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Subscribe to RSSAfter a lengthy delay, President Barack Obama has collected Florida's 29 electoral votes. NBC's Kerry Sanders reports.
President Barack Obama beat Mitt Romney in Florida, NBC news reported Saturday, ending a four-day count with a thin margin of the popular vote, though substantial enough to avoid an automatic recount.
As a result, Obama garners the state's 29 electoral votes, for a national total of 332 votes to Romney's 206.
Regardless of the outcome, Obama had already clinched re-election.
The Florida Secretary of State's Office said that with almost 100 percent of the vote counted, Obama led Romney 50 percent to 49.1 percent, a difference of about 74,000 votes. That was over the half-percent margin where a computer recount would have been automatically ordered unless Romney had waived it.
There is a Nov. 16 deadline for overseas and military ballots, but under Florida law, recounts are based on Saturday's results. Only a handful of overseas and military ballots are believed to remain outstanding.
It's normal for election supervisors in Florida and other states to spend days after any election counting absentee, provisional, military and overseas ballots. Usually, though, the election has already been called on election night or soon after because the winner's margin is beyond reach.
But on election night this year, it was difficult for officials —and the media — to call the presidential race here, in part because the margin was so close and the voting stretched into the evening.
If there had been a recount, it would not be as difficult as the lengthy one in 2000. The state no longer uses punch-card ballots, which became known for their hanging chads. All 67 counties now use optical scan ballots where voters mark their selections manually.
Republican George W. Bush won the 2000 contest after the Supreme Court declared him the winner over Democrat Al Gore by a scant 537 votes.
The win gave Obama victories in eight of the nine swing states, losing only North Carolina. In addition to Florida, he won Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Virginia, Colorado and Nevada.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Silence is golden...speaking correctly about the election is Nate Silver
Landslide = mandate
Well old crybaby Boehner doesnt think ther is a landslide or a mandate. Hes going to be just as obtuse as he has been the last 4 years.
There was no landslide. Whether there was a mandate or not depends on how you define it. He won. Period.
President Obama won this election with fewer electoral and popular votes than his first election. He is the only president to have this happen. This is not a mandate or a landslide!
I am very sorry to announce that we can now use the front door MASA. I hope the Republicans
will understand that Population will continue to change the face of America. The electorate will
be shaken to it's knees by the new breed of Americans. Hey Boys Anyone for a Spanish Class.
Well I think we can finally use the front door of Masa's old house. Mr population will
take care of who gets the power and the glory in the USA. The Meek shall inherit the
Earth but the Latino shall cover America. Hey Boys How About some Spanish clases.
Pres Obama a victim of racism GOD turned it to victory,pres Obama should fight for middle-class Americans vigoriously, pres, you have noting to loss, you are no more seeking for re-election,therefore you should fight for what you believe as usual, equal share for every American, women right ,etc,compromise is the right way to do it, but if congressional republican's'obstructionism continue,pres Obama should use constitutional power he has to do right thing for American people,
Dear adekola salam,
You need a proofreader!
I have a theory, When Rick Scott was elected,the election was bought for him by the tea bags, and republicans, because they knew that Florida was a swing state, and they wanted to make sure that it went their way, by putting one of their own in as Govenor, so he could screw up the voters so bad, that Romney would win the state, Ah Ha, it backfired on them, Obama didn't need Florida to win, bless his heart. Now we need to get rid of this tea bag lover, scott, and put an honest govenor in the state house. This guy has messed up Florida and its going to take alot to get back to what should be normal. CHARLY WE NEED YOU NOW......
I wish I could take credit for the following. It was forwarded to me by a family member and I made a point to save it for posterity.
Dear Red States:
We're ticked off at your Neanderthal attitudes and politics, so we've decided we're leaving.
We in New York, Mass and CA intend to form our own country and we're taking all the other Blue States with us. In case you aren't aware that includes Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Md, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Vermont, the rest of the Northeast, and DC also.
