Obama powers to re-election despite weak economy
Election 2012
Click here for all of the election results with stories, galleries, podcasts and more.
CHICAGO — President Barack Obama rolled to re-election Tuesday night, vanquishing former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney despite a weak economy that plagued his first term and put a crimp in the middle class dreams of millions. In victory, he confidently promised better days ahead.
Obama spoke to thousands of cheering supporters in his hometown of Chicago, praising Romney and declaring his optimism for the next four years. “While our road has been hard, though our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come,” he said.
Click here to read the text of Barack Obama’s speech after re-election.
Romney made his own graceful concession speech before a disappointed crowd in Boston. He summoned all Americans to pray for Obama and urged the night’s political winners to put partisan bickering aside and “reach across the aisle” to tackle the nation’s problems.
Click here to read the text of Mitt Romney's concession speech.
Still, after the costliest — and one of the nastiest — campaigns in history, divided government was alive and well.
Democrats retained control of the Senate with surprising ease.
Republicans did the same in the House, ensuring that Speaker John Boehner of Ohio, Obama’s partner in unsuccessful deficit talks, would reclaim his seat at the bargaining table.
At Obama headquarters in Chicago, a huge crowd gathered waving small American flags and cheering. Supporters hugged each other, danced and pumped their fists in the air. Excited crowds also gathered in New York’s Times Square, at Faneuil Hall in Boston and near the White House in Washington, drivers joyfully honking as they passed by.
With returns from 84 percent of the nation’s precincts, Obama had 53.7 million, 49.6 percent of the popular vote. Romney had 53 million, or 48.9 percent.
The president’s laserlike focus on the battleground states allowed him to run up a 303-206 margin in the competition for the 270 electoral votes needed to win the White House, the count that mattered most. Remarkably, given the sour economy, he lost only two states that he captured in 2008, Indiana and North Carolina.
Florida, another Obama state four years ago, remained too close to call.
The election emerged as a choice between two very different visions of government — whether it occupies a major, front-row place in American lives or is in the background as a less-obtrusive facilitator for private enterprise and entrepreneurship.
The economy was rated the top issue by about 60 percent of voters surveyed as they left their polling places. But more said former President George W. Bush bore responsibility for current circumstances than Obama did after nearly four years in office.
That boded well for the president, who had worked to turn the election into a choice between his proposals and Romney’s, rather than a simple referendum on the economy during his time in the White House.
Unemployment stood at 7.9 percent on Election Day, higher than when he took office. And despite signs of progress, the economy is still struggling after the worst recession in history.
Obama captured Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa, Virginia, New Hampshire, Colorado and Nevada, seven of the nine states where the rivals and their allies poured nearly $1 billion into dueling television commercials.
Romney won North Carolina among the battleground states.
Florida was too close to call, Obama leading narrowly in a state where there were still long lines of voters at some polling places long after the appointed closing time.
Romney, who grew wealthy in business and ran the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City before entering politics, spoke only briefly to supporters, some of whom wept.
“I so wish that I had been able to fulfill your hopes to lead the country in a different direction,” he said. “But the nation chose another leader and so Ann and I join with you to earnestly pray for him and for this great nation.”
Moments later, Obama stepped before a far different crowd hundreds of miles away.
“Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual,” he said. He pledged to work with leaders of both parties to help the nation complete its recovery from the worst recession since the Great Depression.
By any description, the list of challenges is daunting - high unemployment, a slow-growth economy, soaring deficits, a national debt at unsustainable. To say nothing of the threat of a nuclear Iran and the menace of al-Qaida and other terrorist groups more than a decade after the attacks of Sept., 11, 2001.
There was no doubt about what drove voters to one candidate or the other.
About 4 in 10 said the economy is on the mend, but more than that said it was stagnant or getting worse more than four years after the near-collapse of 2008. The survey was conducted for The Associated Press and a group of television networks.
In the battle for the Senate, Elizabeth Warren turned Republican Scott Brown out of office in Massachusetts, and Rep. Joe Donnelly captured a seat from GOP hands in Indiana.
Deb Fischer picked up a seat for Republicans in Nebraska, defeating former Sen. Bob Kerrey.
In Maine, independent former Gov. Angus King was elected to succeed retiring GOP Sen. Olympia Snowe. He has not yet said which party he will side with, but Republicans attacked him in television advertising during the race, and Democrats rushed to his cause.
In the presidential race, Obama won in the reliably Democratic Northeast and West Coast. Pennsylvania was his, too, despite two late campaign stops by Romney.
Romney won most of the South as well as much of the Rocky Mountain West and Farm Belt.
The president was in Chicago as he awaited the voters’ verdict on his four years in office. He told reporters he had a concession speech as well as victory remarks prepared. He congratulated Romney on a spirited campaign. “I know his supporters are just as engaged, just as enthusiastic and working just as hard today” as Obama’s own, he added.
Romney reciprocated, congratulating the man who he had campaigned against for more than a year.
Earlier, he raced to Ohio and Pennsylvania for Election Day campaigning and projected confidence as he flew home to Massachusetts. “We fought to the very end, and I think that’s why we’ll be successful,” he said, adding that he had finished writing a speech anticipating victory but nothing if the election went to his rival.
But the mood soured among the Republican high command as the votes came in and Obama ground out a lead in critical states.
Like Obama, Vice President Joe Biden was in Chicago as he waited to find out if he was in line for a second term. Republican running mate Paul Ryan was with Romney in Boston, although he kept one eye on his re-election campaign for a House seat in Wisconsin, just in case. He won re-election to Congress.
The long campaign’s cost soared into the billions, much of it spent on negative ads, some harshly so.
In a months-long general election ad war that cost nearly $1 billion, Romney and Republican groups spent more than $550 million and Obama and his allies $381 million, according to organizations that track advertising.
According to the exit poll, 53 percent of voters said Obama was more in touch with people like them, compared to 43 percent for Romney.
About 60 percent said taxes should be increased, taking sides on an issue that divided the president and Romney. Obama wants to let taxes rise on upper incomes, while Romney does not.
Other than the battlegrounds, big states were virtually ignored in the final months of the campaign. Romney wrote off New York, Illinois and California, while Obama made no attempt to carry Texas, much of the South or the Rocky Mountain region other than Colorado.
There were 33 Senate seats on the ballot, 23 of them defended by Democrats and the rest by Republicans.
Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy, a Democrat, won a Connecticut seat long held by Sen. Joe Lieberman, retiring after a career that included a vice presidential spot on Al Gore’s ticket in 2000. It was Republican Linda McMahon’s second defeat in two tries, at a personal cost of $92 million.
The GOP needed a gain of three for a majority if Romney won, and four if Obama was re-elected. Neither Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada nor GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky was on the ballot, but each had high stakes in the outcome.
