US election 2012 - as it happened
Barack Obama defeats Mitt Romney in the battle for the presidency of the United States of America
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An exit poll conducted by the Associated Press reinforces how crucial the economic backdrop has been to this election. One important point for the Obama campaign is that half of the voters they surveyed say George W. Bush shoulders more of the blame for economic challenges than his replacement of the last four years though.WASHINGTON (AP) — Preliminary results of an exit poll conducted for The Associated Press show that the presidential election hinges once again on the economy.
via AP
The survey of voters as they leave polling places Tuesday shows 6 in 10 voters say the economy is the top issue facing the nation, with unemployment and rising prices hitting voters hard. -
From Guy Adams:
A potentially huge blow for Republicans, if Twitter is to be believed. Citing "GOP sources on the ground," Erin McPike, a reporter for the RealClearPolitics website, claims that the party's "ORCA" turnout-monitoring system has crashed. The system, a web App modelled on the highly-rated one Obama used in 2008, is a crucial to their efforts to get voters to the polls in swing states.
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Here's that tweet:
According to GOP sources on the ground, Romney camp's "ORCA" turnout app has crashed, so they can't monitor their turnout operation.
— Erin McPike (@ErinMcPike) November 6, 2012 -
RT @KevinJRawlinson: Follow @Independent's @enjoli_ + @alistairdawber who'll be tweeting from the @IndyWorld desk as the Obama v Romney ...by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 10:28:13 PM -
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This update from Tom Peck: Hurricane Sandy lands another body blow on Mitt. At the Redhook Tavern in London's US Election Night Special, Sandy complications meant the Romney cut out never arrived. But don't worry they had a spare Barack, whose face has had to have a Romney mask hurriedly slapped on it. But can you guess which one?
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Standing around with a load of hacks, wondering why no exit polls have yet been leaked. Come on, leakers!by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 10:35:07 PM
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I think I can do that move
Barack Obama on whether, if he wins, he'll perform the now infamous Gangnam Style dance for Michelle in celebration. We're yet to get word on whether, if he loses, he'll moonwalk out of the White House. Via Gawker -
In the calm before the storm, we resort to toilet humour RT @KingsHillChat: @guyadams there was this exit poll leak... p.twimg.com/A7C9PUDCYAAlhJU.jpg
by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 10:45:44 PM -
RT @Pandhermonium: @guyadams RT @SabrinaSiddiqui: Read this piece from @mysterypollster: Why exit polls won't tell you who won. http:// ...by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 10:48:40 PM
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Wondering how long the night will go on? Potentially into tomorrow morning. The BBC coverage starts at half 11, with the first polls closing at 12. By 1 a number of other (and potentially crucial) polls will have closed. 40 states will have closed voting by 2, and by 4 we should be getting an idea of who's won. For a full (and funny) breakdown of the times involved, read this from Alex Hern.
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Both sides are right now... RT @jmartpolitico: A senior GOPer w close ties to Romneyland emails a single word: "worried."by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 10:52:41 PM
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Mitt Romney's famous brevity has struck again with his victory speech.
Romney says he's "only written one speech at this point"...says it's "a victory speech. It’s about 1,118 words."
— Sarah Huisenga (@SarahH_CBSNJ) November 6, 2012 -
More from the Romney camp:
Romney says if he wins, he will "immediately focus on the transition." Rather that unwind, he adds, he'll be "winding tighter."
— Ashley Parker(@AshleyRParker) November 6, 2012 -
Overheard in press room (words to then effect of): "No, I'm not going to write a ******* article based on what Drudge says about exit polls"by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 11:01:04 PM
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Overheard in press room (words to the effect of): "No, I'm not going to write a ****** article based on what Drudge says about exit polls"by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 11:02:13 PM
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The first polls have closed in Indiana and Kentucky. Have a look at our election map to see how those states voted last time.
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RT @AlexSchriver: CNN projecting 18% of voters are aged 18-29, same as 2008 #crncby Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 11:09:22 PM
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ABC's Rick Klein points out another piece of economic data. Much of the story of this early polling so far has been that the American public seem to have a more nuanced appreciation of the US economy than the pundits have given them credit for.
Obama job approval rating: 52 percent in preliminary exit polls. One point below Bush '04. #YourVote
— Rick Klein (@rickklein) November 6, 2012 -
37 per cent of Ohio voters say things are getting better, 33 per cent getting worse. Should help Obama #election2012 @Independentby David Usborne via twitter 11/6/2012 11:17:35 PM -
RT @ShippersUnbound: Someone tell me in 2 sentences what these exit polls tell us #electionby David Usborne via twitter 11/6/2012 11:17:49 PM
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In VA 32 per cent in exit polls satisfied with Obama admin, 25 per cent dissatisfied. Good for Obama. #election2012 @Independentby David Usborne via twitter 11/6/2012 11:18:55 PM
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The non-partisan election protection hotline has received a huge number of calls so far, suggesting fears about the legitimacy of the race and voting issues like those we've written about earlier.
