LIVE BLOG: Follow Along with Coverage of Presidential Election
PDF Alex Veeneman, Opinions Editor
Follow along with Veeneman’s updates and thoughts on the 2012 presidential election starting at 5 p.m. on Nov. 6.
But now, for the moment, on behalf of everyone at The Flyer at Lewis University, this is Alex Veeneman. Thanks for staying with us. Good morning.
Thanks to Dave Hansen and his team for all the work they’ve put in on this web site within the last 24 hours.
Thank you all for your contributions tonight, whether you followed from Lewis, across the US or around the world. Your support means a lot.
That is it. The speeches are over, and the votes have been tabulated. President Obama has won a second term, with the House majority going to the Republicans, and the Senate majority going to the Democrats. Questions will be raised in the next few months as to the future of America, and it will be followed with great interest by people here and around the world. What will come of the tone from Washington and indeed the future of US politics will be seen in the weeks ahead.
My colleague Tony Lyen has sent this through–celebs on tonight’s result: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/celebrities-tweet-2012-election-reactions-barack-obama-wins_n_2084292.html
If you’re willing to try you can make it in America. We are not as divided as our politics suggest. We are not as cynical as the pundits believe. We are greater than the sum of our individual ambitions. We remain more than a collection of red states and blue states. We are, and forever will be, the United States of America.
I believe we can build on the progress we made.
Despite all the hardship we’ve been through, and all the frustrations of Washington, I’ve never been more hopeful about our future. I’ve never been more hopeful about America.
I am hopeful tonight because I’ve seen the spirit of work in America.
That doesn’t mean your work is done. Democracy doesn’t end with your vote.
You voted for action, not politics as usual. You wanted to focus on your jobs not ours. I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties to meet the challenges we can only solve together — deficit, tax code, immigration. We’ve got more work to do.
I have listened to you, I have learned from you. You have made me a better president. I return to the White House more inspired than ever.
Our economy is recovering. The decade of war is ending. Our long campaign is now over.
We believe in a generous, compassionate, tolerant America.
We want to pass on a country that is safe and admired around the world.
Despite all our differences, most of us share hope for America’s future. We want our kids to have best schools, best teachers, live up to the global legacy, with all the good jobs. We want our children to be in an America that isn’t burdened by debt, weakened by inequality.
Democracy in a nation of 300 million can be noisy and messy and complicated. We each have our own opinions. When we go through tough times, it necessarily stirs up controversy. That won’t change after tonight and it shouldn’t. We can never forget that as we speak that people in foreign countries are risking their lives to argue and cast ballots.
Campaigns seem small and silly — cynics say politics is a contest of egos. If you ever get a chance to start to folks who turned out at rallies, or saw people working at a campaign office in a county far away, you’ll hear the determination in the voice of a young field organizer working his way through college and wants to ensure every child has that same opportunity.
Thanks his campaign team and volunteers. The best ever, he says.
Before our very eyes, you’re growing up to be two strong, smart, beautiful young women. — Obama says of Sasha and Malia
Obama also thanks Michelle. “I have never loved you more, and I have never been prouder to watch the rest of America fall in love with you too as our First Lady.”
Obama thanks Joe Biden.
In the weeks ahead, I look forward to sitting down with Governor Romney to see what we can do to bring the country forward.
The Romney family has given back to America through public service. That is the legacy we honor tonight.
Obama congratulated Romney and Ryan on their campaign.
Whether you held an Obama sign or a Romney sign, you made your voice heard. You made a difference.
Obama thanks everyone who participated in the election, whether they voted for the first time or waited in line for a very long time (by the way we have to fix that, he says).
In this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our journey has been long, we have picked ourselves up. We know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come.
You reaffirmed the spirit that has lifted this country from the depths of despair to the great heights of hope, the belief that each of us will pursue our own individual dreams. We are one American family and we rise and fall together as one nation and as one people.
Applause at Obama campaign headquarters with four more years being chanted.
The president and his family are on stage now.
Echoes of Bruce Springsteen are playing at Obama’s campaign headquarters in Chicago.
The BBC: The president is in the building. He shall speak very soon.
Also, did you watch cable news? What was your thought on the reaction of Fox and MSNBC?
Here is a question for you. Should we be thinking about the 2016 campaign? Seeing lots of articles about it.
Before that, thanks to everyone who has contributed and clicked on tonight. It means a lot, and has made this worthwhile.
We will bring you the speech as it happens.
The BBC says the president is to speak in 10 minutes.
The British Prime Minister David Cameron has tweeted his congratulations to President Obama. “Look forward to continuing to work together,” he says.