All 435 House seats were on the ballot, including five where one lawmaker ran against another as a result of once-a-decade redistricting to take population shifts into account. Democrats needed to pick up 25 seats to gain the majority they lost two years ago.
House Speaker Boehner, R-Ohio, raised millions to finance get-out-the-vote operations in states without a robust presidential campaign, New York, Illinois and California among them. His goal was to minimize any losses, or possibly even gain ground, no matter Romney’s fate. House Democratic leader Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California campaigned aggressively, as well, and faced an uncertain political future after her party failed to win control.
In gubernatorial races, Republicans picked up North Carolina, where Pat McCrory won easily. The incumbent, Democratic Gov. Bev Purdue, did not seek re-election.
In a campaign that traversed contested Republican primaries last winter and spring, a pair of political conventions this summer and three presidential debates, Obama, Romney, Biden and Ryan spoke at hundreds of rallies, were serenaded by Bruce Springstein and Meat Loaf and washed down hamburgers, pizza, barbecue and burrito bowls.
Obama was elected the first black president in 2008, and four years later, Romney became the first Mormon to appear on a general election ballot. Yet one man’s race and the other’s religion were never major factors in this year’s campaign for the White House, a race dominated from the outset by the economy.
Over and over, Obama said that during his term the nation had begun to recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression. While he conceded progress had been slow, he accused Romney of offering recycled Republican policies that have helped the wealthy and harmed the middle class in the past and would do so again.
Romney countered that a second Obama term could mean a repeat recession in a country where economic growth has been weak and unemployment is worse now than when the president was inaugurated. A wealthy former businessman, he claimed the knowledge and the skills to put in place policies that would make the economy healthy again.
In a race where the two men disagreed often, one of the principal fault lines was over taxes. Obama campaigned for the renewal of income tax cuts set to expire on Dec. 31 at all income levels except above $200,000 for individuals and $250,000 for couples.
Romney said no one’s taxes should go up in uncertain economic times. In addition, he proposed a 20 percent cut across the board in income tax rates but said he would end or curtail a variety of tax breaks to make sure federal deficits didn’t rise.
The differences over taxes, the economy, Medicare, abortion and more were expressed in intensely negative advertising.
Obama launched first, shortly after Romney dispatched his Republican foes in his quest for the party nomination.
One memorable commercial showed Romney singing an off-key rendition of “America The Beautiful.” Pictures and signs scrolled by saying that his companies had shipped jobs to Mexico and China, that Massachusetts state jobs had gone to India while he was governor and that he has personal investments in Switzerland, Bermuda and the Cayman Islands.
Romney spent less on advertising than Obama. A collection of outside groups made up the difference, some of them operating under rules that allowed donors to remain anonymous. Most of the ads were of the attack variety. But the Republican National Committee relied on one that had a far softer touch, and seemed aimed at voters who had been drawn to the excitement caused by Obama’s first campaign. It referred to a growing national debt and unemployment, then said, “He tried. You tried. It’s OK to make a change.”
More than 30 million voters cast early ballots in nearly three dozen states, a reflection of the growing appeal of getting a jump on the traditional Election Day.
Nov 14, 2012 at 11:06 a.m.
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Businesses will NOT grow or be able to rise above the threshold of the 30 hours per week and or 50 employee rule under Obamacare, news is already emerging about the dilemma. I will be able to sit back and enjoy the reality stories as they come out. By the way did any of you see the long list of companies announcing layoffs two days after the election? I call it truth.
Nov 14, 2012 at 9:34 a.m.
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All of the back and forth nonsense on here by people who will never see eye to eye is why I rarely respond to my posts.
Here's your $6 trillion dollars of debt:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=pla...
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The projected $6 trillion is surplus by the CBO circa 2001 never happened:
1. 26% economy
2. 20% Bush tax cuts
3. 40% Bush spending
4. 6% Stimulus spending
5. 8% Obama Policies.
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We should be swimming in jobs due to the Bush Tax Cuts and deregulation passed under both Clinton and Bush, if in fact low taxes and less regulation create jobs. Obviously they don't. So why, pray tell, do the rightwing continually harp on these issues?
Protip: It has nothing to do with money, it has nothing to do with the economy. It is 100% due to their belief in the culture war, and their attempt to turn America into a theocratic state.
Nov 13, 2012 at midnight
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Ill help you out Moo-""fas·cism/ˈfaSHizəm/
Noun:
1.An authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.
2.(in general use) Extreme right-wing, authoritarian, or intolerant views or practice
"
Far left Socialism? Far right Fascism!! Got it Cheif? Man you really are 2 short of a 12 pack!!
Nov 12, 2012 at 11:36 p.m.
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Someone disagreed with me when I said that America is dumbed down; they think Americans are just "misguided." Well, someone sent this to and I have to say it supports my original opinion. This quote came from the Czech Republic.
"The danger to America is not Barack Obama but a citizenry capable of entrusting a man like him with the Presidency. It will be far easier to limit and undo the follies of an Obama presidency than to restore the necessary common sense and good judgment to a depraved electorate willing to have such a man for their president. The problem is much deeper and far more serious than Mr. Obama, who is a mere symptom of what ails America . Blaming the prince of the fools should not blind anyone to the vast confederacy of fools that made him their prince. The Republic can survive a Barack Obama, who is, after all, merely a fool. It is less likely to survive a multitude of fools such as those who made him their president."
This quote was translated into English from an article appearing in the Czech Republic as published in the Prager Zeitung of 28 April 2010.
Nov 10, 2012 at 9:15 p.m.
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"Romney is also turning blue states into toss-ups
MN, PA, MI, NV, VA..
It's over."
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Nov 10, 2012 at 5:44 p.m.
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"The gender gap in the 2012 presidential election was the largest since Gallup began tracking the metric in 1952, according to data released by the polling firm on Friday.
President Obama won women by 12 percentage points, while Mitt Romney won men by 8. That’s a 20-point gender gap, edging out the 1984 election when Ronald Reagan defeated Democrat Walter Mondale in a landslide." [ http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-r... ]
Nov 10, 2012 at 5 p.m.
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Anyone else happen to notice that with Florida going to Obama and the electoral college at 332 to 206 that Nate Silver [ http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com... ] and Drew Linzer [ http://votamatic.org/ ] picked every single state and the District of Columbia correctly?
That's quite an accomplishment considering the constant haranguing the most accurate pollsters took from the conservative polling "experts" during the entire election cycle for using polls weighted for a Democrat-leaning turnout. Don't you just love "Nate Silverman's [sic] faux math?"
To give a perspective on the scope of the President's victory, he could have lost Florida, Ohio and Virgina and still won the electoral college.
Nov 10, 2012 at 12:06 p.m.
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MooShoo once again you are taking the lefty line of jumping in without having all the information. I suggest you s-l-o-w down, get a clue, and read before making yourself look foolish yet again.
