Two weeks from today the final votes will be cast and the counting will get underway.
Will there be court challenges? Will there be recounts?
I know most people just want this to be over and done with.
I remember this time in 2008 I was hoping for a decisive victory and naively thought that would end some of the partisan divide. I learned that doesn’t help churlish republicans accept losing — they’re just plain ole sore losers. There was a very decisive victory both in the popular vote and the electoral college, President Obama put a hurtin’ on John McCain. And the republicans whined, were surly, and began planning how best to obstruct progress for America.
I have no such naive expectations this time around!
I’m as interested in the Senate as the presidential race. This was to be the year the republicans took over the majority in the Senate. 🙂 It now looks like the democrats will pick up about three seats. Doesn’t mean much since the days of filibuster everything and need of a 60 vote super-majority began.
On the other hand, there is the House and it looks like the democrats will pick up a seat which falls far short of making this legislative body anything more than its been since the 2010 midterms. I no longer have any illusions about House republicans. I know who and what they are.
I look at several polling sites regularly. I don’t really know how much confidence I place in polls but find it like not being able to turn away from a car wreck. I look.
I’m sure everyone knows President Obama still holds the lead in Electoral College predictions, still has more options for achieving the magic number of 270. Here is an interesting summation of that road to 270:
Although this race is very close, the road to 270 electoral votes is considerably more difficult for Romney than it is for Obama. The president starts off with undisputed leads in 16 states and the District of Columbia with 237 electoral votes, 33 short of the 270 needed to win. Romney begins with equally clear leads in 23 states with 191 electoral votes, 79 short of a victory. Nine states with 110 electoral votes are in the admittedly broad Toss-Up column (Colorado, Florida, Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, and Wisconsin). Obama needs to win 30 percent of those Toss-Up electoral votes; Romney needs 72 percent of those votes.
Not all of the states in this Toss-Up column are equal. Most private polls show Romney with low single-digit leads in North Carolina and Virginia. For the sake of argument, let’s give Romney both states, adding 28 additional electoral votes to the 191 that Romney already led in, for a total of 219 — 51 short of a victory.
At the same time, Obama has a lead in Nevada that is wider than any advantage that Romney has in North Carolina and Virginia, so let’s add the Silver State’s six electoral votes to the Obama 237, bringing his total to 243, 27 short of 270.
That leaves six remaining states — Colorado (9), Florida (29), Iowa (6), New Hampshire (4), Ohio (18), and Wisconsin (10) — with a total of 76; Obama needs 27 of the 76 while Romney needs 51. But the challenge for Romney isn’t just that he needs to win two-thirds of the “true” Toss-Up state electoral votes. It’s that in five of the six (Colorado, Iowa, New Hampshire, Ohio, and Wisconsin) Obama is still leading in most polling, particularly the last two, while in Florida, it seems awfully close to dead even. If Obama carries Ohio and Wisconsin, where he is ahead in most polling, he gets the 270 with one electoral vote to spare, so Romney could sweep Colorado, Florida, Iowa, and New Hampshire and still come up short.
Oh, the excitement! This is the day Donald Trump is to show up with Obama divorce papers in hand, expose them, and end the race for president convincingly.
It would be great fun if The Donald would show up dressed in drag for his big earth-shattering announcement! 🙂
Fox “News” will have something to air all day long. The Foxxies will be drooling. I can only imagine their elation.
We can only hope that this stunt turns out just like Trump’s previous stunts (and Romney’s now infamous smackdown by Candy Crowley) and leave everyone pointing and laughing.
But, I’m sure the Foxxies in the Hen House will be delirious in their Gossipy Church Womens Group as they cackle 24/7.
I swear – watching Fox News is like watching a mega preacher and/or televangelist at work – the same tactics are used to separate the fools from their money.
Millions of voters will pick the candidate who promises to create American jobs while at the same time his company is in the process of shutting down a manufacturing company in Freeport Illinois to outsource those American jobs to China.
