A New Timeline: Election 2012 and On
Obama/Biden vs. Romney/Thune
Right before the Republican Convention the latest unemployment figures signaled a great sign for President Obama. For the first time in a long time the unemployment rate hit 8.0%.
Gov. Romney tried to hit him on it, but it appeared his argument was not working as Pres. Obama's lead continued to grow.
Romney vs. Obama
D: 49%
R: 44%
Finally on the week before election day the economic conditions began to change. For the first time in a few months unemployment jumped up to 8.1%. Pres. Obama downplayed the numbers as saying it meant nothing.
On the night before election day President Obama finished up his campaign in Ohio before returning to Washington. Gov. Romney campaigned in Colorado, Ohio, Florida and New Hampshire, hoping to turn the tide that seemed to be growing against him.
The latest tracking poll indicated his chances were slim:
D: 48%
R: 46%
President Obama went to bed comfortably believing his reelection was inevitable, while Gov. Romney went to bed hoping he could turn the election around. He proclaimed at the last rally in NH:
"We're the underdogs. We've been outspent by this President but the people of America no better. We know we can do better. We know can bring America back."
President Obama and First Lady Michele Obama left Washington early on November 6th and flew to Chicago where they cast their vote for his reelection. When asked on whether he'd succeed or not President Obama smiled and said, "We'll see tonight, but I think it's going to be a good night."
Mitt and Ann Romney cast their votes in Massachusetts, before heading back to New Hampshire to watch the results with their family. On his way out the door Romney sounded nervous, but confident in his chances against President.
Election Night:
The election night began as usual with many traditional states following into place. Gov. Romney carried South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky and Indiana, while Pres. Obama carried Vermont.
R: 44
D: 3
CNN:
Blitzer: Welcome to CNN Election 2012 Coverage, I'm Wolf Blitzer, here with the best political team on television. Tonight we have: John King, Gloria Borger, Anderson Cooper, Ed Rollins, David Gergen and Candy Crowley.
Blitzer: Let us begin with the states Gov. Romney has carried so far, David what do you make of Indiana going this early?
Gergen: Certainly it has to be making the Romney camp very happy, but the night is still young and many more states have to fall into line.
Borger: If I may just interject here. Virginia still remains undecided and Pres. Obama leads in the state narrowly, so I still say this election is Obama's to lose.
Blitzer: John,
King: Well looking at some of the data we've received, particularly exit polling from key states it appears this is going to be a long night. Now one of the recurring themes was the economy. It is the major issue driving this election, so we shall see.
Blitzer: Hold it right there it is 7:30 and we have some projection to make.... CNN can now project that Gov. Romney has carried the state of West Virginia, another expected state falls into place.
R: 49
D: 3
Blitzer: That brings Gov. Romney's total now to forty-nine electoral votes to President Obama's three. We'll now pass it back over to Anderson Cooper for discussion.
Cooper: Thanks Wolf. As we look at the electoral map as expected North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia remain undecided.
Rollins: The place to watch for Obama is in North Carolina. If he gets that state I think he's got the election wrapped up. For Romney if can get New Hampshire and maybe Virginia then I think he's going to do very well as we go into the midwest and out to the west coast.
Borger: Pennsylvania is the toss up of toss ups this cycle. While President Obama has had a narrow lead in Ohio, he has either trailed or tied Gov. Romney in the Keystone states, so it will be interesting to see how that state goes to night.
...........
8:00
Blitzer: Eight o'clock on the east coast and the polls have closed in many states at this hour and we have some projections to make.
Blitzer: President Obama has won the following states at this time:
Connecticut, Delaware, Joe Biden's home state, Maryland, Massachusetts, the state of Gov. Romney, New Jersey, Maine, his home state of Illinois and the District of Columbia.
Blitzer: For Gov. Romney:
Tennessee, Oklahoma, Alabama, Mississippi and Missouri.
R: 92
D: 75
Blitzer: It is still Gov. Romney with a slight lead in the electoral count, but Pres. Obama is gaining traction. Now back over to Anderson.
Cooper: David Gergen, you found something interesting.
Gergen: In Missouri. President Obama contested this state heavily and was leading in some polls and yet it has gone to Gov. Romney and gone this early. I think it is telling, especially since four years ago this time Pennsylvania had gone for Pres. Obama.
Rollins: Romney is doing well in the deep south where many thought he'd have some trouble, so I think tonight is going to be a great night for the former Governor.
Borger: It all still rests on the swing states, either one of them has to carry if in order to win this election.
King: Elections come down to swing states and it--
Cooper: Wait up everyone, Wolf has a projection to make.
Blitzer: Anderson I wouldn't interrupt you if it weren't important. We project Gov. Romney has carried the state of New Hampshire. He has won it decisively.
R: 96
D: 75