Nov 10, 2012 at 11:42 a.m.
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"The reality is if they make it a class war, make it a gender war, make it an ethnic war, make it an educational war, or make it an economic war the republicans will lose every time"
Huh? Last time I checked, according to the liberals, they did make it many of the things you suggested. Regardless, the Republicans won control of our state executive, legislative and judicial branches.......That seems to conflict with your silly little rant....no?
Nov 10, 2012 at 11:34 a.m.
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Hope & Real change is now been postponed until 2016.
Nov 10, 2012 at 8:01 a.m.
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http://gazettextra.com/photos/2012/nov/1...
http://gazettextra.com/photos/2012/nov/0...
Nov 10, 2012 at 6 a.m.
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" Let me repeat, they will lose every time. "
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Step away from msnbiasc and try thinking for yourself.
Nov 9, 2012 at 5 p.m.
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Poo...nice move...the sauce is hitting your brain. If you haven't heard about Chris Matthews statement you need to read something other than the liberal media.
Nov 9, 2012 at 4:44 p.m.
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Oh, thanks for prompting me to review that exchange, donnaw. My apologies for attributing the "warm" comment to 916WI when it was donnaw that made the statement. I should have known better.
I didn't hear or see Matthews comment about Hurricane Sandy, donnaw. But it seems that you're the one who is quite focused on Chris Matthews' leg...for some reason. Why did you bring that up?
Nov 9, 2012 at 4:43 p.m.
Nov 9, 2012 at 4:24 p.m.
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Poo...yah, just ignore Matthews comment about Sandy being a good thing! Focus on how his leg felt four years ago.
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:44 p.m.
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At some point in the near future, the GOP will realize that the extremist Patriots (like the many here) damage GOP efforts more than help. Oh yeah, they will use your hatreds and stupidity for votes. However, you will be in the back fo the tent.
No more free tri-cornered hats and crisp little made-in-China American Flags for you.
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:40 p.m.
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916WI, why do you describe the feeling as warm? Hmmmm...
What Matthews said was, "My, I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often."
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:29 p.m.
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You folks just keep on keeping on. If the repubs keep doing what their doing, they will be like the whigs. So just believe what you want. Doesn't really matter to me they don't reflect many of my values anymore.
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:06 p.m.
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poo...(and your user name does fit you). Bet you liked dear liberal media genius Chris Matthews who said he thought Sandy was a great thing! Tell that to those who are still suffering from the devasting effects. Nice guy. But then he is the same liberal who said when Obama won the first time, he felt something warm......
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:54 p.m.
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NotadruggiePOS said, "Romney lost because of a handful of over the top republicans opening their mouth with an extreme view on abortion and a perfectly timed national disaster."
You shouldn't make statements that give others cause to doubt your nickname. Models such as Nate Silver's and Drew Linzer's that nailed the electoral college projection were showing those results well before Hurricane Sandy and the Akin/Mourdock statements that were substantially aligned with the Neanderthal views on women's reproductive health issues prevalent throughout the Republican party.
Romney made only the least possible denouncement of the Akin/Mourdock statements, for fear of alienating the pseudo-Christian base of the Republican party.
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:39 p.m.
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Governor praises pension reform bill by T. Herdt, Aug. 31, 2012
Sacramento - On overwhelming bipartisan votes, lawmakers on Friday sent to Gov. Jerry Brown a comprehensive reform of public pensions in California that is designed to end abuses such as spiking, prevent high-wage earners from accumulating $100,000 pensions and save state and local governments about $50 billion over the next 30 years. "Pensions were not made to be a way to make people wealthy, but to ensure security at retirement age," said Sen. Gloria Negrette McLeod, D-Chino. The bill, AB 340, caps the amount of compensation subject to pension calculations at $110,000, increases retirement ages, and lowers pension formulas for state and local government workers hired after Jan. 1. It also requires all public workers, new and current, to pay at least half the annual contributions that are made into their pension funds. It also seeks to end so-called pension "spiking" by requiring that pensions be calculated on the average compensation earned during an employee's final three years and prohibiting the use of cashed-in vacation time, bonuses and other non-recurring pay in calculating pension benefits.
The bill, which Gov. Jerry Brown is expected to sign, also bars the practice known as "double-dipping," by requiring that retired government employees stay off the payroll for at least six months before being allowed to come back as part-time workers. Brown praised the Legislature's action, calling the bill "the biggest rollback of public pensions in California history. This sweeping pension reform package will save tens of billions of taxpayer dollars and make the system more sustainable for the long term." An analysis by the California Public Employees Retirement System estimates the changes will save state and local governments from $42 billion to $55 billion over the next three decades. Most of the savings would come when those hired beginning next year start to retire, but more immediate savings will be realized as local governments negotiate higher employee contributions to their pensions. The bill says the contributions must be split 50-50 between employers and employees by 2015. If that level isn't reached through collective bargaining by then, the bill would give local governments the ability to achieve that level by declaring a bargaining impasse. Nearly all state government workers already pay half.
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:28 p.m.
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"You should have gone for maximum shock value and said, "I have friends!"
--classic quote from the angry, old white man(who just happens to be a liberal--imagine that!) posting from his basement:)
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:18 p.m.
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Over 58 million people voted for Romney. 58 million old, white men? I doubt it. Romney lost because of a handful of over the top republicans opening their mouth with an extreme view on abortion and a perfectly timed national disaster. I'm not saying Obama took advantage of Sandy at all, but it certainly did help him. It would have helped whomever was the incumbent.
I think those that discount the "not conservative enough" theory should pay attention. It's not the policies that are the problem - it's the message. I assure you that the message will be refined and will be more clearly made prior to 2016. With that and getting a few extremists to shut up about abortion, the republican vote will certainly increase.
Nov 9, 2012 at 12:12 p.m.
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Dusty -- I would agree with all but the Christy and Romney comments. But then anyone with a brain would as well.
Nov 9, 2012 at 11:19 a.m.
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Based on more recent comments by Republicans intent on avoiding reality, I've added to the list of excuses why Romney lost the election:
"Obama suppressed the vote"
"Americans are ignorant"
"it's media bias"
"it's hurricane Sandy"
"it's Chris Christy"
"it's lazy minorities wanting handouts"
"Romney was too nice"
"Romney wasn't conservative enough"
Nov 9, 2012 at 10:49 a.m.
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It just amazes me that you folks will argue against all evidence. I have seen this trend coming for years. I just couldn't believe the republican strategists couldn't see it coming. Oh they will still win some national elections, but it will get more difficult. By the way I am an old white man, just not afraid of change.
Nov 9, 2012 at 10:28 a.m.
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916WI, if you are 30 something and Republican, you are in the minority. Statistically the 35 and under US population is the most liberal socialist in US history.
