The American Spectator : McCain Beats Romney!

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McCain Beats Romney!

By Paul Kengor on 11.9.12 @ 6:10AM

The Pennsylvania story — how did it and so much else go wrong?

Brace yourselves, conservatives. What I’m about to say will hurt, and it should hurt — and I’m not the first to notice. (Kudos to Rush Limbaugh, who noticed and is hitting this point hard.) Mitt Romney lost the 2012 election not so much because he got fewer votes than Barack Obama but because he got fewer votes than John McCain in 2008.

Additional votes are still coming in, but, as of the time of my writing, Romney received around 57.8 million votes in 2012. In 2008, John McCain received 59.9 million. Romney got over 2 million fewer votes than McCain. And in the final count, he will almost certainly have received considerably fewer votes than McCain.

Obama received 60.6 million votes in 2012, almost 9 million less than he received in 2008. If Romney would have had McCain’s vote total, he would have been much closer in the popular vote and might have even had enough to win the Electoral College. Or, better put, if Mitt Romney had secured just a tiny fraction more votes than John McCain — as we conservatives were certain he would — he might have won the presidency.

We know this: Romney won independents by 5 points, and they made up 29% of all voters. McCain didn’t win independents.

What does this really mean? That’s where the hurt comes. It appears to mean that our side lost because we failed to turn out our side. It isn’t so much that the Obama-Axelrod apparatus turned out their side — though they did — but that our side failed to do what it should have done.

In other words, this was a self-inflicted wound by Republicans, and a fatal one. It explains why the likes of Dick Morris, Michael Barone, George Will, Newt Gingrich, and myself were completely wrong in predicting a Romney landslide. We were certain that pollsters were oversampling Democrats in polls that had Romney-Obama dead even or Romney up by one or two points. The pro-Republican, pro-Romney, and anti-Obama enthusiasm we were seeing was extremely intense. It was inconceivable to us that it could be overcome by a higher Democrat turnout. We were expecting turnout akin to 2010, which favored Republicans big-time.

And so, Republicans have no one to blame but themselves. I wouldn’t blame Mitt Romney. He did a superb job. I initially had not been a Romney supporter, but he won me over. He came across as a genuinely decent man, one with an unprecedented business background for a presidential nominee. In retrospect, I couldn’t imagine a better candidate for the job at this particular time and given America’s current (economic) vulnerabilities. Unfortunately, Romney couldn’t pick up votes among Democrats because (exit polls confirm this) Obama and his campaign succeeded in convincing Democrats that Obama’s disastrous economic record is the fault of George W. Bush. That’s a truly incredible thing, but when you consider this nation’s economic illiteracy, and Democrats’ willingness to unquestioningly accept anything their leaders tell them, it isn’t a huge surprise.

The exit poll data also shows that only 7% of Democrats voted for Mitt Romney, just a tad better than the 6% of Republicans who voted for Obama. In short, there really weren’t any Romney Democrats.

But that doesn’t explain our side. Why didn’t our side show up for Mitt Romney?

Was the intensity enthusiasm not as broad as we thought? Did our side feel we had this in the bag? Did a lot of conservatives not vote for Romney out of fear that he’s a closet moderate, a closet liberal, a RINO, or Mr. Etch-a-Sketch?

Was it the Mormon factor? I don’t think so. As Mark Tooley wrote here yesterday, evangelicals and faithful Catholics went to the polls for Romney, giving him stronger support than in 2008.

Many conservatives from the outset urged the Republican Party not to go with Romney, figuring he was another moderate Republican destined to lose — like John McCain. On the other hand, they turned out and gave John McCain a lot more votes.

And what about my state of Pennsylvania, which I embarrassed myself by predicting it would go for Mitt Romney? It seems to have suffered the same problem.

Romney received 2.58 million votes in Pennsylvania. In 2008, John McCain received 2.65 million. Obama received 2.86 million votes in Pennsylvania in 2012 (compared to 3.28 million in 2008). If Romney would have achieved or exceeded McCain’s vote total in Pennsylvania, the state would have been much closer — closer to what Pennsylvania polls were showing (a dead-even race) just before Tuesday’s vote. In 2008, Obama won Pennsylvania by 10 points; in 2012, he won by 5 points. Obama won 18 Pennsylvania counties in 2008; in 2012, he won only 12 (out of 67). In Pennsylvania, Obama’s vote total was way down from 2008, but our side’s total wasn’t up at all.

In Pennsylvania, I saw a red-hot anti-Obama sentiment and very strong support for Romney. But apparently it wasn’t wide enough to compel enough of our side to go to the booth and cast a ballot for Mitt Romney.

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About the Author

Paul Kengor is professor of political science and executive director of The Center for Vision & Values at Grove City College. He is author of the new book The Communist: Frank Marshall Davis, The Untold Story of Barack Obama’s Mentor. His other books include The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism and Dupes: How America’s Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century.

Letter to the Editor View all comments (195) | Leave a comment Leave a comment

Bill Hussein O'Stalin| 11.9.12 @ 6:13AM

Boehner is already caving into the media hysteria that the Republicans need to reach out and is endorsing fixing the immigration problem which means amnesty. That won't get the Republicans one vote.

All that occurred is that Romney was not perceived as the real anti-Obama and received
3 million less votes than McCain. Ironically, the public perceived McCain as more of an
anti-Obama than Romney. Strange.

The real enemy of standards is the Republican Party itself who is being encouraged to reach out to the middle or are believing the nonsense peddled by the likes of Pat Buchanan on demographics.

Forget it. The Republicans lost one Senate seat. That's it. That Massachusets seat was a fluke to begin with. The Senate candidates fronted by the Republicans were weak, moronic
or like Scott Brown were out liberaled by a real liberal like Moonbat Warren.

This is not the time to change course. If anything the Republicans should reaffirm their values and start talking about issues.

All they need do now is wait. The Obama recession is coming and it will be nasty. Just get the alternatives ready and draft some decent candidates. They don't have to be flashy. Just somewhat well spoken and briefed.

In the meantime talk about things people understand. Don't talk about protecting the wealthy. Talk about protecting paychecks. That's something the rank and file understand.

Jack in Wi| 11.9.12 @ 7:27AM

Romney lost states like Wi. Penn. Ohio, Minn, Michigan, and Florida because he let the Democrats paint him as a rich plutocrat, which he was. Here in Wi. and elsewhere the Democrats ran devastating adds with old white people who had lost jobs in companies Romney closed. They were on in huge numbers just before the election. Romney ran a terrible campaign. Steve Forbes called it a Tom Dewey type campaign. He thought that people would vote for him because he wasn't Obama. He didn't even give an interview the last 4 weeks of the campaign. He hired the same consultants as Bush and McCain. He dissed Ron Paul's millions of supporters, when he could of reached out at teh convention. He also ran as an incompetent warmonger, in a country that wants no more wars. Conservatives will come back when they push real values like family, peace, prosperity, small government, and fiscal sanity. Let the Democrats sink the country while we stand up for sanity.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 4:37PM

As Edward Gibbons—one of the greatest historians in world history—put it....

In the end more than they wanted freedom, they wanted security. When the Athenians finally wanted not to give to society but for society to give to them, when the freedom they wished for was freedom from responsibility, then Athens ceased to be free.

It's really no more Complicated than that.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 5:17PM

Luckily then, the President and a whole batch of Democrats won, to preserve the freedoms for the Middle Class, who were well on their way to becoming Serfs in the Corporate Plutocracy envisioned by Romney et. al.

So you celebrate Freedom again under President Obama. Good.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 5:47PM

We all know that you're Gay.

Are you Retarded as well?

Cause, I'm thinking that you are.

DionLA| 11.11.12 @ 6:26PM

Wow, you are a screaming idiot who only serves to illustrate the reason why "conservatives" lost this election. Keep it up!

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 6:51PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following yesterday:

"THurricane Sandy and Chris Christie was the Lord's way of pressing his thumb on the scale to tilt in the direction of President Obama. It was His punishment of Republicans for their lying and trying to cheat (Voter Suppression) their way to political victory, while espousing faith, freedom and constitutional credentials."

So pupie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking.

R Martin| 11.9.12 @ 5:31PM

Jack, “rich plutocrat” is a redundancy. And if being a plutocrat somehow disqualifies one from government service, a lot of familiar names would be gone—not necessarily a bad thing. Plus, I’m not buying this antipathy toward the rich. It’s demagoguery. People fawn over wealthy entertainers and athletes and line-up around the block to buy tickets when the lottery hits a zillion dollars. Most people are quite happy with the ploutos part of a term which has become a pejorative.

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 1:35AM

As many times as I have disagreed with my fellow Wisconsinite Jack, he is right about this much: it WAS a Tom Dewey type of campaign. The campaign was terrible, and the results show it. It is nothing but disappointing how Romney effectively alienated those whose support could have mattered (e.g. the Ron Paul people), and how he did not aggressively answer the baloney Obama's campaign was throwing out about him and about Republicans in general.

Andrew P111| 11.11.12 @ 10:14PM

Yup. Romney was a loser, and many of us saw this coming during the primaries. A lot of the comments made during that time were very accurate about what would happen (Romney losing the general election). But Romney had big money, his primary opponents didn't, and way too many Republican primary voters were impressed with his money above all else. So he got the nomination, and the rest is history.

Rhoetus| 11.10.12 @ 12:15PM

Gee whiz Jack in Wi: I voted for Steve Forbes in the 1996 AZ Rep primary and the idiots nominated Bob "ED" Dole. Yet sour grapes Phil Gramm called a Forbes v. Clinton race as Ritchie Rich running against Tom Sawyer. How can you run a campaign against a liar with a propagandist media of conspirators?
Hire David Horowitz to run the next Republican Campaign.

Alan Brooks | 11.10.12 @ 1:54AM

I know you guys are supposed to be negative- everyone knows you are not Kumbaya-types;
but even if everything you write on Obama is true, I still think he was/is better than McCain and Romney rolled into one.