The Bachmann-Graves race is still very tight.
Romney wishes the president the best for the future. Now, we expect the president to speak shortly.
I ran for office because I was concerned about America. We have given our all to this campaign. I wish that I had been able to fulfill your hope of guiding the nation in a new direction. — Romney
Romney: I believe in America. I believe in the people of America.
The nation is in a critical point. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people’s work, Romney says.
Romney thanks his supporters, volunteers, fundraisers.
Romney thanks his campaign team.
Romney congratulates campaign and wishes Obama and his family all the best. He thanks Paul Ryan, his vice presidential nominee.
Romney is now on stage in Boston.
Romney has conceded.
Romney is to speak shortly, I understand.
As the days, weeks and months go on, there are a number of immediate and long term questions at stake. Will there be a recount in Ohio and Florida? What will the tone be in Washington DC come next January? What will the state be of the United States moving forward, as many international observers have noted the divisive nature of this vote?
Ashley Parker of the New York Times has said Romney will concede tonight.
Dr. David Anderson, the chairman of Lewis’ communications department, has gotten in touch. He hopes the president and Congress can work together.
We’ve almost come to the end of the live blog tonight. Keep sending your final thoughts in!
In Minnesota, there is still a very tight race ahead in the House. Michelle Bachmann and Jim Graves are separated by 545 votes. 168 of 280 precincts are reporting, per the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
On Twitter, the election was the most tweeted event ever on the network’s @gov service, per the BBC.
Recount questions are now being made. Will they be done in Ohio and Florida?
In the Senate, there will also be a record number of women serving beginning in January.
Going into this election, many international observers had noted the divisive nature of this vote. Doug Saunders of The Globe and Mail in Canada says there is a new generation of voters emerging: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/us-election/a-new-generation-of-voter-emerges/article5025545/
The most retweeted tweet ever now goes to Obama. He’s gotten more retweets than Justin Bieber, per NYT: nyti.ms/SZvJfT
On NPR’s big board, the only battleground state that has yet to be called is Florida. 96 percent reporting. But its 303 to 203 for Obama.
Colorado goes to Obama, the BBC calls.
Having a look at the Flyer poll. Very close competition there.
The New York Times has declared Obama re-elected. This editorial will likely represent the tone of editorials in tomorrow’s local and national newspapers: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/07/opinion/president-obamas-majority.html?hp
Maine also has a same sex marriage referendum. That has passed, per the AP.
However, Politico is reporting that the law has been upheld. That has not been officially confirmed as I type this.
Maryland also has a same sex marriage referendum — 51 percent for, 49 percent against, per the Post.
What is your reaction to the re-election of President Obama as we await speeches?
Maryland has a few referendums on the ballot, including a state version of the DREAM Act, which would help some undocumented citizens get access to an education. That referendum is due to pass, per the Washington Post.
A national version was in legislation in the Congress but did not pass.
Romney and Ryan have arrived at the center. I’ll be keeping an eye on any remarks. Crowd still not accepting Ohio, says the BBC.
The question now relies on the course of action. Can the Republicans and Democrats work together? How will the tone be within 2 years? Come January, Washington DC will be the host of some interesting events.
Ohio is tied. 49 to 49.
CNN says an aide to Mitt Romney says they are not prepared to concede.
The BBC says Romney is on his way to the convention center in Boston. What will he say?
Questions are now over the concession speech by Romney. There were a lot of reports saying Romney only wrote a victory speech. It was dead silent in the room when the call was made by Fox, says the BBC’s Ian Pannell.
And now, we wait for the speeches. There are no changes from what was already there. House is in Republican majority, Senate in Democrat majority with the re-election of Obama. Your thoughts are welcome. Tweet to @alexvlf.
Tweet from the president: “We’re all in this together. That’s how we campaigned, and that’s who we are. Thank you.”
More networks are projecting the re-election of President Obama.
Your thoughts?
CNN is now projecting Obama will be re-elected president because of Ohio.
CNN says its 256 to 201 for Obama. 270 to win.
CNN is projecting Missouri for Romney.
If Ohio is confirmed, the story is on Florida and Virginia. Races there are still very tight.
The BBC and CNN have called Oregon for Obama, while I’m seeing per PBS that Fox and MSNBC are calling Ohio for Obama.
California had a lot of propositions this election. KQED is reporting that proposition 30 (Education) is against at 56 to 43 percent, while proposition 37 (genetic engineered food labels) is against at 64 to 35 percent.
Calls have been made in Iowa for Obama. CNN and NBC are declaring the state for him.
