“It’s the economy, stupid”

The 2012 US Presidential campaign has officially kicked off with President Barack Obama’s re-election committee filing campaign papers with the Federal Election Commission on April 4, 2011.

Analysts in America and across the world are now pondering Obama’s chances of winning the general elections are.  While Obama’s popularity was significantly affected, the success of the military operation which resulted in Osama Bin Laden’s death may however have ramped up his probabilities to win the 2012 race. This symbolic achievement shifts the political debate’s substance and further challenges the Republicans’ argumentation on foreign policy.

But as Vice President, Global Marketing and Corporate Affairs for Citigroup Lisa Caputo aknowledges “national security issues and national economic security issues are interrelated.” Indeed, security depends on funding and the efficacy of the defense infrastructures. This strategy depends on a healthy and growing economy that combines science, technology and innovation. Without a doubt, the economy will dominate the 2012 presidential elections.

The burning issues of the unprecedented federal budget deficits, the unsustainable debt, the huge imbalances in international trade and capital flows as well as the high unemployment burden, have highlighted President Obama’s vulnerability on economic issues. Economic pain lingers. Lisa Caputo recalls campaign strategist James Carville’s slogan: “It’s the economy, stupid”. As they are determined to conquer the White House, this will undoubtedly be the Republican campaign focus.