Rhoetus| 11.11.12 @ 12:01PM

Romney: Too timid to tell the facts about Obama, Bush41 & Bush43 liberals in conservative costume.

hammerin4u56| 11.20.12 @ 4:58PM

Mr. Kengor,
I am really surprised that you are a Professor of Political Science. Do you not have even a basic understanding of how the TOTAL vote gets tallied in this country. For example that states like California (and other vote by mail-centric states, which are primarily Democratic) often take several weeks to fully tally the votes. So your basic premise is COMPLETELY WRONG. Romney did NOT get 2 million less votes than McCain. As of today (Nov. 20), here are the vote totals:

- Obama – 63,823,729– 50.8%
- Romney – 59,832,706 – 47.6%

That means Romney is CURRENTLY at 59.8 million while McCain's FINAL total was 59.9 million. It is highly likely that Romney's final total will exceed McCain's - in fact I'd bet it will exceed 60 million.

Please get your facts straight before opining again. I shouldn't be surprised considering you also predicted Romney would win PA. Facts matter, math matters. Brush up on both.

btims86| 11.9.12 @ 6:37AM

If the GOP can't win Penns. or Ohio (let alone Vrginia), it's over. We are a one-party country.

And once mass immigration turns Texas from red to blue, which will happen soon, it will REALLY be over.

Buh bye Ah-mair-ee-ka. Land of Immirants/Foreigners.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 5:20PM

Not really- welcome back the REAL America that Reagan and the Bush Twins tried to destroy.
The wealthy, conniving and connected lost and freedom and America won on Tuesday.

Too bad the Red Staters are oblivious .. Rush lied to you, Rove lied to you, even George Will lied to you - and yet you still do not see.

soljerblue| 11.9.12 @ 8:53PM

"The wealthy, conniving and connected lost and freedom and America won on Tuesday."

Not freedom -- license. Do you really not know the difference? No, I suppose you don't.

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 1:39AM

Lol!!!!!!! Like Jeffrey Immelt and Steve Winn, and the Solyndra types, you mean those wealthy, conniving cronies have lost their influence and stroke! Lol!!!!!! Purp, you make me laugh. If this is the "real America," you'll be the first to get the bullet from the Chicago boys when they really takeover.

It is ignorant, lying fools like you who lie and get away with it. So blow it off, troll.

Rhoetus| 11.10.12 @ 12:18PM

Purp: You should post under your real name: Homer Simpson.

Alan Brooks | 11.10.12 @ 1:57AM

Purp,
Reagan was okay for his time, he was v. old fashioned, and a libertarian- but he was born in 1911.
I liked him better than the Mush dynasty. And Bob Drool, John the Pain, Willard the Rat Romney.

Alan Brooks | 11.10.12 @ 1:59AM

... Reagan was a 19th century liberal, Purp.

Rhoetus| 11.10.12 @ 12:16PM

the vote total was too close the make a judgement like that.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 7:07AM

Let's see.

Republican Poll Watchers physically Removed from Philly Voting Places.

Black Panthers, once again, positioned outside of Voting Places with Impunity, in Philly. The NAACP running Voting Places, in Houston. Posters of Obama INSIDE Voting Places. And, no doubt, similar blatent Fraud, Cottuption, Cheating, and Lawlessness in every other area where our precious Minorities are Pulling the Strings. Cities and Precincts more reminiscent of Third World Ghettos in Somalia or Ghana or Sudan, than they are of 1st World City in The United States of America.

Now, add to that 39% of Whites who would give their Votes to a White Hating Black Muslim (Read his Books) and then throw in 70% of the Jew Vote for the Jew Hating Black Muslim, who Organized Louis Farrakhan's Million Felon March, is Friends with The Nation of Islam POS and his Wife, and sat in a Black Scumbag White Hating, Jew Hating, America Hater's 'Church' for 20 Years. (I pray that when the Ramifications of their Votes hits these Stupid B*stards, where they live - and it will - it is Swift, and it is Brutal) Let them Reap what they have Sown.

Now, throw in the 3 Million Principled White People who obviously think that their Sh*t Don't Stink, and that their Principles are the only thing that matters, and they would see Everyone Enslaved, rather than Compromise, and Fck Everybody Else and their Families.

And, that's exactly what they did.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 7:11AM

They stayed home.

And, what did they get for their Precious Principles?

4 More Years of this Marxist Muslim, White Hating, Jew Hating, America Hating Son of a Wh*re, who won't be satisfied until we're a Third World Banana Republic buried in $20 Trillion in Debt, that our Children, and THEIR CHILDREN, will never be able to pay off.

It's their faults.

They too will Reap what they have Sown, and I hope it Breaks Their Backs.

Teflon93 | 11.9.12 @ 7:34AM

What did YOU get for abandoning principles to whore yourself to independents?

Nothing.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 9:05AM

I kept My Principles, Dicklick .

I Voted AGAINST the Marxist Muslim Son of an Atheist Wh*re.

I Love this Country.

I SERVED this Country, and all of my Principles can be Summed Up in just a few words:

Which one of these guys LOVES THIS COUNTRY?

And, which one has DOCUMENTED his Lifelong Hatred for it, in one Book after another?

Now, run along and Go Fck Yourself, like a good Scumbag.

CrackerHound| 11.9.12 @ 10:27AM

So I guess we are to assume that the tree of liberty just dies.

Yes, Obama won the majority of votes meaning this what the citizens truly want. And yes, republican voters stayed home which means they didn't care if Obama is re-elected.

But what about the Constitution? A nanny state government and forced surrender of religious freedom is unconstitutional despite what the (yet another) fake conservative John Roberts says. Socialism itself is unconstitutional according to the limits set by the Constitution. This is a republic and just because half the country decides we don't need a Constitution, doesn't mean they can strip the rest of us of our Constitutional rights.

CrackerHound| 11.9.12 @ 10:39AM

Piling up trillion dollar debts in order to provide health care to "non-indigent", capable people is unconstitutional.

Borrowing a Trillion dollars from foreign governments to pay for a nanny state is against the American principle.

We have no first amendment when the press is an arm of the Democratic Party and spews propaganda and avoids holding one party accountable or ignores unfavorable facts.

The Second Amendment is next. Once they get that one, watering the tree of liberty is not an option. It's despotism forever.

"You and I have a rendezvous with destiny. We will preserve for our children this, the last best hope of man on earth, or we will sentence them to take the first step into a thousand years of darkness. If we fail, at least let our children and our children's children say of us we justified our brief moment here. We did all that could be done." ~ Ronal Reagan

http://www.fordham.edu/halsall.....agan1.html

RAMIII| 11.9.12 @ 12:16PM

I am deeply grieved at what has happened to my (our) country. I LOVE this country. I came here on July 4th 1976 to stay.

I served in the US Navy for six years because I love my country and swore to uphold and defend the Constitution of the USA. I have passed on to my children this LOVE and find it distressful that we are passing the torch to the next two generations with such a dismal set of circumstances.

I believe that Mitt Romney was the best choice for our nation at this time and am disgusted with those who stayed home because of their "principled" stand.

The equality that the "Marxist in Chief" seeks is that we are all equally miserable, except for the elite few who "know best".

God is always our best hope and may He have mercy on us that we could yet repent and reverse this cursed course.

James Mc Coy| 11.9.12 @ 1:16PM

Well they've been doing it right along. Apparantly no one's got the balls to stop them. Just what are we supposed to do when the mechanizm in place to stop these abuses does'nt?

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 4:45PM

Exactly.

French Revolution, anyone?

PetePatriot| 11.9.12 @ 6:44PM

Unless people vote for candidates who will uphold the Constitution and appoint justices who will properly interpret it, it is just a scrap of paper. After Obama appoints a few more left wing kooks to the Court, the Constitution will afford no protection at all.

Any Republican or conservative who stayed home this election because Romney wasn't the perfect candidate deserves all the pain coming his way.

Aristocat| 11.10.12 @ 11:02PM

. This is a republic and just because half the country decides we don't need a Constitution, doesn't mean they can strip the rest of us of our Constitutional rights.
GREAT COMMENT !!

Andrew P111| 11.11.12 @ 10:23PM

Obamacare will become a slow motion train wreck over the next 4 years. The fact of divided government means the law cannot be changed, and the perverse incentives in the law and unworkable structures will produce an epic disaster. Al lot of this is by design, as the legislation was never intended to be workable. But it does guarantee that the 2016 Presidential Election will be be about a single subject - how the USA will pay for health care. The Dem nominee (Hillary?) will advocate for a simple single payer system. The Rep nominee, whoever it is (Palin? Santorum?, ...), will have to push for a true free market system. We will get one more chance to decide this issue. Romney was the wrong guy to replace Obamacare, and that is why so many voters stayed home. We have to nominate the right person next time.

Goldwater Girl| 11.9.12 @ 2:26PM

where is the damn contest, TLP? Let these marxists enjoy the fruits of their labor. I think I am going to go live on a boat, become a pirate, rob the rich, and redistribute that wealth to various bars in Key West, if they ever finish counting their ballots.

R Martin| 11.9.12 @ 2:54PM

Whatever the contest is or, for that matter, whether or not there is a contest, I'm submitting my entry: The song--"A Horse With No Name". Consider the name of the group who performed it and this line,
"And the story it told of a river that flowed,
Made me sad to think it was dead."

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 4:50PM

Save that one, little Rickey.

The Contest will go on, next Friday.

I consider this Election akin to, not just A Death In The Family, but the Murder of the Entire Family.

And, one does not go about with Fun and Frivolity, just days after Loved Ones Die.

At least, I don't.

That's just how I feel.

(Very Clever, by the way.)

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 4:54PM

I, too, will go on with my life.

I am very Blessed with a Great Life.

I don't have a lot of Money, but then, that doesn't buy happiness, does it.

We'll get together next Friday.

When I Sober Up.

Rhoetus| 11.10.12 @ 12:26PM

Happiness is not connected to money and material things. But money can help prevent suffering and can buy a path to safety.

Von Mises Jr| 11.9.12 @ 7:36AM

I posit that it was not Romney's fault as much as the Re-pubic-an Party failure. Most people are not that well educated or informed regarding Constitutional principles and the real news.

Obama has torn the Constitution to shreds, and not a peep from Boehner and McConnell. The great Congressman Issa is an outcast in the Party, Bachmann held on by a hair and the fine Allan West was re-districted out of the House. I think conservatives must realize that the GOP Establishment and Obama are on the same page.

G.H.W. Bush is and Agenda21 elitist. G.W. Bush expanded government along with the Republicans in the Congress for six long years. McCain is for Amnesty as his own state is under siege from drug cartels. And they destroyed every conservative in these Primaries. Now Boehner is ready to surrender.

