US election: live
Written By:
- Date published:
1:58 pm, November 7th, 2012 - 64 comments
Categories: us politics -
Tags: barack obama, mitt romney
17:12: Obama wins
As I’m stuck in a hotel room in the US, with cable TV, fast internet and not a lot else, I might as well keep you up to date with what’s happening. It’s been an incredibly negative campaign – $2.5 billion spent on the presidential race at last count, mostly on deriding the other guy. I’ve spent most of the last month here, and at all levels (state auditor, attorney general, governor, senator, president etc) the ads on TV have been about how the other guy has no judgement, people hate him, and he wants higher taxes. I’ve seen a sum total of 1 positive ad. The ads from the billionaires downing Obama continue today; I’m in a very Democratic state and Obama doesn’t seem to have bought ads here to compare… With unemployment at 7.9%, and the relentless running down he’s received, you can see why Hope shriveled.
Still, the Oracle, Nate Silver has Obama at 91% odds to win. I’ll try and keep an eye on all the close races – because who controls the Senate and the House matter very much too.
——–
State of the Race: (what counts are 538 electoral college votes – largely allocated per state)
Actual: Obama – 303 Romney – 206 just Florida to come
(270 electoral college votes to win) Vote Share so far: Obama 50% Romney 49%
Predicted: Obama – 237 Romney – 191 Tossup – 110
Senate: Democrats – 52 (+2 Ind) Republicans – 44
(previously 53-47, predict 53-47 or 49D-44R-7 Toss up) [currently D+2]
House: Democrats – 170 Republicans – 226 (218 to win)
(previously 193-242, predict 178D-224R-33 Toss up) [currently D+3]
——–
13:56 (NZ time): CNN’s various political sections have been sponsored by the Coal Industry and the Oil Industry (“my name’s x, and I’m an Energy Voter”), with Natural Gas Industry ads sandwiched inbetween – at least we don’t have that in Aotearoa. I’m flicking between all the major channels to see how they’re calling it.
14:00: Vermont in for Obama; Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, South Carolina for Romney
Virginia dead heat in exit polls. ABC’s projected additional states put race at 57 Obama : 40 Romney. Still thousands lined up to vote in Virginia – if you’re there before voting closes, you get your chance…
14:05: NBC project Senate up to 37D : 39R so far. 64 Obama : 82 Romney on their projected states
Florida early vote has 50% Obama, 49% Romney, up by 50,000 votes
14:24: Obama still ahead in Florida with 53% counted, but it’s basically dead-heat. Virginia less vote, but also still dead heat. Ohio vote in teens, Obama with lead but early days… Fox is projecting Obama 78 Romney 82
14:31: 20% of Ohio vote in 59% Obama to 40% Romney; 51% Obama to 48% in Florida after 56% of vote; 57% Romney 42% Obama in Virginia after 26% (ABC)
14:50: Florida 62% in, Obama up by 100,000, 50% – 49%; Virginia 32% of vote 55% Romney, Obama 44% – still queues there. Voting massively up in both Republican & Democratic areas…
14 states about to finish voting.
15:02: And the networks immediately project a whole bunch more. Because Arkansas and Texas aren’t really in doubt…
15:12: NBC Project a House of 194 to 241 – a net gain of 1 seat to the Democrats… (+/-11). Currently D+1 in Senate.
15:30: Obama currently 80,000 behind in Virginia and North Carolina, 160,000 in Ohio, and 636 behind in Florida – quite close…
15:31: Obama ahead by 1,200 in Florida now… 82% reported.
Democrats currently looking like picking up Massachusetts and Indiana in the Senate.
15:35: Obama leading Colorado (51%-47%; 47% counted) and New Hampshire (55%-44%; 16% counted). Although they appear to still the odd vote being cast there.
15:40: Big call – Pennsylvania (where Romney was still campaigning today) with its 20 votes goes Obama’s way.
15:44: Florida 83% in, Obama 29,000 votes up.
Forgot to say – exit polls gave it to Obama a couple of hours ago… but actual votes are what matters. NBC has Obama on 158, but I’m still working out what their extra 15 are… (Minnesota & New Mexico?)
15:50: Massachusetts legalise medical marijuana. Washington, Oregon & Colorado are looking at outright legalisation for-over 21s (plus taxed etc). No results on those yet, but it’d still be illegal at federal level. ie the FBI could arrest you but state and local police couldn’t…
NBC – New Hampshire to Obama. Up to 162.
15:55: 4 more states about to close. Obama team confident about Florida, as they think they’ve got more of their counties to come in.
15:58: Still 51%-47% to Romney in Virginia. Romney just ahead in Wisconsin after 11% of vote.
16:00: Utah to Romney. CNN exit polls for Iowa & Nevada put Obama ahead by 6%
Obama still ahead by 40,000 votes in Florida with 86% in.
16:03: CNN are about the last to give New Hampshire to Obama. Still only 22% in there, but Obama leads by 11%. It was where Romney started and finished his campaign and where his holiday home is…
16:05: Half the vote in in Ohio – Obama still 51% to 47%. We’re all about Ohio tonight. Romney really needs to win it to have a chance.
Florida getting a lot of attention because it’s so close – and if Romney loses that he’s really struggling.
Virginia 65% in – Romney leading 51% to 48%
16:15: Ohio and Missouri have stayed with the Democrats in the Senate. Missouri – like Indiana – had Republicans who should have won, but made horrific comments about rape – and have lost. The Democrats will now keep the Senate. There are a couple of other very tight races they’re waiting on.
16:18: Florida looks like it will go Democrat. The Democrat & Republican commentator both can’t see how Romney will pull Florida back with Democrat areas to come in. And with Florida goes Romney’s chances. The Republican is sounding quite depressed.
16:25: Ohio 50% Obama – 48% Romney; 58% in
Colorado 51% Obama – 47% Romney; 58% in
Virginia 48% Obama – 51% Romney; 68% in
North Carolina 49% Obama – 50% Romney; 94% in
Florida 50% Obama – 49% Romney; 87% in
Wisconsin 48% Obama – 51% Romney; 23% in
Iowa Obama well ahead.
16:30: Despite his being behind in Wisconsin – Romney’s running mate’s home state – ABC call Wisconsin for Obama.
16:40: Massive gender gap – Obama leads among women by 11%
Obama still leads by 16,000 votes in Florida; 88% in. Still people queuing to vote in Miami where most votes to count remain – a massively Democratic area. (That’s 16,000 out of nearly 8 million votes)
16:44: Romney is doing better than Bush 04 for white men, white women, old men, old women… and losing.
Obama only getting 38% of whites in Florida – but looks like he’ll make it. Republican coalition is dying out.
16:46: Obama ticks over the extra Maine vote to go to 173. 5 States still awaiting the end of voting.
ABC call Arizona for Romney. Neck-and-neck, but the West Coast is about to come in for Obama…
16:55: Elizabeth Warren doing her Senate victory speech in Massachusetts.
And NBC are projecting Virginia’s very tight Senate race to go to the Democrats – does that bode well for Obama there?
