First Thoughts: Obama's demographic edge

Kevin Lamarque / Reuters

Campaigning with Mitt Romney and Barack Obama, voting and election results.

Obama’s demographic edge… And the GOP’s demographic dilemma… Breaking down last night’s results… Do status-quo election results = status-quo governing?... Obama’s swing-county swagger…His tactical dominance…  And lots of history was made last night. 

*** Obama's demographic edge: Yes, the auto bailout mattered in Ohio. Sure, Hurricane Sandy helped the president. And, yes, the economy was the No. 1 issue. But make no mistake: What happened last night was a demographic time bomb that had been ticking and that blew up in GOP faces. As the Obama campaign had assumed more than a year ago, the white portion of the electorate dropped to 72%, and the president won just 39% of that vote. But he carried a whopping 93% of black voters (representing 13% of the electorate), 71% of Latinos (representing 10%), and also 73% of Asians (3%). What’s more, despite all the predictions that youth turnout would be down, voters 18-29 made up 19% of last night’s voting population -- up from 18% four years ago -- and President Obama took 60% from that group. The trend also played out in the key battleground states: The president won about 70% of the Latino vote in Colorado and Nevada, and he won 60% of it in Florida (a high number given the state’s large GOP-leaning Cuban-American population). On Monday, we wrote that demography could determine destiny. And that’s exactly what happened. While the campaign’s turnout operation deserves all the credit for getting these voters to the polls, the most significant event of this presidential contest might very well have been the 2010 census. 

*** And the GOP’s demographic dilemma: Obama’s demographic edge creates this dilemma for the Republican Party: It can no longer rely on white voters to win national elections anymore, especially in presidential cycles. Indeed, according to the exit poll, 89% of all votes Mitt Romney won last night came from whites (compared with 56% for Obama). So the Republicans are maximizing their share with white voters; they just aren’t getting the rest. And come 2016, the white portion of the electorate will probably drop another couple of points to 70%. Politico’s Martin puts it this way: “Battling a wheezing economy and a deeply motivated opposition, Obama still managed to retain much of his 2008 map because of the GOP’s deficiencies with the voters who are changing the political face of once conservative-leaning Virginia, Florida, Colorado and Nevada. Republicans face a crisis: the country is growing less white and their coalition has become more white in recent years. In 2004, George W. Bush won [about 40 percent] of Hispanics. Four years later, John McCain, the author of an immigration reform bill, took 31 percent of Hispanics. And this year, Romney captured only 27 percent of Hispanics.” 

NBC's Chuck Todd discusses how Florida may be used as a model for the rest of the country to show how changes in demographics, particularly an influx of Hispanic voters in key counties, affected the outcome of the election.

*** Hard for the GOP just to turn to the Midwest: Now Republicans might argue, “Look, we can win back the Midwest -- Ohio, Iowa, and Wisconsin.” Yet those account for 34 electoral votes. But the Sun Belt states where Obama campaigned and which have more diverse populations (Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia) have a total of 57 electoral votes. And then there are Arizona, Georgia, and Texas. Do those states come into play in 2016? What about 2020? Come 2016, you could argue that Arizona and Georgia become for Democrats what Michigan, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania are for Republicans -- just slightly out of reach.

*** Last night’s results: The morning after, here are the results (so far) from last night: Obama holds 303 electoral votes and Romney 206. (NBC News has yet to call Florida and its 29 electoral votes, but Obama leads there 50%-49%.) In the popular vote, it’s Obama 50%, Romney 48%. Also, Democrats have held on to their Senate majority and might add to it -- with undecided races in Montana (where Democratic incumbent Jon Tester leads 48%-48% with 77% in) and North Dakota (where Democrat Heidi Heitkamp is ahead by about 3,000 voters with 93% in). But Republicans held on to control of the House, holding 237 seats vs. 197 for the Democrats, plus-minus four seats. 

President Obama and former governor Mitt Romney both spent billions of dollars and logged thousands of miles on the campaign trail, and it all culminated in one very dramatic election night. Take a look back at the long road that led to the Presidential election.

*** Does status-quo control = status-quo governing? So in the end, we got a status-quo result -- with Obama holding on to the White House, Democrats keeping control of the Senate, and Republicans maintaining their grip on the House. But here’s the question with the “fiscal cliff” negotiations coming up: Will the governing be status quo, too? Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell released this statement last night: “To the extent [Obama] wants to move to the political center, which is where the work gets done in a divided government, we’ll be there to meet him half way. That begins by proposing a way for both parties to work together in avoiding the ‘fiscal cliff’ without harming a weak and fragile economy, and when that is behind us work with us to reform the tax code and our broken entitlement system.” And House Speaker John Boehner makes a statement on the “fiscal cliff” negotiations at 3:30 pm ET. But who holds the mandate here? The GOP? Or a president who waged a national campaign on raising taxes for the wealthy, and who won? And here’s another question: Do Boehner and McConnell take advantage of the lame duck to compromise? 