Nov 9, 2012 at 10:26 a.m.
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916WI said, "I know it might blow your mind but I have black AND hispanic friends who are also Republicans!"
You should have gone for maximum shock value and said, "I have friends!"
Nov 9, 2012 at 10:15 a.m.
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RetiredAirForce just said, "free thinking."
And with that phrase in mind, you've proven the old maxim time and time again, RAF, "You get what you pay for."
Nov 9, 2012 at 9:01 a.m.
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Motor your alinsky rules don't work against free thinking people.
Nov 9, 2012 at 8:22 a.m.
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"Fewer & fewer angry frightened old white men to vote. They will soon be the minority & that's who the repubs have courted for years. Just A fact."
Huh? The vast majority of my friends are Republicans. Contrary to your ignorant stereotype, we're not angry, certainly not frightened and unless you consider "thirty somethings" old, that claim is disputed as well. I know it might blow your mind but I have black AND hispanic friends who are also Republicans! Lift your head out of the sand and please don't try to be so close minded in the future.
Nov 9, 2012 at 7:36 a.m.
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donnow - I think that's pretty short term also. If you don't see the hand writing on the wall you have your eyes closed. Fewer & fewer angry frightened old white men to vote. They will soon be the minority & that's who the repubs have courted for years. Just A fact.
Nov 9, 2012 at 7:33 a.m.
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I'm shocked that 60% of voters want taxes raised when Washington D.C. spends $11 out of every $7 dollars it collects.
This is the will of the people.
The dollar is becoming so worthless, the good news is, it's only paper.
Nov 9, 2012 at 6:42 a.m.
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waspie...you are so wrong it's funny! I guess having the whole state of Wisconsin be governed by repubs really bothers you.
Nov 9, 2012 at 6:28 a.m.
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Funny watching raf & donnaw grasping at straws as they slowly sink along with their ever more marginalized party of frightened, angry old white men.
Nov 9, 2012 at 6:11 a.m.
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poo..give me a break! When did you become so naive!
Nov 9, 2012 at 5:27 a.m.
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Can you possibly be any more insensitive to a person seeking healthcare, donnaw?
Nov 9, 2012 at 4:51 a.m.
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dtb...did you bother to read my whole post? Probably not. If you had you would have seen my point...despite Jackson's federal investigation and being in the hospital for mental problems for an extended period of time, he was re elected. Go figure!
Nov 9, 2012 at 4:36 a.m.
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As I said earlier, "well if that is the best you can do, that is the best you can do."
Nov 9, 2012 at 4:07 a.m.
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Indeed, all of those definitions certainly fit your comments.
Nov 9, 2012 at 3:45 a.m.
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Definition of DOUBTFUL
1: giving rise to doubt : open to question <it is doubtful that they ever knew what happened>
2a : lacking a definite opinion, conviction, or determination <they were doubtful about the advantages of the new system> b : uncertain in outcome : undecided <the outcome of the election remains doubtful>
3: marked by qualities that raise doubts about worth, honesty, or validity <of doubtful repute>
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionar...
Nov 9, 2012 at 3:08 a.m.
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And you know, RAF, if you're going to be critical of someone for making correct observations about an election, like the ones I made about Romney's lack of a viable electoral college strategy, you may want to not make observations like this one that you made:
On November 2, 2012 at 11:57 p.m., RetiredAirForce said: "With a closing unemployment rate higher than when he took office, Obama has a big hill to climb; doubtful he keeps his seat."
Nov 9, 2012 at 3:04 a.m.
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"I did not declare a winner. I made remarks to the effect that Romney had no viable path to an electoral college victory but I challenge you to cite where I declared a winner prior to the election being called."
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LOL, oh okay. Spin spin, twist, twist.
What was it again that started this little game of yours? Oh yes, this false comment..."So many people commenting on this site over the last several months were critical of polls that oversampled Democrats. Their unfounded reasons for not skewing samples reached the point of comic relief. Well, let's hope they have learned a lesson and that we can avoid the discussion during future presidential election cycles". When corrected by the fact most of the polls critiqued were indeed wrong and had over sampled your game of twist and shake began.
Some things never change.
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:53 a.m.
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RetiredAirForce incorrectly said, "Yet many times over this election cycle you declared a winner even pointing to polls to back your claims."
You have two problems with that statement. One is, you created a false equivalence between a person making a statement about who they think will win an election and a person not discussing the accuracy of a prediction. Let's not get off-track here, RAF. You were talking about me not discussing the accuracy of an election prediction PRIOR to the election. As I said, I'm not psychic.
Your second problem is that I did not declare a winner. I made remarks to the effect that Romney had no viable path to an electoral college victory but I challenge you to cite where I declared a winner prior to the election being called.
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:36 a.m.
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Really poo? You just uttered this tidbit, "How could anyone, including myself, legitimately comment on the accuracy of an election prediction prior to the election?" Yet many times over this election cycle you declared a winner even pointing to polls to back your claims. So which is it?
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:13 a.m.
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janesvillian stated, "I love it. Ignorance is indeed bliss until your karma runs over your dogma." these gems as well:
-"This is pathetic, but it's typical that it's cheered like the second coming of our Lord by the acolytes of Saint Walker. I'm sure you'll be cheering him all the way to prison."---What? Has thata happened yet? What was that about dogma? Fits the pattern perfect of libs, do as I say not as I do.
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:09 a.m.
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RetiredAirForce said, "you never mentioned how accurate he was before the election."
How could anyone, including myself, legitimately comment on the accuracy of an election prediction prior to the election? Come on, RAF, I understand that you hold me in very high regard but I'm not psychic.
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:07 a.m.
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fear uttered this rhetoric "Hilarious that you are still whining about over sampling though. I guess the ballot box was oversampling too? Talk about twisting?"
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Correcting posters is now considered whining by lefty wing nuts.
So much for the earliers claims ehh? I knew you couldn't live by what you wanted others to do, patterns never end with dems.
Nov 9, 2012 at 2:04 a.m.
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janesvillian it is OBVIOUS you have no idea what oversampling is or what I know it to be based on your comments. But typical of your contentious comments I doubt polling information is what you really wanted to talk about with the wingnut claim of repairing aircraft, but more typical is you mentioning things you obviously know nothing about.
As is the case with accurate polls, they are always better closer to the election because pollsters SPEND the money to do them right. They don't just call 1000 and then do the math, they actually contact a formula based on their own modeling, then weight them accordingly. These internal numbers are then posted for evaluation purposes. All the polls that were 8-9-10-11-and more weighted to the dems were wrong based on real election numbers. Then again, being factual was not your intention anyway, was it?
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:56 a.m.
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"And the reason I never mentioned the accuracy of his polls is because he didn't do his own polls. He analyzes the polling data of others. Understand?"
