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Where Did the Voters Go? Nowhere.
commentary magazine ^ | 11-8-12 | Jon Podhoretz

Posted on 11/08/2012 7:25:35 PM PST by cdchik123

As the national vote total began to solidify last night, one question on the minds of Republicans was: Where are the missing voters? Last night it looked like Mitt Romney had received something like 10 to 15 percent fewer votes than John McCain had in 2008, even though his percentage of the overall vote was at least two points higher. What did this mean? Where did the voters go? They didn’t go to Barack Obama, because exit polls suggested he had basically turned out the same demographic support he had four years ago. So where are they? Did this suggest a significant element of the GOP base had stayed home? Perhaps evangelical voters quietly refusing to cast a ballot for a Mormon? Populist voters disgusted by the 47 percent tape?

As I write, Mitt Romney has 57.4 million votes. John McCain ended up with 59.9 million. It’s a little noticed fact that in two weeks following every presidential election, votes continue to be reported…by the millions. As I recall, Barack Obama got something like four million more votes in the weeks after election day, while John McCain got two or three million. It’s likely that by Thanksgiving, the final vote tally will show Romney very close to or even slightly exceeding McCain’s total.

So there are probably no missing voters. The idea offers a certain degree of cold comfort for conservatives and Republicans, because it would suggest the problem was with Romney’s candidacy in particular and not with the movement or the party. But it’s false, and they will not be spared the reckoning about the party’s future.


TOPICS: Front Page News; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: 2012electionanalysis; 2012obamafraud; election2012
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To: DannyTN

Obutthead thanks you for voting your “principles”.....well done...


21 posted on 11/08/2012 8:09:24 PM PST by matginzac
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To: ez

the results do not add up in many races like Mia LOVE AND then states like VA,FL,OH, WI , PA

what we have is an election which has results and not making sense, precints which are 100% voted but al went for obama etc.

The GOP needs to stop this crap and stop this being called and to hell with the lefts attack dogs called the media , this country is at stake and these results are not adding up i certain states//

After all the Chicago machine had 4 years for this


22 posted on 11/08/2012 8:10:11 PM PST by manc (Marriage =1 man + 1 woman,when they say marriage equality then they should support polygamy)
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To: YukonGreen

How’s about them Evangelical Jews? Are they OK To vote for, or not! /s


23 posted on 11/08/2012 8:10:28 PM PST by muawiyah
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To: Sola Veritas

Don’t worry, you’ll get over it. I felt the same way 12 years ago when I voted for GWB instead of my real choice, Pat Buchanan.


24 posted on 11/08/2012 8:12:10 PM PST by Theodore R. (Once again the American people have been found sorely wanting.)
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To: cdchik123
I just spent several hours doing a spreadsheet analysis by reported vote totals and estimated % of votes in.

Romney received approximately 1.5 MILLION MORE votes than McCain.

Even adjusting for growth in the voting age population, Romney got 2.5% more votes than McCain.

Nice to see Podhoretz break the tide of idiocy from the Right on this.

25 posted on 11/08/2012 8:12:14 PM PST by Strategerist
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To: cdchik123

There a great article on Drudge on the dems use of subtle marketing techniques to sway voters. I hate to say it but it was brilliant. (professionally speaking)

I am depressed that the republicans, who I thought are much smarter than the dems, got “schooled” in electioneering.

The idea that you can sway demographics by appealing to something totally unrelated to the important issues republicans were pounding on is very interesting.... but makes sense when you think that most people don’t give two hoots about politics.

It also doesn’t make any sense that Obama would win given his record.... so the dems did only thing they could. Say bad things about the opponent and influence their base with things that the republicans would ignore.

The example of giving away cell phones, or Obama having dinner with Clooney seems like nonsense to us thinking people, but are important decision points that influence whole demographics of sheeple. Stupid sounding but a brilliant translation or marketing skills and data into retail politics.

And if you extrapolate this means that elections will never again be about issues but be about influencing people via their likes and dislikes - or other emotional signals.

Right or left will have no meaning anymore - it’ll be just red or blue.

It was better when only 20% of us voted.


26 posted on 11/08/2012 8:12:45 PM PST by mike_9958
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To: dorothy

“Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers. And it is the duty as well as the privilege and interest, of a Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.” - John Jay


27 posted on 11/08/2012 8:13:39 PM PST by Rightwing Conspiratr1
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To: cdchik123
website: Link to article
28 posted on 11/08/2012 8:20:10 PM PST by mike_9958
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To: Theodore R.; Sola Veritas

I voted for Buchanan and still feel good about it. I did vote for Dubya for his second term and I’ve recovered from that. I continue to want my Dole vote back.