*** Obama’s swing-county swagger: Turning back to last night’s presidential contest, Obama beat Romney in almost all of the swing counties (won by Bush in ’04 but by Obama in ’08). Indeed, Obama won three of four swing counties in Florida (Hillsborough, Pinellas, Osceola), four of six in Ohio (Hamilton, Wood, Ottawa, Sandusky), 11 of 14 in Virginia (including Loudon, Prince William, and Henrico), and all six in Colorado (including Jefferson, Arapahoe, and Larimer). And despite losing North Carolina, Obama may have proved that the state is changing, becoming more “Mid-Atlantic” but not quite all there, as Charlie Cook has said. Obama won nine of 13 swing counties in the Tar Heel State (including the large counties of Wake, Forsyth, Cumberland, and Buncombe).

*** And his tactical dominance: But it was more than winning the swing counties for Obama; it was tactical dominance. Romney made inroads all across the country from previous GOP performance. What happened, however, was that the Obama campaign exploited the census and changed the margins. The best example of this was in Florida.

*** Making history: Finally, it was an historic-making election. With Obama’s re-election, we now have the first time since Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe that Americans have elected three two-term presidents in a row… Tammy Baldwin will become the Senate’s first openly gay member… The Senate will have at least 19 female members -- the most ever -- and there’s a chance that number could increase to 20 if Heitkamp wins… Maryland and Maine became the first states to approve of gay marriage at the ballot box… And initiatives to legalize marijuana passed in Colorado and Washington state. 

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Discuss this post

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yawn

    Reply#623 - Wed Nov 7, 2012 10:58 PM EST

    Expect a complete and total economic collapse that will destroy the middle class once and for all.

    Don't count on your freebies folks, 'cause they are ending!

    • 1 vote
    Reply#624 - Wed Nov 7, 2012 11:35 PM EST

    Still spinning the BS thats why Repubs will keep losing.

    You live in a bubble especially if you believe everyone who voted for Obama needs a handout.

    • 1 vote
    #624.1 - Wed Nov 7, 2012 11:44 PM EST

    The republican governors are the ones trying to destroy the middle class. Who do you think the middle class is?

    They are mostly the vast blue collar work force that earn a good salary, union workers. The republican governors are coming up with these right to work laws of which the only function is to bust up the unions. Without unions there would have never been a middle class. there would only be the wealthy bosses at the top, and at the bottom of the rung would be worker bees eating dirt for peanuts. If these big time CEO's can have a contract that guarantee them all kind of perks, benefits and cash, even if they fail, why can't a worker get a contract for a fraction of what the big shots get. If they are so much more important than the workers, let them try and do without any workers, see how far they get.

    BTW: I'm not a union member, never had the opportunity to be one.

      #624.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 1:31 AM EST

      Apparently you are having some difficulty in saying like it is. HInt: listen to something other than Fox News, the most corrupt media organization in history (well maybe Hitler would disagree with that). Why did FOX come out looking like losers? Because they ARE losers...easy...

        #624.3 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:00 AM EST

        tex speaks for Christ and now Hitler -

        you are one pathetic advocate of depravity

          #624.4 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:28 AM EST

          Alert! Alert! Another Tbagger who does not know the difference between Jesus and Hitler or the difference between his Azz and a hole in the ground for that matter. LOL

            #624.5 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:59 PM EST
            Reply

            We rely on each state to run their elections in an honest and efficient manner. Sadly, some states just can't seem to meet their responsibility, which is not just a problem for the citizens who happen to live in those states but could easily adversely affect the rest of us.

            Ohio and Florida are this year's examples - in fact, Florida is always the poster child for horribly managed elections.

            Thankfully, we have federal highway rules and standards so that wherever we drive we are accustomed to the rules of the road. Why can't we have federal election rules and standards? Why are states allowed to have early voting in some precincts but deny early voting to others?

            I dread to think what other nations think of our elections when they see the photos of hundreds and hundreds of people standing in line for hours on end just for the opportunity to vote. We should be embarrassed and ashamed.

              Reply#625 - Wed Nov 7, 2012 11:59 PM EST

              This election it was mismanagement by design.

                #625.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 1:40 AM EST
                Reply

                A sad, sad day for America indeed.

                This actually came down to contrasts of which candidate promoted.

                Romney pushed for economic recovery and growth.

                Obama sucked up to women and minorities.

                Good jobs vs. social programs.

                Look what won.

                Soon this nation will be known as: The United Socialist States of CHINA.

                • 1 vote
                Reply#626 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 1:07 AM EST

                Good jobs are the best social program. And an Obama administration will bring them home, rather than export them to China.

                • 1 vote
                #626.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 3:24 AM EST

                It was also a clear vote against white males in my opinion, look at the demographics.

                  #626.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 4:21 AM EST

                  Todd, you left out 'greedy' and 'corrupt'...

                    #626.3 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:02 AM EST

                    It was style vs substance and the children won, yet being so child like in thought they think their way is a victory.

                    The misery express is barreling towards the USA and doesn't give a c..p if you voted for Obama (well unless of course you're one of his cronies).