Their House projection is now up to 196 Democrats (still losing it though…)
17:00: Next wave of states close: 55 votes from California, 12 from Washington, 4 from Hawaii all going to Obama. Idaho’s 4 go to Romney. Too early to call Oregon.
90% in, Obama still ahead in Florida by 50,000.
17:03: Democrats have 51 in the Senate.
98% in in North Carolina – apparent win to Romney.
17:09: Obama keeps Iowa. Only Ohio or Florida needed.
In fact once Nevada & Oregon come in for Ohio, he only needs Colorado.
17:12: Ohio comes in for Obama – he’s won. The auto-bailout wins it for Obama according to NBC.
17:15: Oregon in for Obama.
17:20: ABC still haven’t called it. CNN & Fox have it.
Obama tweets: we’re all in this together. thank you.
17:29: Romney camp waiting to be more sure about Ohio (only 73% in) before they make the call…
Obama now ahead in Virginia.
17:32: ABC’s called it. Even BBC’s called it…
17:40: Interesting Ballot measures across the States. Looks like Washington State will legalise marijuana and same-sex marriage. Colorado legalise marijuana, Maryland and Maine legalise same-sex marriage. Some states limiting Obamacare, others rejecting such measures.
17:43: Nevada comes in for Obama. Along with some nasty Republican messages about how he doesn’t have a mandate, as half the country doesn’t want or trust him… $300 million spent by Republican “Super PACs” on Senate races alone – and they look to have lost seats there.
17:45: Obama has 56 days to get Congress to agree measures to avoid the fiscal cliff of the Government running out of money… Easy start to his second term then.
Obama and team not talking to media – want to have speech be the supporters moment.
17:50: Romney currently ahead in Ohio… (by 2,000, but behind in Florida by 50,000 and Virginia by 20,000)
17:59: Obama looks to have Colorado, but they’re not calling it yet.
Ohio – 750,000 votes to come from Democrat counties, 140,000 votes from Republican counties, Romney ahead by 6,000 currently
Florida – Obama ahead by almost 50,000 and all 150,000 votes left are from Miami, where he leads by 25%
Virginia – Obama ahead by 50,000 with not too many more to count.
18:06: Romney still slightly ahead on popular vote, but a lot of California to count – projected to win by about 1%
Latino vote 69% to 29% to Obama
18:09: Looks like Republicans will pick up 1 Governorship (up to 30 states)
Colorado to Obama – another 9 electoral college votes.
18:18: Obama back up by 23,000 in Ohio, with still lots of his votes to come in. Similar stories in Florida & Virginia, but a while before they’re all counted.
Alaska still voting… Romney still waiting before conceding…
18:34: We’re petering out now. General chat about gay marriage being supported now (with a change in short time) – but big red state blue state difference. Similarly on women’s issues and how that affects the red-blue divide…
Actually not sure what Romney’s waiting for – Obama’s won with or without Ohio, Virginia & Florida (and probably has all 3)
18:38: Obama finally ahead on popular vote.
18:41: CNN call Virginia for Obama.
Still very quiet at Romney headquarters. Has been for a while now, although apparently crowd’s been increasing. Still nobody’s heard from Romney. Ryan is in the hotel next door. Romney had apparently only written a victory speech so he’s probably quickly writing a new one…
18:42: Obama first over 50,000,000 votes.
Medical Marijuana yes in Massachusetts, no in Arkansas
Full legalisation yes in Colorado, no in Oregon
Same-sex Marriage – having been banned in 33 previous state votes – looks like going 4 from 4 in the ballot initiatives tonight.
18:52: Hoping for Romney’s speech soon apparently.
Short polite phone call between Romney & Obama apparently, prepared to concede.
A minute or so away now – he’s with his wife, 5 sons and 18 grandchildren…
Here he comes…
18:55: Wishes Obama, his wife and daughters well. Hopes & prays they are successful in guiding the USA.
Thanks Paul Ryan, his wife, sons, campaign team, volunteers, …
“Ann would have been a great first lady; she’s been a great first lady to me through my life” Aw, shucks, Mitt.
Leaders must reach across the aisle apparently – be good to see if the Republicans in Congress follow that advice…
“Thank-you and God Bless America.” Short & sweet.
Obama ahead by 260,000 in popular vote now.
19:04: Still no Republican winning president since 1928 without a Bush or Richard Nixon on the ticket…
Obama voters – White in 2008: 43%; 2012: 40%
Non-White 2008: 80%; 2012: 80%
2012 Women: 55% (43% Romney); Men: 45% (52% Romney)
19:08: Crowd trying to call Obama to the podium in Chicago. It’s a party!
Obama won Washington DC by 91% to 7%…
19:15: Obama coming up (brought to you by Red Lobster restaurants apparently…)
Michelle Bachmann’s Congress seat is on a knife-edge apparently.
CNN’s called Florida for Obama – oop, no they haven’t, just talking as though they have… but not officially called
Still impressed with the Rhode Island Senator’s name – Whitehouse. he has to make a run for president.
Wisconsin has elected the first openly gay senator. There will now be 19 or 20 female senators – also a high.
Wisconsin’s senator and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts will be far to the left of the current Senate.
Hispanics hit 10% of voters for first time – 71% voted for Obama.
19:30: Republicans tick past the 218 needed to control the House, unsurprisingly.
Big call on ABC – with the changing demographics, this may be last election that we have 2 white guys running against each other for president…
Ah… umm… Barack Obama…
19:35: Obama on stage… Here he comes… (Crowd goes wild, Signed Sealed Delivered playing..)
Whole photogenic family out (man his daughters have got tall!)
Thanking the American people. Whether they held Obama signs or Romney signs.
And Mitt’s getting some kudos.
Joe Biden’s getting lots of love.
Michelle, I’ve never loved you more…
Sasha & Malia aren’t getting another dog.
Lovely speech of a wonderful world (no need for specifics 😉 )
Climate Change got a mention – and a cheer.
Tolerance, moving on from war to peace, education for all…
A decade war of is over…
Whether I earned your vote or not, I listened and you’ve made me a better president…
I go back into office more energised and more determined than ever.
The role of citizen doesn’t end with your vote
It’s not what can be done for us, but what can be done by us
We have more wealth than any other country, but that’s not what makes us rich; we have the mightiest military the world has seen, but that’s not what makes us strong… He’s at his rhetorical best.
It’s not short, but it is inspirational, this America place sounds amazing…
Speech streamed live on mittromney.com apparently.
20:03: Looks like Heidi Heitkamp might win North Dakota against the odds (92.5% she wouldn’t according Nate Silver – no polls has picked her since the start of June). That’s a really good night in the Senate for the Dems, and 20 women in the Senate.
20:07: Very optimistic Obama, very different from 4 years ago. More like 2004 Democratic Conference Obama from when he first made the national stage.
CNN pundit: Barack may mean ‘blessed’, but he had the economy collapse in his first week, a hurricane in his last week, and not a lot of easy days inbetween…
Romney-Ryan hall is empty.
20:12: Obama up by more than 1,000,000 votes in popular vote. Only lost 2 incredibly Republican states from his wins last time.