I believe you’ll find that Freeport, IL company closing situation in many, many American cities. Behind many of the closings will be an equity firm which borrowed a bunch of money to buy the company and then, somehow, the COMPANY ended up owing the debt. That’s the Bain way of doing business.
It’s a bit too complicated for a Romney voter to understand.
Romney is counting on the Dancing Horse voters who think that horse is worth a $77,000 tax deduction when they themselves do not make near that money at their own job.
I kinda doubt it. The impression I get from those mega churches is they cherish their money ever bit as much as Romney does his. Any they give away will probably be carefully calculated as to what return it will bring.
Come on Ms. Coulter, you aren’t dumb and you aren’t shallow. So why are you continually using a word like the R-word as an insult?
I’m a 30 year old man with Down syndrome who has struggled with the public’s perception that an intellectual disability means that I am dumb and shallow. I am not either of those things, but I do process information more slowly than the rest of you. In fact it has taken me all day to figure out how to respond to your use of the R-word last night.
I thought first of asking whether you meant to describe the President as someone who was bullied as a child by people like you, but rose above it to find a way to succeed in life as many of my fellow Special Olympians have.
Then I wondered if you meant to describe him as someone who has to struggle to be thoughtful about everything he says, as everyone else races from one snarkey sound bite to the next.
Finally, I wondered if you meant to degrade him as someone who is likely to receive bad health care, live in low grade housing with very little income and still manages to see life as a wonderful gift.
Because, Ms. Coulter, that is who we are – and much, much more.
After I saw your tweet, I realized you just wanted to belittle the President by linking him to people like me. You assumed that people would understand and accept that being linked to someone like me is an insult and you assumed you could get away with it and still appear on TV.
I have to wonder if you considered other hateful words but recoiled from the backlash.
Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor.
No one overcomes more than we do and still loves life so much.
Come join us someday at Special Olympics. See if you can walk away with your heart unchanged.
A friend you haven’t made yet, John Franklin Stephens
Global Messenger
Special Olympics Virginia
(Many of the OVER 1,500 comments are good reading. This is one of many I appreciated: Chris says — “Very commendable. You made your point, exposed her for the insensitive, intolerant person she is and did it without stooping to her level of ignorance. You sir, are a study in class and gentility. You have also inspired me with your words.”
The weight of Mitten$ ignorance will drag us to the bottom of the ‘sea that Iran does not have access to’ and our tiny little Navy will not be able to save us.
Education is a very important topic. I understand that like Medicare and Social Security the republican plan is to decimate it so they can use the dollars formally spent there for additional tax cuts for the wealthy. And I also understand that what Romney said during the debates, and even much of what he says on the campaign trail, is only what he thinks will get him elected — not what he really intends.
If you need any reminders of how badly we need improvements in education, see this —
Donald Trump – the Birther King has finally made his big announcement.
Yeah – Republicans – let’s put the focus back on the Birthers. That will win you some more votes.
I;ve said several times before – if Mitt Romney thinks he can now portray himself as the moderate Reublicans – he has to forgotten about the Three Ugly Stepsisters – Fundy Christians, Teabaggers and Birthers . These ugly stepsisters are going nowhere but into the White Hoiuse with you – MIttens.
As we have already seen – Romney refuses to even stand up to anyone in his GOP base – why would we think a President Romney would be any different?
Poll finds 20 of 21 countries strongly prefer Obama (exception: Pakistan)
A just-out BBC World Service poll surveying 22,000 people in 21 countries found a wide preference for President Obama in the presidential race, who scored 50 percent favorable among all respondents to Mitt Romney’s 9 percent. The only country where Romney scored higher was Pakistan.
PrairiePopulistsAndProgressives.net 
Two weeks from today the final votes will be cast and the counting will get underway.
Will there be court challenges? Will there be recounts?
I know most people just want this to be over and done with.
