The 2012 landscape

Eric, Salinas, CA — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:51:35 GMT

It's so gratifying to see another surge in young Democrats and Liberals. Plus there will be fewer old Conservatives blocking progress so it is looking like the rovian plan to have generational control of all of Washington DC is totally kaput.

Thanks Karl we couldn't have made such a swift sure comeback without your help destroying your own party!

The 2012 landscape

George, Memphis — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:55:21 GMT

They need to focus on the issues today and stop worrying about 2012 - both parties. It this kind of nonsense that people are tired of - take one step at a time and do something.

The 2012 landscape

Suburban Mom paying attention, IL — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:55:33 GMT

"Republican pollster Bill McInturff said that the GOP should be concerned about how strongly Hispanic voters supported Obama. Exit polls showed 66% of Latino voters favored the Democratic nominee. “If the Republican party allows Latinos to stay where they are,” he said, "it will become a minority white party."
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And right on schedule, the corporate news media- this site included- has been reporting on the "concern" in the Hispanic community that they may not be adequately represented in an Obama administration.

Kind of a coincidence, don't you think?

Nah, I didn't think so, either.

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Also.

The 2012 landscape

Diane from Illinois — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:59:43 GMT

The GOP (Grand OLD Party) SHOULD worry about this. They are losing people across the country and maintaining the crazy right wing religious nuts....what young person is going to jump on board THAT ship? I'm enjoying watching the GOP implode; couldn't happen to a better group of idiots.

The 2012 landscape

jawillie, Philadelphia, PA. — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:06:14 GMT

The GOP needs to get it through their skulls that the days of the "Old White Guys" party are gone. This isn't the 60's or the 50's anymore where segregation was the law of the land. If they don't acknowledge that they need to expand their base, and give people a reason to vote FOR them instead of against them (and jettison the evangelicals), they're in for a lot of years of being on the outside looking in.

61 Days Until Inauguration Day!
http://jawillie.blog.com

The 2012 landscape

Beverly in Chicago — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:15:09 GMT

Republicans needn't bother their ultra divisive tactics because their ideologies are for the dark ages; and it’s FU illiterate low information voters.
Furthermore, President Elect Obama will do right among Hispanics.

Unlike the corrupt, hypercritcal, theocratic Rethugs, President Elect Obama cares about US; because he came from the bottom. He worked his way up; and will inspire and lift us up too to better serve are communities.

Thank You, President Elect Obama

The 2012 landscape

Hazel Garnet, Chicago, IL — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:23:10 GMT

Not surprising at all.

The 2012 landscape

Nick in IL — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:27:15 GMT

Just a quick point, but those of us born in the 70's are not "millenials," we are born to Generation X. So Mr. Teixeira is mixing his stats when talks about "millenials" but also talks about the number of voters born after 1970.

That said, clearly the voters born after 1980 (basically the 18-29 group in the exit polling) clearly broke 2 to 1 for the democrats. Yes, GOPers, you have a lot to worry about as today's 20-somethings become 2016's 30-somethings.

The 2012 landscape

Welcome Back Jimmy Carter — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:37:31 GMT

the key to Obama’s success was a combination of an engaged electorate and a strong Democratic coalition
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And a ton of money donated by unrevealed donors and a ton of curious voters registered by ACORN. And a ton of clueless voters buying into a movement instead of a candidate.

The 2012 landscape

Just a thought — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:41:26 GMT

I don't understand all the hateful comments on here. Do you think it's cool to say things like 'Rethuglicant' and 'repukes'? They might disagree with our views but that doesn't mean that every person who votes Republican is rotten. There are plenty of bad apples in our party too. I wouldn't want someone to think less of me because I was in the party of Eliot Spitzer.

The 2012 landscape

Little Nardi — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:44:26 GMT

Some black Republican will run against a media-bashed Obama.

Next question.

