Obama Victories In Red States

[Justinian]

Going into the election I expected Obama to win all of the Kerry states, plus Florida and very likely Ohio. What I did not expect is that he would have such a high turnout of voters in Southern states, or that he would actually win Southern states. It's unbelievable.

As of now Missouri and North Carolina are still counting votes, but it looks like Obama's lead will hold up in, of all places, another Southern state. Not in recent memory have I seen states that were so staunchly for one party flip to the other.

Obama won the previously red states of Nevada, Colorado, New Mexico, Indiana, Virginia and Florida and will barring unforeseen circumstances be announced as the winner in North Carolina shortly. Did you expect this huge turnaround and what does it mean for a nation once divided? Can we finally have the first real unity since 9/11?

[Mikelus Trento]

I've heard little mention yet of these words...but I expect to in the next few days.

Mandate

Movement

[morteduzionism]

I've heard little mention yet of these words...but I expect to in the next few days.

Mandate

Movement

Don't hold your breath. I think "mandate" was conspicuously left out of his victory speech. Unlike Bush. I think his [Obama's] reaching out, during the victory speech, to the people who didn't vote for him was a sign on how he plans to proceed.

I don't think he's going to use the landslide victory to force (for lack of better word) his ideals on others. Although he probably could. I think he wants to win those people over to his side.

I think he wants to create a sense of 'we're in this together' and is going to be inclusive. Unlike Bush.

Those moderates should form their own Centrist party.

Or the GOP should just outright ignore those constituents who only want to divide the country:

Christian fundamentalist/evangelicals and anti-choice people.

Let those nuts form their own looney-bin party where they can repeatedly nominate Sarah Palin. Then for the next few decades they [conservatives/Republicans] can have their own version of Ralf Nader/Green Party.

oops

[Sphere]

I think what is more incouraging is that even though Obama won a broad and convincing victory across the nation he did not take the same tact as his predesessor in 2004 and say something along the lines of "I have political capital and I intend to spend it". Instead he said "for those whose vote I did not earn, I hear you, and I will need you." If that is trully his philosophy of governance, he will be able to command the political force needed to make drastic changes.

[Hotspur]

Well, Obama talked about governance with humility in his acceptance speech.

While the Democratic Party has won a great victory tonight, we do so with a measure of humility and determination to heal the divides that have held back our progress,

To those Americans whose support I have yet to earn -- I may not have won your vote, but I hear your voices, I need your help, and I will be your president, too,

As Lincoln said to a nation far more divided than ours, 'We are not enemies, but friends ... though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection,

I think Obama is well aware of the blunders Bush made in assuming he had a mandate after the '04 election.

EDIT: Ha! Sphere beat me to it.

[Dayman]

Shows how the GOP let their base down.

[craziii]

but only if the other party is willing. most posters here who supports mccain seems to want the next 4 years to be as bad as bush years, so they can win the 2012 eletion that is just sad.

[Hotspur]

but only if the other party is willing. most posters here who supports mccain seems to want the next 4 years to be as bad as bush years, so they can win the 2012 eletion that is just sad.

I wouldn't take the posters here as representative of the whole.

[craziii]

I wouldn't take the posters here as representative of the whole.

but, they do give a good indication. especially base on how gop politicians are saying of the obama victory. they are all over the news, you can't miss it.

[Hotspur]

but, they do give a good indication.

Not even a little. I'd be shocked if more than half can even vote.

[craziii]

Not even a little. I'd be shocked if more than half can even vote.

hmm, I was under the impression that most(like 80%+) of the posters in the mudpit are of voting age. this is from personal experience. I don't have data to back that up. but if more than half are under age, than you are right, I concede.

[Ummon]

There is a difference between wanting that the truck which is speeding towards you turns you into bloody pulp spread all over the the road, and knowing it will.

[Rapax]

There is a difference between wanting that the truck which is speeding towards you turns you into bloody pulp spread all over the the road, and knowing it will.

Don't stand in front of the ing Truck.

[Каие]

There is a difference between wanting that the truck which is speeding towards you turns you into bloody pulp spread all over the the road, and knowing it will.

and they are of the former, otherwise they would be exposed as fools.

[the_mango55]

Over half of them aren't even American.

[craziii]

ahh, but I didn't include those foreigners. I just counted the ones saying how they wish for 4 more years of bush style disaster among the mccain supporters here.

[Sphere]

The overall mood felt in the US, in my opinion at least, is sober, humble and strangely enough, unified. I think McCain's speech set the tone for the opposition, that divisivness and pettyness in politics are luxuries that the US can not afford. And likewise Obama has set the tone for the ruling party, using the words of Lincoln and ML. King, words not of triumph and victory, but words of humility, unity and timid hope.

I think very few envy the tasks ahead for the the new president and for the nation.

[Boer]

Part of Obama's success in "Red States" was that fewer people were calling themselves Republicans and more were Independents. This shows a shift of moderates away from the Republican party, not a lack of support from the Republican base.

[Hotspur]

Part of Obama's success in "Red States" was that fewer people were calling themselves Republicans and more were Independents. This shows a shift of moderates away from the Republican party, not a lack of support from the Republican base.

Me.

[Каие]

Those moderates should form their own Centrist party.