Obama v Romney

[steakbake]

Official match thread.

2 weeks away from the election. Looks like it's going to be very close...

I'm hoping Obama will win but I have a feeling Romney will sneak it. Imagine his finger on the button...

[hibsbollah]

It doesnt look good, Romney seems to be getting ahead in the swing states.

[Hibbyradge]

If Romney wins, no doubt, he'll just pop a seer stone into the bottom of his hat and wait for God to give him a revelation about which countries to bomb.

If the USA elect him they're as bonkers as Joseph Smith was and, clearly, romney is.

http://irr.org/mitimages/joseph-stone-sm-sh.gif

[harpo]

This reminds me of the pepsi, coca cola challenge. there is almost no difference between the two.

[Mon Dieu4]

i thought it was pretty even and Romney was giving a decent account of himself albeit lying through his teeth, but when he said Syria was Irans route to the sea i couldn't stop laughing, the guy has no clue

[Pretty Boy]

Because of the complexities of the US political system its 2 cheeks, same erse really.

[(((Fergus)))]

i thought it was pretty even and Romney was giving a decent account of himself albeit lying through his teeth, but when he said Syria was Irans route to the sea i couldn't stop laughing, the guy has no clue

Did he say route for what? If it can be put in a plane, the Iranians can put it on the East Med coast.

[Future17]

Official match thread.

2 weeks away from the election. Looks like it's going to be very close...

I'm hoping Obama will win but I have a feeling Romney will sneak it. Imagine his finger on the button...


It doesnt look good, Romney seems to be getting ahead in the swing states.

I also hope Obama wins and still have faith that he will.

However, if you genuinely fancy Romney to win, bookies are offering 9/5. :aok:

[hibsbollah]

I also hope Obama wins and still have faith that he will.

However, if you genuinely fancy Romney to win, bookies are offering 9/5. :aok:

I couldn't do that, I couldn't bet on a Rangers win or a Republican one.

And for those trotting out the 'they're two cheeks of the same pockmarked imperial American erse' argument, check out Ryan's plans for a 20% reduction in govt spending, excluding the military. The GOP are planning a bonfire.

The American system provides a genuine ideological divide (between the centre right in the form of the Democrats and the loony right in the form of the GOP) that is far wider than we have in the UK political system just now.

[HibsMax]

I've watched all three debates now and I have to say that while both candidates had their ups and downs, I don't think they serve any purpose as long as the candidates are allowed to lie. What's the point?

I'm still waiting to hear how Romney plans on getting the 5 trillion dollars.

I'll be doing my bit at the polls but Massachusetts isn't really a concern even though it's Romney's state and he was governor here.

[Haymaker]

I've watched all three debates now and I have to say that while both candidates had their ups and downs, I don't think they serve any purpose as long as the candidates are allowed to lie. What's the point?

I'm still waiting to hear how Romney plans on getting the 5 trillion dollars.

I'll be doing my bit at the polls but Massachusetts isn't really a concern even though it's Romney's state and he was governor here.

Mass usually votes D in presidential elections doesnt it?

I am surprised my state (Connecticut) is leaning to Obama by 14%

[Twa Cairpets]

Because of the complexities of the US political system its 2 cheeks, same erse really.

No. you couldn't be more wrong (unless Santorum or Bachmann had won the nomination)

America will be a very different place if the Republicans win. Repeal of Roe v Wade for one.

Personally, it frightens the bejesus out of me the thought of a party led by a man who wears magic pyjamas populated by increasingly extreme fundamental evangelicals and dominionists being in control of any type of policy.

A GOP senator just in the last week claimed that rape victims had a duty to bear the child as it was God's will. This only month or so after another Republican had claimed that no-one ever got pregnant from a "real rape" because the human body wouldn't allow it. - i.e. of you're pregnant you weren't raped. Anyone voting for these people is truly insane, in my opinion.

[HibsMax]

Mass usually votes D in presidential elections doesnt it?

I am surprised my state (Connecticut) is leaning to Obama by 14%

Correct. It's a weird state that, sometimes, has a republican governor but votes liberally at the national level.

[da-robster]

A couple of things to keep in mind before betting/predicting:

1. Don't take one poll completely at face value as they'll have huge margin of errors.
2. Look at an aggregate website like 538 or Real Clear Politics (Although this is slightly biased towards the republicans) as many polls are better than one.
3. If you want to look at the popular vote, (although it's not too important) then there are currently 10 trackers going on, don't just use one as they might be biased (Rasmussen) or dodgy (Gallup)

Overall I think Obama is in a better position than Romney at the moment because again, it will all come down to Ohio, and Obama's got small but very consistent leads there. Still, we'll see.

