Where do 2012's presidential candidates stand on videogames?

GamesRadar writes: Come November, Barack Obama will be defending his seat as president of the United States against one of the Republican candidates currently competing for the party’s ticket. Mitt Romney, Ron Paul, Rick Santorum, Newt Gingrich, and several others are meeting for regular debates while, state by state, the Republican primaries chisel down the choices.

But though they’ll discuss pressing social and economic issues, one thing they infrequently get into is their stance on videogames. Sure, it sounds trivial, but the industry is still fairly new and unregulated (by the government), making it a prime target for political scapegoating whenever anything needs to take the blame for anything.

So, what do they think? While some of them haven’t all said that much on the subject, we’ve done the research for you, and brought you the information you need to know what each candidate thinks of your favorite obsession."

[fluffydelusions]

Who cares? Just worry about the country...Go Ron Paul!

[MariaHelFutura]

As much as I would love Ron Paul to win, he won't.

[zeeshan]

Ron Paul ftw!!!!!!!!!!!! Obama has failed on so many levels. It would be a shame if he gets elected again and a guy like Ron Paul doesn't get the chance to come in power.

[Hellsvacancy]

And you Americans think Ron Paul is gonna be ANY different from Obama? WOW

Simple, dont waste minutes of your life votin for something that has already been decided

[Dac2u]

Paul may not win, but he has a great strategy this time around and so much support behind him. I'm not counting him out yet. There's a lot going on behind the scenes in his campaign that most people don't know about. When the RNC happens Ron Paul will have a say in what goes on.

[Pushagree]

RON PAUL 2012!

Seriously. F the other guys. Especially newt.

[theonlylolking]

What Ron Paul wants done cannot happen because congress will fight him on it. When he was working he hardly voted for anything. It was either too liberal or not conservative enough so he almost never voted. Ron Paul is also only really liked by internet people. Which means he is not going to be a candidate.

Newt could get what he wants done but he is also a hypocrite which some people seem to not care about(recent votings). So he probably will be the candidate.

[slayorofgods]

Newt appeals to the conservative hardliners... I think he is too big of a di@k to actually beat out Obama though. independents and moderates hate Newt along with the liberals.

theonlylolking sums up Ron Paul.

[TruthbeTold]

Paul can do plenty of things that he says he wants to do.

Bring home troops from 10's of countries around the world like Germany.

End government agencies that don't give any bang for the buck such as the Dept. of Education, which would put education money and control back into the hands of the states.

Create a competing currency that is backed by SOMETHING other than market manipulation, until it's safe to end the toilet paper dollar system.

Repeal laws that the majority of the public wants repealed but 14% approval rating congress won't repeal, such as the Patriot Acti, the NDAA, not to mention that bills like SOPA wouldn't dare rear their ugly heads during a Paul administration.

He'd end/undo all of the power grabbing executive orders signed over the past few decades.

A Ron Paul Presidency would double as a mandate for Congress to get behind his proposals. He could do plenty on his own, but on the other issues, Congress would stymie him at their own peril. He'd be one of the most popular Presidents with the people ever. The only thing I worry about is if 4 years of such a stressful job would kill him. He'd be 80 by the time his term was up.

[moparful99]

@truthbtold Unfortunately this rosy picture that your painting of ron paul is a fantasy.. We would love a president that can actually do all of that but unfortunately this is a capitalist society and therefore agencies and individuals with the most money control how and what policies are enacted.. POTUS no longer carries the weight that it used to, the office is just a face for the government to martyr or praise depending on public opinion... This country will never improve until we remove the control that lobbying entities have over washington...

[PopRocks359]

@MariaHelFutura

I'm surprised you had so many disagrees. Yes, Paul is a better candidate than pretty much the entire ticket at hand, but he simply is not supported within his own party. The ones who seem to dig him most is liberal independents and in a Republican primary, you need Republicans to vote for you.

I want him to win too, but he simply does not have the support he needs to win the primary. If he did, he would the presidency for sure.