The 2012 landscape

Thomas — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:45:07 GMT

it's funny, some of you people are saying there won't be anymore old people....who founded and made america what it is today! it's when people take away free speech, gun ownership rights, and don't look at the american flag and feel so proud they almost tear up, that's what's killing our nation! If you don't want freedom, if you don't want to be able to make something of yourself, leave!!!

The 2012 landscape

JustThinkin — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:48:13 GMT

I know it's their job to review the politics but enough already. I'd like to see the country get back on her feet. I'd like to see Democrats and Republicans truly working together. I'd like to see our new President-elect Obama have a little time to get things working.

I'm sure that the Republican (and Democrat) party will be reviewing where they are and how to move forward. Hopefully they all learned a lot from this election. The electorate is more informed and once again more involved. We're tired of the petty dirty politics and expect more of our elected officials. We remember that we are the ones who employ them, because we're the ones who pay their salaries.

And right now for our elected officials their job is to work toward fixing this country. It is NOT to work on fixing their party. Get your priorities straight. You are first and most importantly an American politican - not a Dem or a Rep, you're American. So work on America first!!

The 2012 landscape

Little Nardi — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:52:23 GMT

Remeber George Bush? If Bloomberg can run for an illegal 3rd term, why can't George?

The 2012 landscape

C A, Tuscaloosa, AL — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:55:33 GMT

Those in the GOP who are more concerned and worried about what they should do to win the Whitehouse back in 2012 rather than being concerned and worried as to how they can work together with Obama to resolve the problems we face today should be imediately rejected by the American people.

Any Repuiblican or Dem I hear worrying about or planning for a run in 2012 at this time without expressing and exhibiting a cooperative attitude to work hard and to help resolve our problems over the next four years will not even be considered for public office in 2012 in my book. Only those on both sides of the isle who work hard and cooperate with one another to resolve our problems while keeping their mouths shut about 2012 should be considered for respect and any future political office.

That of course leaves out people like Palin and Gingrich, Huckabee or any other Republican or Dem who are obviously looking out for their own personal gain by eyeballing and already strategicaly mnneuvering for a 2012 run.

The 2012 landscape

Dan St. Louis, MO — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:58:18 GMT

I know this is a bit off topic, but Beverly mentioned it in her post and it was something that came up in a conversation this morning.
Beverly mentioned that Obama "worked his way up". My conversation this morning was about when was the last time you had a president (elect) who did just that.
If we look back to past presidents, every president since Eisenhower basically had most things "handed to them" because of their family's "status". The one exception - Bill Clinton. And although Clinton's childhood was challenging, it wasn't near as challenging as Obama's.
I'd actually like to do a bit more research on this, but I thought it was an interesting point. Obama's presidency win truly does send a message to EVERY American citizen that with hard work and perseverence, you can do anything if you apply yourself.
Having heard that message from many of my Republican friends, I find it curious that many of them ridicule Obama. But I guess they only mean that when it's "one of their own".

The 2012 landscape

Renny — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:12:54 GMT

Actually, my son (a first time voter at 21) and my daughter, who is 24, voted for McCain this year. My nephew, who is 32, has always voted Republican.
As for the hispanic vote, they vote for the one who promises open borders, healthcare for illegals, etc. and they know they will get that from obama.

The 2012 landscape

eagle1776 — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:37:26 GMT

I wish I had a crystal ball as so many of these pundants seem to have. Gee, who would have known, for example, in 2000 that the economy would be in the toilet right now? Who would have guessed the corruption and incompetence of the Bush Administration would be as bad as it is? Some of us suspected as much but Bush won the presidency twice. Did he fool people, did the media get duped, what happened? 2012 is still 4 years away and, as we know, alot can happen in 4 years. Fortunately with Barack Obama at the helm it appears this ship of state will no longer be heading for the Bermuda Triangle but setting a steady course toward resumed greatness in the 21st Century and beyone. But who knows, things could get only slightly better or get worse. Only time will tell. What we do and how we handle things between now and election day 2012 will make a big impact on how the world will look then. We are all in this together.