                    Reality will not be pretty for a while and no I don't blame just Obama.

                    Can you count 20 trillion.

                      #626.4 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:08 AM EST
                      Reply

                      Note to right wing Tea Baggers:

                      Learn to lose. As long as you remain a part of the Republican Party that party will never again win another presidential election.

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#627 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 1:20 AM EST

                      Notice how 'Baggers still vow to "take 'their' country back?"

                      From whom?

                      • 2 votes
                      Reply#628 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 3:23 AM EST

                      In 1963, the Rumford Fair Housing Act passed the California Legislature and was signed into law. It outlawed restrictive covenants and other devices intended to keep neighborhoods segregated. Shortly thereafter opponents to justice and fairness placed Proposition 14 on the ballot. It's goal was to set aside the Fair Housing Act. As a young teenager, I walked door to door against Proposition 14. Despite my efforts (and I hope not because of them), it passed. Proposition 14 was later found unconstitutional by the courts. I post this only to point out that while the electorate has become more diverse; and, while this is a wonderful thing, among those who support inclusion are also some of us old farts. Who are white and Christian. As a 60 + white, heterosexual, Christian female, I RESENT Republicans who somehow think my demographic means I AGREE with them and their 19th Century views!

                      • 1 vote
                      Reply#629 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 4:04 AM EST

                      (Re: Post 620.1)Miguelito you ignorant Mexican ! Don't even know your own history ! Mexico lost it in 1846 in a War with the US because Mexico sucked and still sucks. The US is starting to suck because of 20 million people like you share that attitude and use it as an excuse to come here and take everything you can get for nothing and I'm tired of helping to support it. You are here because your country sucks, it's that simple. Maybe you should take a page from your own logic and stay home and work and pay welfare and support all of the native peoples your country has screwed over in the past ! WE OWE YOU NOTHING, NOW YOUR PEOPLE OWE THE US !

                      You don't hear me crying because Norway stole lamd from my ancestors in Denmark in 1645, they lost it in a WAR. It was a different world, that's why we call it History.

                        Reply#630 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 4:17 AM EST

                        Repito

                        ¡Exactamente gringo! And we thank your Democratic party for the opportunity to regain Aztlan. We lost a battle in 1846. Not the war. I repeat ¡Esto es lo que un gran país!

                        We will take this back not by war but by each Mexican immigrant crossing the border, each Mexican baby born and the voting booth. Your white majority is decreasing and the brown increasing. We love our culture and the white Americans have no culture. Like the Democrats keep telling the Republicans and Tea Partiers, "This is a changing country and you've got to change with it." Live with it.

                        I will continue to give you some Spanish lessons. Your children and grandchildren will need them.

                          #630.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 7:48 AM EST

                          By the time I have Grandchildren your Mexican culture will have turned this place into a big craphole like Mexico is now. I already live in a city that's 70% Hispanic, 90% in my side of town and I live 1500 miles North of the border. America is what made the modern world with all of it's modern luxuries, when our white culture is gone your culture can take over and oversee it's final ruin...then your grandkids will work for the Chinese. Whites are not allowed to have a culture, if we even say we are proud of our Heritage or being white we are labeled Supremacists or Racist.

                            #630.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:23 AM EST

                            Gee Todd, why not get to know your neighbors? You might find that some of them are good, decent and even LIKEABLE people. The color of people's skin does not determine their worth. Until you learn that you will always be bitter. Apparently, when you were a child, you were taught (wrongly) that your skin color somehow made you "special". It doesn't...it REALLY does not. In fact, in your case it has, because of what you were taught, made you an UGLY excuse for a human being!

                              #630.3 - Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:44 AM EST
                              Reply

                              The decline of ignorant, old, white males is the real demographic that made this possible.

                              • 2 votes
                              Reply#631 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 6:45 AM EST

                              It's those old white males that still control the money.

                              I'd rather associate with them then you sam who I envision in some basement apt living on free cheese.

                                #631.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:14 AM EST
                                Reply

                                I guess this election proved that the younger generation still like living in their parents basement

                                  Reply#632 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 7:23 AM EST

                                  Sorry for your continued ignorance, but what it means is that there is a new generation coming up that is not so stupid as their brain dead parents... LOL

                                  Get over it vik, the tide has turned and you are at the bottom of the wave. We will help you get back to the surface but you have to let go of the anchor of ignorance.

                                  • 2 votes
                                  #632.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 7:42 AM EST

                                  Who put the young generation back in their parents generation. Hmm.. seems to me, if the GOP stopped rewarding corporations with a tax CREDIT for moving jobs to other countries, their might be more left here.

                                  This country is changing.. if the GOP doesn't change with it, they will be history.. it will be the GOODBYE OLD PARTY

                                  • 1 vote
                                  #632.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:49 AM EST

                                  Buenos dias Senor Tex2c. Welcome to the "new generation". You are correct. The tide has turned. My people thank you!

                                  Your Spanish lessons will begin soon.

