What will the pundits cite as the reason why Obama or Romney lost?

[glenn1]

Flash forward one week from today. Election Day has come and gone, with all the votes counted and a winner declared and a weary populace rejoicing at the end of wall-to-wall political advertisements on TV. But wait, that simply begets the next phase, the post-mortem analysis of the election results and the inevitable spinning of why things went the way they did. Of course the strident partisans will offer their own excuses ("he wasn't liberal/conservative enough!" and the like), but what do you think the mainstream media Op-Ed pages will be saying come Wednesday morning that will eventually harden into the conventional wisdom for why the loser came up short?

 

[Agent11]

Romney - Ultra Flipp-floppityness, if you tell a different lie to everyone these days you cannot expect to be taken seriously by anyone that has two brain cells to rub together. Also he ran almost entirely on how badly he hoped the recovery would go, it is going better than he expected.

Obama - Not being aggressive enough in detailing the obstructionism the Republican congress has perpetrated in order to sabotage his presidency, not being as aggressive as he could be in pointing out the lies and flip flops of Romney.

 

[Farang]

Obama - auto bailout, GOTV, possibly a vindication of his policies (see Jonathan Chait starting this narrative, calling Obama a "great" President).

Romney - economy, debate, polling methodology being unsound

 

[CptObvious]

If Obama wins: Romney's 47% remark and his about-face on his positions
If Romney wins: Obama's poor Denver performance and lackluster economy

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

It depends on if we're talking Fox or MSNBC. In the end the majority sees neither candidate as outstanding, and neither will have a clear mandate. There will however be recriminations and sour grapes aplenty.

 

[UberNeuman]

Why not wait a week and find out?

\people always want to open their presents early... you'll get your lump of coal soon enough....

 

[Nemesis 1]

The Best amswer is .The losing voter will say Both guys suck and will begin to tear at the new elect no matter what , With good reason I might add. Obama or Romney same deal differant flavor . I switched to voting for romney because wife is voting repulsive first time ever so I won't cancel her vote . If she voted obummer so would I. Same shit differant day . I still have to stick to the organizations agenda however. We had a good meeting at the nurses home tonight the other meeting went well to I am told . Kinda neat with trick and treaters popping in . With the 2 choices we have . America loses either way . The differance is under Romney . RICH Middle Poor are all going to suffer as I understand his plan. Rich won't suffer no matter what , But to fix this the mmiddle has to suffer as so do the poor . Try taking to much from Rich is only going to get ya dead .

 

[Greenman]

I guess I'm the only weirdo that will think one fellow got more votes than the other.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I guess I'm the only weirdo that will think one fellow got more votes than the other.

Well... one might get more popular votes and lose the election. That would cause the most gawdawful weeping and gnashing of teeth.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

BTW,
I think it's time to ditch the electoral college and have popular elections. In NY there's no point in voting. The overwhelming majority will vote Dem so either way my vote counts for nothing. It's winner take all, and that effectively eliminates any contribution I could make if it's for anyone but a Dem. Hardly representative nationally.

 

[Cattlegod]

hurricane sandy

 

[jackstar7]

BTW,
I think it's time to ditch the electoral college and have popular elections. In NY there's no point in voting. The overwhelming majority will vote Dem so either way my vote counts for nothing. It's winner take all, and that effectively eliminates any contribution I could make if it's for anyone but a Dem. Hardly representative nationally.

13+ states will never let it happen.

 

[yllus]

Right now the media is testing out the storyline that Romney is going to lose Ohio for making desperate last minute attack ads saying that Obama screwed over the country by moving GM and Chrysler manufacturing overseas, particularly to China.

 

[Lemon law]

It depends on if we're talking Fox or MSNBC. In the end the majority sees neither candidate as outstanding, and neither will have a clear mandate. There will however be recriminations and sour grapes aplenty.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Since anyone can claim to be a pundit, why should we limit the only guru's to Fox or MSNBC?

And every time a given pundit picks the wrong winner, there can only be one answer and that lies in the fact the American electorate is stupid.

And if you don't believe me, just watch our many pundits post election.

 

[HomerJS]

My reasons:

Mitt - flip-flopping, ultra pander bear
Obama - 1st debate flop, economy


Media reasons

Mitt - flip flopping, lack of spine. Fox News - blame the MSM
Obama - 1st debate flop, economy

 

[Nemesis 1]

Well... one might get more popular votes and lose the election. That would cause the most gawdawful weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Could cause alot more than that , As blacks and whites clash . The whites won't start it.

 

[HomerJS]

Could cause alot more than that , As blacks and whites clash . The whites won't start it.

Unless there's a hockey game going on

 

[Charles Kozierok]

Obama -- got fewer electoral votes than Romney.

Romney -- got fewer electoral votes than Obama.

 

[Tylanner]

Could cause alot more than that , As blacks and whites clash . The whites won't start it.

Please try to stay on topic (in the current reality also).

If Obama were to win, they would certainly look at the shortfalls of the "bought off the shelf" Romney campaign. He was merely the most visible hair on the tip of the trunk of the elephant. There could not have been less touting of his personal leadership qualities during the past year.

If Romney wins, you'd have to look at the poor execution of a valid "4 year policy" coming into the election year. Obama is begging for more time and another shot, the current situation does not indicate drastic improvement or change. His supremely executed opening bid in 2008 followed by his less than impressive 4 year mark grades would be scrutinized.

 

[Agent11]

Could cause alot more than that , As blacks and whites clash . The whites won't start it.

You heard it here first, get ready for the race war. I bet McVeigh and Manson would have been jealous of your prescience Nemekins.

 

[sportage]

I expect Obama to be the clear winner early on, popular vote as well as electoral.
No 2000 repeat here.
Republican biased news media won't say much for a short time.
But I expect Rush will go on and on how the election was either rigged or stolen by the pro Obama Chicago mob.

And if Mitt Romney should win?
Goodby America, hello Canada.

 

[Hayabusa Rider]

I expect Obama to be the clear winner early on, popular vote as well as electoral.
No 2000 repeat here.
Republican biased news media won't say much for a short time.
But I expect Rush will go on and on how the election was either rigged or stolen by the pro Obama Chicago mob.

And if Mitt Romney should win?
Goodby America, hello Canada.

Naa. If Romney wins you'll speak respectfully of him as you say should be done, at least until you move.

 

[randomrogue]

Romney - flip flops, 47%, last 2 debates, not conservative enough, and all the foot in mouth remarks he has made

Obama - First debate and the economy

I think this is going to be a moot point. I have a feeling we'll all be going to bed early and Romney will be giving his concession speech slightly after midnight.

 

[Jhhnn]

Romney - flip flops, 47%, last 2 debates, not conservative enough, and all the foot in mouth remarks he has made

Obama - First debate and the economy

I think this is going to be a moot point. I have a feeling we'll all be going to bed early and Romney will be giving his concession speech slightly after midnight.

Romney's problem runs a lot deeper, because he's a fraud. That's why there have been so many contradictions & mis-steps in his campaign. Part of that is the disconnect between the radicalized Teahadist base & the rest of America, no doubt. It's a helluva proposition to sell oneself to both sides of that chasm.

 

[xBiffx]

13+ states will never let it happen.

Good thing we only need 34 to change it.