Wednesday, November 7, 2012

For people living on Mars who may not have heard

...here are the results of the 2012 Presidential Election in the United States:

Popular vote (unofficial): Obama 60,899,564 (50.4%); Romney 57,961,119 (48.1%)

Electoral vote (the one that really counts, with 270 required to win) currently sits at Obama 303 (blue), Romney 206 (red), with Florida’s 29 votes “leaning” toward Obama 49.8% to 49.3%



The nation remains in gridlock. In the Senate, where 33 out of the 100 seats were up for election and 51 are required for a majority, the Democrats increased their number from 53 to 54. In the House of Representatives, where all 435 seats were up for election and 218 are required for a majority, the Republicans dropped from 242 to 234 but retain their majority.

Basically, nothing has changed.

I suppose the most important sentence in this post is this one:

The nation remains in gridlock.

[Editor’s note. The numbers in this post are as of 1900 hours, Eastern time, November 8, 2012. --RWP]

12 comments:

  1. 'Deadlock' might be more appropriate. Did Romney really mean it when he wished Obama well and will the republicans try to find some common ground with the democrats?

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  2. Shooting Ian, dictionary.com says deadlock means "a state in which progress is impossible, as in a dispute, produced by the counteraction of opposing forces; standstill; stalemate" and gridlock means "any situation in which nothing can move or proceed in any direction" so either word seems to apply to the U.S. at the moment. Mr. Romney is an honorable man in spite of his opposition's attack ads against him and I think he does wish Mr. Obama well. As to what "the republicans" might try, I have no clue.

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  3. I'm not suggesting that you have inside information on future political tactics by the republicans in Congress or the Senate, but even from here it has been clear to see that the checks and balances have become more of a road block.

    Both sides could do with reading The Righteous Mind by Jonathan Haidt.

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  4. I knew the results before I went to bed last night, resulting in a restless night. 'nuf said.

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  5. Parrots, I clicked on your link and read your post and its comments (all of which I somehow missed last May). Very interesting stuff indeed.

    Pat, maybe the post I have scheduled for tomorrow (Nov. 8th) will help you sleep better. Then again, maybe not.

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  6. We in Canada hoped Romney would win because he would have worked better with our Prime Minister.

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  7. As Jerry Lewis used to say, "Hey, Lady!" -- we have to remain absolutely politically correct in these here United States even if it means we don't get to say what we think, otherwise we will be accused of racism. I kid you not.

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  8. lol Well this election was about the economy for the most part.
    Although it is nice to have a federal medicare you don't push a program like this through when every one is suffering.If you don't pay your fees it results in more aggravation with the government chasing you and still you will not get what you need.I think the insurance keeps a tighter ship and leaves room open for new cheaper progressive less invasive procedures while the bureaucracy continues to charge bi time for outdated methods.There is a lot to think about here.
    I think only the big things like cancer, heart operations kidney transplants etc....should be under medicare and visits to the doctor for small things should be paid for separate.

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  9. What a huge relief that President Obama has won a second term. This is not only good for America's disadvantaged but also good for the never-ending quest for world peace. Congratulations to you too Mr Brague for assisting in the electoral processes that brought President Obama back to The White House. However, I must admit that in these challenging economic times President Obama was lucky to be up against such an inferior and very questionable Republican candidate who is of course now resigned to the cobwebbed annals of history.

    By the way, I know a couple of Canadians who were also right behind President Obama so A Lady's Life's sweeping remark should be taken with a large shovelful of salt. Four More Years! Four More Years!

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  10. Snowbrush, I'm glad you found me too.

    A Lady's Life, your opinion is shared by many here. Around 48.1%, I believe. Nearly half. Just not quite enough. I blame the 12 million fewer voters than in 2008.

    Yorkshire Pudding, I can always count on you to be shy and demure, gracious in defeat, and obnoxious in victory.

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  11. I I can always count on you to be shy and demure, gracious in defeat, and obnoxious in victory."

    I believe we all lost, no matter which of the two candidates won.

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<b>My new favorite poem</b>

...is the following one, purportedly by Billy Collins: Another Reason Why I Don't Keep A Gun In The House The neighbors'...