Up by 65,000 votes in Florida, with 3% left. They’re not counting them tonight, so we won’t get a call on it tonight.
So presidential map looks pretty much exactly as Nate Silver called it with his maths. Everything called right, including Florida being too close to call, with slight advantage Obama (he had 50.3% chance of Obama winning…)
Could well be a couple of misses on his Senate map.
Previous high of 17 Senate women is shattered as they will have 20 or 21 – still somewhat off parity obviously…
New Hampshire’s 2 women Senators weren’t up for election, but their 2 Congress reps and their Governor are all newly (Democrat) women tonight.
Virginia had a ballot measure to require a vaginal probe(!) before any chance of an abortion – soundly defeated, as were a number of other anti-abortion and similar measures across the states. Looks like the conservative right over-played their hand and ended up activating their opposition – may have helped Virginia go Democrat for both President and Senate.
20:39: Righty, not much more to come, so I’m going to sign off and enjoy the Colbert Report live special.
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It has to start somewhereIt has to start sometimeWhat better place than here?What better time than now?So it turns out that I owe you all an apology.It seems that all of the terrible things this government is doing, impacting the lives of many, aren’t necessarily ‘bad’ per se. Those things ...5 days ago - Auckland faces 25% water inflation shock
Three Waters became a focus of anti-Government protests under Labour, but its dumping by the new Government hasn’t solved councils’ funding problems and will eventually hit the back pockets of everyone. Photo: Lynn Grieveson/Getty ImagesTL;DR: The six news items that stood out to me at 8:06 am today are:The Government ...5 days ago - Small accomplishments and large ironies
5 days ago - The Song of Saqua: Volume VII
In order to catch up to the actual progress of the D&D campaign, I present you with another couple of sessions. These were actually held back to back, on a Monday and Tuesday evening. Session XV Alas, Goatslayer had another lycanthropic transformation… though this time, he ran off into the ...6 days ago - Accelerating the Growth Rate?
There is a constant theme from the economic commentariat that New Zealand needs to lift its economic growth rate, coupled with policies which they are certain will attain that objective. Their prescriptions are usually characterised by two features. First, they tend to be in their advocate’s self-interest. Second, they are ...6 days ago - The only thing we have to fear is tenants themselves
1. Which of these acronyms describes the experience of travelling on a Cook Strait ferry?a. ROROb. FOMOc. RAROd. FMLAramoana, first boat ever boarded by More Than A Feilding, four weeks after the Wahine disaster2. What is the acronym for the experience of watching the government risking a $200 million break ...6 days ago - Peters talks of NZ “renewing its connections with the world” – but who knew we had been discon...Buzz from the Beehive The thrust of the country’s foreign affairs policy and its relationship with the United States have been addressed in four statements from the Beehive over the past 24 hours. Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters somewhat curiously spoke of New Zealand “renewing its connections with a world ...6 days ago
- Muldoonism, solar farms, and legitimacyNewsHub had an article yesterday about progress on Aotearoa's largest solar farm, at "The Point" in the Mackenzie Country. 420MW, right next to a grid connection and transmission infrastructure, and next to dams - meaning it can work in tandem with them to maximise water storage. Its exactly the sort ...6 days ago
- NZTA does not know how much it spends on conesBarrie Saunders writes – Astonishing as it may seem NZTA does not know either how much it spends on road cones as part of its Temporary Traffic Management system, or even how many companies it uses to supply and manage the cones. See my Official Information Act request ...6 days ago
- If this is Back on Track – let's not.
I used to want to plant bombs at the Last Night of the PromsBut now you'll find me with the baby, in the bathroom,With that big shell, listening for the sound of the sea,The baby and meI stayed in bed, alone, uncertainThen I met you, you drew the curtainThe sun ...6 days ago - Welfare: Just two timid targets from the National governmentLindsay Mitchell writes – The National Government has announced just two targets for the Ministry of Social Development. They are: – to reduce the number of people receiving Jobseeker Support by 50,000 to 140,000 by June 2029, and – (alongside HUD) to reduce the number of households in emergency ...6 days ago
- The Hoon around the week to April 12Photo: Lynn Grieveson / The KākāTL;DR: The podcast above features co-hosts Bernard Hickey and Peter Bale, along with regular guests Robert Patman on Gaza and AUKUS II, Merja Myllylahti on AUT’s trust in news report, Awhi’s Holly Bennett on a watered-down voluntary code for lobbyists, plus special guest Patrick Gower ...6 days ago
- A Dead Internet?Hi,Four years ago I wrote about a train engineer who derailed his train near the port in Los Angeles.He was attempting to slam thousands of tonnes of screaming metal into a docked Navy hospital ship, because he thought it was involved in some shady government conspiracy theory. He thought it ...6 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 12-April-2024Welcome back to another Friday. Here’s some articles that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Wednesday Matt looked at the latest with the Airport to Botany project. On Thursday Matt covered the revelation that Auckland Transport have to subsidise towing illegally parked cars. ...6 days ago
- Weekly Roundup 12-April-2024Welcome back to another Friday. Here’s some articles that caught our attention this week. This Week in Greater Auckland On Wednesday Matt looked at the latest with the Airport to Botany project. On Thursday Matt covered the revelation that Auckland Transport have to subsidise towing illegally parked cars. ...6 days ago
- Antarctic heat spike shocks climate scientistsA ‘Regime Shift’ could raise sea levels sooner than anticipated. Has a tipping point been triggered in the Antarctic? Photo: Juan Barreto/Getty Images TL;DR: Here’s the top six news items of note in climate news for Aotearoa-NZ this week, and a discussion above that was recorded yesterday afternoon between and ...6 days ago
- Skeptical Science New Research for Week #15 2024Open access notables Global carbon emissions in 2023, Liu et al., Nature Reviews Earth & Environment Annual global CO2 emissions dropped markedly in 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, decreasing by 5.8% relative to 2019 (ref. 1). There were hopes that green economic stimulus packages during the COVD crisis might mark the beginning ...7 days ago
- Everything will be just fine
In our earlier days of national self-loathing, we made a special place for the attitude derided as she’ll be right.You don't hear many people younger than age Boomer using that particular expression these days. But that doesn’t mean there are not younger people in possession of such an attitude.The likes of ...7 days ago - Farmers and landlords are given news intended to lift their confidence – but the media must muse o...Buzz from the Beehive People working in the beleaguered media industry have cause to yearn for a minister as busy as Todd McClay and his associates have been in recent days. But if they check out the Beehive website for a list of Melissa Lee’s announcements, pronouncements, speeches and what-have-you ...7 days ago
- National’s war on rentersWhen the National government came into office, it complained of a "war on landlords". It's response? Start a war on renters instead: The changes include re-introducing 90-day "no cause" terminations for periodic tenancies, meaning landlords can end a periodic tenancy without giving any reason. [...] Landlords will now only ...1 week ago
- DrawnA ballot for two Member's Bills was held today, and the following bills were drawn: Repeal of Good Friday and Easter Sunday as Restricted Trading Days (Shop Trading and Sale of Alcohol) Amendment Bill (Cameron Luxton) Consumer Guarantees (Right to Repair) Amendment Bill (Marama Davidson) The ...1 week ago
- At last some scienceEle Ludemann writes – Is getting rid of plastic really good for the environment? Substituting plastics with alternative materials is likely to result in increased GHG emissions, according to research from the University of Sheffield. The study by Dr. Fanran Meng from Sheffield’s Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, ...1 week ago
- Something important: the curious death of the School Strike 4 Climate MovementThe Christchurch Mosque Massacres, Covid-19, deep political disillusionment, and the jealous cruelty of the intersectionists: all had a part to play in causing School Strike 4 Climate’s bright bubble of hope and passion to burst. But, while it floated above us, it was something that mattered. Something Important. ...1 week ago
- Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect them
News that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...1 day ago - Release: Alarm as Government signals further blow to school lunchesMore essential jobs could be on the chopping block, this time Ministry of Education staff on the school lunches team are set to find out whether they're in line to lose their jobs. ...1 day ago
