US Republicans face uphill battle in 2016 presidential election

An interesting article from the Washington Post that outlines the demographic and political shifts that appear to tilt the US electoral college in the Democrats favour...

Ohio looks like it's Obama's

CNN reporting exit poll that 59% support auto bailout with 39% against.  It also reports that more Dems than GOP registered voters turned out.

Edit - VI exit suggest Obama wins Ohio by 3%

US election result update

I'm refusing to watch the taxpayer junket that is the BBC coverage of the US elections.  So I started with Sky News and soon switched to Al Jazerra UK - because it is low budget has no adverts (so far) and means it has to rely on expert opinion rather than celebrity flannel.

But I fancied seeing what Fox News might be saying - but sadly wasn't allowed to view by my Sky box as I hadn't subscribed to their 'entertainment' package!

US election exit poll suggests Obama victory

Sky News reports some interesting background issues from the US national exit poll.

The economy is the the most important issue for 60% of voters (with healthcare rating just 17%) and crucially 39% think things are getting better with 31% saying things are getting worse.

These sort of polling figures would normally suggest incumbents would do enough to resist the 'time for a change' calls that see them turfed out of office.

Mitt Romney does a Fred Picker

News that Mitt Romney transformed a campaign rally in Ohio to a fundraiser for Hurricane Sandy relief efforts seems spookily familiar.

Yes it's Florida governor, Jim Fricker's (Larry Hagman), call to give blood to help stricken candidate governor Harris from Mike Nichols 1998 political satire Primary Colors:

"What I have thought about is the best way I can help Senator Harris.
As I know him as a man of action rather than words...
the best action is for me to go down and donate a pint of blood,...
because that's what he needs now.
If you want to come with me and donate a pint,...
Mrs. Harris would appreciate it."

Romney's seven point Gallup lead - don't panic!

US political watchers are getting particularly excited by Gallup's post debate poll showing Romney with a seven point margin over Obama - surely enough to propel him to the Whitehouse in  19 days time.

But this interesting analysis from the Huffington Post suggests some reasons why national polls - such as this Gallup one - are apparently at odds with state polling that shows Obama with leads in key swing states

Obama hits back at Romney...

Following his underwhelming debate performance Barack Obama has hit back with this fabulous attack ad on Romney's priorities:

It appears to have ruffled sufficient feathers for the (non-partizan) Sesame Workshop to ask for it to be taken down.

Time for a (Lib Dem) presidential election...

It's that time again - when nominations are sought for the post of Lib Dem party president - the most important elected post in the 'voluntary' party.

The elections for the job have, sadly, usually ended up being won by a 'professional' Parliamentarian - sometimes as a stepping stone to the leadership.

The current incumbent - Tim Farron - is widely respected and the expectation is he will be returned unopposed.  But he shouldn't and Gareth Epps makes the strong case for both an election and the return of a non-Parliamentarian to the job.

Interesting US presidential election fact of the day...

The last time the Republicans won the presidency without a Bush or a Nixon on the ticket was 1928.

Romney's Programme for Economic Recovery - "is like 'Fifty Shades of Grey' without the sex"

Ouch!

The Economist sticks the boot into Republican hopeful Mitt Romney on the eve of his convention speech.