                                    #632.3 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:47 AM EST

                                    Both my parents spoke Spanish before English, you dont need to rub it in.... LOL

                                      #632.4 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:55 PM EST

                                      As did mine. Then you do understand the "nueva revolución" of the academic elite and young Mexicans?

                                        #632.5 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 10:05 PM EST

                                        Tex2c - You are no fun at all. Trying to yank some chains and very few are taking the bait. Don't know how it is for the Tejanos but lots of issues with Anglo/Hispanic relations here. Also, please be prudent with how you use Azz. Too close to Az.

                                          #632.6 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 10:16 PM EST
                                          Reply

                                          As the Republicans hoped the canard, 'Obama is a failure,' would stick, the Republican governors of Florida could not figure out how to administer a fair vote. Sound familiar? They have been in power since 1999 and are clearly the laughing stock of American politics.

                                          Karl Rove has been exposed as the corrupt back room liar that he is. LOL

                                          The Koch suckers have directed their lawyers to look into suing someone to get their contributions back.

                                          The Tparty goofs trying to get control of the Senate got trounced.

                                          The lies did not work, the money did not work, now what Republicans? Nothing left but to return to American values and try to solve the problems you have created.

                                            Reply#633 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 7:40 AM EST

                                            Some are saying this election was the last hurrah for the white male voter. As if white people only vote for white people. Mr. Obama garnered 93% of the black vote and only recorded 50% of the total vote. Not even 51% ! So a lot of white people voted for him, again. Why didn't 93% of the whites vote for the white guy ? Why does society expect and accept that minorities only want minorities, but whites can vote for anybody ? Why is that ?

                                            • 2 votes
                                            Reply#634 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:05 AM EST

                                            Well someone told me blacks can't be racists(?). I would have liked to see America evolve to the point where we could throw out the first black President simply because he is an arrogant, unqualified failure. That aside as long as Democrats pick style over substance we the people deserve the government we wind up with.

                                            • 1 vote
                                            #634.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:12 AM EST

                                            Bill: You don't get it! The American people overwhelmingly gave the President a second term! You can go on with that BS you're preaching, but it doesn't get out of your little circles---and your circles are getting smaller every year. Your party hasn't won the majority vote in American presidential elections but ONE time since 1988! George Will said Tuesday night, "If the Republican Party holds to the same demographic votes that McCain received in 2008, it will LOSE by 18 MILLION votes in 2040!" For the love of Pete, get with it. Bring the RINOs back in to the GOP. The poorly educated, far right wing, extremist, fanatics need to study for their GED exams.

                                              #634.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:29 AM EST

                                              The poorly educated, far right wing, extremist, fanatics need to study for their GED exams.

                                              Such typical stylistic PC c..p. Are those people in front of the bus loads of government recipients (oh, I forgot we now call them clients) both legal and illegal that represent your base?

                                              BTW; 50% is not overwhelmimg or a mandate and quite honestly you simply don't get it. Yes the demographics of the GOP needs to change and it will as blacks and latinos understand that this country is more that demographics.

                                                #634.3 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:33 AM EST

                                                IReadyou: The answer is simple. The GOP focused on a white strategy just as Nixon did in 1968 thinking the plan was never too old to work. To that end, they won most of the south and the midwestern, farm states that are very rural, very white, very racist, very Evangelical, and very sparsely populated. But, the Democrats focused on the reality of American demography, namely, where the population centers are. The Democrats got more Democrats, including women and a rainbow coalition out to vote for them. The white strategy is over in this country. The GOP has not won the majority vote in a presidential election since 1988, and not only that, but the GOP has been losing in increasingly larger numbers. Now, no one gives a rip if you and your ilk are going to continue down the road you're on. If you're going to survive to win elections, you've got to face reality and come to the table as problem solving adults. You've got to stop the irrational, mindless, BS of accusing your opponents of being socialists, communists, Stalinists, and Maoists. The only place that BS registered was in the states I mentioned above. Romney/Ryan did not even carry their own home states; Romney didn't carry Massachusetts or Michigan and Ryan didn't carry Wisconsin. Hell, Ryan didn't even carry his own COUNTY! Come to the table with adult, problem solving, suggestions, not hysterical BS that turns people off.

                                                  #634.4 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:45 AM EST

                                                  Bill: Stop making excuses! Illegal aliens do not vote. The thousands and thousands of multi-ethnic, multi-racial voters hugging each other and crying on the streets of the large cities in this country are not all government recipients. (By the way, are the citizens of this country, the taxpayers, sending you a government check each month or perhaps are your getting free medical care paid for by the taxpayers? Are you getting farm subsidies?)

                                                  The vast majority of farmers in the midwest and south are receiving farm subsidies from the federal government. Farmers, and some of my family are farmers, are the largest welfare recipients in the country. But, on the other hand, if those farm subsidies were not in place, family farms could not survive. Family farms have been on the sharp decline for decades. Sadly, the overwhelming federal dollars today go to wealthy farm corporations.

                                                  Then, there are enormous amounts of federal dollars going to the wealthy in the form of welfare checks. Big oil receives billions of dollars; big farming corporations, as I said, get enormous amounts of federal dollars in the form of farm subsidies; then corporations receive federal aid in the form of defense contracts. The list goes on and on and on. Do these people vote??!?? Hell, yes they vote and most probably don't vote Democrat.