We believe this split will be beneficial to the entire nation and especially to the people of our new country called "The Enlightened States of America" (E.S.A).
To sum up briefly:
You get Texas, Oklahoma, AZ and all the slave states.
We get stem cell research, the best beaches, and we'll take all of the creative gay people you don't want anyway.
We get Barack and Michelle, Bill & Hillary, Andrew Cuomo, Elizabeth Warren, and Dianne Feinstein. You get Bobby Jindal, Rick Perry and Todd Akin.
We get the Statue of Liberty. You get OpryLand.
We get Apple, Intel, Microsoft and all the smart technology. You get WorldCom, the Koch Bros, and all the coal/oil pollution.
We get Harvard, Yale, Columbia, UC, Stanford and Princeton. You get Ole' Miss.
We get Silicon Valley, NYC, San Fran, Seattle and 85 percent of America's venture capital and best entrepreneurs.
You get Alabama and Arkansas.
We get two-thirds of all the tax revenue. You get to make the red states pay their fair share.
Our aggregate divorce rate is 22 percent lower than the Christian Coalition states, so we get a bunch of happy families. You get a bunch of angry single moms and deadbeat dads.
With the Blue States in hand we will have firm control of 80% of the country's fresh water, more than 90% of the pineapple and lettuce, 92% of the nation's fresh fruit, 95% of America's quality wines (you can serve Ripple at your state dinners), 90% of the best cheese, 90 percent of the high tech industry, most of the US low sulfur coal, all the living redwoods, solar power, the Sequoias and condors, all the Seven Sister schools, plus Harvard, Yale, Stanford, UC, UCLA, Cal Tech and MIT.
With the Red States you will have to cope with 88% of all the obese Americans and their projected healthcare costs, 92% of all US mosquitoes, nearly 100% of the tornadoes, 90% of the hurricanes, 99% of all the Southern Baptists, virtually 100% of all televangelists, plus Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Bob Jones University, Clemson and the University of Georgia.
We also get Hollywood and Yosemite, thank you very much. You get Appalachia.
You get the 38% of those in the Red states who believe that the world was created in 7 days and that Jonah was actually swallowed by a whale, the 62% who are pro-life for fetuses but not for the kids who are actually born or their Moms, those who believe life is sacred unless we're discussing the death penalty or gun laws, the 44% who know that evolution is only a theory, the 53% who still believe that Saddam was part of 9/11 and had weapons of mass destruction, that Obama was born in Kenya, and the 61% of those crazy bastards who even believe they have higher morals than we do.
We're taking all the good weed too. You can have that crap they grow in Mexico.
Sincerely,
A Citizen of the Enlightened States of America
Beautiful, you should Blog this around the Internet. I am going to share it with some ultra liberals, progressives, and moderates around Houston, TX who are still celebrating the "Victory Of & For The People Of America", with credit due. A still mildly pissed off Yankee Republican old white guy from PA whose main goal was to defeat the teabaggers. You did well America. Nobody talks about us Social Moderates, but we remembered how reagan sacrificed us and regrouped to defeat the rwnjs. Here in PA, Tom Ridge & Little Ricky Santorum helped our cause more than we can thank them. And, we have already started forward to 2014 to kick more teabaggers under the bus. Whilst the glow of a job well done by all of you is still on, I will be seeking out that Social Moderate or Progressive to encourage and back in 2014. I respectfully ask all of you to do the same in your precincts or wards.
And the Blue States will then send its federal tax revenues to the Enlightened States of America and the Red States will have to try supporting themselves on their own tax revenues. What's that you say; how can the Reds survive if they have to take care of themselves without welfare from the Blue States? Figure it out !
Questions A
That is the BEST I have read. Thanks for sharing.
That was a great read. Did you know that in Montana the taxes are so low that they can't even pay for their road signs, much less the roads.