It is still very close in the battleground states.
Oregon is leading towards Obama, NPR says.
The BBC and CNN are reporting that the Democrats will retain the majority in the Senate. The House was previously called for the Republicans.
ABC sources have indicated that Jeb Bush has told the Romney campaign they have lost Florida.
The BBC says its 244 to 178 for Obama.
CNN now says 238 to 191 for Obama.
CNN projects Obama has Wisconsin and Romney has North Carolina.
NPR says its 189 to 163 for Romney. The BBC is calling Idaho for Romney.
CNN says it is now 228 to 176 for Obama.
CNN is projecting that California, Hawaii, and Washington state will go to the president.
Just gone 10pm. Stand by.
The West Coast is closing. Stand by.
In Minnesota the turnout is expected to be 3 million. This article from the AP and the Star Tribune: http://www.startribune.com/politics/statelocal/177285621.html
I have results on Minnesota’s same sex referendum. Minnesota Public Radio is reporting no at 57.3 percent, yes at 42.7 percent.
The BBC is now saying its 174 to 173 for Romney.
I’m seeing Arizona to Romney. The BBC is calling it, and its flashing red on NPR’s big board.
It is 158 to 147 for Romney, per CNN. Bloomberg says its 174 to 173 for Romney.
Claire McCaskill will win the Missouri Senate contest.
What is your thought on the developments so far? Tweet me at @alexvlf or write on my Facebook page (facebook.com/alexvlf)
The races in Florida and Ohio are very tight, very close differences.
Regarding the referendum in Michigan, Canadian officials are not commenting tonight. Statement will be released tomorrow.
The BBC is reporting 172 to 163 for Obama, NPR still says 163 to 153 for Romney, 159 to 148 for Romney per PBS.
Obama has New Mexico, projections show.
Obama is leading in Florida with 84 percent of the votes, 49.8 percent to 49.4 percent.
Claire McCaskill is ahead in the Missouri Senate contest, per NPR.
The mayor of Los Angeles, Antonio Villaraigosa, has told the BBC that Obama expects to win Ohio, and that it will put them over the top. Neck and neck in battleground states.
The French newspaper Le Monde is projecting 154 for Romney, 148 to Obama.
The BBC says its 162 to 157 for Romney. Sources are varying numbers.
AP says 153 to 123 for Romney, per PBS and KQED in San Francisco.
NPR says its 160 to 148 to Romney, 153 to 143 for Romney says the BBC.
The BBC is reporting Montana has been called for Romney, in addition to Utah.
CNN is projecting Utah will go to Romney. 158 to 143 in favor of Romney.
Minnesota has gone for Obama, per the BBC.
The BBC says the national popular vote was Romney 50.3 percent and Obama 48.4 percent with 23 percent of the precincts.
Iowa, Nevada, Montana and Utah are closing at 9pm. A total of 21 electoral votes are at stake.
CNN says Obama is ahead by one percent, 50 to 49 in Florida.
Waiting on information about Florida.
Per the New York Times, Joe Donnelly has defeated Richard Mourdock in the Indiana Senate contest.
NPR says in the House is the Republicans 115, Democrats 64. Senate is 42 to 41 Republicans. 51 needed for the majority in Senate. NYT says House 227 to 183 for the Republicans, 42 to 40 for the Republicans.
The Republicans have retained the House majority.
Its also said Elizabeth Warren has won the Senate contest in Massachusetts, per the BBC and CBS.
Its said Obama is to have New Hampshire.
NYT says its 154 to 124 for Romney; 153 to 143 for Romney, the BBC says
Pritzker adds that neither campaign wants a repeat of 2000.
Pritzker is confident of the 270 but says its too early re Virginia and Florida.
Pritzker added that every single voter should have their opportunity to vote.
Penny Pritzker, the national co-chair of the Obama campaign, told the BBC that things are going as well as they had hoped.
Amy Klobuchar is re-elected as Senator in Minnesota, per Minnesota Public Radio.
636 votes split Obama and Romney in Florida, per the BBC and CNN.
I’m now seeing Wisconsin is projected to Obama.
Obama congratulated Romney on the campaign. Said though he was confident he had the votes to win. Romney says he is excited about tomorrow, the BBC reports.
BBC says Obama has Pennsylvania.
Nick in London has asked about what happens if there is a tie when it came to electoral votes. If the case arises, the House of Representatives will break the tie.
Obama has Pennsylvania, according to predictions across outlets.
Keep your thoughts coming on tonight’s results!
The BBC is seeing Romney 153 to Obama 123.
