Well done, USA.

[killer]

Spot on with the election yesterday. You made a definite choice. What a change from chad problems in Florida a few years ago.

I wish you all the best whether you voted for or against. Its your country but, from an outsiders view (not only me but the world), it was the correct choice.

An interesting opinion poll conducted by the BBC.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20008687

[Cigarguy]

Yeah happy outcome was decisive last night instead of waiting again for Florida to upgrade to a 3rd world democracy capability or 1980. Hopefully by 2016 we'll know who carried Florida for 2012.

$3 Billion is a lot of $$$ for a marketing campaign. Now that it's over hopefully everyone will get back to work, get things done and get the economy going. That's my hope even though I'm not too optimistic with "I'm against the other guy" that is the current US politics. It's not much about policy anymore as it is how much can I screw the other politician.

[ThinkRob]

Thanks mate.

Not sure if there was a "right" choice, but at least it's over now.

Sadly, my state regressed rather substantially in a couple ways... but that's another discussion.

[DaKKS]

As I wrote on facebook. Faith in the American people, restored.

[ajkula66]

Not sure if there was a "right" choice, but at least it's over now.

+1 and then some...

[Cigarguy]

Same here in Canada. Seems every election cycle we are electing the same old recycled wolves.

[pianowizard]

Obama was the right choice, in the sense that it was the better choice. I was not crazy about him, but was even less crazy about the other guy.

[mpcook]

Obama was the right choice, in the sense that it was the better choice. I was not crazy about him, but was even less crazy about the other guy.

+1 to that.

[DaKKS]

Obama was the right choice, in the sense that it was the better choice. I was not crazy about him, but was even less crazy about the other guy.

You cant be crazy about a politician. You vote on the candidate that you dislike the least... And the one who's least likely to screw you over.

Which I why I'm so fond of Fredrik Reinfeldt (Swedish Prime Minister). Its not that he doesn't screw you over, its that he has the balls to look you in the eye while doing it. If nothing else, you gotta respect him for that.

As for Obama vs. Romney. The only reason Romney even stood a chance is because America as a nation is far too conservative. The saying, "Why fix something that ain't broke?" has its uses, i'm not desputing that. But there comes a time when you have to bring in something new or you're going to get left behind. Imho, Americans don't like trying out new things and that's exactly what Obama is doing. Looking around in the world and pinching what might work for the US as well.

[killer]

Good points, DaKKs.

China is now the second largest economy in the world. It is a single party state. Anathema to me but it works. It is a corrupt political state and, in my opinion, needs to change.
Nevertheless, they have avoided wars since helping North Korea, and have concentrated efforts into building a new system.

Meanwhile, in the western world, we have funded wars all over the place and been probably as corrupt as the Chinese. The banking system has more or less collapsed and I can get no more than 2% on any investments ... 1.5% after tax. The politicians have fun. They claim expenses for everything. If I claim expenses it is scrutinised. To them it is tax-free income.

Anyway, live long, be happy, and have fun. You will be dead for longer than you live.

To Bill Morrow: We have our differences but I think we are both sane. I apologise to you, and any other Republicans, if I implied that only gormless people would vote for Mitt Romney. (It's in another thread.)

We Brits tend to view politics with a sense of humour and everyone that pokes their head above the trench tends to get shot. Humour is our response to their supercilliousness. I hope that makes sense and I wish you every success for the next four years.

We don't need to change our head of state that frequently.

[jronald]

Im a Retail Parts Manager by day, so everyone I spoke to got the same speech;
It is YOUR duty to vote, so go out there and vote for someone you dislike, or someone you really dislike.
Most asked me who I was voting for, My reply was always the same:"Sorry but Im not really sure who Im voting for is relevant!"

Ron

[ajkula66]

As for Obama vs. Romney. The only reason Romney even stood a chance is because America as a nation is far too conservative.

From one (transplanted) European to another: I don't believe that you understand the nature of American politics too well. One of Romney's biggest problems was that he was not perceived as being conservative enough...

[DaKKS]

From one (transplanted) European to another: I don't believe that you understand the nature of American politics too well. One of Romney's biggest problems was that he was not perceived as being conservative enough...

That was taken out of context, mate. As I later explained the problem lies with the fact that they're so against anything new that they're blind to how much good its doing. There is noting wrong with being conservative, but being too conservative is an issue... When you refuse something, not on the basis of what it is, but because its not what you're used to. That's not how you evolve as a nation and people.

Also, your post makes no sense. If the American people don't think Romney is conservative enough, why did they vote for someone who's even less conservative? Doesn't that...dunno...make no sense?

And for the record, in live in Sweden, which is widely considered the 52nd state of the US (51st being Iraq... ) The US election gets more coverage over here than our own. Even if you don't want to, you'll learn every last bit of US politics...