Goodbye Questions Authority - Don't let the door hit you on your backside as you leave.
Next step, Florida, is show Rick Scott the door...
Easy enough to do... Run a strong Democratic candidate and persuade Charlie Crist to run again on a third party ticket...
As I watched MSM news last Tuesday for live election coverage it was reported early in the day that Florida touch screen voting machines were sporadically "malfunctioning".
When a voter would touch Romney the machine would record it as a vote for obamma.
That news quickly disappeared. Oh well, it's all good if the dimocrats do it, isn't it?
Show a link or be quiet.
Actually, guy (or gal) you got that backwards. It was machines tallying votes to Obama as votes for Romney... and yes they got it fixed pretty quickly.
Yes, it was a vote for Obama being tallied by the machine as going to Romney. The voter reported it right away, they recalibrated the machine and reported no further problems.
There seems to have been at least one case either way, but they were fixed to everyone's satisfaction.
Most of us read the story, seen the vid, and heard about it being illegal to take a pic.
Get your story correct. Clinton-Biden or Biden-Clinton in 2016!!!!!!
how sweet it is ...again...despite all the efforts of the politicians and especially governor scott...to obstruct the vote of its citizens....we won again and its two in a row...down your throat all of you that suppressed the vote....you are not americans...just petty dictators....go obama!!!!!!!!!!!
Like this is any BIG surprise! All the illegals that will get their rewards from Obama by getting citizenship for their illegal votes.
Everyone knew BEFORE the election that Obama would take FL. It was a done deal with the illegals. He made it clear for 4 years that if they vote for him they would get citizenship, no problem.
The report that voters coming out of polls want fast track for illegals is so full of bull. Who did they poll. The illegals and their relatives.
49.9% of the country voted for Romney. They do not want a fast track for illegals so if they polled people and everyone was for the fast track, they had to have taken all the for and threw out all the against.
That is the only way they came up with numbers. Another social liberalism attempt to take control of our countries thinking.
Oh Steven your out of straws to grasp. Romney won all the foodstamp states, the states with the lowest number of highschool grads, the states that pay the lowest federal taxes. Go figure.
Boo Hoo.
Actually, Romney got 47.9%, but yes that is still a lot of people.
Thanks GoBigO,
my sentiments, exactly!!
Steven drop your last straw into a Mojito and chill! You lost dude. Fair and square. You not only lost you were THUMPED. Cheers!
FORWARD!
An election isn't a football game. There should be no dancing in the end zone. It is time to get to the business of the country. While I understand the desire to celebrate, taunting doesn't help anything.
And before anyone blasts me, I voted For President Obama both times. But if Romney had won, I would have said the same thing. Lets try to get together and do some good things for our country,
I cannot understand it.
For weeks leading up to election night, I felt absolutely sure that Mitt Romney would win the election, and win easily.
I had the best sources available: Fox News, Dick Morris, Sean Hannity, Michael Barone, Charles Krauthammer, Eric Bolling, Karl Rove, Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Laura Ingraham, and many others too numerous to list here.
Imagine the shock I felt that, even before the midnight bell, that all the media outlets (including Fox) proclaimed Obama the winner. In fact, I was 'shellshocked', just as the Romneys and Ryans were.
How could so many reputable folks have been so wrong? I simply do not understand it.
Oh, and lest I forget: the Rasmussen Poll - they are never wrong.
Or so I had assumed.
I love your ironic scarcasm there Jersey Devil! I'll tell you how they could be so wrong... They stuck their heads in the sand & believed that money could buy the election and that the demographics of the voter hadnt changed.. that grumpy old white men were still the majority.
FORWARD!
Yes, the more intelligent conservatives are finally starting to speak out about this:
David Frum on Morning Joe: "Republicans have been fleeced and exploited and lied to by a conservative entertainment complex."
But, but but ....Mitts always been able to buy everything.
"But, but but ....Mitts always been able to buy everything."
