Election 2012: Dr. Jill Biden campaigns in Pittsburgh

On Sunday, Second Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden and Florida congresswoman and Democratic National Committee chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz made a quick stop in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to campaign for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. The primary goal of the congresswoman and Second Lady's speeches was to sway undecided female voters. The women made there point very clear as several standing ovations were made to applaud them on their speaking.

Debbie Wasserman Schultz began the event by introducing and applauding the Second Lady’s class and personality. Wasserman Schultz also shared a personal story on her battle of cancer and how Dr. Biden was so kind and generous to her during rough times. She also informed the audience about the Obama/Biden campaign and their stance on woman’s health and rights, which Wasserman Schultz said she supported. She also mentioned how she thinks President Obama and Vice President Biden would do a better job at protecting women and their rights than Governor Mitt Romney and Congressman Paul Ryan. The congresswoman talked about many other topics, including healthcare, cancer awareness, and the current argument over the middle class.

Finally, Wasserman Schultz introduced Second Lady Biden, and as soon as Dr. Biden took the stage the small crowd roared. She began where the Congresswoman left off, on women and their rights. She tried to persuade the mostly female audience about voting for and electing her husband, Joe Biden, and President Obama for another four years. She said that electing them for another four years will allow them to get a lot more done and to move the country forward. Dr. Biden also mentioned that women’s rights has been a main focus for America and all of the past presidents, but that Barack Obama and Joe Biden can make a difference in the female community.

As she closed her speech, the crowd gave her and Wasserman Shultz a final standing ovation. Swarms of people started to surround Dr. Biden, and many people got to shake her hand and take a photo with her, too. Second Lady Dr. Jill Biden and congresswoman and Democratic National Committee Chairwoman, Debbie Wasserman Shultz definitely made a great impression on many Pittsburgh voters.

—Kid Reporter Matthew Moore

Election 2012: A Pennsylvania primary without Santorum

When Rick Santorum ended his race for the Republican presidential nomination two weeks ago, he left no one behind. At least, that's what it seems like. Before the Pennsylvania primary on Tuesday, I tried reaching someone — anyone — at his campaign headquarters in Verona, Pennsylvania. No one was there — or, at least, no one answered the phone.

Voters, too, seemed to have moved on. Pennsylvania is Santorum's home state, he was a United States Senator here for 12 years, and he was expected to give Mitt Romney a challenging race here. But before the election, many primary voters expressed they would not vote for  Santorum, even though he was still on the ballot. At the polls yesterday, one voter commented, "We need a fresh alternative to Rick Santorum." Another said, "I might vote for Rick. He is a viable candidate."

Santorum had a strong showing in Pennsylvania, all things considered. He finished second with 18.3 percent of the vote. Romney won the state with 58 percent of the vote, but Santorum finished ahead of the two other candidates still in the race, Ron Paul and Newt Gingrich.

Santorum's exit from the presidential race earlier this month was abrupt. He was second in delegates, and he needed some big wins to challenge Romney. But he could have taken his delegates to the Republican National Convention in Tampa, Florida, and given Romney a greater challenge to the nomination. Some say he left the race because his family came first, and that is very sensible. Others believe he is a man conviction, and he could be a strong candidate for Vice President.

But right now, all we know is many Pennsylvania Republicans have moved on from Rick Santorum's surprising run at the nomination. Who knows? Maybe he'll make another charge in 2016.

For more on the Pennsylvania primary, check out Kid Reporter Katelyn Barr's story about voters in the state. And for the results of the Pennylvania primary, check out the Scholastic News Kids Press Corps website! 

—Kid Reporter Matthew Moore