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Back to the same twists and turns poo? I never said his polls, but then you already know that. What I did say was, "Funny thing, for as much as you want to ring the bell for silverman...you never mentioned how accurate he was before the election. The only polls you did mention were the very ones that were over weighted."
As far as the spelling error, well if that is the best you can do, that is the best you can do.
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:49 a.m.
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RetiredAirForce, it's Nate Silver, not Nate Silverman. And the reason I never mentioned the accuracy of his polls is because he didn't do his own polls. He analyzes the polling data of others. Understand?
I seldom mentioned any specific polls unless in response to someone's comment. In fact, I almost always referred to electoral college projections done by PollTracker and not to the popular vote polling data.
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:42 a.m.
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Oversampling does not mean what you think it does, RetiredAirForce. I shudder to imagine that you once maintained planes, or whatever it was you did. When you do a poll you DO NOT know who is going to answer the phone. When you end up with a sample that is "oversampled" or different from the electorate (which in this case is actually a model you have constructed), you then weight the results to match the model. If (for example) the 2012 electorate is 13% black (as it turned out per exit polls), then you need to have a sample that is weighted to tell you what that 13% will do REGARDLESS of whether the black people who answered the phone were more than 13% or less than 13% of your sample. That is what the word "oversampling" means. It is IRRELEVANT that the sample does not match the electorate/model, because you as a pollster do not control who answers the phone, or what they tell you. Statistics fixes the sample/model mismatch. The real question is whether a pollster's MODEL matched the electorate as measured in exit polls, which NOT ONE PERSON on the planet knows until the election happens.
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But of course nobody on the right understands statistics, because the right rejects all that stuff involving "facts" and "arithmetic" and "science". It really seems like there wasn't one person outside the back room numbers guys at FOX who understood this, which is why they were all utterly shocked at the outcome. I love it. Ignorance is indeed bliss until your karma runs over your dogma.
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:34 a.m.
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The whole election thing was very interesting. The perceived threat of Citizens United, didn't pan out, Rove, and all the conservative spenders, over played their ($) hand, creating a backlash of common sense folks, against their nonsense and fabrications. Leading one to remember old Ben Franklin, who said "everything in moderation" over do it and you lose and they did :)
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:31 a.m.
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Over sampling dems? Maybe theres just more of them? ever think of that? Aparantly Mr Silver and his twisted polls/numbers were quite accurate, as were most of the polls.
Hilarious that you are still whining about over sampling though. I guess the ballot box was oversampling too? Talk about twisting?
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:07 a.m.
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Funny thing, for as much as you want to ring the bell for silverman...you never mentioned how accurate he was before the election. The only polls you did mention were the very ones that were over weighted.
Nov 9, 2012 at 1:05 a.m.
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The fact remains many of the polls that were crtiqued over sampled dems, some over 6 points above what real election numbers were. Keep twisting in the wind...
Nov 9, 2012 at 12:27 a.m.
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RetiredAirForce said, "I get a good laugh every time I see another lefty link to Nate Silverman's faux math at 538. After all being promoted from daily kos to the NY times, big surprise that mice would follow the piper." [ http://www.gazettextra.com/news/2012/nov... ] November 5, 2012 at 8:22 a.m.
The piper, Nate Silver (not Silverman) [ http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com... ] nailed it with his "faux math." I hope you're still laughing, RetiredAirForce, because I sure am.
Nov 8, 2012 at 11:35 p.m.
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Zerban spent over a Million Dollars not to be a congressman, I spent $0 not to be congressman. Who's the better business man?
Nov 8, 2012 at 11:32 p.m.
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And the comedy continues..."So many people commenting on this site over the last several months were critical of polls that oversampled Democrats. Their unfounded reasons for not skewing samples reached the point of comic relief. Well, let's hope they have learned a lesson and that we can avoid the discussion during future presidential election cycles."
The fact is there were many polls taken with dem plus ratings of 10 and over during the past 3-4 months. The election showed the real numbers were much closer to dem plus 5-6. Discounting seriously delusion polls based on over sampled numbers PROVED to be correct, they were wrong. The RCP averaging has shown again to be one of the best sources to show how bad some of these polls were. The defenders of flawed polls are nothing more than spin merchants.
Nov 8, 2012 at 10:13 p.m.
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West, bravo! Easily the comment of the board
Nov 8, 2012 at 9:17 p.m.
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Romney spent $800 million not to be president, I spent $0 not to be president. Who's the better business man?
Nov 8, 2012 at 7:13 p.m.
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@Donnaw: And Tom "The Hammer" DeLay was convicted of money laundering and sentenced to 3 years. We can cherry pick individual corrupt politicians all day long; if you have a constructive point to make, then make it.
Nov 8, 2012 at 7:07 p.m.
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I guess the magic silent majority never came out of thin air to save the repubs.
We can now expect the unemployment rate to skyrocket as all those CEOs fire their employees for not voting for Romney.
Nov 8, 2012 at 5:21 p.m.
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"Dean Chambers, the man behind “unskewed polls,” a site that attempted to re-weight polls that Chambers thought oversampled Democrats, admitted to his model’s shortcomings on Wednesday.
“Most of the polls I ‘unskewed’ were based on samples that generally included about five or six or seven percent more Democrats than Republicans, and I doubted and questioned the results of those polls, and then ‘unskewed’ them based on my belief that a nearly equal percentage of Democrats and Republicans would turn out in the actual election this year,” Chambers wrote on The Examiner website. “I was wrong on that assumption and those who predicted a turnout model of five or six percent in favor of Democrats were right. Likewise, the polling numbers they produced going on that assumption turned out to be right and my ‘unskewed’ numbers were off the mark.”" [ http://2012.talkingpointsmemo.com/2012/1... ]
There's a very sound reason why Chambers was wrong and Nate Silver [ http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com... ] and Drew Linzer [ http://votamatic.org/ ] were right. Nate Silver and Drew Linzer used statistical analysis as opposed to Chambers who based his numbers on his hope and desire.
So many people commenting on this site over the last several months were critical of polls that oversampled Democrats. Their unfounded reasons for not skewing samples reached the point of comic relief. Well, let's hope they have learned a lesson and that we can avoid the discussion during future presidential election cycles.
Nov 8, 2012 at 4:35 p.m.
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"Elections have consequences. The will of the people as expressed at the ballot box." We should all bow down to the Walker agenda when he wins with a narrow majority, but when Obama does the same everyone thinks the end is near. Sad, really.
Nov 8, 2012 at 1:09 p.m.
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Another typical crooked Chicago Democratic politician gets re elected. Jesse Jackson jr, is reportedly making a deal with the Feds because of misuse of campaign funds, redecorating his Washington home and buying a $60,000 Rolex for a lady friend. What's really interesting is that he was just re elected by 60% of the vote and he is still in the Mayo clinic hiding, excuse me, being treated for a mental problem. That's how they grow 'em in Chicago!