So let him go buy another dancing "therapy" horse. Of course the therapy HE needs probably cant be had via an equine provider.
The Republican Party will soon realize that traditional politics and their machine just does not work in today's changing environment. Our great Country includes all, not just the small few. If you listen to the Republicans even now after a big lost they just do not get it! If you watch the news when the cameras are reflected on the good old boys, they are messed up!!! On TV, they look like they forgot to unwind. Stiff and neglected. It is hilarious. They still believe they are right... This election had more future generations (young kids) watching the elections results and providing input than ever in history. Come on boys, give me a break...Go Obama!!!
I saw a clip of Bill O'Reilly and he was saying that the 'American establishment' is now a minority. WTH?? I think that is the mindset of these folks. They are the only true 'Americans' and just don't get it that they simply are not 'destined' to rule.
Rich old white men like O'Reilly are slowing dying off...............get used to it, Billy!
I would like to thank Mitt Romney and Newt Ginrich for calling President Obama the Food Stamp President. They woke a sleeping dragon (my people) who are sometimes ambivalent. But that did it! Most who are usually skeptical as to whether their vote counted or not were determined to show the pigs that people ARE listening and WILL respond.
Republicans need to jettison Evangelicals and aging Boomers. BTW I am a Boomer and a long time Democrat (aka libtard), if they want to be relevant in a 21st Century America that is connected to a global marketplace. Both parties could stand need input and control from those under 40. Don't let the Boomer re-litigate the issues of the 60s and the 70's just because they have time on their hands. We have pretty much finished our careers and raised our families. It's up to a younger generation to forge a long term strategy that works for them, socially, economically and culturally. (At least we left you our music!)
They don't have to "jettison" anybody, but they do have to change who is controlling the agenda.
B7
I'm a boomer too and a libtard (and proud of it). But as for re-litigating the issues of the 60s-70s I agree if the Repubs will leave it alone. Unfortunately, the far-wing of the party seem want to try to go back to the 50s.
Florida, the laughing stock of elections! Our Governor, Sick Scott and 10 other repubs did this deliberately and in my opinion it is voter supression pure and simple! They admit they tried to make voting harder: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/09/florida-voting-republicans_n_2101802.html
I do not watch because I like keeping the brain cells I have. However, a fiend of mine had said that Faux News was discussing the youth vote and how they Broke for Obama. At this point, one of the analysts/commentators/whatever fired back and said that "we need to correctly educate the youth".
Can anyone confirm this or perhaps place it into context? Although if it is true, I don't see how this could be taken out of context. Sounds very Communistic/Facist to me. After all, can't gave any free thinkers out there.
Don't know if it's true but sounds right. A while ago some state rep in a northern state tried to stop college student from voting locally even though they live there. His reason? 'They are too liberal to vote'.
Conservatives just can't understand that some don't agree with them and they can't stand that. I really think they are so frightened of progress they will do just about anything to stop it. I guess if the normal uh mindset was 'conservative' we would still be living in caves, probably not even have fire. After all, that would be progress and a threat to 'the way we live'.
To be fair, I've heard an occassional liberal talk that way too, although they usually word it better. But we all tend to believe that everyone else would agree with us if only they were "well-educated."
Jock
There is a difference between 'well-educated' and 'correctly educated' when taken into these two context. And after reading posts here and elsewhere I I have to admit that education apparently can't open a closed mind and if some posting here were ever taught critical thinking they either forgot or refuse to apply it to the real world.
I understand the difference and for the most part I agree. I'm just saying none of us are entirely immune to the sentiment. After all, there really are a few educated people who don't vote our way (the ingrates!)
Jock
Personally I don't are how they voted. All I ask is that they vote based on reality. We all have different opinions. But in this case 'educated' should mean availing one's self of facts found through research from many sources. But then I refuse to have anyone tell me what to think.
