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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- Can You Register a Car Without a License?In most states, you cannot register a car without a valid driver’s license. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule. Exceptions to the Rule If you are under 18 years old: In some states, you can register a car in your name even if you do not ...5 days ago
- Mazda: A Comprehensive Evaluation of Reliability, Value, and PerformanceMazda, a Japanese automotive manufacturer with a rich history of innovation and engineering excellence, has emerged as a formidable player in the global car market. Known for its reputation of producing high-quality, fuel-efficient, and driver-oriented vehicles, Mazda has consistently garnered praise from industry experts and consumers alike. In this article, ...5 days ago
- What Are Struts on a Car?Struts are an essential part of a car’s suspension system. They are responsible for supporting the weight of the car and damping the oscillations of the springs. Struts are typically made of steel or aluminum and are filled with hydraulic fluid. How Do Struts Work? Struts work by transferring the ...5 days ago
- What Does Car Registration Look Like: A Comprehensive GuideCar registration is a mandatory process that all vehicle owners must complete annually. This process involves registering your car with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and paying an associated fee. The registration process ensures that your vehicle is properly licensed and insured, and helps law enforcement and other authorities ...5 days ago
- How to Share Computer Audio on ZoomZoom is a video conferencing service that allows you to share your screen, webcam, and audio with other participants. In addition to sharing your own audio, you can also share the audio from your computer with other participants. This can be useful for playing music, sharing presentations with audio, or ...5 days ago
- How Long Does It Take to Build a Computer?Building your own computer can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to get a high-performance machine tailored to your specific needs. However, it also requires careful planning and execution, and one of the most important factors to consider is the time it will take. The exact time it takes to ...5 days ago
- How to Put Your Computer to SleepSleep mode is a power-saving state that allows your computer to quickly resume operation without having to boot up from scratch. This can be useful if you need to step away from your computer for a short period of time but don’t want to shut it down completely. There are ...5 days ago
- What is Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT)?Introduction Computer-Assisted Translation (CAT) has revolutionized the field of translation by harnessing the power of technology to assist human translators in their work. This innovative approach combines specialized software with human expertise to improve the efficiency, accuracy, and consistency of translations. In this comprehensive article, we will delve into the ...5 days ago
- iPad vs. Tablet Computers A Comprehensive Guide to DifferencesIn today’s digital age, mobile devices have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. Among the vast array of portable computing options available, iPads and tablet computers stand out as two prominent contenders. While both offer similar functionalities, there are subtle yet significant differences between these two devices. This ...5 days ago
- How Are Computers Made?A computer is an electronic device that can be programmed to carry out a set of instructions. The basic components of a computer are the processor, memory, storage, input devices, and output devices. The Processor The processor, also known as the central processing unit (CPU), is the brain of the ...5 days ago
- How to Add Voice Memos from iPhone to ComputerVoice Memos is a convenient app on your iPhone that allows you to quickly record and store audio snippets. These recordings can be useful for a variety of purposes, such as taking notes, capturing ideas, or recording interviews. While you can listen to your voice memos on your iPhone, you ...5 days ago
- Why My Laptop Screen Has Lines on It: A Comprehensive GuideLaptop screens are essential for interacting with our devices and accessing information. However, when lines appear on the screen, it can be frustrating and disrupt productivity. Understanding the underlying causes of these lines is crucial for finding effective solutions. Types of Screen Lines Horizontal lines: Also known as scan ...5 days ago
- How to Right-Click on a LaptopRight-clicking is a common and essential computer operation that allows users to access additional options and settings. While most desktop computers have dedicated right-click buttons on their mice, laptops often do not have these buttons due to space limitations. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on how to right-click ...5 days ago