I do not think we can fix the Re-pubic-an Party in DC. I think we should just abandon them. The Republican conservative Governors should forget DC and advance their Tenth Amendment Rights. Station the State Militias next to the oil fields and drill. Tell DC and Federal Judges to take a flying Fluke at a rolling donut. Good conservative people can move to their states and let the liberals worry about themselves. Let us have that grand experiment in Keynesian economics in the Blue States.

Nancy in NC| 11.9.12 @ 7:48AM

I agree with you, Von. Our local tea party group has studied the "5,000 Year Leap" and "The Original Argument", a modern version of the Federalist Papers. As chair this year I insisted our members become informed about their principles. I would be willing to bet most of them could beat 3/4 (or more) members of Congress when it comes to the Constitution.

In NC we just elected a Republican governor and Assembly. We plan on keeping the heat on them to get Voter ID passed (Perdue vetoed it last time around) and make some much needed reforms.

It will be an uphill battle, but the states are our last hope.

Von Mises Jr| 11.9.12 @ 8:43AM

The GOP Establishment knows what they are doing. I don't recall if it was Boehner's or Cantor's Office I visited and his Aide was a Graduate of Hillsdale. He had a two semester course in economics that used Mises "Human Action" as their text. It is 881 pages of brain freezing analysis. What do you think the chances are that the young fellow could not inform the Leadership?
I have met several Congressmen and some State Representatives. Our TEA Party groups try to inform the Governor of New Jersey. But they don't want to be informed. If they acknowledge the dilemma, they will be on the spot to do something about it. And collecting well into the six-figures does not apparently insight them to fight the system. When our property is redistributed, they get much of it. Hell, Boehner was trading on insider information along with Pelosi and Kerry. Peter Schiff claims that they beat the professionals on Wall Street with a return that is not surprising when you are quietly passing the legislation that picks winners and losers.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 4:57PM

Remember, Mises: All Politics is Local.

As in - THEIR POCKETS.

Rhoetus| 11.10.12 @ 12:32PM

If I were the Republican Governor of Texas in 1993 or California I would still be in Federal Prison for calling up the national guard and intervening in Waco or turning the water on for agriculture in Calif. Politics is local!

SteelerJim| 11.9.12 @ 11:01AM

TLP, spot on. It is hard to fight against a people committed to societal suicide. Gotta love the 42% of church going Catholics who voted for a guy hell bent on the Church's destruction. F**k em all!

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 4:59PM

42% of Church going Catholics.

70% of Jews.

39% of Whites, and 3 Million Whites who Stayed Home.

Fck'em all, indeed.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 5:20PM

Hahaha - 1 Black Panther ... be very afraid ... how stupid can you be?

billwitten| 11.9.12 @ 5:32PM

Look in the mirror. It takes two to not compromise.

Cremlian| 11.11.12 @ 9:14AM

Comments like this are kinda why I stopped being a republican. Funny that most of my favorite presidents in the past were republican but as I got older the party became more and more obsessed with race in a negative sense. Wanna know why Minorities actually came out in record numbers, comments like this. Do America and your party a favor and calm down. You are not going to ever convince the majority of people to your side of thinking with rhetoric like this.

Kingfish | 11.9.12 @ 7:16AM

Hold on a second. Nice theory but it doesn't hold water upon closer inspection. Its true there were fewer votes nationwide, however, look at the swing states. I posted this on my website yesterday after I pulled the numbers from the SOS websites. http://www.kingfish1935.blogsp.....llion.html

Romney got MORE votes than McCain in seven out of nine swing states. Here are the totals:

Ohio: -80,702
Meechigan: +62,500
Wisconsin: +146,313
Pennsylvania: -60,711
Florida: +79,241
Colorado: +61,581
Iowa: +42,565
Virginia: +48,977
Nevada: +49,780

These numbers may change because of absentees, affidavit ballots, and the like but those numbers will only increase.

Butch| 11.9.12 @ 2:13PM

If correct, your data supports my theory that a lot of those stay-at-home Republican voters were from locked-in-for-Romney states in the South. In my southern state--ya'll--it was like the election wasn't even taking place. Zero advertising from either side.

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 1:44AM

True. But in none of those states were those additions enough. If more in those states had gotten off their high horses for Romney (for example, in Florida, where I understand that Romney lost 50% of the Cuban vote in South Florida counties), Romney would have won. It doesn't change the argument at all. Over 10 million voters stayed home this time. The 8.5 million whom Obama lost to stay-at-homes could have voted for Romney instead. It is foolish for the self righteous to sacrifice the good of their country to appease some of their utmost political prejudices.

Andrew P111| 11.11.12 @ 10:28PM

With the sole exception of WI, those numbers are very small. It looks like Paul Ryan did have an effect in WI, but it was not enough to win.

Teflon93 | 11.9.12 @ 7:33AM

What idiot analysis.

Obama secured his base. Romney did not and spent most of his time agreeing with Obama to chase independents.

Well, he got his independents. How'd that turn out for him?

As I and others have been saying since Day One around here: we needed a CONSERVATIVE on the ticket.

There is a reason why GOP moderates and liberals always lose.

And now you idiots want to blame conservatives for yet another liberal losing?

You truly are the Stupid Party.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 5:05PM

"If only we had a Better Candidate"? "If only he had been More Conservative"?

The Muslim ran the Most Far Left Campaign this Country has EVER seen, and he got 2 MILLION more Votes than Our Guy. TWO MILLION.

More Welfare. Higher Taxes. Free Abortions. Free Condoms. More Regulations. Punish the Rich. REVENGE!

He ran a Campaign on 4 More Years of Higher Food Prices. Higher Energy Prices. More Bankruptcies. More Foreclosures. More Homelessness and Hopelessness. More people on Food Stamps. More people living at the Poverty Line, and BELOW IT. More people working Part Time Jobs, at Minimum Wage. More Companies getting the Hell Outta Dodge, on the next Boat for China

Less Personal Income. Less Value on your Homes. Less opportunities to get a Good Paying Job. Less Military Readiness. Less Influence around the World. And, less adherence to the Constitution's Seperation of Power, our Laws on the Books, and any Modicum of Civility, and Decorum.

FCK the Catholic Church, and Freedom of Religion!

FCK the Jews, in Israel!

FCK the Rich!

FCK Whitey!

FCK all a Ya'all, who refuse to Bow to my Glory!

We coulda run JESUS CHRIST in this Election, and it wouldn't have made a difference.

Open your Eyes, Jeffery.

The MORLOCKS now Outnumber The ELOI.

Understand?

Andrew P111| 11.11.12 @ 10:31PM

Romney was the wrong guy to run against Obamacare, which is the most unpopular thing Obama has done. It wasn't about whether or not Romney was a conservative. It was because Obamacare was modeled on Romneycare.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 5:34PM

Yes, Conservadums are the reason you lost. Cut taxes on the Rich, Vaginal Probes, Legitimate Rape, Self-Deportation ... Millions of votes turned on those conservative policies... so give us more

allblues| 11.9.12 @ 6:11PM

Let's see. 16 trillion in debt and counting, real unemployment close to 15%, $4.00 gas, the dollar being debased by Fed counterfeiting, rising food prices, an out of control EPA, Fast and Furious, impending job layoffs. The list is endless, yet you want to claim that millions voted for Hope a Dope because of the nonsense issues that you list.

Then again, you may be right and millions of Americans are terminally stupid.

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 6:52PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following yesterday:

So pupie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking.

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 1:46AM

Your lame attempts at caricature fail because you are a living caricature of an idiot leftist. And not a very good caricature, either, troll.

JimH| 11.9.12 @ 7:40AM

One reason I suspect McCain got more votes was the enthusiasm due to Sarah Palin. Ryan on the other hand became the invisible man.

Andrew P111| 11.11.12 @ 10:33PM

I agree with that. Sarah was a good pick, and it is too bad she didn't feel ready to run against Obama. She should be our nominee in 2016 against Hillary when the issue of the election will be how to pay for health care. (Obamacare is destined to be an epic failure, and the 2016 race will be about what to replace it with.

Nancy in NC| 11.9.12 @ 7:40AM

I am definitely not a political pundit but I do have a thought. I think people are forgetting about the dust up at the GOP Convention with the Ron Paul folks. They were completely ticked off, and I don't think they got over it. Many of them voted for Gary Johnson or just stayed home. During the campaign days I talked to many people who have given up on the political process. They feel like their vote doesn't matter and might not get counted anyway.

With all the talk about not appealing to minorities, etc, there is much truth in the fact that the GOP needs to rid itself of the entrenched hacks from the 80s. (Expecially Karl Rove.) The real way the GOP can be changed is from the grassroots. I wonder how many people are involved in their county organization and are working to make the necessary changes.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 5:06PM

Fck'em.

billwitten| 11.9.12 @ 5:36PM

No, fck YOU.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 5:50PM

No, Fck You.

R Martin| 11.9.12 @ 7:41AM

"Republicans blew a huge opportunity."

Now that's news!

Albert Constantine Jr.| 11.9.12 @ 8:38AM

It is right up there with "JAPAN SURRENDERS" or "BIDEN PUTS FOOT IN MOUTH".

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 9:47AM

This is Boring.

I'm Bored.

We have more Douchebags than we do People with a Head on their Shoulders.

39% of Whites, just Voted for a guy who HATES THEIR FCKNG GUTS. It's in his Puke Books.

70% of the Jews in this Country Voted for the Guy named after Mohammed's Horse. A guy who was Raised in the Muslim Schools and Mosques, in Muslim Indonesia, by his Atheist Whore Mother, and his new Muslim Stepfather, after his Muslim Father died Drunk, in a Kenyan Gutter, riddled with AIDS. A guy who Sat in a JEW HATRER'S Hate Church for 20 Years. A guy who Organized Nation of Islam Jew Hater - Louis Farrakhan's - Million Jew Haters March. And, is Systematically Transforming every Government Institution in this Country, in to a Muslim Outreach Facility, and a place to go and Apologize to Muslims for being Infidels.

loulou| 11.9.12 @ 10:36AM

To be fair, we don't REALLY know Barry's true parentage. We know he has some Dunham in him but that's the extent of it.

