Changes

Likewise, the effusive praise of Obama by Republican Governor Chris Christie in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, including Christie hugging Obama, 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 a high-ranking Republican thinks Obama is doing a great job, then who can disagree?  Perception in politics becomes reality.  Surely Christie could have found a more politically astute way of communicating with Obama, such as speaking to him by phone.  Christie's mistake illustrates how important is for a politician to think beforehand about the political consequences of everything he does.

Likewise, the effusive praise of Obama by Republican Governor Chris Christie in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, including Christie hugging Obama, 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 a high-ranking Republican thinks Obama is doing a great job, then who can disagree?  Perception in politics becomes reality.  Surely Christie could have found a more politically astute way of communicating with Obama, such as speaking to him by phone.  Christie's mistake illustrates how important is for a politician to think beforehand about the political consequences of everything he does.

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.

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, 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. Politics is as much about style and Christie's style in dealing with Obama gave him a boost in the polls.  Ironically, Christie is abrasive in dealing with nearly everyone else!

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.

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.

Others cite some of the positions taken by Romney and Obama during the campaign.  Hispanics voted in favor of Obama in large percentages (71-27%), 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 (71-27%), 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.

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 is going to increase.  Some observe that the exclusion of Christianity from public schools, which has control over 90% of teenagers, is starting to have a growing negative effect on election outcomes.  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; Romney won by a margin of 59-39% among those who attend church at least once a week.

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 is going to increase.  Some observe that the exclusion of Christianity from public schools, which teaches 90% of teenagers, is starting to have a growing negative effect on election outcomes.  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; Romney won by a margin of 59-39% among those who attend church at least once a week.

Others observe that the slick campaign slogan by Democrats, accusing Republicans of a (mythical) "War on Women," may have helped Obama win by a record 55-44% among women voters.  Romney won by a substantial percentage among men voters, but more women vote than men do.  Many women, however, dislike war, and Romney seemed more hawkish than Obama.

Others observe that the slick campaign slogan by Democrats, accusing Republicans of a (mythical) "War on Women," may have helped Obama win by a record 55-44% among women voters.  Romney won by a substantial percentage among men voters, but more women vote than men do.  Many women, however, dislike war, and Romney seemed more hawkish than Obama.  Also, women are most concerned by how public schools are failing, but Obama said more about education than Romney did.

Rick Santorum, whom Romney defeated for the Republican nomination for president, said after the election that Romney and the Republican Party were too defensive throughout the campaign.  He observed that it is difficult to win a campaign by being defensive most of the time.

Rick Santorum, whom Romney defeated for the Republican nomination for president, said after the election that Romney and the Republican Party were too defensive throughout the campaign.  He observed that it is difficult to win a campaign by being defensive most of the time.

Ultimately there is the simple likability issue that many students in this course cited about a month ago.  Voters, particularly women, never liked Romney much.  Unlikable candidates often do lose elections.

Ultimately there is the simple likability issue that many students in this course cited about a month ago.  Voters, particularly the youth, Hispanics and women, never liked Romney much.  Unlikable candidates usually do lose.

=== Congressional Races ===

=== Congressional Races ===