2012 election

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In a First, Blacks Voted at Higher Rate Than Whites

African-Americans turned out at a record high 66.2%

(Newser) - The US had a political milestone last November: Black people voted at a higher rate than whites for the first time in history, reports the Los Angeles Times . It was close, with blacks at 66.2% and whites at 64.1%, but long-term trends in both groups suggest that it...

GOP's Latino Jam: 'Angry White Guys'

 GOP's Latino Jam: 
 'Angry White Guys' 
opinion
Nov 10, 2012 3:35 PM CST

GOP's Latino Jam: 'Angry White Guys'

Amnesty offer could split GOP in two: Patrik Jonsson

(Newser) - Republicans have a serious Latino-voter problem, and fixing it could spark a painful public debate that wrenches the party in two, writes Patrik Jonsson at the Christian Science Monitor . Latinos played a big role in reelecting President Obama, comprising 10% of voters and backing him by 71%. But if the...

Twitter Has Historic Night, Doesn't Collapse Once
Twitter Has Historic Night,
Doesn't Collapse Once
election 2012
Nov 7, 2012 10:14 AM CST

Twitter Has Historic Night, Doesn't Collapse Once

Site hums right along despite record traffic

(Newser) - "RIP Fail Whale." That was Twitter creative honcho Doug Bowman's pithy response after the site rolled smoothly through last night's election, reports AllThingsD . Even record traffic, cresting at 327,452 tweets per minute , didn't overload Twitter and force it to post the smiling whale—...

Voter Turnout Down From 2008
 Voter Turnout Down From 2008 
Nov 7, 2012 9:15 AM CST

Voter Turnout Down From 2008

Blame Sandy and the nasty political climate

(Newser) - Early figures suggest that fewer voters showed up to cast a ballot yesterday than in 2008, despite long lines at the polls, reports the AP . Vermont saw a decline in turnout greater than 14%, and South Carolina and Mississippi were nearly as large. In most states, numbers look lower than...

The World Reacts to Obama's Win
 The World 
 Reacts to 
 Obama's Win 
election 2012
Nov 7, 2012 8:15 AM CST

The World Reacts to Obama's Win

Netanyahu and the Dalai Lama among those sounding out

(Newser) - The world reacted to President Obama's reelection this morning with a mix of optimism, skepticism, and a healthy dose of blah, the AP reports. Among the murmurs from abroad:
  • British Prime Minister David Cameron: "One of the first things I want to talk to Barack about is how
...

New GOP Tactic: Volunteers Paid With 'Secret Money'

Citizens United ruling enables groups to pay volunteers

(Newser) - The vast infusion of money into political nonprofits has fueled a new development in GOP campaigning: groups that pay people to canvass and make phone calls, Politico reports. Such jobs come with hourly pay of up to $15 and perks like drawings to stay in a "posh hotel,"...

Ohio Adds Software 'Fix' to Voting Machines

Journo files lawsuit to stop move in key swing state

(Newser) - Ohio is adding a last-minute, "experimental" software patch to its electronic voting machines—and one official explanation seems to contradict the very contract signed for the job, Salon reports. A representative for Republican Secretary of State Jon Husted told theGrio that the change added software—not a patch—that...

SEAL Team Six Sucks
 SEAL Team Six Sucks 
TV Review
Nov 4, 2012 4:54 PM CST

SEAL Team Six Sucks

Critics yawn over Harvey Weinstein's political thriller

(Newser) - Harvey Weinstein is trying to give President Obama an electoral boost with SEAL Team Six , a feature airing tonight on National Geographic about the assault on Osama bin Laden's compound. But critics had trouble staying awake:
  • "As either propaganda or realist fiction SEAL Team Six is ineffective,"
...

Gov. Christie: NJ Voters Can Vote by Email

But Ohio adds new hurdle for provisional ballots

(Newser) - With election day a mere two days off, stories are trickling in about the ballot process—starting with a historic move by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie:
  • He will let residents of the storm-ravaged state submit absentee ballots by email—just like overseas military members do, but US civilians have
...

Romney Rips Obama Over Little Matter of 'Revenge'

The president advised voters that 'voting is the best revenge'

(Newser) - Mitt Romney has stirred up a few headlines today over a little matter of revenge. Stumping in New Hampshire, Romney criticized President Obama for urging supporters to vote because "voting is the best revenge." Romney said, "Vote for revenge? Let me tell you: Vote for love of...