[hibsbollah]

A couple of things to keep in mind before betting/predicting:

1. Don't take one poll completely at face value as they'll have huge margin of errors.
2. Look at an aggregate website like 538 or Real Clear Politics (Although this is slightly biased towards the republicans) as many polls are better than one.
3. If you want to look at the popular vote, (although it's not too important) then there are currently 10 trackers going on, don't just use one as they might be biased (Rasmussen) or dodgy (Gallup)

Overall I think Obama is in a better position than Romney at the moment because again, it will all come down to Ohio, and Obama's got small but very consistent leads there. Still, we'll see.


Not just Ohio, there's about six states that will decide the election, including from memory, Nevada, New Hampshire, Iowa and Colorado I think. All the vast sums at the two parties disposal will be flung at these states.

[da-robster]

Not just Ohio, there's about six states that will decide the election, including from memory, Nevada, New Hampshire, Iowa and Colorado I think. All the vast sums at the two parties disposal will be flung at these states.

That's true to an extent, but Ohio is by far the largest and Romney (and Obama) don't really have a path to 270 (electoral votes) without it.

And about the second part- you can say that again. The amount america spends puts even Ashcroft to shame, just from the beginning of October, Romney has already raised 110 million dollars, and Obama has raised a similar amount, as have the many senate, house, governor, state senate and dogcatcher candidates. It's really quite disgusting.

[hibsbollah]

That's true to an extent, but Ohio is by far the largest and Romney (and Obama) don't really have a path to 270 (electoral votes) without it.

And about the second part- you can say that again. The amount america spends puts even Ashcroft to shame, just from the beginning of October, Romney has already raised 110 million dollars, and Obama has raised a similar amount, as have the many senate, house, governor, state senate and dogcatcher candidates. It's really quite disgusting.

Yes, you're right Ohio very likely will decide it, unless the other guy can take all the other close states.

On two carpets point, I was listening to a podcast the other day about the problems the Romney/Ryan ticket has with the evangelical bible belt vote. It looks as if the Republicans aren't doing as well as expected in some key Midwest and Southern states because the Protestant evangelical vote have been put off by Romney being Mormon (almost as bad as a catholic:rolleyes:) and Ryan's surprisingly liberal stand on social issues (he's a right wing nut in economic terms only). One particular moron they interviewed claimed that even though he didn't particularly like blacks, he would be voting Obama because he was the only Protestant on the ticket:top marks:cb

[da-robster]

Yes, you're right Ohio very likely will decide it, unless the other guy can take all the other close states.

On two carpets point, I was listening to a podcast the other day about the problems the Romney/Ryan ticket has with the evangelical bible belt vote. It looks as if the Republicans aren't doing as well as expected in some key Midwest and Southern states because the Protestant evangelical vote have been put off by Romney being Mormon (almost as bad as a catholic:rolleyes:) and Ryan's surprisingly liberal stand on social issues (he's a right wing nut in economic terms only). One particular moron they interviewed claimed that even though he didn't particularly like blacks, he would be voting Obama because he was the only Protestant on the ticket:top marks:cb

:greengrin

About Ohio, it's true that it is technically possible to win without it, but it would require every other toss up going the other way which is quite unlikely.

On two carpets, that's not what I've heard about Ryan on social issues, for example he's anti abortion in all circumstances but life of the mother, for DADT and anti gay marriage, and anti gun control. I think the issue for him is one of emphasis, which actually goes for Romney as well (although he supports abortion for rape and incest), they are both severely conservative, they just they choose to talk (and if they get in office) and act solely economic issues. No doubt if they lose though the tea party will highlight the sort of things the podcast talks about, and say only a true conservative could have won, not some wishy washy moderate from Massachusetts.

[Haymaker]

Pretty sure a large portion of the Rep. voting base will be put off by Romneys religion - I doubt they would vote Dem, I reckon they wont vote. Could be key in some states that!


Notice Donald "Bawbag" Trump has started the "Is Obama a real American" bollocks again.

