THE INDEPENDENT TO UNCOVER NEWSPAPER SERVING THE TRUTH NOTRE DAME AND AND REPORT SAINT MARY’S IT ACCURATELY VOLUME 46, ISSUE 47 | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM ELECTION 2012 Experts address candidates’ health care plans Kristen Durbin reelection, he will focus on the health care reform due to a large- News Editor implementation of fundamental scale centralization of power by elements of the ACA beginning in the federal government, a move 2014, including affordable insur- Republican candidate Gov. Mitt Although the Supreme Court ance exchanges and a significant Romney opposes. upheld the constitutionality of expansion of Medicaid, according “It’s indisputable that the main the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to Dr. Aaron Carroll, the director aim of the ACA is to use the federal this summer, the debate over of the Center for Health Policy and government’s regulatory, taxing the future of American health Professionalism Research. and spending authority to reshape care continues to be a major is- But Jim Capretta, a fellow at the the health care system and move sue, especially as the outcome of Ethics and Public Policy Center massive amounts of political pow- Tuesday’s presidential election and author of “Why Obamacare er out of the hands of employers could potentially change the tra- is Wrong for America,” said the and private citizens and states AP jectory set by the ACA. ACA will lead the country down President Obama and Gov. Mitt Romney argue during the second If President Barack Obama wins the road to ineffective, expensive see HEALTH PAGE 5 presidential debate at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y.. Indiana 2nd District race down to the wire Walorski touts Mullen draws Hoosier roots, closer as Election fiscal responsibility Day approaches By JOHN CAMERON By ADAM LLORENS News Editor News Writer As Republican Congressional After months of speeches, hopeful Jackie Walorski eyes fundraisers, handshakes Indiana’s 2nd District’s seat in and kissed babies, voters in the House of Representatives, Indiana’s 2nd Congressional she said she hopes to bring bi- District will decide whether partisanship to a legislature too Democrat Brendan Mullen or strongly divided across aisles. Republican Jackie Walorski “Congress has a record low will represent them on approval rating due to partisan SARA SHOEMAKE | The Observer Capitol Hill. gridlock and runaway spend- Notre Dame professor and ing that has resulted in an un- former political reporter Jack productive Congress,” Walorski Colwell said the race is still said. “If I am elected, I will close with only four days re- bring Hoosier common sense to maining until Election Day. Washington.” “At the start of the race, it With the election depending was generally regarded as on the votes of Americans AP AP Jackie’s district,” Colwell Republican candidate Jackie Walorski speaks to Democratic candidate Brendan Mullen visits see WALORSKI PAGE 6 supporters in LaPorte, Ind., Oct. 9. seniors in South Bend, Ind., on Nov. 1. see HOUSE PAGE 6 Gay rights play limited role in election cycle By MEL FLANAGAN Political science professor sidelined due to Republican unpopular among the activist President Obama’s health care News Writer Geoffrey Layman said gay is- hesitation to broach a topic base of the GOP, but are much program and especially the sues have played a limited role that would likely benefit the more popular among the unde- HHS mandate have brought in this year’s election, despite Democrats more than their own cided voters on whom general abortion and reproductive is- With the election approach- major developments in gay and party, Layman said. election campaigns focus.” sues once again to the fore- ing rapidly, undecided voters lesbian rights recently. “Public support for same- Further, Layman said the lim- front,” he said. must hone in on the issues most “Like all other issues, they sex marriage and for gay and ited space in the public mind for Layman said the limited fo- important to them. For some, have been dwarfed in impor- lesbian rights more generally moral issues has been occupied cus on gay issues in this election that paramount issue might be tance by the economy,” he said. has been increasing rapidly,” by topics besides gay rights. gay rights. These issues have also been he said. “These things are very “The controversies over see RIGHTS PAGE 3 The whole ballot HOUSE RACES PAGE 3 VIEWPOINT PAGE 8 SCENE PAGE 11 IRISH INSIDER WITHIN THE OBSERVER | FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2012 | NDSMCOBSERVER.COM Have a question you want answered? QUESTION OF THE DAY: Email [email protected] ndsmcobserver.com What major would you be worst at? P.O. Box 779, Notre Dame, IN 46556 024 South Dining Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556 Editor-in-Chief Caroline Quinn Erin Doone Allan Joseph Managing Editor Business Manager sophomore sophomore Megan Doyle Jeff Liptak Lyons Hall off campus Asst. Managing Editor: Andrew Owens Asst. 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