I remember this time in 2008 I was hoping for a decisive victory and naively thought that would end some of the partisan divide. I learned that doesn’t help churlish republicans accept losing — they’re just plain ole sore losers. There was a very decisive victory both in the popular vote and the electoral college, President Obama put a hurtin’ on John McCain. And the republicans whined, were surly, and began planning how best to obstruct progress for America.
I have no such naive expectations this time around!
I’m as interested in the Senate as the presidential race. This was to be the year the republicans took over the majority in the Senate. 🙂 It now looks like the democrats will pick up about three seats. Doesn’t mean much since the days of filibuster everything and need of a 60 vote super-majority began.
On the other hand, there is the House and it looks like the democrats will pick up a seat which falls far short of making this legislative body anything more than its been since the 2010 midterms. I no longer have any illusions about House republicans. I know who and what they are.
I look at several polling sites regularly. I don’t really know how much confidence I place in polls but find it like not being able to turn away from a car wreck. I look.
Here are a few places I check regularly:
http://www.electionprojection.com/index.php
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2012/president/2012_elections_electoral_college_map_no_toss_ups.html
http://electoral-vote.com/
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/
I’m sure everyone knows President Obama still holds the lead in Electoral College predictions, still has more options for achieving the magic number of 270. Here is an interesting summation of that road to 270:
http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2012/10/despite-a-strong-debate-campaign-romneys-path-to-270-remains-steep/263999/
Oh, the excitement! This is the day Donald Trump is to show up with Obama divorce papers in hand, expose them, and end the race for president convincingly.
It would be great fun if The Donald would show up dressed in drag for his big earth-shattering announcement! 🙂
Fox “News” will have something to air all day long. The Foxxies will be drooling. I can only imagine their elation.
Is that what Trump has up his sleeve?
We can only hope that this stunt turns out just like Trump’s previous stunts (and Romney’s now infamous smackdown by Candy Crowley) and leave everyone pointing and laughing.
But, I’m sure the Foxxies in the Hen House will be delirious in their Gossipy Church Womens Group as they cackle 24/7.
I swear – watching Fox News is like watching a mega preacher and/or televangelist at work – the same tactics are used to separate the fools from their money.
Here is a sobering thought:
Millions of voters will pick the candidate who promises to create American jobs while at the same time his company is in the process of shutting down a manufacturing company in Freeport Illinois to outsource those American jobs to China.
It boggles the mind – doesn’t it?
I believe you’ll find that Freeport, IL company closing situation in many, many American cities. Behind many of the closings will be an equity firm which borrowed a bunch of money to buy the company and then, somehow, the COMPANY ended up owing the debt. That’s the Bain way of doing business.
It’s a bit too complicated for a Romney voter to understand.
Romney is counting on the Dancing Horse voters who think that horse is worth a $77,000 tax deduction when they themselves do not make near that money at their own job.
One consolation if Romney wins – these mega corporate churches will take over when Romney and Ryan slash the social programs in the budget.
That will happen – won’t it?
I kinda doubt it. The impression I get from those mega churches is they cherish their money ever bit as much as Romney does his. Any they give away will probably be carefully calculated as to what return it will bring.
LOL if so get use to hearing the phrase…. “Get a rope!”
BTW, did Palin call out Coulter?
(from the link): Dear Ann Coulter,
Come on Ms. Coulter, you aren’t dumb and you aren’t shallow. So why are you continually using a word like the R-word as an insult?
I’m a 30 year old man with Down syndrome who has struggled with the public’s perception that an intellectual disability means that I am dumb and shallow. I am not either of those things, but I do process information more slowly than the rest of you. In fact it has taken me all day to figure out how to respond to your use of the R-word last night.
I thought first of asking whether you meant to describe the President as someone who was bullied as a child by people like you, but rose above it to find a way to succeed in life as many of my fellow Special Olympians have.