Nov 8, 2012 at 11:54 a.m.
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Congratulations, Mr. President! It's nice to see this city support the superior candidate.
Nov 8, 2012 at 11:48 a.m.
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An 8-time felon was just elected in Michigan too.....downhill downhill downhill.....
Nov 8, 2012 at 8:59 a.m.
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Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.
Albert Einstein
Nov 8, 2012 at 8:39 a.m.
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ifiruledtheworld " The dumbing down of America appears to be complete. A certain Einstein quote comes to mind but would apparently fall on deaf ears".
I don't think your statement is fair. The people that voted for romney & ryan are predominantly old white men & grew up in a different era. They are not "dumbed down" just misguided.
Nov 8, 2012 at 6:24 a.m.
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Maybe the potus can get a budget together now, and get more than 0 votes. That should be a first priority (considering it is a law).
Nov 7, 2012 at 9:51 p.m.
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Bro....you do realize that Janesville is considered a city with a heavy union influence and strong democratic connections, don't you?? Typically cities with those attributes don't vote for republican candidates.......extremely shocking right??:)
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:47 p.m.
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$2 billion spent on the election and the campaigns, nothing changes. What a waste.
Nov 7, 2012 at 2:57 p.m.
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916WI, I'll let you have last word and call names if it averts your counseling sessions over the election.
By the way, check out Rock County votes. A flat out rejection of Paul Ryan in his hometown. Twice.
http://199.233.45.158/results11062012
And yes, for the vast amounts of money that outstate interests have poured into buying Wisconsin, you can fully expect them to seek return on this investment. Rake while you can billionaires. It won't last long. And the feds and courts will be watching.
Nov 7, 2012 at 2:45 p.m.
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The dumbing down of America appears to be complete. A certain Einstein quote comes to mind but would apparently fall on deaf ears.
Nov 7, 2012 at 2:45 p.m.
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The dumbing down of America appears to be complete. A certain Einstein quote comes to mind but would apparently fall on deaf ears.
Nov 7, 2012 at 1:54 p.m.
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GoodAmerican - This compromise you are saying completly lies in the Right Wings hand is a little innacurrate if I do say so myself. That shoe can be worn on both parties feet if we are truely honest and not blind party followers! Don't get me wrong, both parties suck equally but I remember the first two years of his term he really didn't need any cooperation from Republican's, because the Democrat's had control of everything! He wasn't even able to get his own party to vote for his budget 4 years straight! So to make a long story short, if he's not able to get both parties to the table and are both willing to give a little then they are both at fault.
Nov 7, 2012 at 1:11 p.m.
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Although, with Obama still in the White House we all lose.
What will he change in the next four years to save the Democrat party of Economic collapse?
What will he change to redirect the looming crisis?
Nov 7, 2012 at 1:08 p.m.
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dustyd, The Presidency wasn't mine to lose. It was ours to gain. You would have lost it.
We gained back the Senate in Wisconsin.
We didn't lose Paul Ryan.
Nov 7, 2012 at 12:16 p.m.
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bro.....Yes, because state right to work legislation and state funded/managed entitlement programs have never stood the test of the US Supreme Court and the US Constitution.......Oh wait!!! As I said, there was no need for you to answer the question about you being completely clueless....:)
Nov 7, 2012 at 11:30 a.m.
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midnight: you lost the presidential election and 3 seats in the US Senate.
Nov 7, 2012 at 11:25 a.m.
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Boohoo Good American. What did I lose?
We have the same Washington as yesterday and Wisconsin is controlled by Republicans again.
Nov 7, 2012 at 10:49 a.m.
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Oh I don't know, states can still op out. Such as an all Republican Wisconsin.
Hey, this opens the door for Scott Walker to run for Pres. in 2016!!
Yea
Nov 7, 2012 at 10:42 a.m.
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One-Party autocratic control of a state does not trump the Constitution of the United States, and hasn't since 1865. Patriots such as Gov Rick Perry and 916WI have a tough time with this concept.
Obamacare is here to stay. People with pre-existing conditions will be covered. Deal with it sister.
Nov 7, 2012 at 10:35 a.m.
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I was hoping the left realized that over 100 million people voted yesterday and Obama only got 2% more. Think about how thin that is. I hope he is smart enough to see that 1/2 the population rejected him and the six year inch is just two years away for the voter already uneasy about the economy.
Nov 7, 2012 at 10:30 a.m.
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bro.......Huh? Are you actually stating that every state that has passed and is considering passing legislation that affect the workplace within the state and legislation dealing with state entitlements that the state's taxpayers are asked to fund, should be considered as a move to secede from the nation? Are you seriously that clueless? Don't answer that, we already know the answer.....:)
Nov 7, 2012 at 10:29 a.m.
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More excuses and conspiracy theories from right-wing idealogues that can't accept reality.
Nov 7, 2012 at 10:21 a.m.
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dustyd, no, if it were just policy Romney would have won.
The water cooler talk today is Obama himself. Blacks didn't want to lose their first black president. Young single women want others to pay for them.
Obama's voting block shrunk from '08 but managed to get out the black and youth vote.
Before election and Exit polls both agreed: Romney best to fix economy, best to bring down debt, best to bring back jobs, best to lower gas prices.
Those are all policy issues, yet Obama wins.
This seems to have been nothing more then a popularity contest with our future as it's prize.
Nov 7, 2012 at 10:14 a.m.
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Sounds like the Patriots want WI to secede from the nation.
Nov 7, 2012 at 9:53 a.m.
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+1 Dusty........."The list of excuses goes on, while Republican refuse to recognize that Romney lost because a majority of Americans DON'T AGREE WITH THEIR POLICIES. Stop the excuses and do the people's work for goodness sake!"
While the country as a whole seems to have shied away from Republican policy, here in Wisconsin the Democrats refuse to recognize that they lost because a majority of Wisconsinites DON'T AGREE WITH THEIR POLICY. Let's get the "Right to Work" legislation rolling and then get going on entitlement reform right after that!!!!
Nov 7, 2012 at 9:47 a.m.
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This is why the Republicans LOST the presidential election. Until the party has the courage to DISTANCE itself from hate-filled nuts they will struggle.
.
http://mediamatters.org/research/2012/11...
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I know, left-wing media matters. Read the QUOTES, it is all QUOTES, hate-filled QUOTES from right-wing heroes.
Nov 7, 2012 at 9:40 a.m.
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"it's media bias"
"it's hurricane Sandy"
"it's Chris Christy"
"it's lazy minorities wanting handouts"
The list of excuses goes on, while Republican refuse to recognize that Romney lost because a majority of Americans DON'T AGREE WITH THEIR POLICIES. Stop the excuses and do the people's work for goodness sake!