I'm bored too. I have not turned on FOX because I really don't want to have to see or hear that hideous troll Rove. I don't want to hear any of those RINO, dinner party loving pundits. And that includes the brilliant Dr Krauthammer.

Jardino| 11.9.12 @ 3:51PM

LOL @ hideous troll Rove!

It's great that liberals and American Spectators can agree on some things.

Is the "brilliant" Dr Krauthammer the same as Charles Krauthammer? I read his essay/article at Washington Post today. I agree with him. We should be inclusive of immigrants.

I saw someone else here referring to the French Revolution. I have a print of the painting LIBERTY LEADING THE PEOPLE. Liberty is a bare-breasted woman carrying a flag in one hand and a rifle in another. She is with a young boy who also has a gun. They are walking over a dead French soldier.

I always loved the French Revolution in college. I majored in English at a church-affiliated school and loved the English romantic poets that incorporated the philosophies of human rights in their work. The writers of the Constitution were also inspired by the same philosophies.

The words liberal, liberty and libertarian are all about the same thing. We have some common ground, but I feel good about the future of the USA and the world.

United we stand. Divided we fall.

Hope you feel better soon, Friend.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 5:09PM

So, you're view is that, Everybody in the World, should abide by our Immigration Laws, except those South of our Border?

Is that what you're saying?

RAMIII| 11.9.12 @ 12:26PM

TLP you are posting TRUTH . . . yet I find that people don't want TRUTH (they complain that it is harsh). They want THEIR truth (which is always wonderful).

People don't want to know context, because they don't want to know, they just want what they want. They will neither get what they want from the current administration, nor the TRUTH.

Sorry for the broad brush strokes folks, but the outcome of this election was inexcusable.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 5:14PM

It has always been true that, sometimes, The Truth Hurts.

Like my Kids?

Everybody on The Left is gonna have to Learn the Hard Way.

It's just a Goddamn Shame that the rest of us have to be dragged along with them.

Be Good. Live your life. And enjoy the Smiles and the Laughter of your Loved Ones.

With any luck, this too will pass.

Be well, my friend.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 5:35PM

Lies made you lose, so keep it up, Chuckles.

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 6:54PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following yesterday:

So purpie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 7:34PM

Where do you think idea of the LORD involved in politics comes from, stupid? It's you righties that like to invoke God as your opponent's punisher.

Kind of tough when it's played against you, ain't it? I get that.

And all you can do is try snark.
Well you lost, lost BIG and it doesn't matter why- your party is not wanted by most Americans. Ridicule all you want, it doesn't hit the mark, it simply alienates you further from reality.
Maybe Donald Trump will be your next nominee for President? Hahahaha... LOSER.

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 10:02PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following yesterday:

So purpie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking.

Joellen| 11.10.12 @ 10:35AM

Love you CJW - keep it going:)

Perp is truly an evil individual - and not too smart. Well, one day he will learn, wont he.

No matter what happens, it is good to know that you, Nancy NC, Albert, LouLu, Eduardo,Larry and of course TLP and all the other AS constitutional conservatives are here to remind us what is truly right and worth fighting for.

CJW| 11.10.12 @ 8:16PM

Back at you, Joellen. Will contact you next summer when we hit the beach, hopefully Albert may be there at same time.

As for "purpie" he/she,whatever is a combination of utter stupidity and evil. Who believes that God kills Americans and causes such destruction to help Obama win? Sounds like the crazy muslims. Maybe Governor Cuomo and Gov Christie and the rest of the New Yorkers and New Jersey residents want to know they sacrificed people and lives for Obama, according the Obamadolt Village Idiot Purpie.

Joellen| 11.11.12 @ 7:01PM

CJW it will be an honor and a pleasure to make you my famous "suace" for you, Albert and your families. Looking forward to it.

Joellen| 11.11.12 @ 7:03PM

That would be "sauce" (HIC):)

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 1:50AM

Given that the vote differential was about 2.5 million out of 121 million, I would not laugh so loud or say our party is "not wanted." After all, the GOP still owns the House; there is no supermajority in the Senate, so filibusters will continue when necessary, and best of all, there is another election coming in 2014. You may yet be the biggest loser.

So keep your humility in check, Purp. But, I guess humility was never a strong suit for idiot ideologues like you.

Von Mises Jr| 11.9.12 @ 8:45AM

Or perhaps "Republicans blew off the Constitution" and "cemented statism in our Crapitol."

Warrior| 11.9.12 @ 2:34PM

Excellent. RNC type Republicans care for the Constitution as much as liberals. John Roberts in an earlier time would be tarred and feathered. Boehner and McConnell are perfect representatives of the current Republican party. There was no discernable difference between the candidates, thus there was no motivation for anyone right of center. Romney went into cruise control after the first debate. The list is long and sadly tragic.

Rhoetus| 11.10.12 @ 12:34PM

Alert the media!!!!!!!

rightasrain| 11.9.12 @ 8:08AM

When all the votes are tallied Romney will probably approach or slightly exceed McCain's numbers. But still that doesn't approach the huge Republican turnout that I expected this year. It truly is a head scratcher. I can only hypothesize that Republicans in the storm ravaged Northeast didn't bother to vote knowing that Romney didn't have a prayer of winning those states anyway.

Warrior| 11.9.12 @ 2:39PM

Storm? Romney would not win NY, NJ, CT, DE, MD, ME or MA if he passed out free cell phones, condoms and heroine. There is no effect on the electoral college numbers from the storm.

rightasrain| 11.9.12 @ 5:55PM

If you bothered to read more carefully, you would not have made your inane comment. And we're talking about raw numbers not electoral votes. Go back to fifth grade.

Warrior| 11.9.12 @ 8:37PM

It's solid thought processes like yours who worries about the raw vote when it which matters for nothing and then openly uses a hypothesis about a storm that had pretty much no effect in the swing states. With such deep thought and far reaching wisdom, it sounds like you should be next in line to head the RNC. Great insult about the 5th grade, that really hurts.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 5:36PM

There aren't that many of you ... the party is dying.

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 6:55PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following yesterday:

So purpie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 7:34PM

Where do you think idea of the LORD involved in politics comes from, stupid? It's you righties that like to invoke God as your opponent's punisher.

Kind of tough when it's played against you, ain't it? I get that.

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 10:03PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following yesterday:

So pupie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking.

Purpie, getting frustrated? Haha, idiot.

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 1:52AM

57 million plus, and proud of it. I wouldn't call that a "dying party" if I were you.

There is always another election, dufus.

PolishKnight| 11.9.12 @ 8:45AM

Here's how to make an entirely new game: In "red" states (I like red. It's nice to see that we've claimed the color), anyways, in red states with strong Republican political strength, implement a pro-Republican civil rights agenda. Ban racial and gender preferences and guarantee rights for white males. Strengthen families by cleaning up divorce court and punish spouses who lie about abuse. Eliminate "child" support for unwed mothers but in the meantime, pass gay marriage. Why not? Let lesbian couples see all the fun men have been having for the past 100 years or so as the breadwinner.

After the riots from the leftist special interest groups quiet down, whites and men in other states might start to turn out to vote for Republicans again. Many minorities may show up as well when they no longer have racist entitlements.

Or instead, the Republicans can hope to catch the leftovers of Democrat mistakes: Exceptionally bad economies, weak election years, etc. Good luck with that.

skeptic| 11.9.12 @ 8:49AM

Yes, obviously Romney lost because he didn't get enough votes. Why did he lose? Obviously, because the GOP message did not appeal to enough voters.

So long as the GOP is seen as the party of the "rich for the rich" and so long as its adherents consider the GOP the fount of all moral principles, it will lose.

A lot of people saw the billionaires and the bankers bailed out, and see the GOP as offering to balance the budget on the backs of the "ordinary folks". They think any GOP economic plan will protect the rich first and foremost. And they don't want to be preached to by the likes of adherents of the Religious Right such as Akin and Mourdoch.

What Obama has been doing and will do are not good, but he is seen as at least trying a new approach, as opposed to more of the same.

JJC| 11.9.12 @ 11:33AM

A new approach? Not so new. Lenin, Stalin, Mao, Castro...

filbertinO.H.I.O| 11.9.12 @ 1:44PM

The problem is not that the GOP is seen as the party of the rich, the problem is that we have too many people in this country that can't do simple math. The problem is intractable; we can't tax the rich in quantities sufficient to pay for the welfare state, and we can't cut the benefits from the obvious majority that wants them. Something's going to give. Get prepared and enjoy the show.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 5:16PM

The Muslim ran the Most Far Left Campaign this Country has EVER seen, and he got 2 MILLION more Votes than Our Guy. TWO MILLION.

More Welfare. Higher Taxes. Free Abortions. Free Condoms. More Regulations. Punish the Rich.
He ran a Campaign on 4 More Years of Higher Food Prices. Higher Energy Prices. More Bankruptcies. More Foreclosures. More Homelessness and Hopelessness. More people on Food Stamps. More people living at the Poverty Line, and BELOW IT. More people working Part Time Jobs, at Minimum Wage. More Companies getting the Hell Outta Dodge, on the next Boat for China

FCK the Catholic Church, and Freedom of Religion!

FCK the Jews, in Israel!

FCK the Rich!

FCK Whitey!

FCK all a Ya'all, who refuse to Bow to my Glory!

We coulda run JESUS CHRIST in this Election, and it wouldn't have made a difference.

Open your Eyes, Jeffery.

The MORLOCKS now Outnumber The ELOI.

Understand?

Warrior| 11.9.12 @ 8:48PM

No contest, bummer:

Q: What do you get when you cross Purp, VTwin or RCV with a pig?

A: Nothing, there are some things that pigs won't do.

Anthony| 11.9.12 @ 9:17AM

Well like I said yesterday, there goes the elite left's/squishy R line that Sarah Palin was a drag on the McLame campaign.
She got 3M more votes than Paul Ryan. Imagine that!! You won't hear that today from the whores in the media.
What this election tells us is this:
1) The new majority Obozo base is addicted to government subsidies, and no D lite is going to replace the real thing, which is the D Marxist Party.
2) The leftist MSM are the biggest cancer on what was our Constitutional Republic. They alone delivered this election to Obozo. They must be forced to pay for their corruption and negligence.
3) We now need a candidate who will not play nice with the Ds or the media. Take both head on, after all, there's nothing left to lose now, the country is lost.
We tried moderate twice, it's truly time to kick ass, if it's not too late.
I hope Sarah reemerges and starts kicking some ass, cuz we know we have no men in our party willing to do it.

squalis| 11.9.12 @ 9:37AM

I realize Newt had some baggage, but he did in the primaries, and would have in the general election taken it to the media and Obama.

