The US Presidential Election 2012

No nor me, until i felt relieved. Maybe sleep better tonight.

Couldn't bear to turn on the radio this morning, just in case, but was delighted when I heard the result from DH. Well done sensible Americans! I didn't realise I had been so worried about Romney getting in.

Obama got just over half the total votes I think. 60% of white voters, voted Romney.

I notice in comments on Obama's reelection commentators are noting that Obama had a far far higher proportion of the Black, Hispanic and college-educated women and the young than Romney and that even Romney's share of the white and male vote has fallen and that if the Republican do not move more towards the centre politically they have a long future as unelectable minority party, bit like Michael Foot and Labour.

The Senate is more in his favour. That will help a lot.

Probably the best man won , but the Senate and House of Representitives haven"t changed , so will be "same old , same old .

Wonder what the debt will be when he leaves next time . Heard it is 3 trillion at moment .

I didn't stay up, I was exhausted after a heavy day....but I am so pleased!

And let's not get too carried away. Obama still has to contend with a Republican House of Representatives, unless they throw in the towel and agree to compromise.

Thanks for the link, Bags. I hope it's not over-optimistic.

gma The two systems are so different that it's almost impossible to compare them. I have a feeling that the electoral colleges don't have to follow the popular vote in the state but I'm not certain. I reckon it is a very complicated system.

America, welcome to Europe! The religious right is dying. Good.

I didn't stay up. They just timed it nicely for my usual waking up time.

Went back to sleep after. Haven't heard his speech yet!

I didn't stay up, but should have done as I had a very disturbed night thinking the unthinkable!
Phew indeed JO5

Thank the American Voters!!!! that the best man won (the alternative was unthinkable) Now to carry on with the job!
Does anyone know the turnout % compared to ours in the UK?
Please can our elections be a bit more exciting now!!!!!! Or is it our Great British Reserve that stops us getting so excited

From an American friend on Facebook "The Obamas can go back to the White House and the Romneys back to 1954."

So happy with the result!

27 million Hispanic voters and over 70% of them voted for Obama, according to the BBC News this morning.

Romney's and the Republican demographic is most white men and old people – and it's shrinking. So not a big surprise about the Hispanic vote.

Interesting that the % of hispanic voters has gone up from 4 to 10% in the last 4 years! And they voted for Obama. Despite Romney's stance on abortion etc. DH remarked that catholics do tend to have a social conscience and that this might be one of the factors that went against MR.

Wasn't his speech cracking?
Right, let's see how the day goes on a couple of hours sleep

So much for close. Now I can breathe a sigh and

Glad I stayed up!

Times Square is looking amazing! They're going mad!

Obama has made it according to the Beeb.

Phew!!!!!

I was surprised and extremely worried to read this morning that the election is very close. Apparently they are having problems with the voting machines again.

www.smh.com.au/world/us-election/voting-machine-changes-obama-to-romney-20121107-28x09.html

They say it could be days [even weeks?] before there is a result. Did you hear some of the things Martin Amis was saying about Romney on Newsnight? He sounds like a complete nutter.