[Solid_Snake37]

Oh god so much bureocracy

[snipes101]

It's ironic that Newt would quote Edward R. Murrow in saying that "just because you have the right to say it, doesnt mean its the right thing to say" when he, along with just about every other candidate, knows almost nothing about video games and even less about the ratings system that is intended to "protect the children."

Anyhow, while I agree with fluffy in that we should care more about what the candidate can do for the country than what they can do for the gaming community, this article WAS after all posted on a gaming site, not a political one. I think its unique.

[JsonHenry]

Ron Paul FTMFW!!! It won't happen. The elections are all rigged anyway. But his popularity and the message of true freedom and adherence to the constitution has spawned and entire generation of people that will be "of age" and in power within the decade or so. His candidacy WILL have a lasting impact on the hearts and minds of Americans and freedom and lovers of life around the world.

[Tommykrem]

I suppose I'm a Ron Paul supporter too, but I think Obama would do well if he were to be re-elected. After all his first period was actually not that bad. At the very least he's a sensible, responsible man who might worry a little too much about his own electability, but I guess that's how the political circus usually is.

[Zha1tan]

If you dont vote Ron Paul your an uneducated idiot who allows the mainstream media to feed you the garbage they do.

They cut him off the air in the middle of speeches and they dont even mention him on fox news when talking about the political race.

Im Irish but if america gets some idiot in office like Romley in it will have repercussions for the whole world.

[bergoo]

If i get a chance to vote for him I would. Unfortunately, You must be a registered republican to vote for him in the primary. And unless he wins the GOP primary, no one will be voting for him as president (unless its a write-in, or third party).

[TruthbeTold]

It's rather simple to change your registration. You can always change it back.

[PopRocks359]

I can't vote for Paul being that I'm not a registered Republican, which is a shame. Personally I'd like to see Paul and Obama debate one another and see how that goes. It's just such a shame that Paul does not have much support in the Republican party.

[Zha1tan]

From what i understand of american politics you can re register as a Republican and lets be real here Obama isnt going to do any good.

@The disagrees - enjoy your war with Iran boys!

[PopRocks359]

@Zha1tan

I don't want to register as a Republican. I don't agree with the general policy choices and social views. I'll take Obama over Romney or Gingrich.

[slayorofgods]

You can also register independent.

@Zha1tan
enjoy dealing with a Iran with Nukes.

[JellyJelly]

@[...]
slayorofgods - Kinda like Iraq had nukes as well, huh?

How come the US don't give a damn about the genocide going on in Darfur, or the slaughter of civilians in Bahrain (they even have their fifth fleet stationed there)?

The answer: No monetary interest in those countries.

More capitalism isn't the answer.

[JsonHenry]

@slayorofgods -

You mean the same way we dealt with Russia, Pakistan, and North Korea with nukes? No problem. Its been done before and most of it without direct military intervention.

Enjoy regurgitating talking points that have been spoon fed to you without thinking for yourself or even taking (recent no less) history into account.

[slayorofgods]

wow now I'm getting hate mail now! Classy!

[slayorofgods]

- Decided against talking anymore politics here. Too many crybabies.

[Ocelot525]

did you know that Ron Paul rejects the evolution theory?

[Zha1tan]

I could not care what somebody believes, that is up to them especially since the US is founded on freedom of speech and expression.

I dont believe in god or christianity but does that mean that for me to see that a man makes sense with his policies and views and ethics that I should reject him because he does not share my beliefs?

thats a very close minded assumption.

ANd to the absolute moron above about Iran having nukes....yeah just like Iraq had them right?

Morons and their Fox news never cease to amaze me and you think people would wake up after the sham that was the second Iraq war and see the only reason to go there was oil.

And suprise suprise what does Iran have? huge deposits of resources such as lithium.

AND even if they are building a nuclear weapon what the hell is wrong with that? they have ever right to build what they want, America just needs to STFU and mind its own damn business.

If you truly believe terrorists attack you because your free and prosperous your living in a dreamland captain patriot, they attack you because you try to police their land and meddle in their affairs.

Any educated person will know about Americas interfering with Iran in the 50s and just how unjust the US really is.

