Oklahomans comment on New Hampshire primary results
The political sphere was all abuzz after former Massachusetts governor, Mitt Romney, closed out another victory Tuesday night in the New Hampshire primary. He also became the first Republican–who was not already president–to win both Iowa and New Hampshire.
Romney picked up nearly 46,000 votes, according to the New York Times. He recently defeated former Sen. Rick Santorum in the Iowa caucuses by eight votes a week ago. The margin was much bigger Tuesday night with Santorum receiving less than half that amount. (more…)
The difference in this presidential election
As we learned from 2000, you can win the popular vote but still lose the election. It really is about which states you win.
Looking at the electoral map, some things are pretty clear from this election. Barack Obama made headway in areas where the GOP had previously been strong. And he won in all the right places.
For starters: It appears Obama pulled off a Great Lakes sweep. Indiana still isn’t official, but as of 1 a.m., it’s leaning Obama. The rest of the Great Lakes states — including Ohio (former red state) went for the Democratic candidate.
Next: Obama nearly achieved a sweep of the Eastern Seaboard. South Carolina and Georgia went for John McCain, but every other East Coast state went for Obama. North Carolina, of course, isn’t official at the time of this writing. But it was leaning Obama. It was Bush country in ’04. Florida and Virginia are not in doubt, and these former GOP prizes shifted into the Democrat column.
That pretty much sealed it. McCain couldn’t really afford to lose either Ohio or Florida. But that’s what happened, and then some.
Going back to my introduction, we didn’t have to worry about a repeat of 2000. Obama carried the popular vote as well.
Bob Doucette
Wondering what an Obama presidency might look like?
From AP, a summary of where he stands on some major issues:
ABORTION
Favors abortion rights.
AFGHANISTAN
Would add about 7,000 troops to the U.S. force of 32,000, bringing the reinforcements from Iraq. Has threatened unilateral attack on high-value terrorist targets in Pakistan as they become exposed, “if Pakistan cannot or will not act” against them.
CUBA
Ease restrictions on family-related travel and on money Cuban-Americans want to send to their families in Cuba. Open to meeting new Cuban leader Raul Castro without preconditions. Ease trade embargo if Havana “begins opening Cuba to meaningful democratic change.”
DEATH PENALTY
Supports death penalty for crimes for which the “community is justified in expressing the full measure of its outrage.” As Illinois lawmaker, wrote bill mandating videotaping of interrogations and confessions in capital cases and sought other changes in system that had produced wrongful convictions.
EDUCATION
An $18 billion plan that would encourage, but not mandate, universal pre-kindergarten. Teacher pay raises tied to, although not based solely on, test scores. An overhaul of No Child Left Behind law to better measure student progress, make more room for subjects such as music and art and be less punitive toward failing schools. A tax credit to pay up to $4,000 of college costs for students who perform 100 hours of community service a year. Obama would pay for part of his plan by ending corporate tax deductions for CEO pay. Has backed away from his proposal to save money by delaying NASA’s moon and Mars missions.
ENERGY-GLOBAL WARMING:
Ten-year, $150 billion fund for biofuels, wind, solar, plug-in hybrids, clean-coal technology and other “climate-friendly” measures. Mandatory reductions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases by 80 percent from 1990 levels by 2050, using a market-based, cap-and-trade system that would increase energy costs. Increase federal fuel economy requirements from 35 mpg to 40 mpg. Now would consider limited expansion of offshore oil and gas drilling. Opposes drilling in Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Proposes windfall-profits tax on largest oil companies to pay for energy rebate of up to $1,000. Expand federal requirements for ethanol from 36 million gallons to 60 million gallons a year with increase coming from non-corn sources, and require utilities to produce 25 percent of power from renewable energy such as wind, solar and biomass by 2025. $7,000 tax credit for the purchase of advance-technology vehicles; put 1 million plug-in hybrid cars on road by 2015.
FINANCIAL CRISIS
Two-year plan offering $3,000 tax credit to businesses for each new job created and enabling people to withdraw up to 15 percent of their retirement money, to a maximum of $10,000, without penalty, except for the usual taxes. Would temporarily extend an expiring tax break that lets small businesses immediately write off investments of up to $250,000, and sweeten small-business loans at a cost of about $5 billion. Estimated cost of proposals: $60 billion. Now favors mandatory 90-day freeze on some foreclosures. Lobbied fellow lawmakers to support $700 billion rescue plan. Extend unemployment benefits, offer tax credit covering 10 percent of annual mortgage-interest payments for “struggling homeowners.”
GAY MARRIAGE
Opposes constitutional amendment to ban it. Supports civil unions, says states should decide about marriage. Switched positions in 2004 and now supports repeal of Defense of Marriage Act, which denies federal recognition of same-sex marriages and gives states the right to refuse to recognize such marriages.
GUN CONTROL
Voted to leave gun-makers and dealers open to suit. Also, as Illinois state lawmaker, supported ban on all forms of semiautomatic weapons and tighter state restrictions generally on firearms.
