Today the Republican Party rests on a cracked foundation. Anyone who has been following the primaries knows Republicans seem to be unable to decide on their next leader. As President Barack Obama's first term nears its end, most expect the GOP to rally around one candidate for a solid victory in November. Instead, the party is taking a "flavor of the week" approach.

Remember when everyone thought Herman "Hermanator" Cain would win the nomination? Texas Gov. Rick Perry rode the waves of enthusiasm for a few weeks, but his "Lone Star" quickly faded following his debate gaffes. And the Iowa caucus, New Hampshire primary and South Carolina primary each have yielded a different winner - Rick Santorum, Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich, respectively. Are there just too many good conservative candidates to choose from? Sadly for the GOP, I think it is quite the opposite.

No clear leader has emerged from the pack of presidential hopefuls. Though each certainly has strong points, all of them seem to have an Achilles heel. Romney just can't shake the stereotype of being a robotic, out-of-touch, Ivy League millionaire. Then there's Gingrich, the Washington insider, with more baggage than a Louis Vuitton factory. Santorum seems like a nice foil to morally deficient Newt - until you read his quotes calling climate change a leftist "hoax," denying evolution, and comparing gay marriage to incest and adultery. As each presidential hopeful competes to be the "real" conservative, they move the party farther away from center, thus compromising possible victory in 2012.

I think the shifting allegiance of the Republican Party indicates a lack of leadership and vision for America's future. Rather than proposing practical solutions to the pressing issues of unemployment, national debt and the shrinking middle class, the GOP portrays itself as merely the opposite of President Obama. The fact that Republicans are running a mostly negative campaign, with indictments rather than problem-solving innovations, may explain the lack of enthusiasm for any one candidate. The Republicans' "flip-flopping" approach to the election really gives the impression that no one is the clear leader.

The GOP remains divided because its members are divided as well. The conservative gamut - from huge corporations to the moral "value voters" - must come to a consensus if it expects to win this November. But I think this is close to impossible. One who advocates for the corporate one percent may embody the opposite of the Christian values that other voters deem necessary. The Republican Party cannot decide who or what it wants, and this is why I believe that President Obama will win reelection in 2012.

In 2008, Obama preached "change," and he has delivered. He helps people like us by forgiving student-loan debt and allowing students to remain on their parents' health care plan until age 26. Obama has a progressive vision for the future. Rather than accepting the status quo as inevitable, he has the leadership ability and the know-how to get things done. He will move this country forward by promoting job growth, protecting consumers and continuing to help the middle class. The Democratic Party is committed to shared prosperity, equal rights and making sure America remains the greatest country in the world. As University of Dayton students, we have the energy and optimism to help change the world for the better. Let's start by reelecting President Obama in 2012.