29 posted on 11/08/2012 8:24:26 PM PST by donna (Pray for revival.)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

Thanks cdchik123.
As I write, Mitt Romney has 57.4 million votes. John McCain ended up with 59.9 million. It's a little noticed fact that in two weeks following every presidential election, votes continue to be reported...by the millions. As I recall, Barack Obama got something like four million more votes in the weeks after election day, while John McCain got two or three million. It's likely that by Thanksgiving, the final vote tally will show Romney very close to or even slightly exceeding McCain’s total. So there are probably no missing voters.

30 posted on 11/08/2012 8:26:38 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: dorothy

That’s about ballot access for candidates, not a rule binding voters. Voting is a First Amendment right. You can express your approval or disapproval of a candidate for any reason at all, be it policy, religion, or which way he parts his hair. You just can’t keep him off the ballot based on his religion.


31 posted on 11/08/2012 8:29:10 PM PST by Springfield Reformer (Winston Churchill: No Peace Till Victory!)
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To: cdcdawg

VOTE FRAUD got 0 in

That would explain 99 to 100% in some Philadelphia precincts.


32 posted on 11/08/2012 8:31:28 PM PST by WildHighlander57 ((WildHighlander57 returning after lurking since 2000))
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To: mike_9958

“I am depressed that the republicans, who I thought are much smarter than the dems, got “schooled” in electioneering.”

Dems have the media, Hollywood and the techies. Romney was a throwback from a 50’s TV show. He wasn’t going to get it.


33 posted on 11/08/2012 8:41:00 PM PST by ari-freedom (Election Day should be after Thanksgiving, not right after Halloween)
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To: ari-freedom

The GOP is the “Stupid Party”, no political savvy whatsoever.

Look at the primary season......too many candidates, too many debates providing fodder for late night comedians. Having insignificant states deciding the nominee, even before the largest pro-Republican state, Texas, even got a voice.


34 posted on 11/08/2012 8:44:05 PM PST by dfwgator
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To: Sola Veritas

“No, it was also conservative evangelicals that wouldn’t support a cult devotee that would use the Oval Office to preach Mormonisn.”

You have quite a flair for the dramatic. And a very creative imagination.


35 posted on 11/08/2012 8:45:46 PM PST by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears ("You're doing a whale of a job, Christie!")
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To: ari-freedom

“Dems have the media, Hollywood and the techies. Romney was a throwback from a 50’s TV show. He wasn’t going to get it.”

I wouldn’t go back that far... I think Romney did a 2008 election and Obama’s guys did a 2012.

I don’t give any credit to Obama - he really was a “prop”

The dems did have the media and hollywood and techies which they used with skill. The reps should have been able to counter.... I don’t blame Romney - his message was great, and he out did Obama everywhere. Obama’s guys won the election by marketing Obama to folks that don’t do politics.


36 posted on 11/08/2012 8:48:39 PM PST by mike_9958
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To: ari-freedom

>>Well, now they can pay for Sandra Fluke’s abortions.<<

That’s exactly what I keep thinking. They voted their “principles,” and the result will be exactly what you said.

Not to mention the Supreme Court justices who will allow who-knows-what assaults on religious liberty.

I seriously don’t get their logic. And I AM an evangelical, who believes God’s judgment is going to be on our nation in part because we allowed this disgrace to be in office 4 more years.


37 posted on 11/08/2012 8:50:26 PM PST by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears ("You're doing a whale of a job, Christie!")
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To: ez

Thank God. I thought I might have to kill a few thousand Romney hating Freepers for withholding votes and costing us the election


38 posted on 11/08/2012 8:55:57 PM PST by chiller (Sky is the limit with max T-Partiers in the House and Senate to stifle the RINOs)
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To: Morris70

“I won’t vote for a member of a cult, no way, mister!”


39 posted on 11/08/2012 8:56:30 PM PST by Revolting cat! (Bad things are wrong! Ice cream is delicious!)
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To: ez

Speaking of Rush, you just inspired my new tagline:


40 posted on 11/08/2012 8:59:12 PM PST by Do Not Make Fun Of His Ears (Hey Rush, you forgot to tell us when to panic.)
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