Video Analysis Blog Entry #2

http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/406269/january-18-2012/indecision-2012---newt-gingrich-s-performance---mitt-romney-s-tax-returns

            This video was found on www.colbertnation.com and the title of this video is, “Indecision 2012- Newt Gingrich’s Performance & Mitt Romney’s Tax Returns.” The person talking is Stephen Colbert. It was published on January 18, 2012. He begins this segment by mentioning South Carolina and Gingrich’s strong performance in the debate. Colbert says that it has given him, “Newtmentum” which fixes his, “Gingnertia.” The video then shows another video of Newt Gingrich at a press conference saying that if he wins in South Carolina, he will be the Republican nominee. Gingrich then said that if he does not win, the voters will choose a moderate who will lose to Obama. Colbert made a joke that if Gary Johnson wins, then the Mayans were right. Changing the subject, he talks about Mitt Romney and his difficulty in answering questions about his tax return. A video is shown of the debate and Romney is sort of trying to get away from answering the question fully by saying that typically, it is “tradition” to release them in April. He kept referring to this statement. Colbert then jokes saying that he may release his tax returns in April if he can finish answering that question in time. Another video is shown of Romney answering a different question and he just sounds like he does not know exactly what to say so he is just rambling. Jokingly, Colbert said that Romney is not paid that much. He is only paid $374,327.62 for speaking. Colbert then said that if that were his total income, he would be ranked in the top one percent. He then said he wants to see Gingrich’s tax returns, Santorum’s tax returns and for Ron Paul “to release the treasure map to his chest of gold.” He then jokes more about “Ron Paul’s maps.” This video is significant because it could really hurt Romney in the South Carolina primary because of his inability to answer the tax return question. It is also significant because Newt Gingrich seems to be moving up to the top after roughly three weeks of being closer to the bottom of the pack than the top. For those who support Romney, hopefully this issue will not make a difference to those voters who are undecided.

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-january-17-2012/indecision-2012---southern-discomfort

            This video is from www.thedailyshow.com and the host is Jon Stewart. It was posted on Tuesday, January 17, 2012 and is called, “Indecision 2012- Southern Discomfort.” Stewart talks about the South Carolina debate held on Martin Luther King Jr. day which was on January 16. During the debate, they took a few moments to recognize Dr. King’s statue as well as a sand sculpture of the Republican Candidates. Stewart says that during the debate, all of the candidates were “all over each other.” Basically, during the debate each candidate was trying to tear up the actions of the other candidates. Stewart then said, “Even their insults to each other smell of rich guys.” Anyway, South Carolina is more conservative than Iowa and New Hampshire. Stewart then asks which candidate could appeal to the conservative folks of South Carolina. Was it Romney? No. How about Rick Perry and his statement that South Carolina is at war against the government? Close, but no cigar. And do not get me started on Ron Paul’s inability to convince South Carolina that America should not do things to other nations that America would not want in return. Only one man was able to win the hearts of South Carolinians, and that was Newt Gingrich. Awkwardly, Gingrich did not think that he insulted African Americans when he said that they should be asking for jobs, not food stamps. However, he responded by saying he would help the poor learn how to ask for a job, want a job, and own a job, which is what everyone in the crowd cheered for and they cheered loudly. This is significant because it shows that Gingrich still has a chance to win the South Carolina primary which would definitely help his campaign. It is also significant because it seems like the people of South Carolina do not agree with Ron Paul’s ideas which could hurt him in the upcoming primary. Either way, it seems that Romney now has some competition for the front line making everyone wanting to work harder than ever before.