What killed us was gazillions of blacks [who normally do not vote], women, and students [who vote sporadically].
No. That was just media hype. Post-election data showed that about the same amount of voters turned out as in previous elections, but that Republican voters were more likely not to vote (than any increase in overall Democratic support).
The Axelrod machine did increase turnout in key swing areas, like the previusly contested states of Florida, Ohio, which accounts for the electoral vote spread.