Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:19 AM

CK_John (5,426 posts)

If Mitt is such a poor candidate, why does everyone that counts say it will be a very close election

Is it because it always is a close election, or is it something else. Does anything they say or do, count before mid Oct?

What say you?

55 replies, 2865 views

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55 replies	Author	Time	Post
If Mitt is such a poor candidate, why does everyone that counts say it will be a very close election (Original post)	CK_John	Apr 2012	OP
Because the economy continues to be a catastrophe	MannyGoldstein	Apr 2012	#1
Yes	cwydro	Apr 2012	#14
change	DonCoquixote	Apr 2012	#15
How's this for no change:	Jamaal510	Apr 2012	#20
the media wants ratings and people to tune in , but this can influence voters also	JI7	Apr 2012	#2
because of the voting machines	Rosa Luxemburg	Apr 2012	#3
If they said	Old Codger	Apr 2012	#4
Also....	loyalsister	Apr 2012	#55
Because the racist GOP base woke up and is determined to vote this November.	onehandle	Apr 2012	#5
The youth will be denied access to the polls.	Zalatix	Apr 2012	#27
Not here they won't.	Bluenorthwest	Apr 2012	#46
Really? There are that many white men?	aquart	Apr 2012	#31
+1	baldguy	Apr 2012	#34
Electoral college	Retrograde	Apr 2012	#6
Several factors:	silverweb	Apr 2012	#7
Everybody would say it will be close even if they don't think so	Orangepeel	Apr 2012	#8
Because as much as they don't like Mittens,	Marie Marie	Apr 2012	#9
Hmmmm....everyone that COUNTS, eh? Hope they aren't counting the votes!	MADem	Apr 2012	#10
Four words; The Fix Is In	MotorCityMan	Apr 2012	#11
Because we are a nation of fools.	MrSlayer	Apr 2012	#12
Because for many of us	cwydro	Apr 2012	#13
Mitt Romney thanks you	DonCoquixote	Apr 2012	#16
NDAA..... The Patriot Act... The Catfood Commission... Geithner..Bernake, Summers...	lib2DaBone	Apr 2012	#21
NDAA passed by a veto-proof, bipartisan majority	dogknob	Apr 2012	#24
Ignorance will help Rmoney.	Atman	Apr 2012	#22
Damn! He wasn't the Messiah. Told you so.	aquart	Apr 2012	#30
Only the polls are close, but the electoral map is leaning HEAVILY in favor of Obama.	FarLeftFist	Apr 2012	#17
Because Obama's still black.	LadyHawkAZ	Apr 2012	#18
So how did Obama win big in 2008?	Nye Bevan	Apr 2012	#38
He didn't win by a whopping huge margin of the popular vote	LadyHawkAZ	Apr 2012	#54
For what it's worth...	Quantess	Apr 2012	#19
They lie!!	mfcorey1	Apr 2012	#23
"Rigged" is the key word for this issue!	dmosh42	Apr 2012	#25
You actually HAVE to ask this question?	estiparanoic	Apr 2012	#26
What is ODS?	Quantess	Apr 2012	#28
ODS = Obama Derangement Syndrome	estiparanoic	Apr 2012	#29
aha. Thanks.	Quantess	Apr 2012	#32
Diebold/Sequoia/ESS	Scuba	Apr 2012	#33
For many people, it will be a vote against Obama, not a vote for Romney.	Arkansas Granny	Apr 2012	#35
Yup...	AmazingSchnitzel	Apr 2012	#45
Perhaps, but that is not a winning strategy.	DCBob	Apr 2012	#53
Faux newz and other RW media can turn a turd into a treasure.	DCBob	Apr 2012	#36
Many people vote against the incumbent when the economy is bad.	Nye Bevan	Apr 2012	#37
There has to be the illusion of a close race, for the election theft to go unchallenged. nt	Snotcicles	Apr 2012	#39
Because everyone that counts was paid for saying that.	sofa king	Apr 2012	#40
A couple of million Mormons on phone banks and in the streets	CanonRay	Apr 2012	#41
Why?	99Forever	Apr 2012	#42
Because it's election season and close elections means better ratings	LynneSin	Apr 2012	#43
There are only about 8 states that'll decide the election.	Kaleva	Apr 2012	#44
everyone that counts? What?	Bluenorthwest	Apr 2012	#47
The Republicans could run Mickey Mouse and the election would be close.	archiemo	Apr 2012	#48
Got to keep it close or lots of 24/7 pundits lose their jobs.	JoePhilly	Apr 2012	#49
Part of it is due to people who believe ...	GeorgeGist	Apr 2012	#50
Exactly who comprises"everyone that counts"?	mulsh	Apr 2012	#51
Ratings.	Ship of Fools	Apr 2012	#52

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:21 AM

MannyGoldstein (21,423 posts)

1. Because the economy continues to be a catastrophe

And Romney is not obviously insane.

