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| | One possible reason for Romney losing was how he handled the important final debate. He intentionally appeared friendlier and more conciliatory in his attempt to win support of more women voters, and indicated that he agreed with Obama on several positions. Obama's approval rating then improved and most people thought he won the debate, because even his sharpest critic (Romney) seemed in agreement with him. The slight improvement in Obama's approval rating, from about 48% to 50%, may have meant the difference between Romney winning or losing. Obama received a vote total of 50%, exactly the same as his approval rating. Had Obama's rating stayed at 48%, then his final vote total may have been only 48%, and he may have lost. This was an illustration of why a political candidate should not agree with the incumbent he is trying to defeat. | | One possible reason for Romney losing was how he handled the important final debate. He intentionally appeared friendlier and more conciliatory in his attempt to win support of more women voters, and indicated that he agreed with Obama on several positions. Obama's approval rating then improved and most people thought he won the debate, because even his sharpest critic (Romney) seemed in agreement with him. The slight improvement in Obama's approval rating, from about 48% to 50%, may have meant the difference between Romney winning or losing. Obama received a vote total of 50%, exactly the same as his approval rating. Had Obama's rating stayed at 48%, then his final vote total may have been only 48%, and he may have lost. This was an illustration of why a political candidate should not agree with the incumbent he is trying to defeat. |
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| − | Likewise, the praise of Obama by Republican Governor Chris Christie in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy had the effect of boosting Obama's approval rating, and his final vote percentage. Indeed, New Jersey is one of the very few states in which Obama's vote total improved in 2012 over what he received in 2008. If even the top Republican in the State thinks Obama is doing a good job, then many others will be affected by this. | + | Likewise, the praise of Obama by Republican Governor Chris Christie in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy had the effect of boosting Obama's approval rating, and his final vote percentage. Indeed, New Jersey is one of the very few states in which Obama's vote total improved in 2012 over what he received in 2008, and the "coattails" of Obama's unusually large victory caused many Republicans to lose. If even the top Republican in the State thinks Obama is doing a good job, then many others will be affected by this. |
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| − | Hurricane Sandy itself may have helped Obama, creating a crisis that causes people to unite behind the leader in office, regardless of whether he is doing a good job or not. | + | Some, even some Republicans, defend Governor Christie by saying that he was just doing his job, and that in a time of crisis (the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy) politics should be put aside to do what is best and right. The counterargument to that is a citation to Orwell's famous observation: "all issues are political issues." Obama was surely thinking about his own political fortunes when he visited New Jersey after Hurricane Sandy, so what didn't Christie recognize the obvious political consequences of his praise for Obama? Also, what was Christie praising Obama so much for? Many New Jerseyans still lack power, nearly a week after the election, and Christie have easily withheld any praise until after the power was restored and the votes were cast. Usually praise for people is withheld until after they do a good job, not before. |
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| | + | Hurricane Sandy itself may have helped Obama, regardless of what anyone said about it. Most national crises that result from forces beyond the people's control, like a foreign invasion, will cause the approval rating of politicians in office to improve, regardless of whether they are doing a good job or not. |
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| | Others cite some of the positions taken by Romney and Obama during the campaign. Hispanics voted in favor of Obama in large percentages, much larger than Democrats received in the past, and some have attributed that to the Republican position against amnesty for illegal aliens who came here from Mexico. | | Others cite some of the positions taken by Romney and Obama during the campaign. Hispanics voted in favor of Obama in large percentages, much larger than Democrats received in the past, and some have attributed that to the Republican position against amnesty for illegal aliens who came here from Mexico. |
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| | + | As to how young voters aged 18-29 favored Obama by a 60-36% margin, some point out that a record number of young people have no religion. They do not read the Bible, and they do not attend church. As the numbers of non-religious and even atheists grow among the youth, the support for the Democrats are going to increase. The only solution to that trend is for there to be more evangelism among the younger people in America. Remember that the strongest correlation to how someone votes is how often he goes to church: the less he goes, the more likely he is to vote for Democrats. |
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| | Then there is the simple likability issue that many students cited about a month ago. Voters, particularly women, never liked Romney much. It is unlikely that someone will vote for an unlikable candidate. | | Then there is the simple likability issue that many students cited about a month ago. Voters, particularly women, never liked Romney much. It is unlikely that someone will vote for an unlikable candidate. |
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| | === Congressional Races === | | === Congressional Races === |
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| − | Several billion dollars were spent on congressional and State races too. | + | Several billion dollars were spent on congressional and State races in this election cycle, which was a record. Several congressional races (such as Michele Bachman's) had spending of well more than $20 million apiece. |
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| | + | The Republicans held their majority in the House of Representatives, despite the coattails of the Democrats winning the presidency and improving their majority in the U.S. Senate to 55-45. (The U.S. Senate has two Independents, but they will likely "caucus" or vote with the Democrats, and thus are usually included in the Democrats' overall tally.) |
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| | + | The House of Representatives (the "House") is historically the most powerful part of government, as it is the starting point for all financial issues, such as the annual budget. By retaining control of the House, Republicans remain on equal footing with the Democrats with respect to any new legislation that will be proposed. This "divided government," which may result in "gridlock" (a term for when nothing new becomes law because Democrats control part of government and Republicans control the other part, and they do not agree.) |
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| | === Initiative and Referendum === | | === Initiative and Referendum === |