Advocates

“Super-Duper Tuesday”: “Election Center” 2012 (CNN News). “Super Tuesday Delegate Count ” 2012 (Democratic Convention Watch).

5 RepublicanDomestic Candidates law

Romney’s platform focus- es on his analytical abilities to solve problems, and his resistance to fall under influence. On the popularly discussed issues such as gay marriage, abortion, and immi- gration, Romney holds a con- servative opinion. As for larger issues such as overseas involvement, healthcare, and the economy, Romney does not believe there is just one answer or route. Instead, he believes in taking time to cre- ate a personalized solution. Romney is a family orien- tated man who has been married to his wife, Ann, since 1969, and Photo Courtesy of: technotaticom has five sons and sixteen grand- children. His campaign boasts he is not a career politician. Instead, A Quick Look at States Commission on National he worked in the private sector, so Security. he understand how the economy Newt Gingrich Gingrich is known for his works. help in the healthcare system, re- By Becky Bradshaw ceiving the highest non-medical award from the National Diabetes Gingrich is 68 years old Foundation. and is a career politician, but for a As for his family life, Gin- short span, he taught at Tulane grich is married to Callista, and Poll University. In 1978 he was elected they have two daughters and two March 23, 2012: With Romney’s into Congress, represented Geor- grandchildren. Gingrich’s cam- win in the Illinois primary and Jeb gia for twenty years, and was paign focuses on plans for nation- Bush’s endorsement, support from Speaker of the House for four al security, expanding the job years. Republican voters has increased to market, and fixing the healthcare Newt Gingrich’s father is a 40%. He has a lead over Santorum. system. Gingrich’s campaign fo- soldier, who inspired his desire to cuses tightly on specific plans for Source: Gallup.com serve his country. Gingrich has a each of the circulating issues in history of helping with National the race, found on his campaign Security. He served on the De- website (www.newt.org). fense Policy Board under Presi- dent George W. Bush, and in 1999 he was appointed to the United

“Mitt Romney’s Chances”: “About Mitt” 2012 (MittRomney.com). “Mitt Romney” 2012 (Wikipedia). “A Quick Look at Newt Gingrich”: “Meet Newt” 2012 (newt.org). “Newt Gingrich” 2012 (Wikipedia). 6 RepublicanDomestic Candidates law

cial Services Committee and the Ron Paul Profile House Foreign Affairs Commit- tee. By Maria Zyskind In terms of issues, he is a supporter of states’ rights and lim- Ron Paul, 76, is the Re- ited federal government. He does publican candidate from Texas. not support much United States This is Ron Paul’s third time run- military involvement abroad. He ning for president. He ran in 1988 has called to get rid of the Internal with the Libertarian Party and in Revenue Service and the Federal 2008 hoping for the Republican Reserve, and he wants to go back nomination. Although he did not to a gold standard. He does not win the nomination in 2008, he support the International Mone- did gain many supporters to fund tary Fund or the World Trade Or- his campaign, who are currently ganization. active in his 2012 campaign. Photo Courtesy of: washingtonexaminer.com As for his early career, Ron Paul graduated Gettysburg Santorum on the versity of Pittsburgh, and his law college and then attended Duke degree from Dickinson School of Medical School. Afterwards, he Issues Law. In 1990, he was elected to was a flight surgeon in the Air Congress. He went on to the Sen- By Maria Zyskind Force. In the late 1960s, Paul be- ate in 1994. gan an obstetrics and gynecology Santorum is a social con- Economically, Santorum practice. servative running for the Republi- says that he wants to cut govern- He is currently in Con- ment spending and restructure tax th can nomination. He aims to win gress, representing Texas’ 14 many votes from his party’s evan- rates. He aims to reduce the cor- Congressional District. He has gelical voters. porate tax rate. In addition, he been in the House of Representa- In his career, Santorum would get rid of President tives for eleven terms. He sits on attended Penn State University, Obama’s health care law. two committees: the House Finan- received an MBA from the Uni- For immigration, he wants to build a fence on the border be- tween the United States and Mexi- co. For environmental issues, he is against any more regulations on natural gas. He would allow for drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He has also re- ferred to the idea of climate change as "junk science." On social issues, he is against rights for abortion. In ad- dition, he is against same-sex mar- riage. Photo Courtesy of: CNN Politics

“Ron Paul Profile”: “Paul’s Long Held Policies Converge with Tear Party’s“ 2012 (CNN News). “Santorum on the Issues”: “Profile: Rick Santorum” 2012 (MSNBC News). 7 Election Issues

riage is between a man and wom- an, but believes that marriage is Same-Sex Issues up to individual states. He thinks DADT “is a decent policy” and By Lillian Fitzmaurice supports DOMA. Rick Santorum has stated A point of debate that may that he does not have a “problem arise during the 2012 election, with homosexuality,” but takes which has already surfaced in the issue “with homosexual acts.” He Republican primary, is same-sex is opposed to same-sex marriage issues. Candidates will have to and civil unions. He supports take a stance on same-sex mar- DADT and DOMA. riage, benefits, and legislation Photo Courtesy of theblaze.com The 2012 election will that may be enacted or have al- have a lot to discuss regarding ready been repealed, like “Don’t these issues. They have become Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT).” gay couples. Gingrich supports more relevant to society, and For the Democrats, Presi- DADT and DOMA. could pose to be critical issues in dent Obama has already taken a Mitt Romney’s stance on the election. clear position in favor of equal same-sex issues has changed rights for homosexuals. He op- over the course of his political poses California’s Proposition 8, career, with his support for some supports civil unions, and has be- issues switching. During this liefs that being homosexual is not election, however, he has made a consciously made decision. He his position on certain issues has stated that the Defense of clear. He is against same-sex Marriage Act (DOMA) is uncon- marriage and civil unions. He stitutional and is a large advocate believes certain legal rights for the LGBT community. should be granted to homosexu- The Republican presiden- als, including equal employment tial candidates have varying rights. Romney does not plan on stances on same-sex issues. Newt reinstating DADT and supports Gingrich believes homosexuality DOMA. is a choice, but that both genetic Ron Paul believes that all and environmental factors play a individuals should be granted role. He does not support same- equal rights, but does not support sex marriage, seeing “marriage as Constitutional amendments that the union of one man and one “either deny or enhance the woman.” He believes there rights of the LGBT community.” should be some legal rights for He supports the idea that mar-

“Same-Sex Issues”: “The President’s Record on Equal Rights” 2012 (BarackObama.com). “2012 Presidential Candidates” 2012 (OnTheIssues.org). “Santorum Opposes Civil Unions for Same-Sex Couples” 2012 (CBS News). “Same Sex Issues” 2012 (2012 Republican Candidates). 8