[Radioguy]

Also, your post makes no sense. If the American people don't think Romney is conservative enough, why did they vote for someone who's even less conservative? Doesn't that...dunno...make no sense?

It makes perfect sense if people didn't turn out to vote for him.

[DaKKS]

It makes perfect sense if people didn't turn out to vote for him.

In that case, they have nobody to blame but themselves.

[Radioguy]

In that case, they have nobody to blame but themselves.

If you mean for not turning out during the primaries, I agree.

[ajkula66]

Also, your post makes no sense. If the American people don't think Romney is conservative enough, why did they vote for someone who's even less conservative? Doesn't that...dunno...make no sense?

Romney got 3 million less *Republican* votes than John McCain four years ago according to some sources. He simply failed to sell himself as an acceptable candidate to the conservative base of the Republican party. And McCain is far from a true conservative himself...

And for the record, in live in Sweden, which is widely considered the 52nd state of the US (51st being Iraq... ) The US election gets more coverage over here than our own. Even if you don't want to, you'll learn every last bit of US politics...

I believe that you've just proven my point...

The place of 51st state was taken a long time ago, and not by Iraq. Let's leave it at that - or take it to email/PM if you feel like discussing that particular issue any further.

I've been watching U.S. politics for three decades now, and know exactly where you're coming from with the statement above. However, there is no *true* understanding of American politics to be gained until one has lived in America for several years. I would venture a guess that this is applicable for the most countries, regardless of their political systems.

[killer]

The result in Florida was announced after days of waiting. One has to wonder why it takes so long there when everything else was cut and dried much earlier.

It is not a particularly remote state, like Hawaii. It is a fair size, but tiny compared with Alaska or Texas.

At least it had no bearing this time.

Is a different system used there?

(The naughty boy in me thinks that maybe they use locals to count the votes and they are all over 90 so they go 1, 2, 3,4, 5 and then forget how far they counted.)

[wolfman]

Romney got 3 million less *Republican* votes than John McCain four years ago according to some sources. He simply failed to sell himself as an acceptable candidate to the conservative base of the Republican party. And McCain is far from a true conservative himself....

Did he really though? McCain received 59,948,240 votes and Romney received 58,651,571 votes. That's a difference of 1.3 million votes. Conversely, Obama received 69,498,215 votes in 2008 and 61,939,115 in 2012.
2008 election: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Sta ... tion,_2008.
2012 election: http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/national.php.

I'm not sure the source of the 3 million fewer votes - but it would appear Barak Obama received nearly 8 million fewer votes than in 2008. A number of the voters on both sides were independent, Libertarian, Green - but I don't know how they could break down the votes cast by party since it's a secret ballot vote.

[Cigarguy]

The result in Florida was announced after days of waiting. One has to wonder why it takes so long there when everything else was cut and dried much earlier.

It is not a particularly remote state, like Hawaii. It is a fair size, but tiny compared with Alaska or Texas.

At least it had no bearing this time.

Is a different system used there?

(The naughty boy in me thinks that maybe they use locals to count the votes and they are all over 90 so they go 1, 2, 3,4, 5 and then forget how far they counted.)

I think it's just politics, wanting attention and mostly incompetence. 4 hours+ of waiting in line to vote? That should not be tolerated. Is this not the US of A where voting rights is sacred and encourage? Is this some third world State where elections are new so don't have their act together? The largest two States by population were able to get their act together. Even states devastated by hurricane Sandy was able to get their act together.

[GomJabbar]

I believe they get the votes by party from the (voluntary) exit polls.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exit_poll

[wolfman]

Gotcha. Maybe because I live in a rural area I hadn't thought of that. There was no exit polling are out polling station. Seems like they'd need to do some extrapolation to come up with a number. I had heard the specific 3 million number on the news as well so I figured I'd ask and see if anyone knew what the method of determination was. Thanks.

[Radioguy]

Even states devastated by hurricane Sandy was able to get their act together.

I can tell you, for a fact, that this isn't true. While it's likely not to have made much difference in a state that traditionally skews democratic, there were significant irregularities taking place in New York, such as equipment breakdowns and ballots that will go uncounted due to improper handling. Such things happen to some extent during every election, but not on the scale experienced last week. Now, in defense of the Board of Elections, the storm can be blamed for adding to the chaos, but they were still not prepared for the expected turnout despite having to accommodate displaced voters who, by executive order of the Governor, were allowed to vote anywhere in the state.

Witnessing this, I know no election run within the current system can truly have a definitive winner. It's just not possible.

[Cigarguy]

Oh I don't dispute here are more than the usual amount of irregularities for States affected by Sandy. Human error and/or human mischief is part of life. Despite everything, fact is those States affected by Sandy reported relatively quickly.

[Radioguy]

I, for one, am willing to wait for an accurate count compared to a quick one. Unfortunately, that just doesn't happen.