                                                  Yes, there are some poor people on welfare, namely, the disabled, the elderly, some children, some mentally challenged, and the poor. Are there those who cheat the system? Hell, yes, there are some, but certainly not the majority as you seem to rationalize there are. I am one of those who strongly believes that the "cheaters" need to be identified and dropped from the rolls, but I am not one of those who believes ALL of those on social welfare programs need to be dropped. By the way, most of those people, however, are white, not minorities simply because the minorities are minorities in numbers. There are far more whites than minority races in this country, and consequently, far more whites on social welfare programs than blacks and other minority races.

                                                  In summary, if the GOP is to survive, then it must begin to work with Democrats for the good of all Americans. The BS that Mitch McConnell and John Boehner dreamed up the day after the President was elected in 2008, namely, to sacrifice America to make the President a one-term president failed miserably Tuesday night. If the GOP didn't learn that, then the Party is on its way to joining the Whigs and Know-Nothings as failed political parties on the dump heap of history. I hope that does not happen. I've voted for many Republican presidential candidates, Senators, Representatives, and state and local candidates in my long life. The far right wing of extremist, fanatics, though, who took over the Republican Party failed and failed miserably much like the far left wing, extremist, fanatics who destroyed the center of the Democrat Party in the late 60s and 70s did. The GOP must pull get off its back, put the RINOs back in control of the Party, and start again.

                                                    #634.5 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 10:22 AM EST

                                                    TJ: "Overwhelmingly ". with 50% of the vote ? Really ? Would 50.5% constitute a mandate perhaps ?

                                                    Not sure recounting the 1980's southern strategy answers the questions of voting in the 2012 election. Perhaps 30% of the voters were not alive in the 1980 elections and have no knowledge of the southern strategy. They don't teach civics in k-12 anymore, so no reason to think voters under 30 ever heard of it.

                                                      #634.6 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 10:42 AM EST

                                                      IReadyou: Then, the thing to do is to continue to pursue the road you're on. No one cares, including you or I.

                                                        #634.7 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 12:55 PM EST
                                                        Reply

                                                        Both parties have failed America. We need to make changes in Congress and in the system itself. The office of the President doesn't matter as much as people would like to think. The bottom line is that THE PEOPLE of the US need to come together and move past this 2 party political system that has a stranglehold on our government. I believe that both parties do not represent the majority of Americans, that most go in the polling booth and choose the "lesser of 2 evils".

                                                        • 2 votes
                                                        Reply#635 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:02 AM EST

                                                        Republicans better wake up. The attempt by the GOP to place token blacks, women and Latinos to con the electorate failed. The GOP will continue to lose if it is pro tea party and radical social and religious programs. The people of this country will never accept a party that is perceived as anti-immigrant, anti-women, anti-equal pay, anti-healthcare and anti-anyone but straight whites. Every event run by the GOP is a sea of white faces. Unless the republicans "get it" ,that we live in 2012 not 1912 they will lose every time. Theocracy is out, Democracy is in. The days of signs that said "Negroes and Dogs" not allowed are over for more that 60 years. There is "no back of the bus". The driver is a person of color.

                                                          Reply#636 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:11 AM EST

                                                          ..

                                                            #636.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:16 AM EST

                                                            60 years ago those signs were all over this country,not only the south. You obviously are too young to remember and lack some education.

                                                              #636.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:22 AM EST

                                                              Lar42

                                                              actually I edited my own reply when I reread your post and saw it was referring to the past.

                                                                #636.3 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:29 AM EST
                                                                Reply

                                                                I am listening this morning to some conservative commentators who argue that Romney/Ryan lost because they were not conservative enough! Really? Do they actually think that people who are more conservative than R/R voted for Obama?

                                                                  Reply#637 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 9:58 AM EST

                                                                  Anita: They sound as foolish as the far left wing did after they lost elections in the 60s and 70s. The difference may be that some of today's far right wing, extremist, fanatics are very, very wealthy with billions of dollars to use to buy whatever they want to try and change the course of America. It certainly didn't work in this election, but some of these people are not going away quietly in the night.

                                                                    #637.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 10:30 AM EST
                                                                    Reply

                                                                    2012 proved that the most important entity in elections is "WE the People" - not the money!

                                                                    Are you listening SuperPAC's, Rove, Adelson, Kochs?

                                                                    I am so happy to see that these 1%ers didn't get their monies worth!