- Where is the Power Button on an ASUS Laptop?Powering up and shutting down your ASUS laptop is an essential task for any laptop user. Locating the power button can sometimes be a hassle, especially if you’re new to ASUS laptops. This article will provide a comprehensive guide on where to find the power button on different ASUS laptop ...5 days ago
- How to Start a Dell Laptop: A Comprehensive GuideDell laptops are renowned for their reliability, performance, and versatility. Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just someone who needs a reliable computing device, a Dell laptop can meet your needs. However, if you’re new to Dell laptops, you may be wondering how to get started. In this comprehensive ...5 days ago
- Bryce Edwards: Serious populist discontent is bubbling up in New ZealandTwo-thirds of the country think that “New Zealand’s economy is rigged to advantage the rich and powerful”. They also believe that “New Zealand needs a strong leader to take the country back from the rich and powerful”. These are just two of a handful of stunning new survey results released ...5 days ago
- How to Take a Screenshot on an Asus Laptop A Comprehensive Guide with Detailed Instructions and Illu...In today’s digital world, screenshots have become an indispensable tool for communication and documentation. Whether you need to capture an important email, preserve a website page, or share an error message, screenshots allow you to quickly and easily preserve digital information. If you’re an Asus laptop user, there are several ...5 days ago
- How to Factory Reset Gateway Laptop A Comprehensive GuideA factory reset restores your Gateway laptop to its original factory settings, erasing all data, apps, and personalizations. This can be necessary to resolve software issues, remove viruses, or prepare your laptop for sale or transfer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to factory reset your Gateway laptop: Method 1: ...5 days ago
- The Folly Of Impermanence.“You talking about me?” The neoliberal denigration of the past was nowhere more unrelenting than in its depiction of the public service. The Post Office and the Railways were held up as being both irremediably inefficient and scandalously over-manned. Playwright Roger Hall’s “Glide Time” caricatures were presented as accurate depictions of ...5 days ago
- A crisis of ambitionRoger Partridge writes – When the Coalition Government took office last October, it inherited a country on a precipice. With persistent inflation, decades of insipid productivity growth and crises in healthcare, education, housing and law and order, it is no exaggeration to suggest New Zealand’s first-world status was ...5 days ago
- Have 308 people in the Education Ministry’s Curriculum Development Team spent over $100m on a 60-p...Rob MacCulloch writes – In 2022, the Curriculum Centre at the Ministry of Education employed 308 staff, according to an Official Information Request. Earlier this week it was announced 202 of those staff were being cut. When you look up “The New Zealand Curriculum” on the Ministry of ...5 days ago
- 'This bill is dangerous for the environment and our democracy'Chris Bishop’s bill has stirred up a hornets nest of opposition. Photo: Lynn Grieveson for The KākāTL;DR: The six things that stood out to me in Aotearoa’s political economy around housing, poverty and climate from the last day included:A crescendo of opposition to the Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill is ...5 days ago
- The Bank of our Tamariki and Mokopuna.
Monday left me brokenTuesday, I was through with hopingWednesday, my empty arms were openThursday, waiting for love, waiting for loveThe end of another week that left many of us asking WTF? What on earth has NZ gotten itself into and how on earth could people have voluntarily signed up for ...5 days ago - The worth of it all
Hello! Here comes the Saturday edition of More Than A Feilding, catching you up on the past week’s editions.State of humanity, 20242024, it feels, keeps presenting us with ever more challenges, ever more dismay.Do you give up yet? It seems to ask.No? How about this? Or this?How about this?Full story Share ...6 days ago - What is the Hardest Sport in the World?Determining the hardest sport in the world is a subjective matter, as the difficulty level can vary depending on individual abilities, physical attributes, and experience. However, based on various factors including physical demands, technical skills, mental fortitude, and overall accomplishment, here is an exploration of some of the most challenging ...6 days ago
- What is the Most Expensive Sport?The allure of sport transcends age, culture, and geographical boundaries. It captivates hearts, ignites passions, and provides unparalleled entertainment. Behind the spectacle, however, lies a fascinating world of financial investment and expenditure. Among the vast array of competitive pursuits, one question looms large: which sport carries the hefty title of ...6 days ago