People are desperate for change - even if they may not be thrilled with Romney, they might think it's worth a shot.

Reply to this post

Response to MannyGoldstein (Reply #1)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 02:38 AM

cwydro (13,233 posts)

14. Yes

You said what I was thinking, and posted downthread.

People ARE desperate for change.

Obama has not given us any change.

Reply to this post

Response to cwydro (Reply #14)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 02:47 AM

DonCoquixote (5,629 posts)

15. change

half of whioch was hampered by the Democratic congress, aka DINOS. Obama did change in that he did stop the rush to kill programs like social security and medicare that would be dead as doornails under McCain. He did invest in a company like GM, saving it from being sold to the Chinese.

But also, let's not forget, Mitt is the candidate, but he is NOT the one people are voting to control the country, that battle was won in 2010, where congress, using Grover Norquist, openly says "we are NOT looking for a leader, just a pen." I did a whole thread on that, and many were surprised to see the GOP act that brazen.

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Response to cwydro (Reply #14)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 03:29 AM

Jamaal510 (3,156 posts)

20. How's this for no change:

Last edited Sun Apr 29, 2012, 03:37 AM USA/ET - Edit history (1)

http://whatthefuckhasobamadonesofar.com/

P.S. You mentioned not voting for Obama again (which is indirectly a vote for Romney), so I hope you're prepared to have him as president...a guy who doesn't even have a health care plan, a guy who wants to raise taxes on everyone but the top income earners, continue austerity, outsource jobs, and continue the wars.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:22 AM

JI7 (40,069 posts)

2. the media wants ratings and people to tune in , but this can influence voters also

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:23 AM

Rosa Luxemburg (21,990 posts)

3. because of the voting machines

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:27 AM

Old Codger (2,260 posts)

4. If they said

it would be a runaway for Obama no one would watch much any more, they cannot have that so will do anything to keep interest up so you will tune in.

Reply to this post

Response to Old Codger (Reply #4)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 02:30 PM

loyalsister (6,914 posts)

55. Also....

It motivates voters, which is not such a bad thing

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:28 AM

onehandle (35,412 posts)

5. Because the racist GOP base woke up and is determined to vote this November.

See 2010.

The youth better tear themselves away from reality TV this year and vote.

Reply to this post

Response to onehandle (Reply #5)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 06:25 AM

Zalatix (8,994 posts)

27. The youth will be denied access to the polls.

Reply to this post

Response to Zalatix (Reply #27)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 09:38 AM

Bluenorthwest (24,127 posts)

46. Not here they won't.

I can promise you that in my State, no one is denied access to election participation. We don't do 'polling places' nor do we 'check in' with folks at a desk.

Reply to this post

Response to onehandle (Reply #5)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 07:35 AM

aquart (67,525 posts)

31. Really? There are that many white men?

Reply to this post

Response to onehandle (Reply #5)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 08:16 AM

baldguy (30,465 posts)

34. +1

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:32 AM

Retrograde (3,325 posts)

6. Electoral college

It doesn't matter who wins the popular vote in November - it's who gets a majority of the electoral votes. That's why the GOP has been so active in getting voter-obstruction laws in place in states like Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania where there are a lot of electoral votes to be had and the populace is considered on the fence. Remember 2000?

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:35 AM

silverweb (12,965 posts)

7. Several factors:

(1) Red States' restrictions on voting that will disproportionately affect Democratic voters.

(2) ReTHUG misinformation and intimidation tactics around Election Day targeting Democratic voters.

(3) Election fraud, i.e., voting machines, and "lost" mail ballots and overseas military ballots (now favoring Democrats).

(4) The need to avoid cockiness and/or complacency when looking at the President's poll numbers.

(5) The realization that the President will be powerless to achieve many of our goals if we don't also give him a majority Senate and better odds in the House.

(6) The urgent necessity for Democrats to win this election by such overwhelming numbers that NO amount of cheating or tampering by reTHUGs and their stooges will tilt the outcome in their favor.

GObama!

And on that note, I have to get back to work. Later, guys!