- Release: Quick, submit – stop Govt’s dodgy approvals billThe Government is trying to bring in a law that will allow Ministers to cut corners and kill off native species, Labour environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said. ...2 days ago
- Government throws coal on the climate crisis fire
The Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...2 days ago - Release: Public transport costs to double as National looks at unaffordable roading project insteadCancelling urgently needed new Cook Strait ferries and hiking the cost of public transport for many Kiwis so that National can announce the prospect of another tunnel for Wellington is not making good choices, Labour Transport Spokesperson Tangi Utikere said. ...3 days ago
- Release: Cost of living in Auckland still not a priorityA laundry list of additional costs for Tāmaki Makarau Auckland shows the Minister for the city is not delivering for the people who live there, says Labour Auckland Issues spokesperson Shanan Halbert. ...3 days ago
- Greens look to fast-track submissions on harmful lawThe Green Party has today launched a step-by-step guide to help New Zealanders make their voice heard on the Government’s democracy dodging and anti-environment fast track legislation. ...6 days ago
- Release: Govt should stop making people’s lives harder and build more homesThe National Government’s proposed changes to the Residential Tenancies Act will mean tenants can be turfed from their homes by landlords with little notice, Labour housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty said. ...7 days ago
- Release: Melissa Lee missing in action on mediaThe action Melissa Lee promised to protect democracy and the media sector is missing, Media and Communications spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...1 week ago
- Landlord Government leaves little hope for rentersThe Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...1 week ago
- Opportunity to build a more sustainable economyGreen Party co-leader Marama Davidson is calling on all parties to support a common-sense change that’s great for the planet and great for consumers after her member’s bill was drawn from the ballot today. ...1 week ago
- Significant step forward in fixing cruel and unjust pastA significant milestone has been reached in the fight to strike an anti-Pasifika and unfair law from the country’s books after Teanau Tuiono’s members’ bill passed its first reading. ...1 week ago
- Missed opportunity but NZ will surely one day recognise the right to a sustainable environmentNew Zealand has today missed the opportunity to uphold the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, says James Shaw after his member’s bill was voted down in its first reading. ...1 week ago
- Release: Don’t cut our lunches – clear message sent to GovernmentTens of thousands of people are demanding the Government commits to fully funding free and healthy school lunches. ...1 week ago
- Release: Govt makes U-turn on Suicide Prevention OfficeLabour welcomes the Government’s U-turn on the closure of the Suicide Prevention Office, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...1 week ago
- CCC issues warning over further climate delayToday’s advice from the Climate Change Commission paints a sobering reality of the challenge we face in combating climate change, especially in light of recent Government policy announcements. ...1 week ago
- Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...1 week ago
- Luxon targets are lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...1 week ago
- Release: Commitment to disability communities missing from Govt prioritiesMinister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds appears to have delayed a report back to Cabinet on the progress New Zealand is making against international obligations for disabled New Zealanders. ...1 week ago
- Methane target review is dangerous duplicationThe Government’s newly announced review of methane emissions reduction targets hints at its desire to delay Aotearoa New Zealand’s urgent transition to a climate safe future, the Green Party said. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Government must commit to school building project for disabled studentsThe Government must commit to the Maitai School building project for students with high and complex needs, to ensure disabled students from the top of the South Island have somewhere to learn. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: National must take mental health seriouslyMental Health Minister Matt Doocey and his Government colleagues have made a meal of their mental health commitments, showing how flimsy their efforts to champion the issue truly are, says Labour Mental Health spokesperson Ingrid Leary. ...2 weeks ago
- Referendums for Māori wards a racist step backwardsThe Government's imposed referendum on Māori wards is a racist step backwards for Māori representation, and disregards Te Tiriti o Waitangi. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Job losses at Health not worth it for tax cutsNew Zealand will feel the harm of the National Government’s reckless cuts to jobs at the health ministry for generations, says Ayesha Verrall. ...2 weeks ago
- Press release: No Māori initiatives in Government’s nothing planMāori are yet to see anything from this Government except cuts, reversals and taking our people backwards, Māori Development spokesperson Willie Jackson said. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...2 weeks ago
- Thirty six point PR spinThe Government’s ‘36 point’ plan for the next three months is as pointless as it is hollow. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Social housing off Government’s to-do listThe Coalition Government’s refusal to commit to ongoing funding for social housing is seeing the sector pull back on developments and families watch their dreams of securing a home fade away, says Labour Housing spokesperson Kieran McAnulty. ...2 weeks ago
- Release: Less money in most people’s pockets this AprilChanges to minimum wage and benefit indexation means many New Zealanders will get less this year, as the Government gives a big tax break to landlords instead. ...3 weeks ago
- Cost of living support for low-income homeowners
Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has announced an increase to the Rates Rebate Scheme, putting money back into the pockets of low-income homeowners. “The coalition Government is committed to bringing down the cost of living for New Zealanders. That includes targeted support for those Kiwis who are doing things tough, such ...2 hours ago - Government backing mussel spat projectThe Coalition Government is investing in a project to boost survival rates of New Zealand mussels and grow the industry, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones has announced. “This project seeks to increase the resilience of our mussels and significantly boost the sector’s productivity,” Mr Jones says. “The project - ...2 hours ago
- Government focused on getting people into workBenefit figures released today underscore the importance of the Government’s plan to rebuild the economy and have 50,000 fewer people on Jobseeker Support, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston says. “Benefit numbers are still significantly higher than when National was last in government, when there was about 70,000 fewer ...5 hours ago
- Clean energy key driver to reducing emissionsThe Government’s commitment to doubling New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity is backed by new data showing that clean energy has helped the country reach its lowest annual gross emissions since 1999, Climate Change Minister Simon Watts says. New Zealand’s latest Greenhouse Gas Inventory (1990-2022) published today, shows gross emissions fell ...6 hours ago
- Earthquake-prone buildings review brought forwardThe Government is bringing the earthquake-prone building review forward, with work to start immediately, and extending the deadline for remediations by four years, Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk says. “Our Government is focused on rebuilding the economy. A key part of our plan is to cut red tape that ...10 hours ago
- Thailand and NZ to agree to Strategic PartnershipPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and his Thai counterpart, Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, have today agreed that New Zealand and the Kingdom of Thailand will upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership by 2026. “New Zealand and Thailand have a lot to offer each other. We have a strong mutual desire to build ...22 hours ago
- Government consults on extending coastal permits for portsRMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Transport Minister Simeon Brown have today announced the Coalition Government’s intention to extend port coastal permits for a further 20 years, providing port operators with certainty to continue their operations. “The introduction of the Resource Management Act in 1991 required ports to obtain coastal ...1 day ago
- Inflation coming down, but more work to doToday’s announcement that inflation is down to 4 per cent is encouraging news for Kiwis, but there is more work to be done - underlining the importance of the Government’s plan to get the economy back on track, acting Finance Minister Chris Bishop says. “Inflation is now at 4 per ...1 day ago
