The Many Faces of US Politics...

[tyssam5]

was only going to b 1 outcome. Romney was a poor selection to run.
Does this mean Hilary will be closer in 2016?

If they put forward hilary in 2016 she will lose. Chris Christie is a shoe in for the Republicans as a candidate in 2016

With Bill in her corner why would you think that?

[thejuice]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006qk11

American "exceptionalism" discussed on BBC's Moral Maze.

It's an interesting subject although I found this debate a deeply flawed because those debating couldn't seem to agree on what was being debated, ideals or policy. It gets stuck in the wrong gear before it gets going, as they can't decide if criticism of American government policies is an attack on "Western values".  Though some interesting points are made those debating probably agree with each other, unfortunately they couldn't agree on what actually was being debated.

When discussing the morality of the war on terror, it really seems to depend on which narrative you start out from suits your political instincts. You can look at these wars from the angle of self defense, justice and "freedom". Or look at it from a standpoint of the protection economic and other "interests".

Anyway it's a debate that has to'd and fro'd for the best part of a decade now. Perhaps this is the first real glorious triumph of the crusade of moral relativism. Where there are no winners and the truth like leaves in the autumn breeze.

[NAG1]

This election was won on the Hispanic/ Black & female vote, how are the Republicans ever going to be able to attract that part of the electorate.

The right wing evangelical mainly white male vote will no longer win elections. So what do they do?

There was a lady on who had worked for the Republican party and was still a member and she said they have to lose the racists from within the party if they stand any chance of bouncing back. That is one of their own calling themselves racist, hard to see where they go.

[boojangles]

This election was won on the Hispanic/ Black & female vote, how are the Republicans ever going to be able to attract that part of the electorate.

The right wing evangelical mainly white male vote will no longer win elections. So what do they do?

There was a lady on who had worked for the Republican party and was still a member and she said they have to lose the racists from within the party if they stand any chance of bouncing back. That is one of their own calling themselves racist, hard to see where they go.

Sure most of the KKK called themselves Democrats. How things change.

[Hardy]

I'm not so optimistic that the defeat of Romney will lead to righteous soul searching among the Republicans and a conclusion that their racist, xenophobic, looney-religious leanings are an electoral liability. 

Aren't they just as likely to conclude that this policy platform got damn near 50% of the popular vote for a very weak candidate against a man who was guaranteed practically 100% of the black vote and the huge majority of the young vote – a circumstance they are unlikely to encounter next time?

And when you look at the red-and-white map, doesn't this platform actually reflect accurately the point of view of a near majority of Americans?

Be afraid. A little afraid.

[Edit - sorry that should read "red-and-blue" map]

[Declan]

Interesting stats and graphics in this article -http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324073504578105360833569352.html#project%3DCTYRESULTS2012b%26articleTabs%3Darticle

[southdown]

If Obama was white, would Romney have won?

[LeoMc]

Interesting stats and graphics in this article -http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324073504578105360833569352.html#project%3DCTYRESULTS2012b%26articleTabs%3Darticle

Read the comments section. It is a scary place.

[LeoMc]

To perhaps take this thread in a new direction, how is the upcoming Puerto Rican application for Statehood likely to play out through Congress? Obama has previously said he would support it.

[heganboy]

Whatever happened to Jeb Bush (sic)  recently? Almost sure he speaks Spanish and might be the guy to reverse  back  from the demographic cul de sac the Republicans seem to have driven up.

Any US posters here think he is in with a shot.

Doesn't have a shot at the minute, but as its politics something could happen to change that, but it would need to be drastic

[screenexile]

[ballela-angel]

Whatever happened to Jeb Bush (sic)  recently? Almost sure he speaks Spanish and might be the guy to reverse  back  from the demographic cul de sac the Republicans seem to have driven up.

Any US posters here think he is in with a shot.

I cannot see it happen - The Republicans will remember his dad's broken "no new taxes promise" and the exit polls from this week show that 52 % of the electorate hold George "W" responsible for the economic problems

[The Iceman]

was only going to b 1 outcome. Romney was a poor selection to run.
Does this mean Hilary will be closer in 2016?

If they put forward hilary in 2016 she will lose. Chris Christie is a shoe in for the Republicans as a candidate in 2016

With Bill in her corner why would you think that?

she isn't well liked on the ground from what I hear.

[ballela-angel]

was only going to b 1 outcome. Romney was a poor selection to run.
Does this mean Hilary will be closer in 2016?
If they put forward hilary in 2016 she will lose. Chris Christie is a shoe in for the Republicans as a candidate in 2016

With Bill in her corner why would you think that?
she isn't well liked on the ground from what I hear.

She'll light up the Democrats something wicked and be a lighting rod for the conservative anger - She'll do well with capturing the non-Democratic female vote, and her form so far as Secretary of State will win over a lot of Independentents (most of whom are past registered Republicans unhappy with the right-wing leaning of the current Republican Party)

[FL/MAYO]

Whatever happened to Jeb Bush (sic)  recently? Almost sure he speaks Spanish and might be the guy to reverse  back  from the demographic cul de sac the Republicans seem to have driven up.

Any US posters here think he is in with a shot.

Doesn't have a shot at the minute, but as its politics something could happen to change that, but it would need to be drastic

Jeb is more of a moderate than George W, he was a good Governor here in Florida during his term. His immediate family have some issues though, his wife was caught trying to avoid paying taxes on clothes she was bringing in form overseas plus one of his children has drug issues, not exactly First Family material in the U.S. As Republicans go these days he is a moderate and has come out and criticized the Tea Party long before it was fashionable. When you compare him to GW he speaks well and seems a lot more presidential but having the Bush name is an anchor these days.