CNN is projecting that the Republicans will maintain control of the House. NPR says GOP 74 to 38 in the House.
Awaiting news on Minnesota referendum.
The bridge connecting the US to Canada referendum in Michigan is 67 percent no, 33 percent yes, per the Detroit Free Press.
NPR says 149 to 110 Romney; NYT says 94 to 76 for Obama. The BBC says 82 to 78 for Romney. CNN says 152 to 123 for Romney.
CNN is projecting Obama for Michigan, New York and New Jersey.
CNN is projecting Romney for Louisiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Wyoming, Mississippi, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Stand by for results!
The projections are varying. The BBC says Obama is ahead 78 to 65. NYT says Obama 65 to 51.
Obama ahead in Ohio 58 to 40 per CNN.
NPR says its Romney 82 Obama 65.
Tennessee and Arkansas for Romney. 73 to 64 for Romney, per CNN.
Arkansas has closed. It’s 7:30.
In Indiana, Joe Donnelly is ahead of Richard Mourdock in the Senate race. A party needs a majority of 51 to get control of the Senate.
NYT says the auto bailout of Ohio was the key reason of support for Obama. Six of ten voters approved it.
Back to New Jersey for a moment. Not been able to reach anyone. AP says voting there is extended to Friday for e-mail votes: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2012/11/06/new-jersey-election-results/1658353/
CNN is projecting Romney is getting Georgia–67 to 32 percent.
Arkansas closes at 7:30.
Romney now leading in Florida 51 to 49.
Ohio is leading for Obama. 59 to 40 percent. per CNN.
The House is 20 to 10 for the Republicans, per NPR.
The Senate is 38 to 33 for the Republicans, per NPR.
Conflicting data — CNN says 64 for Obama, 40 for Romney.
NPR’s big board is saying 71 to 65 for Romney.
Bill Nelson is re-elected as a Senator from Florida.
Projections saying Romney is getting Oklahoma. Obama is getting Illinois, Massachusetts, Maine, Delaware, DC, Maryland and Rhode Island. Its now 56 to 40 for Obama. 270 is needed to win.
Following back on the point on the Romney campaign charging media for access to events–I’ve contacted the Romney campaign but have yet to hear back. I’ve left a message for the Obama campaign too. Am waiting to hear back from NBC, The New York Times and the BBC.
The next batch of states to close include Michigan and Minnesota. Michigan has a referendum on a bridge connecting the US and Canada, and Minnesota has a same sex marriage amendment on the ballot tonight. They close at 8pm.
Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, DC, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Tennessee have had their polls closed. Just gone 7pm.
In the Senate, 33 seats are up. All seats in the House are up (House terms are 2 years while Senate terms are 6).
Romney has taken South Carolina, per projections.
Drew adds that newspapers at their best create community.
More from Drew: “We haven’t abandoned traditional journalism and storytelling. We’ll have a very good paper, expanded paper, up 22 pages tomorrow, with added color. We’ll have a great print product tomorrow.”
“We’re doing other things that people expect. For those of us who are here picking up this new tool, we never expected this 20 years ago.”
Reader response has been positive, Drew adds. “I’m sure we’ll continue to do this. We continue to take advantage of what readers see. It’s a good way to capture what they are struck by.”
Duchesne Drew of the Minneapolis Star Tribune says social media has become important to coverage, and Instagram is part of it. “Instagram is relatively new and creates an opportunity for us to draw our readers in the larger community of telling a story,” Drew said.
Delegate count: 33 to 3 for Romney.
It is being projected that WV will go to Romney.
The polls have closed in Ohio, North Carolina and West Virginia.
Have also reached out to other media as well.
Have contacted both campaigns re media accreditation costs.
Nick in London asks about state electoral votes. Electoral votes are determined by state population.
Spokesman for WBUR, the NPR station in Boston, says he’s not familiar with $1,000 charge at the station.
Obama is leading in Florida 55 to 45 percent, per CNN.
Obama is projected to win Vermont, Romney is projected to win Indiana and Kentucky. Virginia is split.
The Globe paid the $1,000 to cover–spokesman for the Globe says. Checking with other media.
On hold with the Boston Globe newsroom re Romney charging.
Mitt Romney’s campaign is charging media outlets $1,000 for access to an event in Boston tonight. Report from NPR station WBUR, and I’m going to speak to people: http://www.wbur.org/2012/11/06/massachusetts-election-coverage#romney-campaign-charging-media-1000-for-boston-event
Also, have a question about election coverage? I’ll be speaking to a Minneapolis Star Tribune managing editor at 6:30. Send them to me via Twitter (@alexvlf) or on Facebook (facebook.com/alexvlf).