- School attendance restored as a priority in health adviceRefreshed health guidance released today will help parents and schools make informed decisions about whether their child needs to be in school, addressing one of the key issues affecting school attendance, says Associate Education Minister David Seymour. In recent years, consistently across all school terms, short-term illness or medical reasons ...1 day ago
- Unnecessary bureaucracy cut in oceans sectorOceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones is streamlining high-level oceans management while maintaining a focus on supporting the sector’s role in the export-led recovery of the economy. “I am working to realise the untapped potential of our fishing and aquaculture sector. To achieve that we need to be smarter with ...1 day ago
- Patterson promoting NZ’s wool sector at International CongressAssociate Agriculture Minister Mark Patterson is speaking at the International Wool Textile Organisation Congress in Adelaide, promoting New Zealand wool, and outlining the coalition Government’s support for the revitalisation the sector. "New Zealand’s wool exports reached $400 million in the year to 30 June 2023, and the coalition Government ...2 days ago
- Removing red tape to help early learners thriveThe Government is making legislative changes to make it easier for new early learning services to be established, and for existing services to operate, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. The changes involve repealing the network approval provisions that apply when someone wants to establish a new early learning service, ...2 days ago
- RMA changes to cut coal mining consent red tapeChanges to the Resource Management Act will align consenting for coal mining to other forms of mining to reduce barriers that are holding back economic development, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “The inconsistent treatment of coal mining compared with other extractive activities is burdensome red tape that fails to acknowledge ...2 days ago
- McClay reaffirms strong NZ-China trade relationshipTrade, Agriculture and Forestry Minister Todd McClay has concluded productive discussions with ministerial counterparts in Beijing today, in support of the New Zealand-China trade and economic relationship. “My meeting with Commerce Minister Wang Wentao reaffirmed the complementary nature of the bilateral trade relationship, with our Free Trade Agreement at its ...3 days ago
- Prime Minister Luxon acknowledges legacy of Singapore Prime Minister LeePrime Minister Christopher Luxon today paid tribute to Singapore’s outgoing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Meeting in Singapore today immediately before Prime Minister Lee announced he was stepping down, Prime Minister Luxon warmly acknowledged his counterpart’s almost twenty years as leader, and the enduring legacy he has left for Singapore and South East ...3 days ago
- PMs Luxon and Lee deepen Singapore-NZ tiesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. While in Singapore as part of his visit to South East Asia this week, Prime Minister Luxon also met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and will meet with Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon ...3 days ago
- Antarctica New Zealand Board appointmentsForeign Minister Winston Peters has made further appointments to the Board of Antarctica New Zealand as part of a continued effort to ensure the Scott Base Redevelopment project is delivered in a cost-effective and efficient manner. The Minister has appointed Neville Harris as a new member of the Board. Mr ...3 days ago
- Finance Minister travels to Washington DCFinance Minister Nicola Willis will travel to the United States on Tuesday to attend a meeting of the Five Finance Ministers group, with counterparts from Australia, the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. “I am looking forward to meeting with our Five Finance partners on how we can work ...3 days ago
- Pet bonds a win/win for renters and landlordsThe coalition Government has today announced purrfect and pawsitive changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to give tenants with pets greater choice when looking for a rental property, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “Pets are important members of many Kiwi families. It’s estimated that around 64 per cent of New ...3 days ago
- Long Tunnel for SH1 Wellington being consideredState Highway 1 (SH1) through Wellington City is heavily congested at peak times and while planning continues on the duplicate Mt Victoria Tunnel and Basin Reserve project, the Government has also asked NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to consider and provide advice on a Long Tunnel option, Transport Minister Simeon Brown ...3 days ago
- New Zealand condemns Iranian strikesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon and Foreign Minister Winston Peters have condemned Iran’s shocking and illegal strikes against Israel. “These attacks are a major challenge to peace and stability in a region already under enormous pressure," Mr Luxon says. "We are deeply concerned that miscalculation on any side could ...4 days ago
- Huge interest in Government’s infrastructure plansHundreds of people in little over a week have turned out in Northland to hear Regional Development Minister Shane Jones speak about plans for boosting the regional economy through infrastructure. About 200 people from the infrastructure and associated sectors attended an event headlined by Mr Jones in Whangarei today. Last ...6 days ago
- Health Minister thanks outgoing Health New Zealand ChairHealth Minister Dr Shane Reti has today thanked outgoing Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora Chair Dame Karen Poutasi for her service on the Board. “Dame Karen tendered her resignation as Chair and as a member of the Board today,” says Dr Reti. “I have asked her to ...6 days ago
- Roads of National Significance planning underwayThe NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) has signalled their proposed delivery approach for the Government’s 15 Roads of National Significance (RoNS), with the release of the State Highway Investment Proposal (SHIP) today, Transport Minister Simeon Brown says. “Boosting economic growth and productivity is a key part of the Government’s plan to ...6 days ago
- Navigating an unstable global environmentNew Zealand is renewing its connections with a world facing urgent challenges by pursuing an active, energetic foreign policy, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Our country faces the most unstable global environment in decades,” Mr Peters says at the conclusion of two weeks of engagements in Egypt, Europe and the United States. “We cannot afford to sit back in splendid ...6 days ago
- NZ welcomes Australian Governor-GeneralPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the Australian Governor-General, His Excellency General The Honourable David Hurley and his wife Her Excellency Mrs Linda Hurley, will make a State visit to New Zealand from Tuesday 16 April to Thursday 18 April. The visit reciprocates the State visit of former Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy ...6 days ago
- Pseudoephedrine back on shelves for WinterAssociate Health Minister David Seymour has announced that Medsafe has approved 11 cold and flu medicines containing pseudoephedrine. Pharmaceutical suppliers have indicated they may be able to supply the first products in June. “This is much earlier than the original expectation of medicines being available by 2025. The Government recognised ...6 days ago
- NZ and the US: an ever closer partnershipNew Zealand and the United States have recommitted to their strategic partnership in Washington DC today, pledging to work ever more closely together in support of shared values and interests, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “The strategic environment that New Zealand and the United States face is considerably more ...6 days ago
- Joint US and NZ declarationApril 11, 2024 Joint Declaration by United States Secretary of State the Honorable Antony J. Blinken and New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs the Right Honourable Winston Peters We met today in Washington, D.C. to recommit to the historic partnership between our two countries and the principles that underpin it—rule ...6 days ago
- NZ and US to undertake further practical Pacific cooperationForeign Minister Winston Peters has announced further New Zealand cooperation with the United States in the Pacific Islands region through $16.4 million in funding for initiatives in digital connectivity and oceans and fisheries research. “New Zealand can achieve more in the Pacific if we work together more urgently and ...6 days ago
- Government redress for Te Korowai o WainuiāruaThe Government is continuing the bipartisan effort to restore its relationship with iwi as the Te Korowai o Wainuiārua Claims Settlement Bill passed its first reading in Parliament today, says Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith. “Historical grievances of Te Korowai o Wainuiārua relate to 19th century warfare, land purchased or taken ...7 days ago