ANd people disagree with the truth? it must hurt to know your nothing more than a war mongering country that vampirises other poorer countries resources for your own gains all so you can wake up in the morning and drive your hummer for another day down to the burger bar.

[Ocelot525]

@Zha1tan

it proves that he also rejects rational thinking. A very dangerous thing for a president.

His economic policies are based on the invisible hand. Another irrational hypothesis.

[SilentNegotiator]

He disagrees with a THEORY?! OH NO!! He'll obviously make a terrible president!!

/s

The invisible hand is a PART of economics. People also have to stand up to corruption, which is why we have FREE SPEECH and the RIGHT TO ASSEMBLE. People are too quick to call to stop the capitalistas!, but if people demanded that CEOs and such get paid less and others more (instead of the "occupy" protests where half of the people know jack about economy and are just carrying "pay my tuition" signs), we might see actual progress.

If all you're judging Ron Paul on are those two things, you're gravely missing out on some of important things.

Oh, and btw, Ron Paul went to medical school, so it's hardly like he's knowledgeable on the theory of evolution. But if pretending that someone with a medical degree is less entitled to an opinion on it than you, go ahead and delude yourself.

[SilentNegotiator]

*unknowledgable (darn you, Firefox, correcting my poor english)

@Kurylo3d
Riiiiight, because as soon as the US leaves the middleeast, Iran will have no resistance and can proceed to destroy Isreal, consequence free. Or more realistically, they'll still talk big, inspections will continue, and their ridiculous threats will go without being enacted. Old Acky may say insane things, but he really doesn't have much power with an entire counsel over him, filled with mostly sane people.

[Kurylo3d]

The problem with Iran finally attaining nukes is they are crazy enough to use em on our allies. Or maybe even give them to our enemies. Then what... we let bygons be bygons?

Its that kind of isolationist thinking that could have made the nazis win world war II. Then what.

Is it going to take another pearl harbor in the form of a nuclear explosion to get you to change your tune?

I understand where your coming from..., iraq was more then likely about the money and profits... but im more inclined to agree that what were doing with iran is for a defensive stradegy.

[Kurylo3d]

@SilentNegotiator

Are you willing to bet your life on it? Or your families lives? I mean im not... id prefer us placing sanctions.

Im not saying go to war... but im saying take precautions .. dont just leave things be and hope it falls the way u want it..

[bobrea]

"Your an uneducated idiot."

OH GOD, THE IRONY.

[bozebo]

I'd vote for Vermin Supreme lol

[360ICE]

Ron Paul is awesome, but here's a few points to clear up some common misconceptions among his fans.

1. There is no NWO. NWO believers seem to define NWO however they want, but in the typical sense of a secret governing power. It is incredibly likely NOT to exist.
2. Corporations do not run the US government, even though recent US politics have largely favoured corporatism (Obama seems to have set his foot down with his state of the union).
3. The elections are not rigged (of course with some smaller exceptions), that would mean that every independent poll would have to be rigged too. (except the straw polls maybe). Ron Paul simply is not the most popular candidate in the GOP race atm.
4. And lastly (sort of the reply part), you're not uneducated not to vote for Paul. Believe it or not, Obama, John Huntsman (yeah, he's out) and even others of the candidates have some great points too. And they're all more educated than you (goes for me, and pretty much everyone who reads this post) but of course you can still disagree with them, and be right. Just denying the connection between being right and being educated.

[slayereddy]

Umm who cares where they stand on games, if things carry on as they are and people do not choose wisely when voting you may not have many freedoms left to even have the choice to play games. WAKE UP.

[FunAndGun]

Ron Paul is the only candidate that makes any kind of sense when I hear them talk.

[Kurylo3d]

I think hes the only republican that makes any sense.

[Saryk]

I voted for Ron the last election and will do so again!

[zeeshan]

U sir are a rolemodel.

[Trekster_Gamer]

Ron Paul
Fisically he has good ideas, but in other areas he a freaking moron. He rambles on like a old coot. This is why he will NEVER get the nomination. He is polling at what 2%in Florida, the rest of the country will follow suit.