HEALTH CARE
Mandatory coverage for children, no mandate for adults. Aim for universal coverage by requiring larger employers to share costs of insuring workers and by offering coverage similar to that in plan for federal employees. Proposes spending $50 billion on information technology over five years to reduce health care costs over time. Tax Policy Center estimates overall plan’s cost at $1.6 trillion over 10 years.
IMMIGRATION
Voted for 2006 bill offering legal status to illegal immigrants subject to conditions, including English proficiency and payment of back taxes and fines. Voted for border fence.
IRAN
Initially said he would meet President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad without preconditions, now says he’s not sure “Ahmadinejad is the right person to meet with right now.” But says direct diplomacy with Iranian leaders would give U.S. more credibility to press for tougher international sanctions. Says he would intensify diplomatic pressure on Tehran before Israel feels the need to take unilateral military action against Iranian nuclear facilities.
IRAQ
Spoke against war at start, opposed troop increase. Voted against one major military spending bill in May 2007; otherwise voted in favor of money to support the war. Says his plan would complete withdrawal of combat troops in 16 months. Initially had said a timetable for completing withdrawal would be irresponsible without knowing what facts he’d face in office.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Would raise payroll tax on wealthiest by applying it to portion of income over $250,000. Now, payroll tax is applied to income up to $102,000. Rules out raising the retirement age for benefits.
STEM CELL RESEARCH
Supports relaxing federal restrictions on financing of embryonic stem cell research.
TAXES
Raise income taxes on families making over $250,000 and individuals making over $200,000. Raise corporate taxes. $80 billion in tax breaks mainly for poor workers and elderly, including tripling Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credit for larger families. Eliminate tax-filing requirement for older workers making under $50,000. A mortgage-interest credit could be used by lower-income homeowners who do not take the mortgage-interest deduction because they do not itemize their taxes. Nonpartisan Tax Policy Center estimates tax break of $1,118 for the middle 20 percent of taxpayers — those making $37,600 to $66,400.
TRADE
Seek to reopen North American Free Trade Agreement to strengthen enforcement of labor and environmental standards. In 2004 Senate campaign, called for “enforcing existing trade agreements,” not amending them.
CBS, CNN project Obama as president elect
This one doesn’t seem to be in doubt as Obama is projected to have more than enough electoral votes to become America’s first black president.
Another red state goes blue
Iowa goes to Obama, says CNN, AP. McCain takes Utah, which was no real surprise.
Game-breaker?
CNN projects Obama the winner in Ohio. This large delegate state went GOP in the last two elections. This could be it for the McCain presidential bid, barring some major breaks elsewhere.
Obama is also holding a 4-point lead in Florida with 55 percent of that state’s precincts reporting. His lead is about 170,000 votes there.
Results slow, but trends developing
Latest presidential, congressional tallies from the state Election Board:
FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT 488 OF 2231
JOHN McCAIN REP 199,481 64.75%
BARACK OBAMA DEM 108,596 35.25%
FOR U.S. SENATOR 488 OF 2231
JIM INHOFE REP 155,708 54.78%
ANDREW RICE DEM 116,877 41.12%
STEPHEN P. WALLACE IND 11,672 4.11%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 1 36 OF 349
JOHN SULLIVAN REP 21,162 60.55%
GEORGIANNA W. OLIVER DEM 13,788 39.45%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 2 190 OF 570
RAYMOND J. WICKSON REP 28,727 30.04%
DAN BOREN DEM 66,900 69.96%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 3 150 OF 571
FRANK D. LUCAS REP 47,644 71.23%
FRANKIE ROBBINS DEM 14,207 21.24%
FORREST MICHAEL IND 5,037 7.53%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 4 58 OF 416
TOM COLE REP 18,261 65.54%
BLAKE CUMMINGS DEM 8,453 30.34%
DAVID E. JOYCE IND 1,150 4.13%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 5 58 OF 330
MARY FALLIN REP 35,378 62.09%
STEVEN L. PERRY DEM 21,598 37.91%
Presidential breakdown, county by county so far
From AP:
Here are the latest, unofficial returns from Oklahoma by county in the race for president.
