1. The Future The Election of 2012

2. Clearly Stated Learning Objectives Assess the upcoming 2012 Presidential Elections.

3. EVENTS IN PAKISTAN The Recent News

4. The Bin-Laden effect Not as big as you might think (this isn’t 2004) Terrorism was a minor issue in 2008 and not a factor in 2010 No Republican hopefuls are running on “foreign policy”

5. Foreign Policy Bumps are Fleeting

6. Like Father, Like Son

7. The Economy Will be the big event in 2012, this event will be too far removed on Election Day

8. BETTING ON OBAMA The odds in 2012

9. Incumbency The Last incumbents who lost were – 1992 – 1980 – 1976 He is facing no primary challenger

10. Campaign Finance $1,000,000,000 Citizens United Money as well This alone discourages most challengers

11. The Electoral College

12. Popular on the Left Strong Support Among Democrats Very popular among key constituencies Policies are popular, and he is personally popular

13. Popularity on the Happy Side of 50%

14. Signs of Economic Growth Unemployment peaked in October 2009 (10.1%) Increase in consumer confidence

15. GDP Growth

16. THE 2012 ELECTION Four Scenarios

17. Going In to 2012 Both Parties are optimistic Unknowns – The Economy – The Republican Nominee – Seats in the House and Senate

18. Scenario 1: The Status Quo Little Change in either the House or Senate A “personal victory” for Obama (e.g. 1984) Good odds of this happening

19. Scenario 2: An Emerging Democratic Majority Coincides with an Obama victory The Democrats take back the House, expand lead in the Senate A return to the Obama Coalition.

20. Scenario 3: A Republican Congress GOP keeps the House The GOP Surges in the Senate This leads to full-scale battle between the President and Congress

21. Scenario 4: A Republican Sweep The GOP maintains the House Gains 4 in the Senate Wins the Presidency Very Unlikely

22. 2012 A Presidential Election The Republicans

23. Who Might Run against Obama? Candidates need to decide if this is their window Who runs depends on what happens in the next 6 months

24. Sarah Palin

25. Old Foes from 2008

26. Unknown Governors

27. Crazies and Long shots

28. Turning back to the Clock to 1994

29. RUNNING THE NUMBERS The Electoral College Still Favors the Democrats

30. A Republican Win: Step 1

31. A Republican Win Step 2

32. A Republican Win Step 3

33. A Republican Win Step 4

34. This will be very difficult to achieve!