- Focus on outstanding minerals permit applicationsNew Zealand Petroleum and Minerals is working to resolve almost 150 outstanding minerals permit applications by the end of the financial year, enabling valuable mining activity and signalling to the sector that New Zealand is open for business, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. “While there are no set timeframes for ...1 week ago
- Applications open for NZ-Ireland Research CallThe New Zealand and Irish governments have today announced that applications for the 2024 New Zealand-Ireland Joint Research Call on Agriculture and Climate Change are now open. This is the third research call in the three-year Joint Research Initiative pilot launched in 2022 by the Ministry for Primary Industries and Ireland’s ...1 week ago
- Tenancy rules changes to improve rental marketThe coalition Government has today announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop. “The previous Government waged a war on landlords. Many landlords told us this caused them to exit the rental market altogether. It caused worse ...1 week ago
- Boosting NZ’s trade and agricultural relationship with ChinaTrade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay will visit China next week, to strengthen relationships, support Kiwi exporters and promote New Zealand businesses on the world stage. “China is one of New Zealand’s most significant trade and economic relationships and remains an important destination for New Zealand’s products, accounting for nearly 22 per cent of our good and ...1 week ago
- Freshwater farm plan systems to be improvedThe coalition Government intends to improve freshwater farm plans so that they are more cost-effective and practical for farmers, Associate Environment Minister Andrew Hoggard and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay have announced. “A fit-for-purpose freshwater farm plan system will enable farmers and growers to find the right solutions for their farm ...1 week ago
- New Fast Track Projects advisory group namedThe coalition Government has today announced the expert advisory group who will provide independent recommendations to Ministers on projects to be included in the Fast Track Approvals Bill, say RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones. “Our Fast Track Approval process will make it easier and ...1 week ago
- Pacific and Gaza focus of UN talksForeign Minister Winston Peters says his official talks with the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in New York today focused on a shared commitment to partnering with the Pacific Islands region and a common concern about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. “Small states in the Pacific rely on collective ...1 week ago
- Government honours Taranaki Maunga dealThe Government is honouring commitments made to Taranaki iwi with the Te Pire Whakatupua mō Te Kāhui Tupua/Taranaki Maunga Collective Redress Bill passing its first reading Parliament today, Treaty Negotiations Minister Paul Goldsmith says. “This Bill addresses the commitment the Crown made to the eight iwi of Taranaki to negotiate ...1 week ago
- Enhanced partnership to reduce agricultural emissionsThe Government and four further companies are together committing an additional $18 million towards AgriZeroNZ to boost New Zealand’s efforts to reduce agricultural emissions. Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says the strength of the New Zealand economy relies on us getting effective and affordable emission reduction solutions for New Zealand. “The ...1 week ago
- Australia’s new defence strategy is big on ideas, but lacks one key ingredient: well-trained soldi...
Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Peter Layton, Visiting Fellow, Strategic Studies, Griffith University There have been a lot of defence announcements recently about buying new equipment, building up Australia’s manufacturing capabilities, creating local jobs, new legislation to support AUKUS and even a new defence chief. In ...1 hour ago - What does Steve Smith’s Stateside signing mean for cricket in the US – and Australia?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Tim Harcourt, Industry Professor and Chief Economist, University of Technology Sydney Steve Smith, one of this generation’s finest batters, has conquered much of the cricketing world during his career, and he now has set his sights on a new frontier: the United ...1 hour ago
- Minister Concedes Contractors Will Be Hired To Do Work Of Axed Ministry Of Education Staff
The PSA can’t believe that the Minister of Education is happy for her ministry to hire contractors at the same time it is dismissing 565 workers. ...1 hour ago - Attempt to bar diplomat from Myanmar military junta fails
Myanmar community members applied to the courts to bar the diplomat from attending the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. ...2 hours ago - LGNZ Welcomes Govt Earthquake-prone Buildings DecisionLGNZ has advocated for this decision as part of a remit led by Manawatū District Council. ...2 hours ago
- AUKUS Pillar 2 a 'fragrant, methane-wrapped bull***' – Bob CarrThe former Australian Foreign Minister has continued to warn New Zealand against joining the defence pact. ...2 hours ago
- Enforceable undertaking issued to abc accounting services limited after continued non-compliance.The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has accepted an enforceable undertaking agreement from ABC Accounting Services Limited (ABC) under section 81 of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (AML/CFT Act). ...3 hours ago
- REVEALED: RNZ’s Hypocrisy Over Fair Digital News Bargaining BillThe Taxpayers’ Union can reveal that Radio New Zealand (RNZ) spent $71,842.53 on Facebook advertising over the past 12 months, despite earlier this year coming out in support of the Fair Digital News Bargaining Bill , which would force the likes ...3 hours ago
- Police rejected 'very good offer' – Mark MitchellPolice Minister Mark Mitchell says the pay offer rejected by police was the best the government could put forward under difficult financial circumstances. ...3 hours ago
- How can we have truth-telling without the Voice? Our research shows a way forwardSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Heidi Norman, Professor, Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture, Convenor: Indigenous Land & Justice Research Group, UNSW Sydney Shutterstock The Uluru Statement from the Heart set out the aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples for “Voice, Treaty, Truth”, in ...3 hours ago
- NZ education scores must improve – but another polarising ideological pivot isn’t the answerSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Bronwyn E Wood, Associate Professor in Education, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington Getty Images You don’t need to look hard right now to see concerns about Aotearoa New Zealand’s education system. Declining performance in international testing has been ...3 hours ago
- An updated tally of the public sector job cuts
The coalition government has made it well known it expects departments to cut roles. We break down the numbers as they currently stand. Updated: 12pm, April 18 Before last year’s election, both National and Act made it clear that the public service was squarely in their crosshairs. Both parties, now ...3 hours ago - Confessions of an unlikely petrolheadCheckered Flag director Natalie Wilson on her lifelong love of motorsport, and the allure of Pukekohe Park Raceway. One childhood summer when my world revolved around winning stuff off the radio, I bagged tickets to Western Springs Speedway and then to Waikaraka Park in what was a dream season for ...3 hours ago
- 'Ambitious' trade pledge headlines Luxon's Thailand stopThe Prime has announced a commitment to triple two-way trade with Thailand by 2045, but it only requires maintaining current growth. ...4 hours ago
- ‘The right person’: What did Solomon Islanders vote for?By Koroi Hawkins, RNZ Pacific editor in Honiara After a relatively well organised and peaceful day of voting in Solomon Islands yesterday, the electoral commission is working with donor partners to safely transport ballot boxes from polling stations all over the country to centrally located counting venues. It is a ...4 hours ago
- What it’s like to be made redundant by the Ministry of EducationI was one of hundreds of people who lost my government job this week. Here’s exactly how it played out. It is a Friday. I’m in the middle of an online Teams hui working out the finer details of a series of workshops we’ll be presenting next week. It’s a ...5 hours ago
- What are ‘Ozempic babies’? Can the drug really increase your chance of pregnancy?Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Karin Hammarberg, Senior Research Fellow, Global and Women’s Health, School of Public Health & Preventive Medicine, Monash University Joshua Rodriguez/Unsplash Hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are taking drugs like Ozempic to lose weight. But what do we actually know about ...6 hours ago
- Why the kookaburra’s iconic laugh is at risk of being silencedSource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Diana Kuchinke, Lecturer in Ecology, Federation University Australia Linda Robertus/Shutterstock Once, while teaching a class of environmental science students in China’s Hebei University of Science and Technology, I asked who knew what a laughing kookaburra was. There were many blank faces. ...6 hours ago
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This is more tense than the world cup final.