                                                                      Reply#638 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 11:44 AM EST

                                                                      Why are you people such haters of those that have money and earned it through hard work? Why do you want to distribute it through taxing the H--- out of them rather than working for it yourself and earning it and maybe someday having that money? How do you ever expect to earn any money or accumulate any wealth if you don't have these people financing factories and employing your butts? Just because the spenders in DC want you to believe that wealthy people are so bad just sit back and think about it. You will never get rich or have what they have by sitting back and letting the government support you. We will never have a good education system or highway system or military if people continue to not want to work and suck that money away from those areas so they can live. At some point in time Americans have to become proud again and be proud that they have a job and are supporting themselves. We have become a nation of lazy, malingering slugs who think the government should support us with other peoples money. You know what? Those rich people you hate so much don't have to spend their money and take all the risks. They can say we have enough money we don't have to put our necks on the line we will just live on what we have. They don't have to invest in manufacturing plants that make cars or that make farm equipment. They don't have to invest in small manufacturing plants in the country that make packaging for companies that are trying to market a new product they hope to make a profit on. They can just sit back in their mansions and take their vacations, you know like the people in DC, and just live off of what they have and the heck with the few who want to work and earn a living let DC create jobs. Like DC has anyone to create any jobs. People need to wise up and really ask themselves where does the money come from? How can DC and the federal government run if no one is working and paying taxes? Don't be so hateful and stupid.

                                                                        #638.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 2:02 PM EST

                                                                        I am not filled with hate nor do I 'hate' people with money. I also am not stupid. Why do you put others into some kind of little boxes with labels on the outside?

                                                                        You know nothing about any of us posting herein -- I have paid into Social Security since I was 15 yrs and worked until I was 65 - I worked hard and my husband and we did all right financially, raised & educated four kids, paid our way!

                                                                        What I don't like about the bunch I named above was they tried to BUY this election. No two ways about it! If you think that's OK then I feel very sorry for you.

                                                                          #638.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 8:31 PM EST

                                                                          Oh and yes that is right the dems didn't spend any money on the election and they didn't go out and specifically address certain groups of the population to get out and vote for them. I guess it is nice to be so faithful to one group and so blind to everything else but if you believe the repubs are the only group that tried to buy and election I guess I really don't have the time to talk to you. Also I was not referring to you specifically so I never called you stupid. I called this group of people who call the repugs a bunch of white, rich, mean, racist, bigoted people. To not vote for someone because they have money is showing the true direction of this country. Liberals teach their followers to hate rich people because they have something that the libbers want--their money. They don't teach their followers to go out and work for it and earn it on their own they want to steal it from those who have it and give it to those too lazy or not willing to go out and earn it. You Suz of all people should understand this. You worked and paid SS and now you are collecting it. Well I started paying SS when I was 12 and a busboy at a local restaurant. I want SS to be there when I get to start taking back my money but that doesn't look good right now because the spenders in DC are spending all the tax revenue and the SS funds and still driving us into debt. I can't understand why people don't see that. You should know for sure that when we were children are parents were proud and they would not take any welfare unless they were near death. They would not think of not working or trying to make up some phoney Workman's comp claim so they can sit home and draw free money. This nation is slowly becoming a nation of no gooders who don't want to work and don't want to have any pride in their lives they just want to have fun and do nothing and live off someone else's dime. People need to realize the federal government has no money but what it steals from the citizens. They can continue to make all the money in the world but just remember everytime they make another dollar they decrease the value of the one in your hand. And just remember every dollar they add to the debt puts the US in furthur financial crisis. Good luck to you Suz who is already using the SS you had put away so long ago---let's hope the children you speak of are able to use what they have invested also.

                                                                            #638.3 - Fri Nov 9, 2012 9:32 AM EST
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                                                                            All I have to say is good luck, truly! Although I did not vote for President Obama, I hope things improve drastically. If not, I hope all the dead beats that voted for him will fess up and admit he was a poor choice for our economy.

                                                                              Reply#639 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 11:47 AM EST

                                                                              Rick: The Economist, (are you familiar with that world-wide, conservative, magazine) came out in support of President Obama! Most business people believe the Economist is one of the few magazines worth reading. I subscribe to that magazine and I have to say that I agree with them. The Economist also pointed out that Romney's foreign policy statements have been horrible and that, if elected, he would be in a horrible position to begin working in the international world.