Nov 7, 2012 at 9:29 a.m.
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There are so many sour grapes on this blog, you could make a barrel of whine.
Nov 7, 2012 at 9:29 a.m.
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You blame Obama for everything,
but that does not make it so.
Nov 7, 2012 at 9:27 a.m.
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This just means we continue to blame Obama for high gas, high unemployment, high poverty, falling home prices, and healthcare rationing.
What do you think will change in the next four years?
Obama talks about Clinton tax rates but Clinton worked across the aisle with Newt.
Okay, Clinton tax rates in exchange for Clinton era spending levels.
Did you liberals even know that Obama and Boehner had a deal to cut spending and raise taxes about a year ago and Reid and Pelosi killed it?
Reid won't submit a budget and won't even look at the 40 job bills the House has passed.
Leadership in Obama would have told Reid to give and take.
This is what our fore fathers intended. Divided legislature for the good of everyone.
Nov 7, 2012 at 9:26 a.m.
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Good Lord, get a hold of yourselves.
Your hubris is embarrassing.
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:54 a.m.
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“I’m so glad we had that storm last week. ‘Cause I think the storm was one of those things. No. Politically, I should say. Not in terms of hurting people. The storm brought in possibilities for good politics.”
Chris Matthews
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:54 a.m.
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OK, my worst case scenario that terrified and depressed me all year did not unfold. I, a veteran who served my country well, was indeed painfully preparing myself to refuse to honor the colors and traditions of a nation which no longer exists. The USA is alive for now. Nothing has changed....yet. Things cannot get better. Things can stay the same or get worse. The Republicans maintaining the majority in The House is what keeps our nation from going Communist. Sure, I hope the The House can openly deal with the Senate and the White House, but only if it serves to protect the only way of life we have ever known. On the other hand, if the Republicans capitulate, we are doomed.
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:50 a.m.
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I was channel surfing last night between the 3 major networks, Fox, and CNN so I do not remember who/where I heard it. Regardless, one commentator said that if Obama continues the path of the last 4 years, he will go down in history as a footnote. However, if he wants to "figuratively" end up on Mt. Rushmore, he can work across the aisle and make compromises to save this country. That he needs to take lessons from what Bill Clinton did after mid-term elections in his first term. I believe in divided government so one group does not ram all of their beliefs down our throat. So we still have that. However I believe in divided government that works together to reach middle ground. I hope for the country we will now have that but sadly do not think so. Hopefully, President Obama will now spend his time in Washington trying to make that happen.
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:40 a.m.
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If memory serves me right ... Obama and Boehner were close to a budget deal ... Obama had put program reductions on the table and Boehner had put tax increases on the table. The Democratic Party in Congress pressured Obama to back off for going too far. The Republican Party in Congress pressured Boehner to back off for going too far. Hopefully they can come back to the table soon now that Obama is not running for re-election
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:39 a.m.
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Interesting...we know what the focus of Obama's second term will be as he said last night....more industrial regulation, climate change, giving illegal aliens legal status, and raising the homosexual status to that of heterosexuals. Wow! What about improving the economic climate so people can get jobs? Just like the beginning of his first term, he bulldozed Obamacare thru instead of focusing on the economy. Talk about a far left agenda.
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:35 a.m.
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I'm w 916 on this one. The people of Wisconsin told Walker what to do an now the people of America have told Obama what to do.
Also, well played Colorado and Washington, well played. Your move Mr. President...
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:32 a.m.
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"extremism, racism, voter suppression, anonymous money, hatred of minorities"
That is what the Obama campaign was all about. 49% of America did not vote for those ideas.
DOW....down
S&P....down
NAS FUT..down
S&P FUT...down
NAS FUT...down
Positive note..........Wisconsin wins...now bring on 2013 Legislative session!
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.
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Wisconsin spoke as did the majority of Americans-the middle class is the majority!!!!THANK GOD!!!!!OBAMA ROCKS AND WE DID IT!!!!!!
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:24 a.m.
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That is painting with a very broad brush.
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:20 a.m.
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What is funny is people treat this like a football game - Your side, my side... in reality we are all on the same side and all pay the same price....well if you work for a living. China will own the US before long. Its sad that most the sheeple that voted for Oblabla did so for no ethical reason.
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:13 a.m.
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Very well said dg468! My sentiments exactly. Bowlgal, you're the one who needs to start acting like an adult. It's because of narrow-minded attitudes like yours that our country is in the mess it is. Everyone needs to be civil, compromise and work across party lines for the good of ALL citizens. If the folks in Washington are able to do that I think great things can happen over the next four years!
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:10 a.m.
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"Our top political priority over the next two years
should be to deny President Obama
a third term." - Mitch the Turtle.
Nov 7, 2012 at 8:04 a.m.
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Congrats to all of the millions of smart people who voted for
Obama-Biden!!!! We did it!!!!!
We crushed extremism, racism, voter suppression, anonymous money, hatred of minorities -- with sound ideas, moderation and truth!
wlslady and donnaw- Take a valium and stop your constant scare tactics, please. It didn't work for Karl Rove, the radical Koch Brothers and Mr. Adelson, and won't work for you, either.
Paul Ryan and Mitt Romney can now go shopping for new shirts at COSTCO, and Mitt can work on his car elevator in La Jolla. LMAO. Yippee!
Hopefully the country can now coalesce around OBAMA-BIDEN, and not work (like Sen. McConnell had done) mostly for the benefit of one party or another!!! Hoorah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hoorah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
We WON BIG-TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
U - S - A!! U-S-A!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:57 a.m.
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So we decided good no more political ads on TV.
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:54 a.m.
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BTW Weak economy??? What the hell did we have when BUSH LEFT OFFICE???? WE HAD no economy. Please gazette Show some respect and do not be as the GOP and not look at the truth and do not down play the positive he has done for this Country, as he had a hell of a mess to dig through in 2008 and did quite well considering the obstructions he had to deal with and he got through a few of them. Now let him do his JOB and The GOP need to WORK WITH HIM THIS TIME!!!!!
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:48 a.m.
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But The economy is much better then WHEN BUSH LEFT . Leave it to the gazette to GIVE A POSITIVE THING A NEGATIVE HEADLINE,, Sounds like the Gazette is a little upset, Let me remind you of a few things, when Obama came into office four years ago we were in a deep HOLE, then the GOP blocked everything Obama tried to do for this Country as their own words were going to try and make him *A one term President* Yet Obama rose above it and did a fair JOB of moving this Country in the right direction.....Well sorry The USA is moving forward for 4 more years and the people Have said so in their vote. Lets just pray the GOP work together this 4 years as they sure the hell didn't last time. BTW Boehner was tweeting last night that he has no intention to working with the PRESIDENT and I hope Obama uses his authority this time and Fires every obstruction in his way AS TO DELIBERATELY DIVIDE A COUNTRY AND TO DESTROY THE SOVEREIGNTY OF A COUNTRY IS TREASON. I PRAY HE STANDS TALL AND CHARGES THE ONES THAT DEFAME AND VIOLATE THE LAWS AS THE HAVE IN THE PAST. *RACISM/DISCRIMINATION ARE CRIMES* BTW..