Bob K| 11.9.12 @ 9:17AM

Mr. Kengor,

You missed a big reason for the low turnout.

I've lived in PA all my life and I voted for Romney.

Republicans can't win statewide elections here unless they get help from democrats. There are over 1 million more registered democrats in PA than republicans and a great many of them live outside the traditional democratic enclaves.

It is the democrats outside those areas who in a large part stayed home and did not vote for Obama. It is those democrats who made the 2010 victory for the Republican party possible.

They are strong 2nd Amendment people. They respect our nation's military traditions. Many voted for McCain. They are observant of their religions, whether catholic, evangelical, or old time protestant. They are strongly Pro-Life. They disapprove of the immigration policies of the democratic party which was the major reason for the Republican upheaval in PA in the 2010 elections.

They are why Republicans were able to control the congressional redistricting after 2010 which helped ensure that the House of Representatives stayed Republican.

They stayed home in 2012 and Tom Smith lost badly to Senator Bob Casey. That is why the Democrats won 3 statewide offices: Atty. Gen, Aud. Gen. and Treas.

These democrats are also part of Obama's "bitter clingers" who he despises and Romney and the geniuses who advised him should have extended a welcoming hand to them! Had they done so there would not have been a low republican turnout either.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 11.9.12 @ 9:45AM

"These democrats are also part of Obama's "bitter clingers" who he despises and Romney and the geniuses who advised him should have extended a welcoming hand to them".

It is significant to note that the "bitter clingers" remark was made by Obama during the Democrat primary in Pennsylvania, referring to those Democrat voters who would vote for Hillary over him, presumably due to their antipathy to those "not like them". At that time, he was correct, in that (if I recall correctly) Hillary won the 2008 PA primary.

If I correctly synthesize what I believe is your point grafted on to Obama's, apparently they considered Romney also to be "not like them"(though how they ever came to think Hillary was is beyond me).

Bob K| 11.9.12 @ 9:56AM

In Pennsylvania voting in Primary Elections is restricted to one's party registration. There is no cross voting. They voted for Hilary because she was the only alternative to Obama.

Bob K| 11.9.12 @ 1:26PM

As to your comment about Romney being "not like them:" They don't think like that; they simply did not like the message his campaign was delivering. For example, in 2010 they liked the message that the "Tea Party," whatever it was, was delivering and they voted accordingly. As I noted below (at 1:15PM) Romney was running on a "one size fits all" campaign. It did not fit the Reagan democrats in PA. In other words it was not inclusive enough for them to convince them to join.

TLP| 11.9.12 @ 5:18PM

"If only we had a Better Candidate"? "If only he had been More Conservative"?

The Muslim ran the Most Far Left Campaign this Country has EVER seen, and he got 2 MILLION more Votes than Our Guy. TWO MILLION.

More Welfare. Higher Taxes. Free Abortions. Free Condoms. More Regulations. Punish the Rich.

FCK the Catholic Church, and Freedom of Religion!

FCK the Jews, in Israel!

FCK the Rich!

FCK Whitey!

FCK all a Ya'all, who refuse to Bow to my Glory!

We coulda run JESUS CHRIST in this Election, and it wouldn't have made a difference.

Open your Eyes, Jeffery.

The MORLOCKS now Outnumber The ELOI.

Understand?

Bob K| 11.9.12 @ 9:52AM

I should have added that the democrats I wrote about (above-Reagan Democrats in reality) are also fiscally conservative.

It was shameful of the Republican Party leadership to ignore them like they did in this election. It makes one wonder if they planned to lose this election because they were afraid to win it. They surely have doubts whether they could stop our rush off the "fiscal cliff" that the media is now talking about!

I watched Romney's concession speech and it looked to me as if he was relieved that he did not win. I still am not convinced he wasn't. He certainly did not look or act unhappy!

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 10:47AM

Bob
I agree. I am also in Wester Pa, and most Dems here are pro gun and pro life, but many still vote for Dems because Dems supported labor unions in the 1930's.
As you know the problem for Reps winning in Pa is that Philly produces a 300,000 margin because the black vote is always over 90% for Dems, and the limousine liberal vote is for the Dems.
But, bottom line, who has any respect for a voter that sits at home, or votes third party, that allows Obama to win? About one million wasted their vote on Gary Johnson, and about 2/3 million Reps stayed home. There is the cause of the loss.

Albert Constantine Jr.| 11.9.12 @ 12:56PM

CJW;

To follow these points that you and Bob K. are making, would it be accurate to suggest that many of these voters were unable to choose between the threats to their 1st and 2nd Amendments rights embodied by the Obama administration, and the threat to their collective bargaining rights that they were told Romney represented, so they chose neither, and either stayed home, or voted third party or did not cast a ballot in the Presidential Race?

I haven’t seen the vote totals for Pa., so I imagine it would be telling if there were more votes cast in the US Senate or other state-wide races than were for all Presidential candidates.

To some extent, I thought Romney was trying to reach out to at least some of these voters with his appeals to those in the energy sector, particularly in coal. Apparently, these efforts were not sufficiently developed to appeal to a larger segment of this demographic.

Bob K| 11.9.12 @ 1:37PM

I don't think so. I think his campaign in Pennsylvania was, as I said, too late with too little.

These Reagan democrats have enough experience with unions to know when they help them and when they hurt them and they vote accordingly. But after the long history of labor and industry disputes in Pennsylvania replete with deaths (Like the infamous Lattimer Massacre not far from where I live--look it up) and injuries they are not likely to give up their rights to bargain collectively to the Republicans any more than they are likely to give up their firearms to the Democrats.

And that is a fact that the Republican party is going to have to realize if they don't want to become a rump party!

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 1:59PM

I believe the problem for Reps in Pa is the Philly area with the 90% regular black vote, and the surrounding white limousinse liberal counties.

Western Pa is more conservative, pro gun and pro life. We still have a remnant of the labor union mentality that talks about numerous strikes, coal mine accidents, and associates the Reps with the "bosses." I still see photos of JFK in homes. This are many Irish,Italian and Slavic Catholics here, all Dems, and involved in politics. It is changing but slowly.

Casey and Critz campaigned as opposing Obama on the EPA and other regulations. Critz worked for John Murtha, won his seat, but lost this week to a Rep. Most Dems here would be Reps in other states.

The children of the union steelworkers and coalminers, in the suburbs, have been voting more and more Republican. There aren't that many union steelworkers and mineworkers left. The mineworkers and steelworkers unions now represent government workers, office workers, and grocery store clersks. The USW (Steelworkers) represent the lawyers in the DA's office.

Butch| 11.9.12 @ 2:20PM

CJW, those Gary Johnson voters would be the Ron Paul supporters in the Republican primaries. Libertarians are nothing if not doctrinaire. I've never met one who wasn't.

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 2:58PM

Butch
Unfortunately you are correct. Some post here. They feel better now telling us Romney lost.

I know some libertarians that still have enough common sense to distinguish between Obama and Romney.

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 1:54AM

I know what you mean. I don't think Romney had the fire in his belly throughout the general election campaign. And I am saddened to find out that Romney only made a half-assed effort in Pennsylvania.

Rhoetus| 11.10.12 @ 12:37PM

Piss on Bill Scranton!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Scranton

Broadus| 11.9.12 @ 9:23AM

.I got misgivings when at the second and especially third, debate, Romney spent valuable time saying, "I agree with the President." If so, I said to myself, why vote for a man with no real stand except" I'm not as bad as Obama."
Here in central PA, too many Repubs. did not see in Romney a man who fought back; no questioning on Libya, the attack on the aggrandizing of executive power, no a clear explanation on reduction of the fisal crisis, just words upon words. And Obama does that better.I thought , If Romney isn't a stand up guy now, how will he be strong later?
At our church, a polling place, I saw massive turnout of the dependant class who asked, " Is this where I come to vote for Obama?" (True) They were of all colors and ages and family grouping. Things have changed and the GOP is still like Romney, country-club white and satisfied with being the minority party.

howard lohmuller| 11.9.12 @ 10:03AM

I agreed with Professor Kengor's opinion that Romney would win Pennsylvania. All the talk in the media and on the internet about voter intensity convinced me that our side was going to turn out big. Nagging doubts about why there were no Tea Party rallies in the last six months like 2010 were buried in the purported enthusiasm rally reported in the media.

The simple fact is that negative advertising by Democrats turned off the entire electorate. The Democrat base was stronger than the Republican base and won a close election.

The Democrat win in key states like Pennsylvania can be traced to 4 issues:
1) negative advertising worked to suppress voting,
2) give-a-ways like easy welfare, 2 year unemployment benefits, food stamps, free cell phones and promises of redistribution from rich to poor,
3) a path for single women, whom voted 70% to 30% for Democrats, to use the Federal Government as a virtual husband rather than seeking a real partner,
4) not having a path for Hispanics that stressed admitting those whom applied and qualified or served in the military,and then allowing those here illegally to work and apply for citizenship. The emphasis on border security turned them off.

Bob K| 11.9.12 @ 10:32AM

I disagree and I explain why in my comments above at 9:17 AM.

One has to lay the blame of this loss on the Campaigner and on how his campaign was run. He did nothing in PA to reach out to the Reagan Democrats. He learned nothing from the 2010 elections. No competent study of voters habits in PA could have been done. He came in with too little, too late.

The national Republican leadership is starting to look like the old Bourbon Monarchy of Louis XIV. As Talleyrand said about it: "They have learned nothing and forgotten nothing."

Then came the French Revolution.

loulou| 11.9.12 @ 10:46AM

I agree.
Why on earth did Romney have McCain and even Bush retreads advising him? James Baker??!! Where were Sarah Palin, John Bolton, etc.--the true conservatives?

Romney is what he is--a moderate. He did what moderates do and tried oh so hard not to offend and even started blathering on about "reaching across the aisle". I thought it was deja vu all over again.

Bob K| 11.9.12 @ 1:09PM

One of the big problems with Romney's strategy is that it was not tailored to the states he needed to win.