[RyeSloan]

Don't think Romney would have had a chance if Obama had performed better in the first 4 years (or maybe not over promised quite so much in the previous election!) also I'm not sure he has articulated just what he is going to do different this time around so sounds like he is promising more dissapointment rather than the final push to acheivement.

The Republicans are a strange bunch though and some of their more extreme views are excatly that, extreme. The fact that these are spoutred by elected representatives must refelct to some extent the populaiton that is electing them. Can't imagine many MP's in the UK getting away with some of the stuff here and still remaining in the house of commons for too long!!

I think Obama will win but only due to him not being Romney and very little to do with his record or performance to date.

Finally on the money thing...America now has a total free for all in terms of private money being used to support political candidates. The Super PAC set up has only made a bad situation substantially worse and you have to ask if they will ever come to their senses and agree that no one wins in such a costly arms race.

[Betty Boop]

I couldn't do that, I couldn't bet on a Rangers win or a Republican one.

And for those trotting out the 'they're two cheeks of the same pockmarked imperial American erse' argument, check out Ryan's plans for a 20% reduction in govt spending, excluding the military. The GOP are planning a bonfire.

The American system provides a genuine ideological divide (between the centre right in the form of the Democrats and the loony right in the form of the GOP) that is far wider than we have in the UK political system just now.

Obama is expanding his kill list sinisterly named 'The Disposition Matrix'.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/plan-for-hunting-terrorists-signals-us-intends-to-keep-adding-names-to-kill-lists/2012/10/23/4789b2ae-18b3-11e2-a55c-39408fbe6a4b_story.html

[hibsbollah]

Don't think Romney would have had a chance if Obama had performed better in the first 4 years (or maybe not over promised quite so much in the previous election!) also I'm not sure he has articulated just what he is going to do different this time around so sounds like he is promising more dissapointment rather than the final push to acheivement.

The Republicans are a strange bunch though and some of their more extreme views are excatly that, extreme. The fact that these are spoutred by elected representatives must refelct to some extent the populaiton that is electing them. Can't imagine many MP's in the UK getting away with some of the stuff here and still remaining in the house of commons for too long!!

I think Obama will win but only due to him not being Romney and very little to do with his record or performance to date.

Finally on the money thing...America now has a total free for all in terms of private money being used to support political candidates. The Super PAC set up has only made a bad situation substantially worse and you have to ask if they will ever come to their senses and agree that no one wins in such a costly arms race.

http://m.cbsnews.com/storysynopsis.rbml?&catid=57540781&feed_id=0&videofeed=36&nb_splitPage=7

Election spending now passes $2 BILLION. Interesting that the biggest single donor (to Romney) is a representative of Las Vegas casinos. More than a whiff of organised crime in that industry over the years...

[ancienthibby]

Don't think Romney would have had a chance if Obama had performed better in the first 4 years (or maybe not over promised quite so much in the previous election!) also I'm not sure he has articulated just what he is going to do different this time around so sounds like he is promising more dissapointment rather than the final push to acheivement.

The Republicans are a strange bunch though and some of their more extreme views are excatly that, extreme. The fact that these are spoutred by elected representatives must refelct to some extent the populaiton that is electing them. Can't imagine many MP's in the UK getting away with some of the stuff here and still remaining in the house of commons for too long!!

I think Obama will win but only due to him not being Romney and very little to do with his record or performance to date.

Finally on the money thing...America now has a total free for all in terms of private money being used to support political candidates. The Super PAC set up has only made a bad situation substantially worse and you have to ask if they will ever come to their senses and agree that no one wins in such a costly arms race.

I think that's a very good point!

I had the privilege(?) of listening to the whole of the third debate on Radio 5 Live the other night and I thought, for a President, Obama was very hesitant in all he said, though however little that was, he did have all the answers for Romney!

Listening to Romney, all I could think about was a foreign policy so utterly naive (we'll fund the rebels in Syria and then the whole of Syria will be our friend) that harked back to the strutting of other past US Presidents 'we are the policeman of the world' approach.

Anyone thinking of voting for Romney should be very, very aware!

[PeeJay]

RS is of the opinion that the debates were a national disgrace, claiming 11 major issues were blatantly ignored. Certainly makes you wonder why they bother at all with debates:

http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/dont-ask-dont-tell-11-big-questions-that-were-mia-at-the-presidential-debates-20121024

As much of an imbecile as Romney is IMO - I do wonder at bomber Obama's obvious inability to make any genuine headway against him in these "debates" and on the campaign trail.