OBAMA! YES!

Sorry, should have converted the link; here it si again.

www.couriermail.com.au/news/world/nine-ways-mitt-romney-blew-it/story-fnd12peo-1226512281427

Like everyone else, I was very relieved that Obama had won. I think if Romney had got in it would have set America back by 50 years.

Thanks for the link, Joan, I really enjoyed it.

Communist. How funny. Really communistic background. Worked out how his parents met each other yet folks? You might have to read between the lines in the sanitised version.
And what is the story on his own gap year in Pakistan?????

nellimoser Being welsh I would be confident we would take credit for LG and AB. But do we go round saying we are the greatest nation on earth???

I thought I'd posted this before, but it vanished. Luckily I had it on Word.........

Here is an excellent analysis of 9 reasons why Romney failed:

(It might take a fair few seconds to come up)

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/world/nine-ways-mitt-romney-blew-it/story-fnd12peo-1226512281427

The problem is, Romney was a moderate when he was a Governor, and he had a state health care system in place just like Obama’s. But in order to get the Republican nomination he had to veer to the extreme Right. He should blame the Tea Party for his defeat.

The utter hatred of Obama in certain circles that I read about is extreme to the point of insanity. I’ve read that he loses at least 5% of the vote just for being black. I’ve also heard him called an arrogant communist. What are these people seeing in him? Nothing that I have seen, that’s for sure. I see him as a moderate American family man, who cares for all sections of society.

Anyway, thank goodness he prevailed – the world is relieved.

Greatnan said:
^I wonder if the Republicans could have won if they had chosen a less extreme candidate - or perhaps they don't have any less extreme members!
Another thought that occurred to me was that Obama may have actually benefited by the recession, as the 'newly poor', having lost their jobs, might be worried about being able to afford health insurance. What kind of people are these so called good Christians on the American right, who don't think it matters that many people in what used to be the richest country in the world cannot afford treatment when they are ill?^

I agree absolutely, especially the last sentence. The most extreme of the professed 'Christians' seem to act in the most unchristian way imaginable.

jessM I think the Welsh might very well say that Lloyd George and Nye Bevan were from the greatest nation on earth!

Lloyd George was a Welsh speaker of Welsh descent although born in Manchester and Nye Bevan was Welsh Born.

Ah! That explains it - I'm not going mad after all...

Ana I'm the poster formerly known as baNANA. I have a new computer and new email address, I advised Gransnet of this and they gave me instructions how to log in using new computer and new email address, but each time I tried it failed to log me in. I have now registered again and as I wasn't able to use my original name, I have opted for a slight variation. Because I just love bananas!

Are you a new member, BAnanas, or have I just been mis-seeing BAnana? And baNANA?

I'm getting confused with all the Bananas on here!

Apropos of Obama's victory, I was having a discussion with my son who studied The American Civil War as part of his degree course and he told me that the Republicans were a more progressive party than the Democrats back in the 19th century when they were the ones who were pushing for the abolition of slavery. I didn't know that must go and read it up now. I wonder why and when they both changed their positions, the Republicans sure are a lot of quite extreme right wingers now.

The demographic is changing crimson - and the democrats are getting much better at getting poorer people registered to vote and helping them to actually cast their vote. Of course there is reaction e,g, states passing laws that you have to produce photo iD at the polling station - which can disenfranchise people.

I listened the other day to a Radio 4 documentary about GIs in England in WW2. The way the black soldiers were treated by the American army was shameful. I am afraid that there is still a great deal of racism, not only in the Southern states but also in Europe. My own sister, whom I love dearly, is prejudiced against Muslims, although she has never known one personally. I am not talking about disapproving of the religion, forced marriage, honour killings, and so on, but just despising all Asian immigrants. Oddly enough, she seems fine with black people. I think it is the culture rather than the colour that she hates. We have had some discussions about her attitude, but I know I can't change it by logic and reasoning - it seems to be visceral. I can't understand it, as we both had the same liberal upbringing and her area does not have a large number of immigrants of any kind.

Thank goodness! The best man won. I am delighted.

[Again from a couple of programmes I listened to/watched] someone said that the Republicans may feel they hadn't had a candidate who was right wing enough]. Now, that is worrying. Esprcially as, the way American politics seems to work, there will almost definately be a Republican leader next time. I'm happy to wake up to this news [day off lie in by the way; I know it's a bit late] having been a bit concerned by the Bart Simpson clip they showed on Newsnight last night in which every time he voted for a Democrat it was changed into a Republican vote [memories of Bush....].

The US has come a long way in our lifetime. Apartheid prevailed in many states when we were children. I still have moments when I have to stop and remind myself that they have a black president. What is more, he appears to be a fully formed adult, unlike the "rich boys" Bush and Romney who are the embodiment of "entitlement". It will be interesting to see over the next couple of years who emerges as potential candidates on both sides.

Phew indeed! That's a scary story granjura

Have got the (Lidl) champagne in the fridge!

These types scare me too granjura

HIS ....

The whole world breathes a sigh of relief

I have many relatives in the US who are Tea party types - just can't cope with the fact a 'Negro' (sorry, it hurts to type) is in the Office. Their hatred of Obama and his wife is visceral and full of bile - and they cannot fathom that the whole world (apart from Pakistan) was in favour of Obama by a huge majority. They blame Obama for not being able, so far, to implement what he had promised. With the Senate constantly fighting every word, and the very rich Republicans hiding the money in off-shore accounts or under the mattress, etc- he had no chance. Let's hope now he has a very clear mandate, that the Senate will work with him (!?! I know, not much chance).

Fact is those Tea party types would still hate Obama, even if he dropped the health insurance reforms, boosted the military, reduced taxes for the very rich, etc. - they would still hate him with a vengeance. One of my cousins who visited last year said that Obama didn't have the right to be American, and was an AlKaida plant to destroy the USA. We laughed- thinking he was 'sort of joking' - but he got angry when we said 'surely you don't really meant that' - reply 'YOU BET I DO - THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT HE IS, AND IS BITCH MICHELLE TOO'.

People like them are not the majority of Republicans perhaps, but a very significant number, and that scares me to death. Let's hope ...

It is indeed a huge relief!

Wonderful news, breathing a huge sigh of relief!

Such a relief. I was worried as the average Middle American is very insular and naïve when it comes to politics and the outside world. They obviously thought Romney was a step too far.