- Release: Working together on consistent support for veterans this Anzac Day
Our two-tiered system for veterans’ support is out of step with our closest partners, and all parties in Parliament should work together to fix it, Labour veterans’ affairs spokesperson Greg O’Connor said. ...1 day ago - Release: Penny drops – but what about Seymour and Peters?Stripping two Ministers of their portfolios just six months into the job shows Christopher Luxon’s management style is lacking, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said. ...1 day ago
- Release: Budget blunder shows Nicola Willis could cut recovery fundingIt appears Nicola Willis is about to pull the rug out from under the feet of local communities still dealing with the aftermath of last year’s severe weather, and local councils relying on funding to build back from these disasters. ...2 days ago
- Further environmental mismanagement on the cards
The Government’s resource management reforms will add to the heavy and ever-growing burden this Government is loading on to our environment. ...2 days ago - Release: RMA changes will be a disaster for environmentThe Government is making short-sighted changes to the Resource Management Act (RMA) that will take away environmental protection in favour of short-term profits, Labour’s environment spokesperson Rachel Brooking said today. ...2 days ago
- Release: Labour supports urgent changes to emergency management systemLabour welcomes the release of the report into the North Island weather events and looks forward to working with the Government to ensure that New Zealand is as prepared as it can be for the next natural disaster. ...2 days ago
- Release: Labour calls for New Zealand to recognise PalestineThe Labour Party has called for the New Zealand Government to recognise Palestine, as a material step towards progressing the two-State solution needed to achieve a lasting peace in the region. ...3 days ago
- Release: Three strikes law political posturing of worst kindThe Government is bringing back a law that has little evidential backing just to look tough, Labour justice spokesperson Duncan Webb said. ...3 days ago
- Release: Government cuts unbelievably target child exploitation, violent extremism, ports and airpor...Some of our country’s most important work, stopping the sexual exploitation of children and violent extremism could go along with staff on the frontline at ports and airports. ...3 days ago
- Three strikes has failed before and will fail againResurrecting the archaic three-strikes legislation is an unwelcome return to a failed American-style approach to justice. ...3 days ago
- Release: Environmental protection vital, not ‘onerous’The Government’s Fast Track Approvals Bill will give projects such as new coal mines a ‘get out of jail free’ card to wreak havoc on the environment, Labour Leader Chris Hipkins said today. ...3 days ago
- Release: Govt cuts doctors and nurses in hiring freezeCuts to frontline hospital staff are not only a broken election promise, it shows the reckless tax cuts have well and truly hit the frontline of the health system, says Labour Health spokesperson Ayesha Verrall. ...6 days ago
- Fast-track submissions period must be extendedThe Green Party has joined the call for public submissions on the fast-track legislation to be extended after the Ombudsman forced the Government to release the list of organisations invited to apply just hours before submissions close. ...6 days ago
- Release: Progress on climate will be undone by GovtNew Zealand’s good work at reducing climate emissions for three years in a row will be undone by the National government’s lack of ambition and scrapping programmes that were making a difference, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said today. ...6 days ago
- Release: Dark day for Kiwi kids as a third of Govt cuts affect themNews that 1000 jobs at the Ministry of Education and Oranga Tamariki could go is devastating for future generations of New Zealanders. ...1 week 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 week 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. ...1 week ago
- Government throws coal on the climate crisis fireThe Government’s policy announced today to ease consenting for coal mining will have a lasting impact across generations. ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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. ...1 week 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Landlord Government leaves little hope for rentersThe Government’s announcement on tenancy rules prove that it does not care about renters. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets lame and lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks ago
- Luxon targets are lousy example of leadershipIf talk is cheap, Chris Luxon’s “targets” are bankrupt. ...2 weeks 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. ...2 weeks 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. ...3 weeks ago