[klecser]

The Onion said it best:

"Ron Paul Supporter Likes The Way Paul Tells It Like It Has No Chance Of Being"

;)

Let's have more politics on a game site! Because it somehow matters!

[ScubaSteve1]

whats the whole point no one can veto the ndaa were all going to fema camps eventually

[ZippyZapper]

Stop standing on your video games, they might break.

[ElliePage]

I know Obama would love to censor all of them and even prevent a lot of them from being sold. After all, he did sign away our freedoms on Dec 31st.

[newflesh]

What is Obama's rating now?

[fight4lov]

Don't know but he has a horrible record.
pass ndaa
not ending wars after running on that promise
increasing the national debt.
supporting acta.
I hate that guy.

[Angels3785]

I don't hate him, but I can agree he is not doing a good job. And people please do not use the scape goat of "But he had to deal with all this going in, it takes time BS". I guarantee you as soon as he leaves office (within the month) people will say things are getting worse even though there was not even enough time for things to get worse. Happens all the time between both parties........

Also for those saying that "unemployment has gone down". i read an article from a leading british economist that said that unemployment numbers are woefully inaccurate during the holiday season and coming into the new year because businesses hire in mass amounts for the holidays skewing unemployment numbers. He said that if you look at the numbers from Q3 to Q4 of last year that the unemployment rate dropper massively almost unnaturally. He said that numbers like that NEVER occur during any other periods of the year....just those two. and that once we get back into Q1 of the next year those numbers will begin to rise again. Also worth noting is that a recent study show that although people are willing to spend more (which apparently mean our economy is doing better) research shows that during the holiday season people slip into further debt and that in 2011 people were risking MORE money for gifts than ever before. The reality is the holiday season can easily be used to make the numbers look good when in reality its being hidden by people not caring about money and chosing to go into debt because its the holidays.

What gets me though about this is not that there are facts to back this up, but that it logically makes sense.

[dktxx2]

I don't think you should blame much of our problems on Obama. He can't get anything done be cause he has an inept Congress that won't do anything. republicans in Congress won't pass anything that might make Obama look good and Democrats are just lazy.

No matter who takes office, if Congress keeps doing what it's been doing recently, then we are in for some bad, worse, times.

[Haseo106]

Ron Paul 2012!

[Ulf]

Ron Paul is a hardcore industrialist supporter. He will never do anything that condones video games for that reason, unless they somehow damage the economy. He thinks big business should take the place of government... basically that the governing bodies should also need to *profit* for their owners.

He doesn't want to raise "taxes", he wants to hand lower cost government services to the profiteering corporations, so that people can be screwed out of their paychecks while hardly having paid any "tax" at all.

Brilliant way to convince the masses to love you, while actually making the situation worse. In that sense, the guy is a genious.

Here's his greatest quote ever: "You know, the greatest hoax I think that has been around in many, many years if not hundreds of years has been this hoax on the environment and global warming."

The dude is such a fool, that he doesn't realize that ocean currents cause some parts of the world to get cooler during the process of global warming, as ice melts and cool waters flow from the polar regions. The regional cooling is actually proof that global warming is occurring. Does the guy never bother to consult an expert, before speaking?

I'm glad that he doesn't want to fiddle with game economics... but at the same time, the guy scares me with his "rich should rule the world" mentality -- particularly since he's obviously not very bright, given some of his quotes.

[suicidalblues]

"Does the guy never bother to consult an expert, before speaking?"

Do you? Many areas of the world that are nowhere near large bodies of water (or water flows) have record highs set in the 1930s. Doesn't quite jive with your logic.

Edit: I especially liked your "regional cooling is actually proof that global warming is occurring."

[Lyle91]

Stick to video games, science just isn't for you.

[Ocelot525]

don't bother Ulf. Most people on N4G are still young and blindly follow hype.

they'll steal your bubbles, just because you stated inconvenient facts.

