Barack Obama making his victory speech in Chicago
In a night that was much shorter than many had predicted, the results came in and Barack Obama beat Mitt Romney to gain 270 Electoral College votes and win re-election for another four years.
In a night of democracy, the 2012 election ended with Republicans retaining control of the House of Representatives, Democrats retaining their majority in the Senate, and Democrat Barack Obama being re-elected to the White House. This division of power could, however, mean that the stalemate in US politics could continue for a further four years.
Seeing the divisions in the country, Obama’s acceptance talked of the bringing the country together, with the President saying “We can work together to move this country forward” hoping to work with the Republican Congress to reduce the government’s budget deficit, fix the tax code and reform the immigration system in the years ahead. However, with a mandate for a further four years, he also implied that he would not change course for the country saying that he is “more determined, and more inspired than ever about the work there is to do, and the future that lies ahead”.
Romney offered his congratulations to the President, agreeing that politicians should focus on real issues and not “partisan bickering and political posturing”. In his speech to Republican volunteers in Boston, Mitt Romney conceded
“I so wish that I had been able to fulfil your hopes to lead the country in a different direction but the nation chose another leader and so I join with you to earnestly pray for [Mr Obama] and for this great nation.”
In a move to show Romney’s commitment to his words of a future of bipartisanship, the Romney website live-streamed Obama’s acceptance speech.
Whilst Obama may have won the White House, the popular vote remains too close to call with results from the state of Florida still unannounced.
Other Key Ballots
Alongside the election of politicians, there were also a number of other key ballots being held across the country on other issues:
- Voters in Maine, Maryland and Washington DC approved laws for same-sex marriage in local referendums
- Colorado and Washington voted to legalise the recreational use of marijuana
- California voters rejected a proposal to abolish the death penalty
- Puerto Ricans voted “No” in a referendum on maintaining their status as a US “free associated state” status, instead voting in favour of becoming the 51st US State if Congress approves the move.
Obama’s Victory Speech
Romney’s Concession Speech