Election protection hotline (@866ourvote) has received 74,697 calls so far. Most calls from CA, followed by PA (7,911).
— Amanda Terkel (@aterkel) November 6, 2012 -
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Why take one friend to the polls when you can take two? The Democrats are looking a little desperate themselves judging by this tweet...
We're getting down to the wire on the East Coast. Ask two friends to go to the polls with you. www.barackobama.com #VoteObama
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Guests starting to arrive in reception area at Romney victory party HQ. Smooth jazz is playing. Nice. p.twimg.com/A7DgpTlCYAArHyD.jpg
by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 11:30:33 PM -
Do you know your Roosevelts from your Reagans? Put your presidential knowledge to the test with our US election quiz.
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Consensus at Romney HQ: age and racial exit poll data bad for Mitt. Turnout figures from key precincts better. But no-one really has a clue.by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 11:38:08 PM
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Exit poll details can't yet be released, but there are other ways of determining who will win tonight's election - such as the baseball results. Rupert Cornwall looks at some less scientific indicators as to tonight's result.
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CNN responsible for red and white columns of lights atop Empire State building....they will all turn red or blue depending on who wins. Cuteby David Usborne via twitter 11/6/2012 11:38:52 PM
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RT @markknoller: CBS News Exit Poll: 46% say country headed in "right direction," 52% says country on the "wrong track."by SmallBizOnHill via twitter 11/6/2012 11:39:29 PM -
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Having never waited for more than 5 mins to vote in then UK, I just can't understand how the US can run an election so shoddily #queuesby Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 11:44:41 PM
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The Independent's US Editor David Usborne writes...
With dawn will come history. In victory, Mr Obama will have validated an agenda of social inclusion and activist government and avoided membership of the one-term club alongside Jimmy Carter and George Herbert Walker Bush. If he prevails it will be not because of any thrill that came last time with the sending of the first African-American to the highest office but because of his record. Or America will have its first Mormon President-elect.
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.@londonstatto True dat: the California ballot paper is 140 pages long!by Guy Adams via twitter 11/6/2012 11:46:14 PM
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The Independent's Anne Penketh in Washington on reported glitches with the voting systems in some American swing states...
In addition to the voting machine in Pennsylvania which cast a vote for Republican Mitt Romney when the voter touched the screen for Obama, the town of Covington, Virginia, has been covered in shame after its voting machines described Obama as a Republican. (The state-of-the-art machines in Virginia also said that Romney is Republican, which happens to be right). Voting officials had to scrap the machines and issued voters with old-fashioned paper ballots which correctly described the president as a Democrat, according to CNN.
In Ohio, some electronic machines have crashed. And in Florida, phone calls from the election supervisor going out to voters in Pinellas County wrongly informed them that they have until 7 pm today to vote. When the phone glitch was discovered, it was stopped and corrected, the Tampa Bay Times reported. -
Journos suffering awful internet probs at @BarackObama hq. cumulative blood pressure 200/180by David Usborne via twitter 11/6/2012 11:50:50 PM
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While the presidential candidates are having to urge some people to the polls - there's no stopping others. Fox Chicago News report that a pregnant women was so determined to participate she cast her vote even though she was in labour.
This is my first baby, a girl, and I wanted to make a good impression, I want to have a story to tell her.
Read more by clicking here -
Exits look v good for Obama - Latino vote up important. However, small note of caution - Kerry in 2004.by LouiseBagshawe via twitter 11/6/2012 11:59:56 PM -
BOOM! CNN says Obama will win Vermont. Romney to carry Kentucky.by Guy Adams via twitter 11/7/2012 12:00:46 AM
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CNN projects Vermont for Obama, Kentucky for Obama #election2012 @Independentby David Usborne via twitter 11/7/2012 12:01:16 AM
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1
'He was lucky he didn't die' - George Michael fell out of speeding car onto M1 motorway, according to eye witness
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2
Gay couple beaten in park urge MPs to moderate language on gay marriage
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3
After woman sells virginity for $780,000, here are the results of our prostitution survey
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4
Far-right French historian, 78-year-old Dominique Venner, commits suicide in Notre Dame in protest against gay marriage
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5
'It was just like the movie Twister': Man survives Oklahoma tornado by taking refuge in horse stall
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