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:39 a.m.
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Goodamerican...what is racist about the truth that over 90% of minorities voted for Obama? That is a fact. If we talked about the women's vote would that be sexist? I am tired of all the accusations of racism. I DON'T LIKE HIS POLOCIES! I don't care if he is pink or green, I think he has done a lousy job as POTUS. I'm hoping to see a different less arrogant (even some Dems have called him arrogant) and a little more humble and most of all a lot more proud of America in his second term
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:22 a.m.
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I feel for the Romney supporters this morning. In this polarized nation I know there are people who are afraid and expect the worst. How do I know that? Because that's exactly how I felt when GW Bush was re-elected. I thought he would ruin our country. It did end up in pretty bad shape by the time he was done but what is going to ruin this country is the us against them attitude, the hatred (from both sides) and the refusal to do anything at all if it can't be my way. I hope that both sides will rediscover compromise and maybe, together, something can be accomplished to improve our situation. If not, for sure we will end up worse off and it won't be just Obama's fault but also the fault of all those that refused to work together. Before some of you say that Obama doesn't want to work with Republicans let me remind you that one of the first things he did when elected in 2008 was walk over to the House to extend his hand across the aisle. He was soundly rebuked and pretty much told no we won't work with you - our goal for the next four years is to see to it that you fail. True, he didn't seem to know how to handle something like that and maybe could have worked harder to soften that attitude, but it was only then that I guess he decided if anything was going to get done he would have to push it through without the help and input of the Republicans. Let's hope this four years can be different. Everyone stands to gain if both sides of the aisle work together. The place to start for each one of us is to open our minds a little. People who have differing, even opposite opinions are not evil and wrong. They are just people who see things differently. There is room for compromise. And if everyone digs there heels in and refuses to do that, then this great country is on the path to not being so great after all.
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:17 a.m.
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"now that President Obama and Tammy Baldwin have been given clear mandates"
Surely you will apply this same line of thought to Walker, our state senate and our state assembly when the residents of Wisconsin gave majority control of the branches and the governorship to the republicans........no??
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:11 a.m.
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It's so true we are opposite and I don't agree with all the Republicans but I'm a fiscal conservative and just feel Obama is hurting us. Once again he gave a nice speech on learning to be a better President and reaching across the aisle and getting American's back to work.
Americans gave him a chance. Because of all the taxes with Obamacare on everything from pills to wheelchairs to the people and the upcoming regulations he didn't want to expose before the election, I don't hold out much hope.
But, we'll see.
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:07 a.m.
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I just heard on several channels of news that listening to acceptance and resignation speeches that it was a new era in the US. An era of civility and working together just like our President and Governor Christy did a week ago. I thought I would come to the most divisive place I know--the gazette blog and see if it was true. Sadly--some of you are as predictable as ever.
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:05 a.m.
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Thank you Gandalf. Correction, not all lashing out. I appreciate the post.
Nov 7, 2012 at 7:03 a.m.
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Jeez Good American - I say "isn't Democracy wonderful" and you lash out like a spoiled child at me. No wonder you have so many "removed" - I had this same conversation with motorman.
One in the same?
Why can't you just enjoy your day. I've heard that liberals can never be happy unless someone else is not.
Makes sense on a day they should all be happy, they are still lashing out. Weird.
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:55 a.m.
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Oh please Good American, act like an adult. 50% of the popular vote is hardly (barely) the majority. He barely retained the Senate and he still lost the House.
Obama does have a problem that now a legacy has to be established and if he continues to grow the debt and poverty continues to grow, his message will be completely devastating for the 2016 Dem. Candidate but most importantly devastating for the American people.
I wish him well because I hate to see the struggles we are all in right now. Maybe you are doing well- good for you-
I just don't see him reaching because he hasn't so far.
I personally feel the youth vote and minorities did not want to lose their historic President.
That's not a bad thing for them, and I get that because I voted for him in 08.
Romney gave me hope for a better tomorrow. Don't be hating.
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:54 a.m.
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LOL
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:51 a.m.
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Massive debt, default, health care rationing... chaos in the Middle East... FORWARD!
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:21 a.m.
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The people have spoken; now lets hope people can show some respect and solidarity to our president and take his outstretched hand and work together for what is best for our country and the people and not their pockets!!
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:13 a.m.
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Gee wasp2491, you sound like you lost. Why so angry? Celebrate with class.
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:11 a.m.
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On a brighter note. Isn't democracy wonderful. In a state that voted for a Democrat President. Voted in a completely Republican Wisconsin. And I'm so happy Paul Ryan is still my Congressman and Amy Loudenbeck is still my assemblywomen. Amazing.
Nov 7, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.
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I think I see see whiny losers here. I didn't want to start my day this way but to call the presidents campaign vile, is just you not looking at four years of non stop attacks and lies about this man. If the republican party is ever going to be more than a regional party, it had better dump it's tea loving branch, and quit being the party of angry old white people. All you had to do was look at the people at the two celebrations and see the voting breakdown to understand the problem.
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:35 a.m.
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I'm very sad this morning. Not so much that Obama won or that nothing in Washington has changed but because Mitt Romney would have been a really amazing leader. There is a lot of people/families in trouble and suffering and Romney gave us hope that it doesn't have to be this way. This shouldn't be our "normal".
Obama barely received 1/2 of the approval for re-election and there is no super majority. Heck he couldn't even turn the House back to his favor.
I really hope and pray that Obama realizes that without Capitalism and the entrepreneurial spirit, there is no liberalism. There will only be the path we appear to be on which is more unemployment and more poverty.
He is a very lucky man today that he has been granted the benefit of the doubt. But just barely. This is not a mandate for his policies but for the American people who allow second chances to those who have fallen.
He's going to really have to prove himself now because this is his economy and his second term that he asked for. I really don't have confidence he is a man of diginity after the vile campaign he just ran.
But isn't this what happens in countries like Iran and Venezuela where the media is in your back pocket and all the voter shenanigans involve one party?
Have we just crossed the banana republic line away from free republic.
God I hope not.
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:33 a.m.
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Welfare is trending so if you got someone that supports that you pretty much own the majority. I hope the 47% enjoy my tax dollars.
Nov 7, 2012 at 5:10 a.m.
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wow mittens must have a headache after that beating.. ouch.. Same for cellar joe
Nov 7, 2012 at 4:50 a.m.
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So once again our country will be run be hoodlums!
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