Two things:
1). I heard all the Republican pundits on Fox saying that Romney would win 300+ electoral votes in a 'landslide'. It would be a mandate. Well, President Obama won 300+ electoral votes, the Democrats not only won all the 25 Senate seats up for election but picked up 5 more from the Republicans. And he won the popular vote. And yet, the Repubs say he doesn't have a mandate???
2). Apparently the Romney camp didnt believe the polls, they simply decided to live in their own reality. Makes me wonder, had he gotten into the WH would they believe the intelligence coming in or would they make it up as they wished (sound familiar? GWB anyone).
To be honest, it takes a delusional person to have even considered voting for Romney. But it is becoming clear to me that we have a large portion of people living here who just don't live in the real world. And that is quite frightening.
Don't be complacent! If obstruction continues in the House of Representatives, we must make our voices heard once more and stop the obstruction and call for petitions for re-calls of our public service members that are not serving the will of the American people!
Plan for 2014 right now
You know that Queen song " We are the champions" I keep hearing it in my head. The demise of Karl Rove is the best thing ever!!!
Well, they finally made if official. And Al Gore didn't even have to go to court!
Oh!!! Wait...that was in 2000!!!
Damn....that's a sizable margin!
Is it a mandate, yet?
I see the tiny brains on the Right are STILL exploding after 5 days. If you all hadn't divorced reality a few years ago, you wouldn't be crying so hard.
Spin it any way you want to but 332 to 206 IS a good old fashioned ass whooping. Pure and simple.
Your Bo couldn't even pass the debates.................He doesn't even know what he has done in the last four years, it was too embarrassing to watch....He is only President to half of the U.S.A. the rest don't want him.
Sorry, psp, that's not how democracy works.
Psp
Funny, that's how it has worked since the beginning. Happens with every President. There is always a large minority who vote for the other guy.
So what is so different this time? Exactly why is this President so different that you refuse to accept him when Americans in the past have always voted and then the country moved on. Why is President Obama so different? Want to admit to it??
PSP, the Amazing Black Man Is Not Going To Rape Your Women. Go take a cold shower, says this extremely pleased Socially Moderate Yankee Republican. We want back our GOP, ya know the one the "christian" freaks are trying to steal. 2014, here we come.
The-COG
From this very liberal Democrat I say gook luck. And I mean it. We actually miss you guys. And to be honest, our country need you.
dsb, a lot of my old GOP friends drank the koolaid, but some of the older, once very influential fundraisers around Pgh, didn't & stood by us, the middle class. And, my long time ultra liberal, progressive, and moderate friends stayed the course. Thanks for accepting us cranky old curmudgeons from the past. At 66, I am so proud to say, I contributed to the downfall of the teabaggers. My PA Cty, Westmoreland, was once a proud Dem Stronghold, but here the liberal philosophy became so extreme with no compromise, we started leaving the Dems in droves to have our voice heard. Today. the teabaggers run it. Welcome on board, my liberal friend.
psp, I'll be happy to contribute to a one way ticket to Teheran for you. Heck I'll even make it on Emerates via Dubai. Its a very nice flight!
The-COG
The past? Ha ha. I'm 61 myself. Maybe we moderates on both sides can bring rationality back to this country. No one party has all the answers. I'll be the first to admit my respect for many moderate republicans. We need all the good people, regardless of party. I gladly come on board and call you my republican friend. :)
What will Fox news do now? Their brand has been exposed for what it is. They do seem subdued, lost and searching for a new false narrative to spew. What goodis Sara Palin to them now?
Where is Mrs. BO ....any body seen her lately? Is she crying too because he got reelected.?
Do you have a point? If people can't even understand your personal attacks, you know you are in trouble.
PSP, the only one whose crying is Queen Ann Romney. She was just so postive that god had ordained her hubby, Willard the Draft Dodger be selected to run this nation. After all, he's been running for the presidency for the last 20 years.
Oooops.
Still stings a bit, doesn't it republicans/teabaggers?