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“Let’s Vote: Election Day 2012” - by UAB student and Republican Shelby Bergstresser

It’s hard to believe that in less than 24 hours I’ll be standing in line to cast my vote in the biggest presidential election of my time. It seems like just yesterday I was watching the first republican primary on television. 

About the Author

It’s hard to believe that in less than 24 hours I’ll be standing in line to cast my vote in the biggest presidential election of my time. It seems like just yesterday I was watching the first republican primary on television. It’s been a long election season full of primaries, campaigning, debates, and LOTS of Romney emails and I am very excited and nervous to see the outcome of this presidential race.

I have been so wrapped up in this election I feel like I could give you a play by play of everything that has happened GOP wise since the primaries began. I started my “election journey” by watching the Iowa caucus back in January. I followed every single primary and did my research on all of the candidates. I wasn’t sure of who I really liked at first. One thing I found out quickly is that it is extremely hard to discern what is true about each of the candidates; but I found websites like Politifact and Real Clear Politics that helped to dispel some of the biased media and allow me to form my own opinion.

A highlight of this election season was when I got to meet Newt and Callista Gingrich when they had a rally here in Birmingham. Newt was one of my favorites going through the primaries so I was really excited when I got to take a picture with him! It was also my first political rally and I absolutely loved it! Once the fall semester was back in swing I got involved with the UAB College Republicans and eventually became chairman. I love being apart of a group of people with similar interests because I know my friends and sorority sisters get absolutely sick of hearing me talk about politics.

The most exciting thing College Republicans has done to get ready for the election is having Marty Connors come and speak. Marty is the former Alabama GOP chairman and a member of the Regional Mitt Romney Finance Committee. Marty and about 60 other Alabamians traveled to the swing state Ohio to do some on-foot, last minute campaigning for the Romney team. Upon his return Marty gave us some insight on how the Romney campaign is doing in Ohio and also told us some key polls to be watching leading up to the race like the “Do you think the country is headed in a positive or negative direction” poll. Marty also gave us some interesting facts and figures about taxes that would be implemented if Obama were to be reelected. Don Chamberlain who is running for Congress also came and spoke at our meeting to let us know what his campaign is about.

I have put all my faith in the Romney campaign. I’ve donated money, bought buttons, watched the debates, and virtually everything else Romney/ Ryan under the sun. He’s definitely not the perfect presidential candidate but I really don’t think a perfect presidential candidate exists. I think Romney can be a breath of fresh air for this country and help restore America back to its superpower status. Every time I hear Mitt speak I feel proud to be American. In my opinion we have had four years of essentially no progress and it is time for a change (but not the Obama kind). I can’t wait for Tuesday to see who the next president will be. Go out and vote!

About the Author 

ShelbyShelby Bergstresser is a sophomore majoring in Molecular Biology with a minor in Political Science. She is the current chairman of UAB College Republicans and member of Alpha Omicron Pi.