Posted on 11/05/2008 8:21:14 AM PST by astyanax
Barack Obama's victory last night was no doubt historic, and the Democrats, as expected, extended their leads in the House and the Senate. But their victory was no landslide, despite what appeared to be overwhelming advantages.
Obama won around 52 percent of the popular vote, defeating John McCain by between five and six points. That's nothing like the true landslides of the past: Reagan by ten points in 1980 and 18 in 1984; Nixon by 23 in 1972; or even Bush by eight in 1988. And yet, with hindsight, it is remarkable how much Obama had going for him. After breaking his pledge to take public financing he raised more money, by far, than any Presidential candidate in history, outspending McCain nearly two to one. Millions of new voters, many of them minority voters, were registered, and they went heavily for Obama. Obama enjoyed the monolithic support of the entertainment industry and was something of a fad among the young. He benefited greatly from being an African-American; the idea that his victory would be a good thing for America, on that ground, was widespread even among his opponents. He ran largely against a retiring President who, for three years, has rarely seen his name appear in a sentence that did not include the word "unpopular." He had the active support of essentially 100 percent of the nation's news media. And, perhaps most important, he benefited from a financial crisis that struck at the most opportune moment (for him) and was unfairly blamed on the Republicans by most voters.
Despite all of this, Obama mustered only a five-point win.
Geez! And the noob forgot to check the ‘excerpt’ box. Sorry!
There’s more at link...
this was not a Reagan landslide. There are still 20 good solid Red states out there.
Fifty-five million Americans didn’t fall for “hope and change”. That is encouraging. We still have a strong army out there.
To get elected, Obama had to conceal who he truly is and become and advocate for tax cuts and the 2nd Amendment. He will have to live up to that if he wants to maintain this coalition.
But the MSM is already calling it ‘an Electoral Landslide’ as they now conveniently embrace the Electoral College.
I would rather have Hillary as prez than obama.
Can we all suffer from Barack Derangment Syndrom?
It seems that the dummies enjoy their BDS and PDS so much...
no landslide but he won states that used to be solid red. ouch
Funny how the electoral college is now the greatest thing since sliced bread, isn’t it?
Obama’s campaign was successful because they conscientiously developed a new voter demographic. All future candidates will have to take into account the “felons-on-foodstamps” vote.
Hillary Clinton Supreme Court Justice to replace Ruth Buzi Ginsberg Al Gore Secretary of Energy or Secretary of State......
Look at this way, the higher you are, the harder you fall.
The GPO fell, but not by a lot, just over a wide area. Which of course means to win again we do not have a heck of a job.
If we do our home work now, barry will do the rest for us and all we will have to do is pick up the peices.
We must not let Sarah go; I feel sad for her, but my trust in her ability is as strong as ever.
When they see what the “change” consists of they will start thinking in a way that makes 2010 and 2012 a “hopeful” prospect for us. If we get our act together and give them an opportunity!!
Obama for all of the advantages this election cycle did not get a mandate by any standard.
I will look forward to see him govern and the luster of his win will go away and he will be responsible for the economy etc. I think he will Jimmy Carter—a 1 termer because it will be so screwed up a Conservative will have to come in and fix it.
Unless Hillary becomes Obama’s VP in 2012 replacing Biden who will be 69.
Million, not billion.
Yes, but in reality. Landslide is usually winning all but 2 or 3 states, and a nice 8 to 10 percent of the popular vote.
I still see have the states are red.
IN, VA and NC were surprising.
OH and FL have been swing states.
CO and NV have been repopulated with Californians and Hispanics.
The American Idol generation has begun voting.
Demographics are changing.
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