After 2010 this could not have been hard to figure out. It ignored what happened with Pennsylvania voters in 2010 and automatically put the state into the Democrats column. It should have been obvious to them that the state was ripe for a change. It should have been obvious that Reagan Democrats could have been won over. When this realization became apparent late in the election race and that Pennsylvania still might be in play they were not prepared to take advantage of it.

Same problem in Ohio and I would bet in Wisconsin and Minnesota!

Sorry! But in politics one size does not fit all. The Democrats realize that and try to find some common ground between voting groups. They got both the black and hispanic votes and those two groups intermix like oil and water!

Frankly speaking one of the ways to pick up a higher percentage of the white vote is to go after the Reagan democrats.

Bob K| 11.9.12 @ 1:15PM

The United States is a Republic made up of 50 diverse states. You cannot forget that in a national election because it is not forgotten in the individual states elections. You have to go with what has won in each individual state and go after the voting groups which are sympathetic to your platform.

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 1:58AM

I know that the Romney people obviously did NOT study the successes of the 2010 election and why there was success. It seems like he relied more on "I'm not Obama." That wasn't going to be enough.

But I will not blame Romney alone. It was up to us to help, and we didn't do enough.

JJC| 11.9.12 @ 11:26AM

Yes, it hurts. And I remember 2008 when we held our noses and trudged off to vote for McCain. This year was different and everyone sensed it, a decent candidate and an absolute necessity to rid ourselves of a tyrant. The groundswell was enormous. So now I am supposed to accept that McCain outpolled Romney? Sorry, I will never believe that. What I do believe is what everybody is so afraid to address - that there was large scale vote fraud. That is what these people do, witness their hysterical, mendacious and hypocritical opposition to any form of voter ID and the countless incidents of irregularities large and small. It is a more plausible explanation for the result than any other. This must be seriously analyzed and investigated. They won't call us Birthers, probably Votesters or whatever and do a full Alinsky. Bring it on. Again, what strikes me is not that Romney lost to Obama but that he lost to McCain. No way.

CrackerHound| 11.9.12 @ 12:09PM

Exactly JJC...I think deep down we all sense that something shady happened but we are so afraid of going down that road again. Since we have no proof, most will just let it go.

It just flies in the face of logic that an anti-American Obama who had no second term agenda and presided over the worst economy since the great depression with no improvement for four years was re-elected. Add to that, he beat a person with the EXACT credentials to fix it and came across as pleasant and is very smart and inclusive. There is no doubt that Republicans were super motivated and Dems were not completely satisfied with Obama and his performance.

So what happened? I haven't heard an acceptable explanation yet. Your explaination makes the most sense right now.

PolishKnight| 11.9.12 @ 1:37PM

It's possible but come now: Obama supporters love the guy even if the economy was going into the toilet because they're either die hard leftists/communists/socialists or they love race/gender entitlements and/or gay. That's the bottom line folks. The Democrats have been crowing and giggling about demographics and making the Republican party into a party of white guys and aging religious fundamentalists and they have a point. Unlike the Democrat party though, the Republican party doesn't take care of its own. It frets about abortion and wealthy tax rates. That's nice and all, but not enough to get out the white male and family base.

Until Republicans address leftist racist and sexist entitlements, they'll win elections. Or until their prayers to the Constitution work.

CrackerHound| 11.9.12 @ 2:37PM

Come on Polish Knight..I do not believe the majority of Americans are "die hard leftists/communists/socialists or they love race/gender entitlements and/or gay". I do agree that Republicans do not take care of their own, which is a big part of the problem.

Something happened this election that doesn't make sense. Nothing over the last four years or the public reaction to those things make sense to me.

The Arab Spring and the breathtaking suddeness of the economic meltdown on a global scale seem manufactured to me. Unfortunately I rely on my gut instinct too much but it is that instinct that tells me something is wrong. Including an election result that almost everyone thought had swung irretrievably in Romney's direction. I know things like this happen but the sequence of events and the timing of everything seems staged.

A junior senator decides to run for the presidency in 2008 and suddenly the American economy falls apart and it ends up with his opponent, a senior Republican senator "suspending" his campaign and getting publicly schooled by that junior senator.

A clear illustration of the insanity of it all:
Americans identify more with occupy wall street than the Tea Party. Is this true? From everything I read and hear, with the exception of conservative media, Occupy is righteous and the Tea Party are extremists.

My world seems backwards lately and maybe I'm not alone. Sorry for the off topic rant

PolishKnight| 11.9.12 @ 4:28PM

Hello Crackerhound. This last week, heck year, has been one that demands introspection: Justice Roberts agreed that if you tax it, then the Feds can do it. Then this. If that isn't a wake up call, then what is?

Note, I didn't say or even imply, quote: "the majority of Americans are "die hard leftists/communists/socialists or they love race/gender entitlements and/or gay"" I merely observed that the majority of Obama supporters are. As the left gleefully observes, with 35% of the country as non-whites and voting 90% or so for Obama and an 18% voting gap of man-hating feminists and unwed mothers, about 44% of the population is in Obama's back pocket. All it takes are some non-taken-care of Republican white males to stay home or be naive enough to buy into "green energy" or such nonsense, and as Stewie says: "Victory is His!" I know you may think that common sense prevails, but remember that since Republicans aren't addressing the racist entitlements, why should many of your neighbors hold it against him? And the media backs Obama up!

However, the good news is that if the racist/sexist reverse Jim Crow entitlements were taken away or even addressed by the Republican politicians, then the left would be left with the merit of their socialist agenda which many would reject. That's the GOOD news. If they can hear it in time.

Andrew P111| 11.11.12 @ 10:46PM

Romney was the wrong guy to run against Obamacare. After all, Obamacare was modeled on Romneycare, and these facts cannot be etch-a-sketched away. I expected this to happen during the primary season if moneybags Romney got the nomination, and sure enough the initial impression of Romney as a loser was proven correct.

Slacker| 11.9.12 @ 12:50PM

Hell yes his Mormonism was a factor but, not in the way you guys think.

Don’t get stuck on the bigotry assumption –can an evangelical can’t vote for a Mormon? This is entirely the wrong way to think about it.

Deeply religious voters are the most likely to accept a Mormon. They identify with abstaining from certain behaviors and products.

It’s the Joe six pack working class types that are put off. They are not bigots but, they want a President they can imagine drinking a beer with. Mormons can seem unreasonably righteous. No booze, no coffee, no smokes, no fun. How can a blue collar worker identify with that?

Bush’s drunken past, Clinton’s escapades, Obama’s smoking, Biden’s cussing; these behaviors humanize them. Sarah Palin’s knocked up daughter only made people like here more. People have flaws and like leaders with flaws. Squeaky clean is no good.

So yes, the Mormonism was a factor.

ATLsprt| 11.9.12 @ 2:19PM

(PartI)Folks, those who voted for Obama cannot be reached by repackaging the message. For over 30 years these individuals have been indoctrinated by Public schools that were abandoned to the left and are now firmly rooted in the principles of big government, social and economic justice along with gender and racial identity. The millennials who voted for Obama who seemed so strangely content with committing economic suicide by confining themselves to lives of struggle and debt have grown up in a world that always was. Their nation was always wealthy, iphones appear from the skies and their helicopter parents always provided. They have no concept of what it is like to live a nation that is not wealthy and militarily unsurpassed and therefore express rejection of the lifestyle and nation whose benefits they amply enjoy. They have grown up with debt as the norm and thus they have no concept that the nationalizing health care, student loans and endless programs that sound so wonderful will reduce the nation’s fiscal house to ruination.

PolishKnight| 11.9.12 @ 9:11PM

I'm reminded of an Ann Coulter comment where she said modern college era leftists like to think of themselves as "baaad" protesters and rebels. They go to OWS because they're tough like the "civil rights protesters" of the 60's.

What balderdash. They're a bunch of eraser clapping teachers' pet kiss-asses.

Since the left controls universities, students figure out that if they want to go to Europe and hang out in mono-ethnic socialist paradise, they better kiss their professors' butt. Students of Anita Hill claim that they learned to write in the style of black girls to get better grades. They're more conformist than the stereotypical Omega house frat boys. "Bend over and prepare to receive the blessing." "Thank you sir! May I have another?"

The average leftist elitist is a submissive shill and because they have such a low self esteem, they crave bashing those who think for themselves and unPC (conservatives.) Take it as a compliment.

ATLsprt| 11.9.12 @ 2:24PM

(part II) The fact is there is no hope for the 57m or so that rejected Mr. Obama on election night. The nation is hopelessly divided on political, ideological, cultural and geographic lines. The leftist in the northeast and west long to transform or pacify areas such as the south especially Texas by controlling the messages in the public schools, unfettered immigration and federal give aways. Those in Chicago and the Northeast despise the southerners for the role of religion plays in society. The GOP nominated two northerners from liberal states who could not carry their own states let alone mobilize all conservatives. And while Mr. Ryan is well received in southern quarters he is still symbolic of establishment republicans who are destined to confine conservatism to permanent second class status. I see growing discontent in certain areas of the nation that I would have described as insane ramblings in prior years. There will never be any accommodation with the segment of the populace who voted for Mr. Obama. The leftist in the NE and West and upper Midwest do not like conservatives and southerners and the feeling is very mutual. As a northerner who was graciously accepted through marriage into the inner circle of southern society I can tell you that there are discussions that about separation that I never felt were possible before. As Obama marches forward with his agenda of transformation that discontent will grow. I fear that there are dark days ahead.

Goldwater Girl| 11.9.12 @ 2:32PM

I read today that Obama did not win any states that require a photo ID to vote. He did win 4 states that require some form of ID, but it could be a bank statement, or utility bill, but not a picture ID. I also read that there were counties in Colorado that had 104-140% turnout. Can you say massive voter fraud? It's no wonder we were all so shocked at the outcome. They really don't have the majority of voters, unless you count the ballots that are questionable. Our focus for 2016 needs to focus on the states that don't require photo ID. What do you think was going on in Philly, when they threw out the Republican poll watchers? Democrats win because they are willing to lie, cheat and steal to win elections.

PolishKnight| 11.9.12 @ 5:19PM

I checked and yes, Virginia does allow you to bring in a utility bill which as Congressman Moran's son knows, is good enough to vote with. Just bus a bunch of kids around.