- Anzac Commemorative Address – Dawn Service, Gallipoli, Türkiye
Mai ia tawhiti pamamao, te moana nui a Kiwa, kua tae whakaiti mai matou, ki to koutou papa whenua. No koutou te tapuwae, no matou te tapuwae, kua honoa pumautia. Ko nga toa kua hinga nei, o te Waipounamu, o te Ika a Maui, he okioki tahi me o ...5 hours ago - PM announces changes to portfoliosPaul Goldsmith will take on responsibility for the Media and Communications portfolio, while Louise Upston will pick up the Disability Issues portfolio, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced today. “Our Government is relentlessly focused on getting New Zealand back on track. As issues change in prominence, I plan to adjust Ministerial ...1 day ago
- New catch limits for unique fishery areasRecreational catch limits will be reduced in areas of Fiordland and the Chatham Islands to help keep those fisheries healthy and sustainable, Oceans and Fisheries Minister Shane Jones says. The lower recreational daily catch limits for a range of finfish and shellfish species caught in the Fiordland Marine Area and ...1 day ago
- Minister welcomes hydrogen milestoneEnergy Minister Simeon Brown has welcomed an important milestone in New Zealand’s hydrogen future, with the opening of the country’s first network of hydrogen refuelling stations in Wiri. “I want to congratulate the team at Hiringa Energy and its partners K one W one (K1W1), Mitsui & Co New Zealand ...2 days ago
- Urgent changes to system through first RMA Amendment BillThe coalition Government is delivering on its commitment to improve resource management laws and give greater certainty to consent applicants, with a Bill to amend the Resource Management Act (RMA) expected to be introduced to Parliament next month. RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop has today outlined the first RMA Amendment ...2 days ago
- Overseas decommissioning models consideredOverseas models for regulating the oil and gas sector, including their decommissioning regimes, are being carefully scrutinised as a potential template for New Zealand’s own sector, Resources Minister Shane Jones says. The Coalition Government is focused on rebuilding investor confidence in New Zealand’s energy sector as it looks to strengthen ...2 days ago
- Release of North Island Severe Weather Event InquiryEmergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell has today released the Report of the Government Inquiry into the response to the North Island Severe Weather Events. “The report shows that New Zealand’s emergency management system is not fit-for-purpose and there are some significant gaps we need to address,” Mr Mitchell ...2 days ago
- Justice Minister to attend Human Rights CouncilJustice Minister Paul Goldsmith is today travelling to Europe where he’ll update the United Nations Human Rights Council on the Government’s work to restore law and order. “Attending the Universal Periodic Review in Geneva provides us with an opportunity to present New Zealand’s human rights progress, priorities, and challenges, while ...3 days ago
- Patterson reopens world’s largest wool scouring facilityAssociate Agriculture Minister, Mark Patterson, formally reopened the world’s largest wool processing facility today in Awatoto, Napier, following a $50 million rebuild and refurbishment project. “The reopening of this facility will significantly lift the economic opportunities available to New Zealand’s wool sector, which already accounts for 20 per cent of ...3 days ago
- Speech to the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective Summit, 18 April 2024Hon Andrew Bayly, Minister for Small Business and Manufacturing At the Southland Otago Regional Engineering Collective (SOREC) Summit, 18 April, Dunedin Ngā mihi nui, Ko Andrew Bayly aho, Ko Whanganui aho Good Afternoon and thank you for inviting me to open your summit today. I am delighted ...3 days ago
- Government to introduce revised Three Strikes lawThe Government is delivering on its commitment to bring back the Three Strikes legislation, Associate Justice Minister Nicole McKee announced today. “Our Government is committed to restoring law and order and enforcing appropriate consequences on criminals. We are making it clear that repeat serious violent or sexual offending is not ...3 days ago
- New diplomatic appointmentsForeign Minister Winston Peters has today announced four new diplomatic appointments for New Zealand’s overseas missions. “Our diplomats have a vital role in maintaining and protecting New Zealand’s interests around the world,” Mr Peters says. “I am pleased to announce the appointment of these senior diplomats from the ...3 days ago
- Humanitarian support for Ethiopia and SomaliaNew Zealand is contributing NZ$7 million to support communities affected by severe food insecurity and other urgent humanitarian needs in Ethiopia and Somalia, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced today. “Over 21 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance across Ethiopia, with a further 6.9 million people ...3 days ago