                                                                              • 1 vote
                                                                              #639.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 12:28 PM EST
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                                                                              I used to believe I was a dem. I had liberal views during the highly protested Viet Nam war stuff started to change. I was so very happy when Kennedy won and thought he was the best person ever and I will always remember his campaign speech when he said "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country." And then of course being from Minnesota who wouldn't love Humphrey??? However along came Carter and I indeed voted for him. By then I was out of school and working and starting seeing my checks get smaller due to taxes and instead of seeing a government be fiscally responsible I watched a government spend more money than what they possibly could bring in. I was told by a supervisor that he would like to hire for a job but a minority had applied and he had a quota to keep. When I showed my disappointment he said sorry but the best thing that could happen to him would be for a black female to apply because he could fill a couple of quota spots with one hire. When did all of this go wrong? Minorities in the US owe many of their freedoms and liberties to a white man. Humphrey was one of the biggest supporter and authors of the civil rights amendments in 1964. He wanted to make everyone be equal under the law however when a few bleeding heart liberals saw a chance for a vote and saw that the minority population was exploding they began exploiting the minority vote. First the blacks and then the woman and then the hispanics and now the gays. And all the while it has been the Constitution that was written by our founders that were mainly white that had already given these rights to these individuals but now you have a bunch of crooks and thieves running government who want to misconstrue these laws to make these same minorities think that it is the repubs who stand in the way of your freedoms. That is so far from the truth because the liberals now are the ones that want to instill government in every part of your life. The government has no right to tell a woman what she can and can't do with her body and it doesn't need to be voted on or determined by the Supreme Court. The government has no right to tell you if you can own a gun or not the Constitution has guaranteed it. The government has no right to tell you who you must hire or cannot hire the Constitution has also given people that right. This doesn't mean you can't hire someone because they are minority but it also means you cannot hire someone because they aren't a minority. The Constitution guarantees equal rights to citizens of the United States and until we let all of these cry baby liberals come in and use these laws against people to get votes they were followed. You can't force someone to do something because they will resist it more. The natural events of living day to day lives in harmony would happen if we didn't have the government and people like this prez, jesse jackson, and al sharpton and others continuing to drive a wedge between us just to keep the split between us growing. You talk about repubs and whites being haters. I have never seen such a bunch of crap then what I have read on these posts. "The minorities have prevailed death to the GOP and the old white guy." Just go back and read these posts and do a little history and remember why you are all here today. It not obama or the dem party. The reason you are here is because long ago a bunch of white men fought a war to make this a free country. And then as years went on a bunch more white men fought to protect those freedoms from other countries and dictators. And then a bunch of white guys got together and passed civil rights laws in the '60s. Then a bunch of bleeding heart liberals who thought they could get a few votes from those minorities and the freedom others had given them began exploiting them and their plight when if left alone would probably not be as bad as todays racial crisis. I did not like either of the candidates which is unfortunate however the US cannot keep going the way it going. This constant pressure put on for minorities to hate everything white and rich needs to stop. This nation will never rise from the ashes if we don't stop spending and if the people of this country don't stop referring to themselves as minorities, or afican americans or asian americans. We are all part of one country--The United States of America. We all all just Americans and if we continue to allow these lying, cheating, thieving politicians to lie to us and keep separating the races even further there will be no tomorrow. The first post read something like victory to all these groups. Well there was no victory for anyone Tuesday night except to obama and the 2 political parties in the US. All of you wage earners who think obama is going to help you let me hear from you in 6 months. I don't want to here from you bums and slugs who are living on my dime now read carefully I said all you wage earners. I hope this things works but I am not optimistic for sure but I will do what I can to help it work.

                                                                                Reply#640 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 12:23 PM EST

                                                                                So, to sum that all up...

                                                                                You were a liberal until all the minorities got so uppity? Correct?

                                                                                  #640.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 3:55 PM EST

                                                                                  No so I can only imagine that you are a liberal because you don't completely read what has been said. I was a liberal until I realized that the government was spending more than what they could possibly bring in and that the supposed oppression of minorities by the wicked rich white man became the battle cry and vote getter for the dem party. I also wrote if you cared to read that when you try to force something on someone they will resist however if you let people live and work together with the same goals they will begin to get along. When the Germans and the Italians and the Norwegians made their legal immigration to this country they did not ask for handouts or begin calling the people that were here racists or bigots. Their main concern in coming to the United States was to make a better life for themselves and to work hard and reap the benefits of that work. Now the people who come here expect the US to take care of them and they don't have to learn the language and they don't have to get a job because those greedy old white guys should share their wealth with them so they can live like them. Open your mind and read the statement and don't let your liberal bias put words in my mouth. So to sum it all up no I am not saying the minorities got uppity and changed my mind. The direction of the government changed my mind. And to be perfectly honest what will happen when the ideas of the blacks don't coincide with those of the Hispanics. And what about when the gays don't approve of something the Asians are doing. Oh but that is right you are all just a hodgepodge of different cultures and beliefs and you will always get along because you are all liberals.

                                                                                    #640.2 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 4:13 PM EST
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                                                                                    Despite popular belief, I don't hate anyone.
                                                                                    ...God

                                                                                      Reply#641 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 12:25 PM EST

                                                                                      Yes, we know.

                                                                                      You killed all those innocent "first born sons" of Egypt because you loved them.

                                                                                      Just curious. Why didn't you just kill the Pharoah? Didn't think of that? It would have been much simpler and you would actually have achieved what you were trying to accomplish.

                                                                                      Are you sure you "designed" the universe? You don't really seem all that bright.

                                                                                        #641.1 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 3:50 PM EST
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                                                                                        And it will NOT be liberals in charge next time.

                                                                                        ...uummmm...isn't that EXACTLY what y'all were saying before the election?

                                                                                        LOL Go take your chair out of the tree.