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:45 AM

Orangepeel (12,701 posts)

8. Everybody would say it will be close even if they don't think so

The campaign that's ahead will say it will be close because they don't want supporters to be complacent and because they still want to raise money.

The campaign that's behind will say it will be close because they don't want supporters to be discouraged and because they still want to raise money.

The media will say it will be close because they need ratings. The talking heads will convince themselves it's close because that's where the stories are.

It may actually be close. There is a lot of polarization in the country, many people have their minds made up no matter who the candidates are, and "independents" are often fickle.

But you can't go by what everyone is saying because they would all say that anyway.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 12:50 AM

Marie Marie (2,043 posts)

9. Because as much as they don't like Mittens,

they dislike Obama even more.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 01:14 AM

MADem (85,972 posts)

10. Hmmmm....everyone that COUNTS, eh? Hope they aren't counting the votes!

It is a money-maker for lots of people--most specifically, media news outlets (who can charge more for their commercial air time)--if an election is close.

The candidates and their PACS are encouraged to pour tons of money into media buys, which puts a lot of people to work and makes money-money-money for the networks.

Any corporate media interest with an eye on the bottom line wants to create a sense of a horse race, even if the race is between the Old Gray Mare and Secretariat.

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Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 01:51 AM

MotorCityMan (1,117 posts)

11. Four words; The Fix Is In

The ReThugs have been doing everything they can to make it harder to vote all over the nation. They'll steal it if they can by any means necessary. Already did in '00 and '04.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 02:05 AM

MrSlayer (21,327 posts)

12. Because we are a nation of fools.

Couple that with citizens united, voter id and other dirty tricks and it will be close.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 02:35 AM

cwydro (13,233 posts)

13. Because for many of us

there is a great disappointment in the man we helped elect.

I cannot imagine voting Republican, but I will not vote for Obama again.

Neither will my parents and a great many others I know. The oil spill debacle, the bailout of Wall Street, his ambiguousness on gay marriage, the failure to enforce environmental regulations, his coziness with Boehner et al.

No. Not anymore. I am done with him.

Very sad. The change we can believe in (hah!) is the change that is coming.

Reply to this post

Response to cwydro (Reply #13)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 02:49 AM

DonCoquixote (5,629 posts)

16. Mitt Romney thanks you

Because he knows that the GOP will close ranks around someone, while many Demos take their ball and go home when they are offended.

Reply to this post

Response to cwydro (Reply #13)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 05:29 AM

lib2DaBone (8,124 posts)

21. NDAA..... The Patriot Act... The Catfood Commission... Geithner..Bernake, Summers...

None of it makes any sense.. why would he sign on to this?

Reply to this post

Response to lib2DaBone (Reply #21)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 05:55 AM

dogknob (1,554 posts)

24. NDAA passed by a veto-proof, bipartisan majority

Reply to this post

Response to cwydro (Reply #13)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 05:49 AM

Atman (26,055 posts)

22. Ignorance will help Rmoney.

"The bail out of Wall Street" was Bush's doing.

Reply to this post

Response to cwydro (Reply #13)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 07:31 AM

aquart (67,525 posts)

30. Damn! He wasn't the Messiah. Told you so.

But pardon me for being aghast at a response that wouldn't impress me from a spoiled, breath-holding two-year-old.

You didn't get what you want so who cares what happens to the Supreme Court which will cripple us for a century?

Of all the selfish, short-sighted.....this is the kind of response I would expect from a Republican mind.

YOU GET OFF YOUR ASS AND YOU VOTE DEMOCRATIC!

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 02:49 AM

FarLeftFist (6,161 posts)

17. Only the polls are close, but the electoral map is leaning HEAVILY in favor of Obama.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 03:10 AM

LadyHawkAZ (3,891 posts)

18. Because Obama's still black.

And he isn't getting any whiter. And everyone knows you can't properly hate women, gays, minorities or poor people if you're black. And if you don't properly hate women, gays, minorities and poor people, you're un-American. Faux News said so!

And unfortunately, these people are allowed to vote.

Reply to this post

Response to LadyHawkAZ (Reply #18)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 08:33 AM

Nye Bevan (10,813 posts)

38. So how did Obama win big in 2008?

He was just as black back then.

Reply to this post

Response to Nye Bevan (Reply #38)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 02:20 PM

LadyHawkAZ (3,891 posts)

54. He didn't win by a whopping huge margin of the popular vote

in 2008, either.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 03:17 AM

Quantess (23,929 posts)

19. For what it's worth...

I've been in Sweden for a couple of years now, so the only US media I see anymore is a little here and there on the internet.