Via Guardian coverage, encouraging tweet re perhaps the most closely watched state of the election, Ohio, from political analyst Larry Sabato:
It will also be worth keeping an eye on Nate Silver’s live blog tonight…
These are the two links you want to have open in your browser:
CNN results (Or any other results service you like)
NY Times paths to the White House
Reading Slate this morning on the iPad app there was an interesting post with someone repeating readers comments about access to different polling stations. Virginia sounded like it had some bad queues (which it doesn’t usually).
Glad the intimidators in Ohio got booted by both the parties.
Apparently Americans are moving to New Zealand if the other guy wins.
Just what we need, extremists from both sides of the US political spectrum.
*cackles madly* Seriously, they’re going to be in for a bit of a rude awakening …
Good lord. I don’t want any of those people coming here. Except this one:
Almost makes you wish Romney had won just to keep the Religious nut-job Republicans out of our back yard!
Fingers crossed they are just empty threats!!!
Go on standardistas – spoil yourselves just this once with a delicious drop of shadenfreude and take a peek at Fox News and the kiwibog…..might be the only chance ever to enjoy them.
They do seem to be a trivial depressed.
Fux News is already “reporting” a poster of Obama in or nearby a polling place and other “irregularities”.
So we’re right into “he wasn’t legitimately elected……”. Can’t believe it.
Anyway, if only for tonight, Hurt You Bastards, Hurt !
From Slate – Which State’s Voters Had To Wait the Longest, According to Their Tweets?
Waiting an average of 90 minutes in Florida to get to vote! Crazy.
Waiting 10 minutes seems too long to me. I can’t recall ever having to wait. But I guess I deliberately select small polling places.
The Nov 2011 election, I went early on my way to work, expecting it to be uncrowded – had to wait in a queue – not more than 10 minutes as I recall.
What the hell is Obama (assuming he wins) going to be able to achieve with a loony Republican dominated Congress?
Thanks for your efforts Bunji – I’m seeing stuff here that I don’t see on other live coverage!
CNN is remarkably more forward on TV than on their website…
BBC news running a very good live stream with updates
My son was watching that, while talking on the phone to me, and I was keeping an ear on BBC WS radio at the same time!
18.20, and it looks good, though not as good as it did, according to L., he says that Ohio now looks shaky…
The best cover IMHO is at Fox News. Watching their commentators try and deny that Obama is going to win is as funny as their attempts at denying that climate change is happening.
I laughed at their front page line a little while earlier: FOUR MORE YEARS.
It really was portrayed as a prison sentence.
And Fox calls Ohio for Obama through gritted teeth …
Fox calls it for the Nigerian. World ends.
Whoops, he’s Kenyan, of course. Or Filipino, I forget which.
Having a good laugh at the commentator on Fox who reckons it was because Mittens was too moderate!
Actually TRP he is none of those but you may have started a new Tea Party rumour …
Hawaiian. That’s why Key thinks they’re so alike.
Break the habit of a lifetime and tune in to Leighton Smith on Newstalk ZB tomorrow morning.
He announced – not hoped, not predicted, but reported as fact – that Romney would win. Seriously.
You don’t have to be an Obama groupie to be enjoying a good dollop of Schadenfreude right now … tastes good!
Left wing commy conspiracy!
Obama’s claiming it on twitter. Sweet photo!
https://twitter.com/BarackObama/status/266031293945503744/photo/1
Way sweet trp. Actually loving.
Cool. Traffic has been light here today. Between coding I have been jumping around. But I like this coverage. shorter and more interesting.
I see that the rape gaffers got done…
Karl Rove is in denial. He is claiming that Fox’s call of Ohio is premature …
And one of their commentators is saying that campaign funding should be stopped and the candidates only be judged on the debates …
Colorado has freed the collie weed!
The first comment on the Kiwiblog thread is hilarious! Read it and weep (with tears of laughter) …
“KiwiInAmerica”, Fox News salutes you!
Awesome, Go Barack Obama! 😀
Thank Christ for that!
A Romney presidency would have been a very bad and dangerous thing for the world.
Note to NZ neo-cons – you’re next to be flushed.
Where have all the rich right wing nutters gone!
They’ve buried their heads in their pillows. 😀
While biting down on a leather bit.
As an atheist I say ‘thank alll the imaginary gods’ for Obama’s win. JK won’t be able to puppy follow the republican warmongers into Iran or wherever.
Nah, the simpering little batshit’ll be on the phone obseqiuously gushing his congratulations and begging for an appearance at 1600. Sick, narcissistic puppy.
Who cares, they’re both tools of capitalism.
Interesting difference between TV3 and Al Jazeera’s coverage right now. I am curious to hear Obama’s speech.
TV3 has an Obama fan gushing about all the wonderful things about Obama and his supporters.
Al Jazeera: they are talking about how a large number of Americans are PO’ed because the presidential election just focuses on a small number of swing states. Many of the rest feel their vote doesn’t matter.
That would be about right. Like being a Labour voter in Ilam or National voter in Mangere during FPP days.
Unproportional, low turnout, unrepresentative voting is exactly how the US powers that be like it.
They could immediately improve turnout by 5% by scheduling elections on a weekend instead of a weekday for instance. But you can’t have the working class turning up to vote no sireeee.
There’s only 9 states your vote for president matters. But there’s a huge number of other things to vote for at the same time… like massive. They vote for everything here: judge, sheriff, trash collector, auditor, …
Great job Bunji. And a goodish day because it looks like the tea-party (and Mitt) have been resoundingly rejected
BTW: I presume the hotel is work related, but now you know why I don’t have a passport. There is no way that I am ever going to get stuck in a hotel room. Bad enough doing that in the 80’s when I was young. These days if I can’t work it over the comms then we designed it wrong and the product or process needs a rebuild.