                                                                                          Reply#642 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 3:36 PM EST

                                                                                          This is such a proud moment for my America.The wealth expended to influence my vote was such an exorbitant amount wasted for that purpose,as i base my vote on research and purpose of a candidate.I have not voted for a Republican for a major public office since 1966. This is a great president and a tough,old school veep,my bet is they're gonna squeeze that batch of right wing fruits in the house till they peetea.This 4 years the President gets to call the shots.Oh and for those who dismay at Dems for lack of initiative,I'm retired from one career and currently own a small business that occupies space and function in a small community that provides employment to 3 persons daily and several more seasonally,as well I'm white,over65,and live in a small community that values diversity(America is a crazy place until you see it's real people). Obama got my family's votes in 08 and 12,he earned it,I think he just scares the @!$%# out of the republicanots.This win says you just can't lie and buy the American presidency resulting from wealth or status,connections to it or results of it.

                                                                                            Reply#643 - Thu Nov 8, 2012 10:36 PM EST

                                                                                            I am a former Republican, who left the GOP 30 years ago due to it's fictionalized economic policies. I did not totally agree with the Democrats, but they made more sense. The GOP has continued to drink the koolaid, right up until this morning, claiming that they are going to push for the adoption of the Ryan Budget! What part of losing the election don't they understand??! This election was a complex mish-mash of issues, so it might be confusing for them to sort them out, but I can tell you that if they try to push the Ryan Budget, President Obama has my whole-hearted support in "letting the economy go over the cliff!" Austerity is not the solution! Just look at what austerity measures did to Europe. The country's economy is not the same as a business' economy or your personal economy. We need to invest in infrastructure, in research & development, in renewable energy, and in other things that are not money-makers that the stock market wants to invest in. Until the GOP gets it's head out of it's posterior, I will continue to vote Democratic! When the GOP nominates a candidate that makes more sense than the Democratic candidate, I will happily vote for them. For starters, the GOP needs to get off of their Lamebaugh, Beck, Nugent, The Donald, Faux News fixation.

                                                                                            • 1 vote
                                                                                            Reply#644 - Fri Nov 9, 2012 10:46 AM EST

                                                                                            To the poor Romney supporters:

                                                                                            Did you know that crying actually makes you feel better? Your body releases chemicals to make you feel better, and this lets out your emotions to begin the healing process.

                                                                                            STEPS for successful crying:
                                                                                            1.) Find a quiet place to cry and release the pain you feel
                                                                                            2.) Release your emotions and allow the pain you feel to be released through your tears.
                                                                                            3.) Talk to your friend about what made you sad, angry, or overwhelmed
                                                                                            4.) Clean yourself up. Puffy eyes, red cheeks, and drippy eye-makeup are sure-fire signs of crying.
                                                                                            5.) Lose your awareness of those around you and simply focus on your emotions6.) Think think about what made you mad,sad,or cry and tell someone so they can help you.

                                                                                            TIPS:
                                                                                            Keep a few sad songs in your ipod or cell phone and play them while you are crying.
                                                                                            Take a bottle of water and plenty of tissues with you, as you probably will need both.
                                                                                            Put a refrigerated can of soda on your under-eyes if they are puffy.

                                                                                            WARNINGS:
                                                                                            Don't cry in front of the group of people with whom you are fighting; they might label you a drama queen or cry baby. Cry with someone you trust or when you're alone.

                                                                                            There is nothing patriotic about hating your country or pretending that you can love your country but despise your government.

                                                                                              Reply#645 - Sun Nov 11, 2012 2:47 PM EST

                                                                                              We own the house and have 45 senators in the senate. Takes 41 to block judges appointments and legislation. Block the whole Ostumbler agenda. No leftist judges. No card check. No cap and trade. No immigration reform we don't like. Want reform? How about draconian fines for employers who hire illegals and withholding federal funds from sanctuary cities? Fiscal cliff. Too bad. Defense cuts? Enough of Afghanistan. Higher taxes for everybody. Oops? Israel you're on your own. Europe and Japan ditto. Close the borders and raise tariffs. Eat @!$%#. Want anything done? Kiss our ass.

                                                                                                Reply#646 - Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:48 PM EST

                                                                                                The very definition of a bully, trying to get his/her way even if it hurts themselves, go ahead and play dick ball for 2 years, in 2012 when house elections come up the public will be sick of those who oppose the work needed to get things back on the right track and we will vote you back to the stone age, you cave men are a minority in this country now and no matter how much you kick/scream/cry we are still sending you back to your room until you grow up and face the facts young man.

                                                                                                On a side note:
                                                                                                Q. What is the only situation where Republicans support abortions?
                                                                                                A. If there is a chance the fetus might be gay.

                                                                                                • 1 vote
                                                                                                #646.1 - Mon Nov 12, 2012 11:00 AM EST
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                                                                                                Vote for me. I'll raise tariffs big time on imported Asian junk and bring back manufacturing. I'll fine employers that hire illegals and withhold funding from sanctuary cities opening up jobs for Americans. I'll pull our troops out of Japan, Afghanistan, the Middle East and Europe and close our borders. I'll reduce foreign aid to nil. I'll reduce the debt by requiring means testing for Medicare and Social Security. Barbara Streisand and Clint Eastwood need neither. I'll end corporate welfare and farm subsidies.

                                                                                                  Reply#647 - Sun Nov 11, 2012 8:56 PM EST
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