The perspective here is that Obama is expected to win. But that could be just wishful thinking on the swedish media's part...?

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Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 05:53 AM

mfcorey1 (3,885 posts)

23. They lie!!

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 06:19 AM

dmosh42 (1,624 posts)

25. "Rigged" is the key word for this issue!

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 06:19 AM

estiparanoic (15 posts)

26. You actually HAVE to ask this question?

Romney will get any where from 46-51 million votes just because he is a Pub and add to that ODS fueled by the RW propaganda outlets a right leaning Democratic President who does not seem to care a whole lot about liberal and progressive issues and routinely throws us under the bus and President Romney could be a very real possibility.

Reply to this post

Response to estiparanoic (Reply #26)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 07:26 AM

Quantess (23,929 posts)

28. What is ODS?

Reply to this post

Response to Quantess (Reply #28)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 07:30 AM

estiparanoic (15 posts)

29. ODS = Obama Derangement Syndrome

Reply to this post

Response to estiparanoic (Reply #29)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 07:48 AM

Quantess (23,929 posts)

32. aha. Thanks.

Welcome to DU!

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 08:13 AM

Scuba (26,699 posts)

33. Diebold/Sequoia/ESS

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 08:23 AM

Arkansas Granny (14,628 posts)

35. For many people, it will be a vote against Obama, not a vote for Romney.

They want to defeat Obama at all costs, even if they don't necessarily like Romney.

Reply to this post

Response to Arkansas Granny (Reply #35)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 09:33 AM

AmazingSchnitzel (55 posts)

45. Yup...

2nd term elections are often a referendum on the sitting President and are less about the opposition candidate.

Reply to this post

Response to Arkansas Granny (Reply #35)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 11:16 AM

DCBob (14,765 posts)

53. Perhaps, but that is not a winning strategy.

If that is the attitude many of those voters wont show up. If they dont like either candidate then many will lose interest.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 08:27 AM

DCBob (14,765 posts)

36. Faux newz and other RW media can turn a turd into a treasure.

plus the fact there is about 40% of the electorate will vote R no matter what.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 08:31 AM

Nye Bevan (10,813 posts)

37. Many people vote against the incumbent when the economy is bad.

The subtlety of "it would have been even worse with the Republican as President" is lost on them.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 08:43 AM

Snotcicles (4,926 posts)

39. There has to be the illusion of a close race, for the election theft to go unchallenged. nt

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 08:44 AM

sofa king (8,689 posts)

40. Because everyone that counts was paid for saying that.

Talking heads get paid for their appearances on television. They get invited back when they say it's going to be close, because that raises viewership, brings in more advertising money, and gives the Jerry Springer shows that masquerade as "news" something to waste a day on.

Those who call it like I see it--in the bag barring something truly evil being perpetrated by the GOP (which I fully expect them to try)--simply aren't welcome.

The truth is not profitable, and it does not allow for the opportunity to get close enough to steal the election.

So it is not told.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 09:12 AM

CanonRay (4,680 posts)

41. A couple of million Mormons on phone banks and in the streets

plus untold billions in money and ads. Add it up, it spells trouble for anyone, even against a dufus like Rmoney.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 09:27 AM

99Forever (5,167 posts)

42. Why?

How about because the last President who PROMISED ME HOPE AND CHANGE and I supported, worked to get elected, and voted for has ignored my plight since he got my vote and took office?

(And yes, it IS very personal to me.)

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 09:29 AM

LynneSin (89,793 posts)

43. Because it's election season and close elections means better ratings

next question

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 09:32 AM

Kaleva (11,406 posts)

44. There are only about 8 states that'll decide the election.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 09:42 AM

Bluenorthwest (24,127 posts)

47. everyone that counts? What?

I think you mean 'everyone that counts a financial stake in the idea of the election as a close race'.
And not only a financial stake...no side can afford to claim an election is anything other than close, as if they do, many of their own will disengage and that will keep turn out low. No one in electoral politics will say 'this is a cake walk' as simply saying that makes it no longer a cake walk.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 09:56 AM

archiemo (311 posts)

48. The Republicans could run Mickey Mouse and the election would be close.

It doesn't matter one bit who they put up against President Obama. A certain percentage of the population would pull the lever for anything with "R" by their name.

Reply to this post

Response to CK_John (Original post)

Sun Apr 29, 2012, 09:58 AM

JoePhilly (15,979 posts)