[DFresh]

Like I give a shit what these guys think about video games.
That's not their place to dictate how we the people spend our time and our money.
So, let them worry about the country (U.S) and I'll worry about me.
It's that easy.
:)

[Angels3785]

Ok look I LOVE videogames, but when was the last time a question about stance on videogames was in a presidential debate? NEVER. You know why? Because its irrelevant to running a country. If you are concerned about a politician stance on video games in your voting process you might as well know what his favorite show is or what he like to eat on saturday mornings at 8 o'clock sharp. This article is useless and should mainly be taken as more of a fun type of article not a serious way of voting.

[Drewminati]

Go ron paul!! he's the only one that could go against obama but i don't think he's gonna win, He's going against the powers that be and everything they believe in

[aliengmr]

Even if Ron Paul could win, it doesn't mean he could actually do what he says he gonna do. Because once he gets elected the big "reality" stick hits him in the face. That and Congress would support nothing he puts forward so eventually his Presidency becomes a huge waste of time.

At the end of the day, there is too much money in video games for them to try to regulate it, so there is no worries.

[tee_bag242]

Go Ron Paul !!! What a champ !

[deno]

Ron Paul!!!!!!!!

[Yangus]

I'm Hungarian.
But i say american people vote Ron Paul!!!!
Best choice.

[Legionaire2005]

Yeah I been reading very interest comments on this article, and all I got to say is if the Republicans don't vote for Ron Paul, then they won't even have a chance at winning this election. I know that some people on here think congress will stop Ron Paul on everything he set to accomplish, well think again. He has we the people!!! To support him all the way. Heck even that hack group call Anonymous will support him, and why wouldn't they? Ron Paul will legalize Marijuana and end this stupid war on drugs. Even stop the decriminalization of it and free people out of jail that was arrested cause of marijuana. He would also not only bring our troops home, he will bring all our troops around the world home. That is a part of his non intervention around the world policy. It may seem crazy that he will also try to destroy the IRS , but this man is the only candidate that is out to make real change by changing the system. I got a follow up on this comment stay tune lol!!!

[Knightofelemia]

I am not American but what ever the Americans do Canada fallows suit a couple of years after. From what I have seen on tv and chatted with American friends on XBL Obama is a joke. As long as they don't turn into Australia and ban the violent games from enterting the country I am fine. I think they need to step up ESRB rating and teach parents what the ratings are for. I have worked and been around customers who buy violent videogames for their kids who are 12 and younger. And the parents are warned about the ratings and whats instore in the game parents just nod theirs heas and shrug off the warning.

[bozebo]

"And the parents are warned about the ratings and whats instore in the game parents just nod theirs heas and shrug off the warning."

Believe it or not most kids are not stupid and don't go out killing people because they played GTA.

[bozebo]

They are all idiots so it doesn't really matter.

[NeXXXuS]

A presidential debate on N4g?
UNHEARD OF!!!
I liked reading all of the comments. :D

[ChiVoLok0]

How about we leave politics out of video games?

[Legionaire2005]

Ok here is a follow up to my previous comment. I want you guys to watch this video about Ron Paul.

http://www.youtube.com/watc...

When it comes to War on Drugs and Foreign Policy, Ron Paul will beat President Obama in a debate on these issues. Why cause President Obama can't answer the question when a women ask him about legalizing medical Marijuana, Obama struggles to answer the question!!! He even said in the past that he will not legalize it!!! Ron Paul is not just some career candidate, he is a serious one that will change the system. Face it guys our government is corrupt and we need to change the system. Many people have said many things about this strange year 2012, but it could be a year of real change or change for the worst!!!

Ron Paul has nothing against video games, because its freedom of expression. He is strictly by the books, a Constitutionalist man at heart. He warns us for years before it happened!!! about the economy going bad!!! For years!!! Yet people don't take him seriously, cause the stupid mainstream media is in the business of discrediting the messengers that tells the truth for all to hear!!! The media teach the people to laugh at the truth seekers and to become ignorant.

[JeepGamer]

If you said to these candidates "All you have to do is ban video games completely and you will be president" they would all, without exception, agree to do it.

That's where they stand on them.

[IWentBrokeForGaming]

I'd pray our candidates would realise far more pressing matters in our country than our video games...