The 2012 landscape

Howard Schwenzer, Colonia, New Jersey — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:05:34 GMT

this is just a normal political shift that will last only four years. 2012 the Republicans will control the congress and the presidential race will be a tight race. so enjoy your time now while you can the GOP will be back stronger than ever!

The 2012 landscape

mi thumb — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:33:32 GMT

maybe the gop should file bamkrupty and go away, they are in worse shape than GM.

The 2012 landscape

Rock,Janesville,Wisconsin — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:43:39 GMT

The GOP/RNC do not have a political clue what is going on in 2008, much less what will happen in 2012. The desperation, and temper tantrums of the GOP/RNC, like watching a dysfunctional family self-destruct politically. It does not matter which "functional illiterate" the GOP/RNC brings forward in 2012. They are morally manipulative, ethically evil, economically elitist, foreign policy fools, and culturally corrupt. That is fact!

The 2012 landscape

daniel pedraza,bronx new york — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 01:46:34 GMT

Los Republicanos no van a ganar el voto de los Latinos en el futuro. Es posible ques George w. Bush vas hacer el ultimo presidente blanco y varon.

Translation: Republicans will not win the latino vote in the near future. It is possible that george Bush will be the last white male president of the USA. Our next president will most likely be a woman (Not Palin) or a person of color like Bobby Jindal or a Latino.

The 2012 landscape

John Fenner — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 03:34:09 GMT

Aside from the economic mess, I believe that Americans are fond of our Constitution--used to it and rely on it. VP Cheyney scared many of us.

The 2012 landscape

Ella, washington, D.C. — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 10:05:37 GMT

Obama is setting up Hillary Clinton to run with him as VP in 2012, to couter a Sarah Palin run. What a slap at his early supporters.

The 2012 landscape

S.B. Stein E.B. NJ — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:03:30 GMT

The Republican coalition that Reagan built is dead. When George W. Bush was elected, he, possibly unintentionally, started breaking apart the coalition. The Republicans in Congress didn't do much better. There was too much spending and growth of government. This was something that Reagan was supposed to be against.

The 2012 landscape

Lola Getz, West Yorkshire, UK — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:47:20 GMT

People are finally awake to the fact that many Republicans are, well, not very nice people. They can go on and on about values all they like (and they do, on and on and on) but it doesn't change the fact that for all their Christian posturing, a lot of 'em are just plain hateful. Not exactly a good recruitment tool.

The 2012 landscape

cindy, Las Vegas, Nv — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:38:31 GMT

After watching the RNC convention (the white party), and no diversity at all, I agree with this. To bad we couldn't make Rush, Hannity, go away. They are an embarrassment to say the least.

The 2012 landscape

Mark — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 13:52:43 GMT

I have another idea to build excitment for Obama in 2012. Appoint Biden to Supreme Court and choose a female running mate! History breakings Part II.

The 2012 landscape

SANDRA — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:26:28 GMT

MAYBE WE CAN GET RID OF THE FOX NOISE CABLE T.V GARGABE HANNITY ANR HIS BUDDY RUSS THE FOOL GOOD RIDDEN TO ALL OF THEM. THE COUNTRY WILL BE BETTER FOR IT . P.S COOPER ANDERSON IS NOT FAR BEHIND THEM.

The 2012 landscape

Steve — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:37:37 GMT

The question is also whether the young people who are now tending towards the left stay there as they age. Remember that lots of boomers who were against the Vietnam war way back when voted for Bush and supported war with Iraq.

Lots of young people are idealistic right now about Obama (lots of old people like me too), but idealism is hard to sustain in any case, and the current economic crisis is unlikely to be fixed quickly.

The 2012 landscape

TheDonald — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:43:23 GMT

Afterall, Obama only won by about 6 percentage poing, there is no cause for alarm ..... yet