Hillary: No, No, I'm Still Planning to Leave

Clinton squashes rumor that she might stay on

(Newser) - Hillary Clinton today rebuffed the notion that she might stay on for some or all of a second term as secretary of state if President Obama wins re-election, the Washington Post reports. "It’s really still my same time frame," she said. "I’m aiming to leave...

'Nice Guy' Mitt Moves Voters With Tales of Death

Romney shows new, friendly persona on Florida swing

(Newser) - The energetic, down-to-earth Mitt Romney who wowed at the first presidential debate is taking his new show on the road, Politico reports. Stumping in Florida, the GOP candidate has ditched his old CEO persona for a man who tells warm, personal stories about people who are dying. One was an...

Whistle-Blower Lawyers Give Obama $3M

And why not? His policies are making them rich

(Newser) - Attorneys for whistle-blowers have donated millions of dollars to President Obama—which is hardly surprising, considering that his fight against corporate fraud has put millions in their pockets, the New York Times reports. With the Dodd-Frank Act empowering whistle-blowers, Obama's administration has paid them $1.6 billion so far,...

Romney, Obama Nearly Tied in New Polls

CNN has president leading by only 3 points

(Newser) - So much for President Obama's unassailable lead: A handful of new polls are calling a close presidential race on the eve of Obama's first debate with Mitt Romney, CNN reports. CNN's latest poll found that 50% favor Obama and 47% favor Romney, a difference within the survey'...

OK, Obama, Romney: Stop Lying About the Budget
OK, Obama, Romney:
Stop Lying About the Budget
opinion
Oct 1, 2012 1:44 PM CDT

OK, Obama, Romney: Stop Lying About the Budget

Robert Samuelson argues that candidates should actually be honest

(Newser) - Truth may be the first casualty of war, but it's also in low supply on the campaign trail, writes Robert Samuelson in the Washington Post . The nut of the problem: "a yawning gap between the political rhetoric and the country's budget problems," he writes. "And...

Sullivan: Obama Could Be the Next Reagan
Sullivan: Obama Could Be the Next Reagan
profiles
Sep 24, 2012 5:50 PM CDT

Sullivan: Obama Could Be the Next Reagan

And Romney is a uniquely religious data cruncher: New Yorker

(Newser) - From poll numbers to political vision, President Obama most resembles one iconic president: President Reagan, argues Andrew Sullivan in Newsweek . After waging a spirited defense of Obama's "long-term" policies in January, Sullivan has the president's back again, saying Obama could "resolve the three-decade-long battle between taxes...

Globe to Biden: Apologize for 'Chains' Comment

Biden may not be the worst, but he still crossed line

(Newser) - Even in an election season marked by rhetorical excess and incivility, Joe Biden needs to apologize for his infamous " put y'all back in chains " comment last week, writes the Boston Globe in an editorial. "In the fight for civility and substance over pointless hyperbole, Biden may...

Obama Sidesteps Press Corp, Embraces 'Soft' Media
Obama Sidesteps Press Corp,
Embraces 'Soft' Media
analysis
Aug 18, 2012 10:56 AM CDT

Obama Sidesteps Press Corp, Embraces 'Soft' Media

Politico: He's focusing on outlets like 'People' instead

(Newser) - Politico calls it the president's "soft-media" strategy. He's largely avoiding the White House press corp and instead giving interviews to the likes of ESPN, People, Entertainment Tonight, and local TV outlets specializing in softball questions. A White House spokesman explains that it's a way to...

Was Biden Playing the Race Card?

 Was Biden Playing 
 the Race Card? 
OPINION
Aug 15, 2012 12:29 PM CDT

Was Biden Playing the Race Card?

One columnist says yes; another thinks he was just speaking the truth

(Newser) - Joe Biden says he didn't intentionally pull out a "chains"/slavery metaphor while speaking to largely black audience yesterday, but John Kass at the Chicago Tribune isn't buying it. Biden knew precisely what he was doing: playing the race card. It's something the Obama campaign did...

Biden: Romney Will 'Put Y'all Back in Chains'

Republicans rip comment to black audience

(Newser) - Today's political tempest revolves around comments from Joe Biden. Speaking to supporters in Virginia, the VP blasted Mitt Romney as per usual, but his choice of words raised eyebrows given that African-Americans were in heavy attendance, reports CNN .
  • The comment: Romney "is going to let the big banks
...

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