All you need to know about the 2012 US presidential elections

The United States of America will vote in their 57th quadrennial United States Presidential Election on November 6 this year. Here’s a dummy’s guide to the US Presidential election 2012…
 
What is the process for nomination of a candidate in the US presidential race?
In the United States, Democrats and Republicans form the two major parties. Independents and other parties are collectively called “third parties”. The five-month long nomination process begins with candidates hosted by each party fighting it out at elections to primaries and caucuses.

From January 3 to June 5, Americans will vote in nationwide state level primaries and caucuses.

What are primaries and caucuses?
The primaries are held at the state or local level and determine how many delegates (representatives of party members in each state) a party’s convention will receive from their state.
Caucuses are organised by parties/political forums. The primaries and caucuses involve all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the nine territories of the United States. A party’s final presidential nominee is selected by these delegates. In short, both primaries and caucuses serve the purpose of selecting party representatives of states to be sent for the party convention.

What is a party convention?
The voting process, lasting five months, culminates with a convention to be held on August 27-30 in Tampa for the Republican Party and on September 3-6 in Charlotte for the Democratic Party. These conventions are held by parties who will field nominees in the presidential election.

At the convention, held at sport arenas or stadiums, parties elect conventions officers, examine credentials of delegations, draw up and adopt the platform or rules of conduct for the parties during elections. A platform is the stance on various political issues taken by the parties. Rallies, meeting, political debates and addresses are also part of the convention. The three-day affair ends in balloting, nomination and acceptance of a presidential candidate on the penultimate day.

Who are the frontrunners this year? Why?
Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is the current frontrunner with a total of 115 delegates, 104 pledged and 11 unpledged.

Following Romney is former US Senator from Pennsylvania, Rick Santorum, with a total of 37 delegates, of which 36 are pledged and one unpledged.

Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, has a total of 35 delegates, 34 pledged and one unpledged.

US Representative from the State of Texas, Ron Paul, stands at fourth position with a total of 28 pledged delegates. He withdrew himself later.

A candidate needs 1,144 delegates to clinch the Republican nomination.
 
What are the current standings of candidates?
Latest: Former governor of Massachusetts and Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney bagged an unconvincing victory in the Maine Caucus (held on February 12) after a three-state defeat to Former US Senator from Pennsylvania. US Representative from the State of Texas Ron Paul was placed second with a narrow difference of 194 votes.
The next contest is when Arizona and Michigan go to polls on February 28, followed by 10 states holding primaries or caucuses on "Super Tuesday" March 6.
All results (http://2012.presidential-election.info/?sort=state)

Which are the important states?
‘American heartland’ Iowa is the first state to hold any kind of vote for both dominant parties, Democrats and Republicans and show support to their candidates.  It becomes the first test for candidates to gauge how they will fare with other American voters in subsequent primaries and caucuses and hence attains tacit importance. Media plays an important role in putting Iowa on a pedestal as the first test for a candidate, as candidates doing well here are able to garner good press. However, it being the first state to go to polls may not entirely justify its importance as it does not represent a cross-section of America and is often scoffed at for the privileged ‘first’ status.
 
Where does President Barack Obama stand in the 2012 race?
Provided the public response against him, Barack Obama securing another term can be seen as a very difficult target.
 
While international threats and terrorism issues turn in favourable votes, the two key issues — dipping unemployment rate and a bulging economy — are among other points of retaliation. Unemployment dropped to 8.5% in December 2012, lowest in three years.
 
According to a poll by New York Times poll, only 44% of the population approves of his ways of handling the economy.
 
However, a large number of people still stand by Obama for his strong beliefs, considering him trustworthy. Michelle Obama’s image too plays an important role, with the first lady being extremely popular with the citizens of America.
 
As per data released by the Pew Research Center for People & the Press, Obama holds an eight-point lead as compared to contender Mitt Romney.
 
All said and done, the President still faces an uphill task.
 
What are the key issues in this year’s elections?
Social issues have become a focus of US elections this year. Abortion, gay rights and contraception have been the point of focus.

These issues may not play a role in deciding favourable candidates, but they can entice voter participation. According to Pew Center for The States, only 55 to 60% of eligible voters cast their ballots in a presidential election.

Activists for expansion of gay rights or abortion, along with socially conservative groups help candidates gain support.