We need some more underground tactics like what worked to discredit Acorn. We should have our kids join as many Democrat email lists as possible. Go undercover. That's the idea "mule" they want: A nice suburban kid whose willing to sit on a bus and go from poll to poll with a Dan Rather generated MSword utility bill or bank statement. Have him go with an MP3 recorder in his pocket from poll to poll. Vote in each one. Then call Foxnews.

RCV| 11.10.12 @ 3:40PM

Please, Polish Knight, fill us in on the identity of just one of those "mules" who went from poll to poll.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 7:37PM

"I read today ..." ... yep that's a legal definition of proven voter fraud. What an idiot.

Immortal 600| 11.9.12 @ 9:02PM

Just go away, punk.

PolishKnight| 11.9.12 @ 9:06PM

I "read" it on the Virginia election commission web page. I suppose that's just another branch of Foxnews spreading misinformation. :-)

http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/votinginperson.html

Seriously though, Purp, even for the sleazy left, I think it's quite a stretch to send out MILLIONS of people to vote illegally using utility bills. There aren't just Obama supporters working the polls but also Republicans such as my wife. And even SOME of the Obama supporters working the polls might frown upon election fraud (not most of them, but some of them I'm sure) so in order to be inconspicuous, they'd need to fan out the fake voters at every 10th voter or so. Then after voting, ship 'em to another poll. And hope that nobody puts 2 and 2 together.

So possible? Sure. But unlikely at least at the levels Obama won this election. But Al Franken's "found" ballots cast by felons certainly put him over the top. Bottom line: the left only cares about voter fraud when the election is close and they are looking to blame someone. EVERY election they lose from now on they'll gripe about it. At least here, even the most partisan republicans are giving the benefit of a doubt.

In the meantime, the American public is going to love $10 a gallon gasoline and Carter era misery. Let's give 'em a double dose!

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 2:00AM

I have kept this to myself, because I am not in a position to prove it. But I also suspect voter fraud. But that is all it is, a suspicion. So being unable to prove anything, I do not use such suspicions in my analysis of what went wrong for Romney. That will be for the historians to uncover.

RCV| 11.10.12 @ 3:38PM

Ah yes, The "massive voting fraud" mantra. Next to "the biased media" it's the favorite conservative excuse when people reject their message and candidates.

CJW| 11.10.12 @ 8:19PM

What is your take or opinion on why Obama received about 9 million fewer votes and Romney about 3 million fewer votes this year than the 08 O/McCain totals?

RCV| 11.11.12 @ 6:25PM

If those numbers hold with thei final counting of mail in, early and absentee ballots, it simply means fewer people voted. The most populous segment of the country just experienced a major disaster, the election was not the historic milestone 2008 was, a lot of people might not have bothered in non-swing states since they believed their vote wouldn't matter anyway.

wrongheifer| 11.9.12 @ 3:22PM

so our side gave it away...oh well,...by not voting, YOU voted...poorly.

obadiah| 11.9.12 @ 3:47PM

IMO, folks are ignoring the Third Party. The Third Party is called "Disgusted." More folks than ever are voting "Disgusted." Nine million Obama voters changed to "Disgusted." Two million McCain voters changed to "Disgusted."

Live Free or Die| 11.9.12 @ 5:02PM

What a surprise! Romney lost to McCain, McCain lost to Obama. Romney lost by more to Obama.
Duh.

dherion| 11.9.12 @ 5:08PM

If Romney ran a good campaign he would have received more votes than McCain. How could we expect a man who could not beat McCain 4 years ago, beat Obama now? He ran a passive, weak campaign. Battles are won before they are even fought. Romney let Obama set the battlefield for months - 1%, Bain, War on Women, Chicago is racism, etc. Romney may be a good business man but he is a lousy politician - he's not a street fighter and politics is a contact sport. On some level white guilt plays a big part in all this. Hillary, McCain and now Romney all refused to attack the true radical nature of Obama out of baseless fear of being called racist.

PolishKnight| 11.9.12 @ 9:15PM

In all fairness, Romney took those hits in the primaries and the media which he couldn't control. I do think he could have fired back better in the ads but also, as I'm going to repeat here over and over until you all get it: He and future candidates will NOT win (exceptions below) until he takes care of his demographic (white males) that the left are throwing to the wolves (their demographic.) White males won't show up to vote for him and the left will either steal white males (36% or so) or get their own electorate (the wolves) out for race and gender spoils. That's how it works. Deal with it.

The exception is if in 2016 the left runs an unusually awful candidate similar to Al Bore or John "War hero, spit on my fellow vets" Kerry. Those were LAUGHABLE campaigns but even then, they got good numbers. The left has gotten their numbers with reverse Jim Crow. Only until the right goes after that elephant (so to speak) in the room will they stand a chance in 2016.

Bob K| 11.9.12 @ 10:01PM

You are right! Absolutely! There is a white demographic out there for the Republican party which was contemptuously defined by Obama in 2008 as the "bitter clingers." He meant white democrats. Mainly white male democrats. He even referred to them again, also contemptuously, in this election cycle when Pennsylvania came up. This demographic is ripe for plucking by the Republican party. All they have to do is get the message out to them and it can't be done by the Republican leadership apologizing all over the place because it might seem like they are seeking white voters! Tip O'Neill said "Politics ain't beanbag!" The Republican leadership has to stop playing it.

Obama and the liberals don't want this demographic so go out and get them!

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 2:03AM

We need a conservative with the honesty and principle of Reagan and the ruthlessness and political savvy of a Nixon, in terms of a candidate who can campaign and run on both ideas and attack tactics. I once thought that Newt Gingrich could be that person, but his temper and his rashness got the best of him, and he would not have won this year, either.

Thom| 11.9.12 @ 6:35PM

“We were expecting turnout akin to 2010”

Perhaps someone should send a sub-space message to the smartest dumbarse on the Supreme Court and ask him what throwing the Constitution under the bus does for faith in the system of government we have? That might have some bearing on lack of turnout.

Immortal 600| 11.9.12 @ 6:36PM

Does everyone assume that the vote totals from this election are legitimate? Let's see. There were 10 million newly eligible voters this time but the total ballots were 10 million LESS than last Presidential election. We are made to believe that there was less enthusiasm for Romney than McCain. Really????? A company from Spain did the counting. It has ties to George Soros. It was above reproach, right? Don't bet on it. This election was rigged and I'm shocked at how many people are not even willing to question the numbers given. A final note. They are stealing the election from Allen West in Florida. When will people wake up? For me, I no longer have faith in the electoral process in the United States.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 7:47PM

You are demoralized because you LOST, that is all. The rest is conspiracy theories that anyone can make up out of thin air.
Accept you lost, lost BIG and move on.
What did YOU did wrong to lose?

Immortal 600| 11.9.12 @ 8:31PM

I just knew an ass like you would respond. I'm not demoralized you fool. I look forward to the melt down that idiots like YOU have created. Now go blow your boyfriend.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 10:23PM

Allen West is a creep and needed to lose.

YOU lost and it's killing you. I get that.
But of course, you wish for America to fail, you asshole. Just so you can feel better? Really? You are sick dude. Get to the doctor - Quick.

LarryinArlingtonTX| 11.10.12 @ 2:04AM

Screw you, Purp. Leave Allen West alone, butthead, before I try to find a virtual way to kick your butt. You are the sick one.

Purp| 11.10.12 @ 2:40PM

I am free to criticize, demonize or throw verbal insults at whomever I wish. You cannot take that away from me, you fascist pig.
You lost, you're a sore loser, and Allen West should be in a booby hatch. What has he ever done in Congress but shoot off his BIG Mouth?
I'm not the sick one - I am the WINNER! Take that and shove it.

CJW| 11.10.12 @ 8:21PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following:

So pupie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking

Please keep posting Purpie. We could not make up what you write.

PolishKnight| 11.9.12 @ 9:20PM

Purp... I don't take my opponents opinions to heart (I don't trust your motives, obviously) but I do have to consider them literally. And you have a point. Romney although much better than McCain was still too "moderate" when it came to taking care of his electorate and not addressing leftist reverse-Jim Crow policies. The lesson is that playing "nice" will lose for them.

And ironically, you will get the "change" in the right the left may not have hoped for. Both Bushes played ball with the left supporting amnesty for illegals, throwing the republican working and middle class to the wolves, and generally being all the bad things Marxist rhetoric says but the marxists instead secretly exploited (the left doesn't go after "the rich", they go after white working class men. You know, the hammer and sickle guys fixing plumbing and working on farms.)

Now... you get your wish. Let's have Obama SHAFT the rich and make George Soros pay up some of his collaborator money. Let's have Obama redistribute the Republican elite's money. Hit 'em where it hurts.

Then, maybe, they'll care about winning elections again and start caring about getting guys like me to the polls. Then LOOK OUT!

CJW| 11.9.12 @ 10:05PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following yesterday:

So pupie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking.

Purp| 11.9.12 @ 10:24PM

Retard aren't you?

CJW| 11.10.12 @ 9:55AM

IS that the best you can do, Idiot?

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following:

So pupie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking

Purp| 11.10.12 @ 2:40PM

Well at least you learned how to copy/paste - Retard.

CJW| 11.10.12 @ 8:07PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following:

So pupie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking

Americanpatriot| 11.11.12 @ 10:46AM

Obama knew this election was in the bag for him before we ever cast a vote. That was when he talked the Russian guy and said I will have more leeway after the election. Romney had ten million new registered republicans and we are supposed to believe that he got 3.2 million less votes than Obama. Not possible. This whole election does not pass the smell test This president was not elected by the majority fo the people of this country and I think he knows it.

Hampstead| 11.9.12 @ 9:16PM

Some of the decrease in GOP voter turnout may have been due to the efforts of the governor of Florida and others like him. Democrats, rightly or wrongly, believed that GOP operatives were trying their best to keep minority voters away from the polls, so they were determined to wait in line as long as necessary - up to six hours in many cases. I doubt that, in Florida for example, a 70 year old retired republican would wait anywhere near that long, so they stayed away in droves, which was especially harmful to Romney in that state which is the home of millions of GOP retirees.

Purp| 11.10.12 @ 2:42PM

So the Voter Suppression Tricks of Republican Rik Scott backfired?
GOOD! Democracy wins! Freedom and Liberty prevail. The nutjobs and corrupt have been turned back.
Thank you, Florida for sticking it out and proving that dirty tricks don't work in the face of true Americanism!