Oh I could have fixed it remotely, but customers like to have someone physically there…
Although to be fair you do solve a lot of extra things on site – usually because the customers description of what’s happening bears little relation to reality 😈
I have 2 passports, so I guess I get what I asked for…
They do. I gave up being professionally nice to people when I left the army medics. Stopped going to sites after 3 years doing a onsite tech.
US elections tend to be over-rated for their significance in regards to what a president can and will actually be able to do and achieve.
So while some may get excited to see Obama win a second term (yes, I also rather see him in the White House than Romney), the big question will be, what will he be able to do and change.
The realities are: Comgress (the main “House”) will be Republican dominated, while the Senate appears to be controlled by Democrats (likely to support Obama).
A US president has a lot of power, but without the agreement of Congress, there is a heck of a lot he will not be able to do. So I will see a “waking up to reality” set in after all these “celebrations” by Obama’s supporters and voters.
Only because the US is the number 1 world economic and military power, is so much attention given to this election. Otherwise, nothing much at all will change, as the US economy is largely dominated by corporate interests and strong business lobby groups.
Obama gave up some “green”, environmental policies and consented to expanding oil drilling offshore in the US, and apart from “Obama Care”, allowing quantitative easing and promoting certain US business interests and ensuring minimum care for less fortunate is maintained, there is not all that much he achieved.
He took his time with the withdrawal from Iraq, still has troops in Afghanistan, allowed a hit commando to kill “enemy number one” (Bin Laden), rather than have him face justice before a court, he did not get the Guantanamo Camp for suspected terrorists, classed as a special kind of “combatants”, closed, he could not get a solution to reduce or contain deficit and debt, and otherwise, “business as usual” in the largest capitalist power on the planet.
So without bipartisan solutions not much will be achieved, and a slow “recovery” is on fragile foundations, and in danger from being reversed into recession again, once the money printing stops.
Not an easy solution, well NO solution at all. You cannot please everyone, and like NZ, the US is totally divided, and without unity the path to prospective disaster is there.
Oratory skills are good, but to bring real change, more is needed. Good luck Barack Obama!
“Allowed a hit commando to kill “enemy number one”; More like actually fully authorized it and intended the outcome.
What a bloody “wasted” and “wasteful” system and society the US have.
So 2.5 billion to promote two heavily lobbied candidates (others given no chance from the start!) with BIG money, endless advertising, show effects, automated phone nuisance calls, placards, videos, sound bites, speeches telling half truths and lies, and the people fall for it and pay for it (through products and services the very promoters charge them).
One thing the US could learn from NZ is: Stop this free donation madness, giving the advantage to the corporations and powerful lobbyists, to influence and indeed determine, who will become president!
How many jobs could be created with 2.5 billion US dollars? How many meals could be cooked and served for needy for that amount? How many homeless could be housed? How many veterans and others could get medical and other care they need?
Also the privatised health care system in the US is the most expensive in the world (per capita), yet not that efficient to deliver value for money to all needing it. How much care could be given to those in need with low or no income, if the rich and wealthy there stop paying enormous amounts for first class care and cosmetic surgery and that kind of crap?
Indeed, many questions, few answers and solutions. I consider the US electoral system one of the biggest jokes and most dishonest and undemocratic ones in the world.
“God Bless America”, yeah, right!
The major focus on the election of president does strangley marginalise the really important Congress and (partial) Senate elections.
It seems to me the presidential election is partly about elevating the status of president. To some extent I can see that’s necessary to unite such a vast population across all those states. But it’s also about promoting the status of the US. I always find it strange in movies the way US-ians tend to talk with reverence when mentioning, not just the president, but “The President of the United States”.
Obama is an extraordinary orator. It was amazing how he raised the intensity and pitch of his speech at a certain point, mentioning a whole string of thing, barely taking a breath – definitely the victory note. Then he wound the speech down to a more regular level. But the content was as much propaganda as reality.
Well mostly propaganda. When you listen to it again pay attention to how the detail is worded such that it lets you draw your own (preferred) conclusions as to the meaning.
He is an awesome orator.
Awesome, well done President Obama.
None of it will affect the ongoing foreign policy of interference, promoting brinkmanship in the Middle East. Romney might have had better credentials with the Zionists, but I think the outcome will be the same. 4 more years of scratching their heads as global capitalism presides over their economy going down the gurgler, in the same breath promoting economic sanctions to cripple their enemies in Iran and North Korea.
What a dark time we live in.
The Koch Brothers and all those Mr Burns style tycoons who threw all that money at Romney can have a big big helping of my delightful schadenfreude. I am stoked with the win. Now, if only we could get rid of that douchebag Key…
Well, having had some experience with “Mormons” (I do not mean “morons”, for sure!), I am relieved at least, that the biggest power on this planet will NOT be run by a “Latter Day Saint”, as “Mormons” usually refer to themselves. They have their following, but it would not serve the interests of intelligent, fair minded and reasonable people, to have a guy like Romney (who I suspect to be a “jack Mormon” anyway) run the show. His “biblical” views must have made him take a strong pro Israel stand, and that would do more damage than anything else in that region.
At least there is a vague option to apply a more disciplined approach, both towards Israel and Iran.
Nothing too wrong with Mitt’s Mormonism; it’s his Millionairism which really sucked shit.
Meanwhile – Donald Trump calls for revolution what a hissy fit!
So for all of Romney’s faith and prayers, seems his intermediaries didn’t do as good a job as Obama’s. Time for him to reassess his belief system perhaps.
At least the Bible-belt fundamentalism has taken another bath – wonder how many hours of self righteousness and hallelujahs were offered up to the heavens, and all to no avail.
Have to say that a Republican Afro-American guest on the BBC presentation was a breath of fresh air and if he is an example of the voice of the future Republican party, then things are not so desperate for the world (provided they remain in opposition though).
Logie97: When a “Latter Day Saint” or commonly “Mormon” says to you: “I will pray for you”, as done publicly in the resignation speech of Romney re Obama as chosen president, then you must be worried!
That is what LDS people always say, if they resolutely disagree with the views and conduct of a person. It may sound “christian” and “sympathetic” or even “supportive”, but amongst “Mormons” it usually signals total disapproval, that the person to be “prayed about” is so out of kilter and “God’s tolerance”, she or he “needs” a prayer, at least to find “forgiveness” before all hell breaks loose.
Believe, me, I know what I am talking about. That is what goes down, and that is how it must be viewed and understood, what Romney said in his defeat speech. He actually expressed hidden criticism, not support or sympathy. He is ARROGANT as can be, and he will go back to make BIG money, whether in business, or in holding speeches around the US and the world. That is AMERICA!
This is where I must point out that Mormons are not standard Christians, and not really a part of Bible Belt fundamentalism…
Vicky32
I am well aware that the LDS faction is probably a small part of the electorate outside Utah (though they can still be classed fundamentalists.) They are small in number compared with the Bible belt fundamentalist Christians who were also kept in check by this vote. For which we should all be thankful …
Lessons for Labour? – Take note of demographic change and the women’s vote (imo)