Then I wondered if you meant to describe him as someone who has to struggle to be thoughtful about everything he says, as everyone else races from one snarkey sound bite to the next.
Finally, I wondered if you meant to degrade him as someone who is likely to receive bad health care, live in low grade housing with very little income and still manages to see life as a wonderful gift.
Because, Ms. Coulter, that is who we are – and much, much more.
After I saw your tweet, I realized you just wanted to belittle the President by linking him to people like me. You assumed that people would understand and accept that being linked to someone like me is an insult and you assumed you could get away with it and still appear on TV.
I have to wonder if you considered other hateful words but recoiled from the backlash.
Well, Ms. Coulter, you, and society, need to learn that being compared to people like me should be considered a badge of honor.
No one overcomes more than we do and still loves life so much.
Come join us someday at Special Olympics. See if you can walk away with your heart unchanged.
A friend you haven’t made yet, John Franklin Stephens
Global Messenger
Special Olympics Virginia
An Open Letter to Ann Coulter
http://specialolympicsblog.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/an-open-letter-to-ann-coulter/
(Many of the OVER 1,500 comments are good reading. This is one of many I appreciated: Chris says — “Very commendable. You made your point, exposed her for the insensitive, intolerant person she is and did it without stooping to her level of ignorance. You sir, are a study in class and gentility. You have also inspired me with your words.”
The weight of Mitten$ ignorance will drag us to the bottom of the ‘sea that Iran does not have access to’ and our tiny little Navy will not be able to save us.
LOL now if Mitt had this same map up when he said it then anyone stupid enough to vote for him would deserve to go to war themselves.
9 Romney Advisers You Need to Know About
Want to know what a Romney presidency would look like? Check out these guys’ records.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2012/10/mitt-romney-administration-top-advisers
Education is a very important topic. I understand that like Medicare and Social Security the republican plan is to decimate it so they can use the dollars formally spent there for additional tax cuts for the wealthy. And I also understand that what Romney said during the debates, and even much of what he says on the campaign trail, is only what he thinks will get him elected — not what he really intends.
If you need any reminders of how badly we need improvements in education, see this —
Student’s sign mocking Obama provides compelling argument for education reform.
http://www.happyplace.com/18688/student-mocks-obama-with-misspelled-sign
The sad part is – that was in a college dorm room?
Seriously – we have people who are proud to be ignorant.
It says the picture was taken in a dorm room at the University of Alabama. Let’s hope wherever it was taken the young woman finds her way to class.
Donald Trump – the Birther King has finally made his big announcement.
Yeah – Republicans – let’s put the focus back on the Birthers. That will win you some more votes.
I;ve said several times before – if Mitt Romney thinks he can now portray himself as the moderate Reublicans – he has to forgotten about the Three Ugly Stepsisters – Fundy Christians, Teabaggers and Birthers . These ugly stepsisters are going nowhere but into the White Hoiuse with you – MIttens.
As we have already seen – Romney refuses to even stand up to anyone in his GOP base – why would we think a President Romney would be any different?
http://online.wsj.com/article/APd0380d0a61e94e99822e30f97b4d8ce8.html
Trump is still hoping he might find another way to become relevant.
The next time Republicans pretend they are so concerned about the plight of women – ask them about this.
Oh, what am I thinking? They will just blame Obama …and their flying monkeys will applaud and cheery loudly.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/24/global-gender-gap-report-2012-best-worst-countries-women_n_2006395.html
Sadly, those who would believe the propaganda are the same ones who wouldn’t fact check —
Poll finds 20 of 21 countries strongly prefer Obama (exception: Pakistan)
A just-out BBC World Service poll surveying 22,000 people in 21 countries found a wide preference for President Obama in the presidential race, who scored 50 percent favorable among all respondents to Mitt Romney’s 9 percent. The only country where Romney scored higher was Pakistan.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2012/10/23/poll-finds-20-of-21-countries-strongly-prefer-obama-exception-pakistan/