CJW| 11.10.12 @ 8:07PM

Purpie the Village Idiot p0sted the following:

So pupie believes and approves that God killed over 100 people, destroyed homes, and injured many so that Obama could win.

Last month purpie wrote that Ambassador Stevens is responsible for his own death.

This is the message of the loony left: Purpie and his band of followers. They do not deserve any response other that ridicule and mocking

75497| 11.10.12 @ 10:03AM

Or... [and no I am not crazy] the totals are inaccurate. This smells wrong. sorry, but it does. Even if Romney did not get out the vote, the vote against Obama would have surely motivated. Unless McCain voting citizens moved from the state, I cannot reconcile this result with reason. Same thing across the board. What about you?

Andrew P111| 11.11.12 @ 10:56PM

The vote against Obama was motivated, but it was not enough. McCain had Sarah Palin on the ticket, and the vote for her was at least a few million. Ryan just didn't generate that kind of excitement for a underwhelming guy like Romney.

Politics Debunked | 11.10.12 @ 3:10PM

A major reason Obama won: People didn't realize how much he lied. Many liberal newspapers reported his claim he will "pay down our debt".. and never printed anything questioning it. He constantly repeated the lie, contradicted by his own budget document. The anti-Obama media likely didn't bother pointing out his lie because they thought it was obvious.. but it wasn't to many people it appears.

Obama claimed at the Democratic National Convention on Sept. 6th, 2012: "I'll use the money we're no longer spending on war to pay down our debt".

Yet the White House site contains his 2013 budget proposal with a table showing his planned national debt at the end of each year through 2022. It adds at least $900 billion to the debt every year, $9.6 trillion over a decade.

If a CEO lied about his company's finances to get people to buy stock, the public would cry "fraud! send him to jail!". Should we trust someone to run our government that we wouldn't trust to run a company? This isn't a one time gaffe, he has repeated it from the State of the Union in January, through dozens of speeches into October and a campaign commercial.

For details about this, or to see the issue described in an amusing cartoon&video; mashup of Obama's own words, see the new site: http://PoliticsDebunked.com

Jauko| 11.10.12 @ 8:33PM

Way too many Ron Paul supporters stayed home. The GOP should have known better and allowed Ron Paul to be the candidate. Ron Paul was what the RNC needed to win this presidency.

Commander Kelly | 11.11.12 @ 6:19AM

Why Did Romney lose? See my post "Full Reverse".
Also note "A More Dangerous World" and "Rumble in America" only here...http://americanconservativeinlondon.blogspot.co.uk/

Theo Prinse| 11.11.12 @ 6:39AM

No Mitt Romney, Paul Ryan, the conservatives and the republicans did just fine.
Maybe a little to decent, to polite.
The reason of Obama's reelection within the 2.5 percent is caused by the monopoly mass media of ABC MSNBC CNN CBS has over the undecided voter, the necessity for polling agencies to comply with their party political preference in order to have its then party political preference broadcasted for millions of mostly undecided voters and the fact that ABC, MSNBC, CNN and CBS were all pro Obama and anti Mitt Romney.
There were other factors ..but these were marginal to the above.
2ndly by protocol Mitt Romney received CIA briefings from Michael Morell in the last weeks during the debates and concluded that if the information he got regarding the Benghazigate scandal where Obama has committed at least two counts of Treason to the US Congress were to be made publick .. Romney concluded he either had to acquiescence by keeping this secret or get the blame for supposedly causing a second US civil war given the gravity of all the constitutional powers involved ...

Dick| 11.11.12 @ 7:12AM

Romney ran a bland, safe campaign, no talk of restricting immigration, both legal and illegal, no talk of ending affirmative action and racial set- asides and finally going after Obama as a white-hating racist!

ElGordo| 11.11.12 @ 7:32AM

The House Republicans should refuse to negotiate any tax changes until the administration releases all the information on Benghazi & Fast/Furious.

cruccia| 11.11.12 @ 10:34AM

there is another reason cCain beagt Romney, and I can't understand why this author hasn't mentioned it:

http://www.womenwintoo.blogspo.....-came.html

Americanpatriot| 11.11.12 @ 10:37AM

The answer is Romney did not receive fewer votes than McCain. I know that did not happen. Period. Romney was drawing crowds of 30,000 to 40,000 people. Did McCain ever do that. No. The people who stood in line for hours said the Romney enthuisiam was palpable. The votes were counted by a company called scytl. Votes in some Cleveland andPhildelphia wards were over 100
%. Clevelaqnd wards had anywhere between 115% to as much as 140%. That is impossible, that is more people than even live there. Until the conservatives rise up and say we will not tolerate voter fraud no republican will ever win. The majority of the country was for Romney. This election was cooked before a single vote was ever cast. I will take that to my grave knowing that this was done. May God help all of the people who were involved in this perpetration

RCV| 11.11.12 @ 6:27PM

Please cite some hard sources for the nonsense you just posted.

Andrew P111| 11.11.12 @ 10:58PM

Sarah Palin drew HUGE crowds in 2008. I know. I was in one.

dan pet| 11.14.12 @ 10:07PM

Yes. She sure did.

Rhoetus| 11.11.12 @ 12:28PM

Conservatives Unite! Rules for Conservatives @
http://www.saveamericanow.us.com

RomeoLima| 11.11.12 @ 1:09PM

In saying that Obama succeeded in “convincing Democrats that his disastrous economic record was the fault of George W. Bush” due to the "nation’s economic illiteracy”, Kengor misses the point – Obama succeeded by pointing out – 100% correctly – that the middle class' wealth has been disappearing upstream for quite some time and that the GOP’s position is to, if any, exacerbate this scenario.

I’d argue that rather than economic illiteracy, it was the “blue sky” thinking all around during the whole housing/easy credit bubble -- with the banking sector doing absolutely everything in its power to grease the skids for what they must have known would be a disastrous outcome -- that caused the collapse.

There are other reasons for the Republicans’ defeat -- among them, that the country is moving socially away from a Leviticus-based view of morality, and yes, that we're seeing a shift in demographics away from a white majority (here again, if the GOP continues to disbelieve the real world math involved it will only continue to fool itself into obscurity), but overall it is not that the country, or Democrats as a group, were fooled...it is that we see very clearly what the economic math tells us: the rich are getting richer at our expense. The GOP would do well to go back and study Eisenhower's positions on the middle class and its central importance to the party.

FWIW, I’m a college educated white guy in his 40’s that runs a decent-sized business.

scottstams| 11.11.12 @ 1:44PM

Apart from party identification change from Repub to independent (thanks Aiken and Murdock) another reason fewer Republicans voted because there are millions fewer Republicans alive since 2008. There are approx. 2.5 million deaths per year in America, most from natural causes, and if we believe voting patters, a majority are Republicans. There are over 3 million people coming of age per year in America, and if we believe US polling and census data based on ethnicity they are likely Democrats.

So in short, we are dying and are being replaced by Democrats.

Dawns Daddy| 11.11.12 @ 1:51PM

Mitt Romney did not have Sarah Palin on his ticket, nor did he get much more than luke warm support from her. For all of the abuse she took, and all of the great ideas and potential shown by Paul Ryan, Romney lost because the Republican base didn't trust him and stayed home. That would not have happened if Sarah were part of the election.

scottstams| 11.11.12 @ 3:42PM

With all due respect, Sarah Palin was the reason I voted Libertarian last time and I voted for Romney this time. That being said, she did cause an uptick in support from women and that alone should be instructive as to where the GOP's problem is.

dan pet| 11.14.12 @ 10:09PM

Are you kidding with this nonsense?? OK so I guess it is 1 vs. 2.5 million. Anyone else???

DionLA| 11.11.12 @ 6:24PM

The fact that you found Romney "a genuinely decent man" who lost because of "this nation’s economic illiteracy" points to your continuing clueless. Keep believing this kind of idiocy and "conservatives" will never win another presidential election again.

Alborn| 11.11.12 @ 10:54PM

A candidate that cannot win his own state cannot win a national election. Plus there are a lot of fundamentalist religious people that will not vote against their conscious. Republicans can never count on these people to vote against another candidate. They will not vote. John McCain being a veteran gave him an advantage over Romney. Apparently there were a lot of Mormons that did like Romney. The Harry Reid cult.

aMountainClimber| 11.12.12 @ 12:15AM

Romney did not lose for any of the reasons that you have listed. The nature of your article reveals the reason for the loss. All your conclusions are based on anecdotal accounts to the exclusion of the data. The republican campaign relied on authorities who based their choices on intuition and feelings, just as you are. The primary mistake is obvious if you look at the data. Targeting undecided voters (about 5-8% of the electorate) is a flawed strategy. On average only 60% of registered voters actually vote. That means 40% of the electorate does not. Obama did not work in business, he worked as a community organizer. His strategy, based on his experience, targets the 40% who don't show up. Any attention his campaign paid to undecided voters was misdirection. You take the bait when you quote Romney's winning percentage of undecided or independent voters. OBAMA DID ONE THING, AND ONLY ONE THING TO WIN THE ELECTION. HE TARGETED THE 40% WHO DON'T SHOW UP FOR THE ELECTION.

Gavin| 11.12.12 @ 11:51AM

Paul's article is misleading, misguided and biased. I certainly hope he has enough gall to finally admit that the republicans failed to do their homework and got bamboozled and steamrolled by the Obama campaign.

dan pet| 11.14.12 @ 10:06PM

HMMMM....Can anyone think of some difference between McCain and Romney? What could that possibly be?? HMMM...wow, nothing comes to mind...OH WAIT....Could it be? perhaps? Dare I say it? I will!! SARAH PALIN!!!!!

IrishinNE| 11.15.12 @ 11:09AM

This article is a good example of why the Republicans lost. Two pages discussing how Romney did not perform as well as McCain because the base did not turn out and not one mention of Sarah Palin.

KeithDB | 3.24.13 @ 3:06PM

There is only one problem with this story. It's all based on numbers that are not true. Romney got nearly a million more votes than McCain. This article is an example of an appalling lack of journalistic integrity.
http://www.network54.com/Forum.....tive+Myth.

The American Spectator

A Further Perspective

McCain Beats Romney!

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