- Arts Minister congratulates Mataaho CollectiveMinister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Paul Goldsmith is congratulating Mataaho Collective for winning the Golden Lion for best participant in the main exhibition at the Venice Biennale. "Congratulations to the Mataaho Collective for winning one of the world's most prestigious art prizes at the Venice Biennale. “It is good ...4 days ago
- Supporting better financial outcomes for KiwisThe Government is reforming financial services to improve access to home loans and other lending, and strengthen customer protections, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Andrew Bayly and Housing Minister Chris Bishop announced today. “Our coalition Government is committed to rebuilding the economy and making life simpler by cutting red tape. We are ...4 days ago
- Trade relationship with China remains strong“China remains a strong commercial opportunity for Kiwi exporters as Chinese businesses and consumers continue to value our high-quality safe produce,” Trade and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says. Mr McClay has returned to New Zealand following visits to Beijing, Harbin and Shanghai where he met ministers, governors and mayors and engaged in trade and agricultural events with the New ...4 days ago
- PM’s South East Asia mission does the businessPrime Minister Christopher Luxon has completed a successful trip to Singapore, Thailand and the Philippines, deepening relationships and capitalising on opportunities. Mr Luxon was accompanied by a business delegation and says the choice of countries represents the priority the New Zealand Government places on South East Asia, and our relationships in ...5 days ago
- $41m to support clean energy in South East AsiaNew Zealand is demonstrating its commitment to reducing global greenhouse emissions, and supporting clean energy transition in South East Asia, through a contribution of NZ$41 million (US$25 million) in climate finance to the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-led Energy Transition Mechanism (ETM). Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Climate Change Minister Simon Watts announced ...6 days ago
- Minister releases Fast-track stakeholder listThe Government is today releasing a list of organisations who received letters about the Fast-track applications process, says RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop. “Recently Ministers and agencies have received a series of OIA requests for a list of organisations to whom I wrote with information on applying to have a ...6 days ago
- Judicial appointments announcedAttorney-General Judith Collins today announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister David Jonathan Boldt as a Judge of the High Court, and the Honourable Justice Matthew Palmer as a Judge of the Court of Appeal. Justice Boldt graduated with an LLB from Victoria University of Wellington in 1990, and also holds ...6 days ago
- Education Minister heads to major teaching summit in SingaporeEducation Minister Erica Stanford will lead the New Zealand delegation at the 2024 International Summit on the Teaching Profession (ISTP) held in Singapore. The delegation includes representatives from the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) Te Wehengarua and the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) Te Riu Roa. The summit is co-hosted ...6 days ago
- Value of stopbank project proven during cycloneA stopbank upgrade project in Tairawhiti partly funded by the Government has increased flood resilience for around 7000ha of residential and horticultural land so far, Regional Development Minister Shane Jones says. Mr Jones today attended a dawn service in Gisborne to mark the end of the first stage of the ...6 days ago
- Anzac commemorations, Türkiye relationship focus of visitForeign Affairs Minister Winston Peters will represent the Government at Anzac Day commemorations on the Gallipoli Peninsula next week and engage with senior representatives of the Turkish government in Istanbul. “The Gallipoli campaign is a defining event in our history. It will be a privilege to share the occasion ...6 days ago
- Minister to Europe for OECD meeting, Anzac DayScience, Innovation and Technology and Defence Minister Judith Collins will next week attend the OECD Science and Technology Ministerial conference in Paris and Anzac Day commemorations in Belgium. “Science, innovation and technology have a major role to play in rebuilding our economy and achieving better health, environmental and social outcomes ...6 days ago