NJ elections division is engaged. Will keep trying.
This was done for those affected by Hurricane Sandy.
In New Jersey, voters were able to vote by e-mail or fax. Am trying to reach someone for official stats.
If you have a question, tweet me @alexvlf or write on my Facebook page (facebook.com/alexvlf)!
Nick is in London, England and following along tonight. He’s tweeted asking about the third party candidates.
Candidates have supporters of a significant amount and they go on the ballot. Ballot laws vary state by state so they can declare before the ballot deadline. They may influence the outcome and election (like Ross Perot did back in 1992 and 1996), but usually will receive less attention than Democrats or Republicans.
Seeing pictures from Chicago where the president will speak later tonight. The stage is nearly set! (via the BBC’s Mark Mardell on Twitter)
pic.twitter.com/RiPYkQGc
Lauren in Australia has tweeted to say foreign policy and the economy will be the key issues. Do you agree?
After 6:30, I’ll be speaking to a Managing Editor at the Minneapolis Star Tribune. They’re one of many newspapers in the US using Instagram to help with coverage, and are embracing social media with election coverage like much of journalism.
Any questions you’d like to ask? Tweet me @alexvlf or write on my Facebook page (facebook.com/alexvlf)
At 6pm CT, we’ll be hearing from the first battleground state: Virginia.
Tweet from the BBC’s North America editor Mark Mardell: “Romney says he has only written one speech for tonight. His victory remarks run to 1,118 words.”
To those in the US, what was the issue for you that was the deciding factor for your candidate?
If you’re reading this from outside the US, what do you think will be the key issue?
Tweet me @alexvlf or post on my Facebook page (facebook.com/alexvlf) and I’ll post some responses here.
Did you vote today? Was it your first time voting?
A tweeter in the UK: Turnout in the US election in ’08 was 58.2 percent, with UK election in ’10 at 65.1 percent.
It’s just gone 6pm Eastern and the first polls have closed in Indiana and Kentucky. More polls will close at 7pm Eastern, specifically states in the eastern seaboard.
I want tonight to be a two way conversation. Take part, wherever you are in the world. Tweet me your thoughts @alexvlf or write on my Facebook page (facebook.com/alexvlf). Your comments may be used here over the course of the evening.
Good evening all! Welcome to The Flyer’s coverage of the 2012 presidential election. I’m Alex Veeneman and I’ll be keeping an eye on the latest developments over the course of the evening. There will also be a few additional features in store.
10 minutes away! If you’re watching this, welcome. Tweet me @alexvlf or write on my Facebook page (facebook.com/alexvlf) and let me know where you are in the world!
Thanks for joining us tonight.
We get under way officially in 22 minutes from now!
NYT tells me this is the first time Instagram is being used in election coverage. They’re using the Twitter hashtag #nytelection.
Was told no one is available.
Speaking of coverage, networks have said they will withhold early exit poll data until state polls close. From Reuters: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/06/major-tv-news-networks-early-exit-poll-data-election-day_n_2081523.html
Thoughts?
Many news organizations are integrating Instagram into their coverage tonight, including The New York Times and the Minneapolis Star Tribune in Minnesota.
The NYT’s page is being overseen by the social team. You can see it here (nyti.ms/YRQPQG), and I hope to speak to someone there over the course of the night.
Are you voting today? Have you voted? Have a look at the poll right next to the blog!
There was some campaigning going on today. Mitt Romney was in Pennsylvania. The BBC live page has a picture of him with volunteers at a call center.
Afternoon all! We get underway in under 90 minutes time.
I’ll be updating this as the day goes on, looking at results and trends across the country. We’ll officially get underway from 5pm.
Afternoon all. A voting machine in Perry County, Pennslyvania was taken offline briefly after a YouTube video emerged that it switched voters’ choices of candidates.
Spokesman for Pennsylvania Department of State says the issue was isolated. The machine was recalibrated and is working properly.
About the Author
Alex Veeneman has served as the Opinions Editor since January of 2012. He's a journalist and a fan of music, public broadcasting, hockey and soccer. Veeneman is interested in world news and stories about the media.
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Thanks for the updates, Alex! I’m stuck babysitting and the only thing I can watch on tv is Thomas the Tank Engine!
Looks like a long night
Interesting state races. Looks like duckworth will win and judy biggert may be upset by foster. Keep up the good work Alex.
Looks like a big turnout. What numbers do you have?
4 more years. Voted for status quo. House, senate and president. I hope they can work together. Thanks Alex.