A Decisive but Not Overwhelming Victory for Barack Obama

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Drivemouth of 8:31PM December 14, 2009

Can Obama live up to the expectations? Since succeeding with a large majority vote from Republicans, can he produce what he has stated?

KBryan of CO 2:38PM December 01, 2008

I found it interesting that Obama didn't fair as well with voters in their 40's. I wouldn't be surprised if a large number of voters in this age group are the voters more $250,000 but less than, say, $325, 000.
My husband is in this income bracket, and he's worked 20 hard years to get there. We've done everything by the book -- saved money for a down-payment on a modest house, consistently put money away for college, saved for retirement. We don't take pricey vacations, aren't driving fancy cars.
I didn't vote for Obama because it feels as though he's punishing hard-working people for doing things "right." Not everyone who has money earned it by scamming other people or being in overpaid positions.
Before he goes looking for another tax bracket to solve the financial problems in this country, Obama may want to look at contributing factors such as overpaid corporate heads, jobs being sent overseas without financial penalty to those companies who do so,the cost to educate and provide health care to illegal immigrants, poor education standards and decreased education opportunities for lower-income children from pre-K to college and, of course, the money bleeding out of this country for the war.
Obama may want to temper his "spread the wealth" mentality with this group -- they could cost him a second term.

Vote Smart of IL 9:28AM November 13, 2008

Mr. Barone could take a clue from his conservative brother Senator McCain in how to gracefully deal with defeat. Where Senator McCain was magnanimous and gracious in his concession, Mr. Barone seems small and vindictive in his commentary. Perhaps this a reason America has rethought their interest in conservative politics as it exists today: win or lose, conservatives seem most interested in telling the world the other guy is just dead wrong. I think America's had enough. I know I have.

N Morrill of CA 12:44AM November 13, 2008

. . .that the comments from the Left on this blog have been fatuous, insipid, banal, and mean-spirited. It really is a movement based on emotions--and one utterly-devoid of rationality and reason.
Michael Barone, easily the smartest commentator on American politics today, has been called "dumb" on this blog for stating the obvious: that the empirical data suggests a decisive but not an overwhelming victory. I hate to break it to the foaming-at-the-mouth Left-wing zealots here, but the numbers support his claim. After a financial crisis in September, a media actively cheerleading and covering up for a candidate for two years, and a glaring money disadvatage in the general election (and especially the key swing states), the Democratic nominee won about 52.6% of the vote. If 52.6% of the vote is an overwhelming--as opposed to decisive--victory then I would suggest many of the hostile readers hit the books on past presidential elections. Maybe they could start with the many editions of Michael Barone's Almanacs of American Politics.

Rick of CA 4:21PM November 12, 2008

Obama outnumbered your baybies by 7.5 million votes. 370 electoral votes is more than overwhelming. Your tittle is ridiculous

Jaimecastro of NY 12:28PM November 12, 2008

It surely beats losing!

Leon Maxwell of GA 10:54AM November 11, 2008

And you were probably complaining about how the electoral college was antiquated in 2000. Now it's what you hang your hat on. Bias? Look in the mirror.

Smitty of MN 9:33PM November 10, 2008

More of Micheal Barone's bullshit.He is wired so wrong,that he can not see reaity.

J.Richard Gove of MS 6:59PM November 10, 2008

Barone bias rides again.
The foreign and domestic failures, the religious insinuation into public policy, and the hysteria of orthodoxy will require a generation to repair.
The best cure is fresh air, something the wounded right wing on your grey haired eagle cannot help.
Stay out of the way and suck your feathers.

Morton Kurzweil of FL 6:41PM November 10, 2008