- Comprehensive Partnership the goal for NZ and the PhilippinesPrime Minister Christopher Luxon held a bilateral meeting today with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The Prime Minister was accompanied by MP Paulo Garcia, the first Filipino to be elected to a legislature outside the Philippines. During today’s meeting, Prime Minister Luxon and President Marcos Jr discussed opportunities to ...7 days ago
- Government commits $20m to Westport flood protectionThe Government has announced that $20 million in funding will be made available to Westport to fund much needed flood protection around the town. This measure will significantly improve the resilience of the community, says Local Government Minister Simeon Brown. “The Westport community has already been allocated almost $3 million ...1 week ago
- Taupō takes pole positionThe Government is proud to support the first ever Repco Supercars Championship event in Taupō as up to 70,000 motorsport fans attend the Taupō International Motorsport Park this weekend, says Economic Development Minister Melissa Lee. “Anticipation for the ITM Taupō Super400 is huge, with tickets and accommodation selling out weeks ...1 week ago
- Cost of living support for low-income homeownersLocal 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 ...1 week 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 - ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 ...1 week 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 week 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 week 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 week 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 week 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 ...1 week 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, ...1 week 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 ...1 week ago
- 200 journalists ‘targeted’ over their environment reporting, warns RSF
Pacific Media Watch Journalists who report on environmental issues are encountering growing difficulties in many parts of the world, reports Reporters Without Borders. According to the tally kept by RSF, 200 journalists have been subjected to threats and physical violence, including murder, in the past 10 years because they were ...54 mins ago - Bryce Edwards Analysis – Luxon’s ruthless show of strength is perfect for our angry eraAnalysis by Dr Bryce Edwards, Democracy Project (https://democracyproject.nz) Political scientist, Dr Bryce Edwards. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has surprised everyone with his ruthlessness in sacking two of his ministers from their crucial portfolios. Removing ministers for poor performance after only five months in the job just doesn’t normally happen in ...1 hour ago
- David Seymour: Auckland Grammar School ANZAC Day Address
This speech was delivered to Auckland Grammar students, family, Old Boys, and staff on ANZAC Day 2024 by David Seymour ’97, MP for Epsom. ...2 hours ago - David Seymour: Auckland Grammar School ANZAC Day AddressThis speech was delivered to Auckland Grammar students, family, Old Boys, and staff on ANZAC Day 2024 by David Seymour ’97, MP for Epsom. ...2 hours ago
- Inflation is slowly falling while student debt is climbing: 6 graphs that explain the CPISource: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By John Hawkins, Senior Lecturer, Canberra School of Politics, Economics and Society, University of Canberra BagzhanSadvakassov/Upsplash, CC BY-SA Australia’s inflation rate has fallen for the fifth successive quarter, and it’s now less than half of what it was back in late 2022. ...2 hours ago
- Response To ANZAC Day ProtestsACT's Rural Communities and Veterans spokesman Mark Cameron responds to cancellations and protests of ANZAC Day commemorations in Wellington. He says, "These pitiful attempts to detract from ANZAC Day are not at all indicative of the feelings of mainstream ...3 hours ago
- Claimants want Children's Minister to front up kanohi ki te kanohi (face to face)
Waitangi Tribunal claimants will appeal a High Court decision to overturn a summons order from the Tribunal for Children's Minister Karen Chhour. ...3 hours ago - ‘It bucked our lads up wonderfully’: the lightning-quick battle that marked the birth of the US-...Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Meighen McCrae, Associate Professor of Strategic & Defence Studies, Australian National University American and Australian stretcher bearers working together near the front line during the Battle of Hamel in 1918. Australian War Memorial While the AUKUS alliance is new, the Australian-American partnership ...4 hours ago
- GCSB refuses to release details of spy deal 'to protect interests'The spy agency is refusing to release a copy of its deal with a foreign agency to run a secret operation out of this country. ...5 hours ago
- Die In for Palestine Marks ANZAC dayPōneke based peace activists staged a silent protest at the ANZAC day service to highlight New Zealand’s complicity in war and genocide, and urge the government to take concrete steps to stop the genocide in Palestine. ...5 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)