| TP | PR | Obama | McCain | |
| Adair | 18 | 3 | 418 | 874 |
| Alfalfa | 11 | 1 | 56 | 255 |
| Atoka | 15 | 1 | 256 | 495 |
| Beaver | 9 | 1 | 41 | 356 |
| Beckham | 13 | 1 | 210 | 728 |
| Blaine | 11 | 1 | 135 | 478 |
| Bryan | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Caddo | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Canadian | 53 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Carter | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cherokee | 26 | 1 | 1,688 | 1,837 |
| Choctaw | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cimarron | 7 | 1 | 44 | 331 |
| Cleveland | 91 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Coal | 12 | 1 | 95 | 265 |
| Comanche | 43 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cotton | 12 | 4 | 288 | 859 |
| Craig | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Creek | 43 | 1 | 1,359 | 2,958 |
| Custer | 13 | 1 | 455 | 1,173 |
| Delaware | 22 | 1 | 771 | 1,363 |
| Dewey | 11 | 3 | 79 | 429 |
| Ellis | 10 | 1 | 60 | 198 |
| Garfield | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Garvin | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grady | 42 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grant | 10 | 1 | 71 | 231 |
| Greer | 16 | 1 | 83 | 227 |
| Harmon | 8 | 2 | 131 | 239 |
| Harper | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Haskell | 17 | 3 | 333 | 697 |
| Hughes | 16 | 1 | 247 | 415 |
| Jackson | 19 | 1 | 509 | 1,508 |
| Jefferson | 11 | 1 | 127 | 248 |
| Johnston | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kay | 34 | 1 | 585 | 1,348 |
| Kingfisher | 17 | 2 | 296 | 1,499 |
| Kiowa | 14 | 0 | 181 | 370 |
| Latimer | 13 | 3 | 780 | 426 |
| LeFlore | 39 | 1 | 591 | 1,271 |
| Lincoln | 23 | 1 | 469 | 1,316 |
| Logan | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Love | 13 | 1 | 199 | 387 |
| McClain | 26 | 1 | 576 | 1,484 |
| McCurtain | 32 | 1 | 334 | 687 |
| McIntosh | 17 | 1 | 408 | 526 |
| Major | 14 | 1 | 110 | 457 |
| Marshall | 12 | 3 | 1,126 | 532 |
| Mayes | 26 | 1 | 1,326 | 769 |
| Murray | 12 | 1 | 283 | 549 |
| Muskogee | 33 | 1 | 2,366 | 2,585 |
| Noble | 17 | 1 | 242 | 780 |
| Nowata | 12 | 1 | 197 | 356 |
| Okfuskee | 16 | 1 | 152 | 303 |
| Oklahoma | 305 | 5 | 11,711 | 3,216 |
| Okmulgee | 34 | 5 | 1,413 | 1,385 |
| Osage | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ottawa | 20 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pawnee | 12 | 1 | 292 | 547 |
| Payne | 39 | 1 | 2,569 | 3,477 |
| Pittsburg | 49 | 8 | 1,417 | 2,549 |
| Pontotoc | 26 | 1 | 804 | 1,392 |
| Pottwatome | 31 | 3 | 1,695 | 3,101 |
| Pushmataha | 17 | 1 | 141 | 400 |
| Rger Mills | 10 | 0 | 57 | 274 |
| Rogers | 34 | 1 | 1,866 | 3,694 |
| Seminole | 16 | 1 | 417 | 741 |
| Sequoyah | 33 | 3 | 869 | 1,826 |
| Stephens | 29 | 1 | 746 | 2,170 |
| Texas | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tillman | 10 | 1 | 174 | 361 |
| Tulsa | 273 | 3 | 7,801 | 3,619 |
| Wagoner | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Washington | 24 | 0 | 1,349 | 2,826 |
| Washita | 13 | 1 | 151 | 475 |
| Woods | 8 | 1 | 218 | 583 |
| Woodward | 15 | 1 | 283 | 1,125 |
| Totals | 2,231 | 92 | 51,650 | 65,570 |
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Updated president, congressional results
From the state Election Board. Inhofe regains lead over Rice.
FOR PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT 144 OF 2231
JOHN McCAIN REP 75,615 58.84%
BARACK OBAMA DEM 52,895 41.16%
FOR U.S. SENATOR 144 OF 2231
JIM INHOFE REP 59,829 50.99%
ANDREW RICE DEM 53,117 45.27%
STEPHEN P. WALLACE IND 4,388 3.74%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 1 6 OF 349
JOHN SULLIVAN REP 7,077 46.42%
GEORGIANNA W. OLIVER DEM 8,170 53.58%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 2 33 OF 570
RAYMOND J. WICKSON REP 6,996 30.52%
DAN BOREN DEM 15,927 69.48%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 3 70 OF 571
FRANK D. LUCAS REP 23,734 68.65%
FRANKIE ROBBINS DEM 8,661 25.05%
FORREST MICHAEL IND 2,178 6.30%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 4 20 OF 416
TOM COLE REP 8,431 65.17%
BLAKE CUMMINGS DEM 3,962 30.63%
DAVID E. JOYCE IND 543 4.20%
FOR U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT NO. 5 19 OF 330
MARY FALLIN REP 16,756 54.39%
STEVEN L. PERRY DEM 14,052 45.61%
Big swing state goes for Obama
AP, CNN and Politico all call Pensylvania for Obama. This state went Democrat in 2004 as well, but it is perceived as one of those key states needed for either candidate to win. Politico is also showing with 42 percent of precincts reporting in Florida, Obama is maintaining a 3 percent lead there. That lead has shrunk through the night, however. North Carolina, which just booted out incumbent GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole, is showing a 5-point lead for Obama. North Carolina has been a solidly GOP state in the last two elections.
– Bob Doucette
