Why did Mitt Romney lose the election?

1. 73

   adjkp25posted 12 years ago

   Why did Mitt Romney lose the election?
   
   Why do you think he lost?  Was it his policies, VP, Sandy or???
   
   Let's please keep this political and not get into name calling or other non-productive things.

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2. 95

   Robephilesposted 12 years ago

   Romney was in a lot of ways the absolute worst candidate you could have after a financial collapse, a very wealthy corporate raider.   When you consider that, it is amazing that he did as well as he did. 
   
   I think his campaign tried to be too vague, which made voters go with the incumbent. 
   
   His immigration policies during the primaries cost him the Latino vote, which may have tilted Virginia, Colorado, Nevada and Florida for Obama. 
   
   His opposition to the auto bailout made it difficult for him to win Michigan or Ohio. 
   
   His line about "borrowing money from your parents" cost him with young voters. 
   
   And the GOP trying to suppress the vote of African Americans actually got them fired up again, even though they have been disappointed in Obama.

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   1. 47

      Suec88sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Bush did pretty well until he had to deal with a democratic congress. That 's what ruined the economy, not Bush.   It would be hard to find a , "worst candidate" cosidering the opposition . U mean it can  can get worse than it is now?

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   2. 66

      lupineposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Bush left this country in the worst state ever, and did you really believe Obama or anyone else could clean it up in 4 years? It can always get worse. Of couse, we all want it to get better.

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   3. 68

      LandmarkWealthposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The economic crash was primarily the result of the GSE's subsizing the MBS market.  Bush's Adm was the first to even hold hearnings to reform the GSE's, how quickly we forget....Lets go to the video tape http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzCG80Wz4mg

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   4. 79

      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The worst state ever? I'd be surprised by that claim, but since they stopped teaching history in the schools I guess I'm not.

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   5. 95

      Robephilesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      @Suec88s
      
      Anybody who thinks the Democratic congress crashed the economy in two years is a moron.   What I meant by "worst candidate" is that in terms of how to sell him to the public.  I feel like I am talking to children!

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3. 79

   Attikosposted 12 years ago

   Two blunders and a backstab:
   The nomination of Paul Ryan brought in no votes Romney would not otherwise have had, and muzzling him to the campaign's moderate themes undercut his ability to reassure the libertarian conservatives and TEA partiers of Romney's good intentions. His selection and handling was a waste of what should have been an asset to the ticket.
   Romney himself pulled his punches following Debate I. He thought he would win by default, and so his first objective was to avoid offending voters. The result was a campaign with no stimulating issues and no inspiration, depressing retardican turnout.
   Chris Christie was handed a rare political opportunity by Hurricane Sandy. He had a chance to open the door for Obama to get up off the mat and back into the fight, thereby sinking Romney and clearing the way for his own presidential campaign in 2016. He jumped at it.
   Romney had a good chance of winning because much of America has come to detest Obama over the last four years. As the representative of the northeast urban corridor business world and the Washington retardican establishment, both of which would rather throw an election than lose control, he was never trusted by the people in flyover country, but he still could have won the game had he played the last few innings well. He did not. Three strikes, Romney, two of them your own errors and one a shove from behind by your own teammate, and you're out.

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   1. 95

      Robephilesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that the Ryan choice was a horrible one.  It was bad partially for the same reason as Palin (courting people who already vote Republican) and because Ryan did not make up for Romney's weaknesses but emphasized them.

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   2. 61

      cascolyposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      obama was leading going before the hurricane4.  christie's acknowledgement of  the federal response didn't cost romney the election - it was the negative and dishonest way the campaign was run. 
      
      the rest is just sour grapes.

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   3. 79

      Attikosposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Not even Chris Matthews agrees with you on that point, cascoly.

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   4. 68

      LandmarkWealthposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Negative ???  wasn't the Obama campaign the one that accussed Romney of causing a women to die of cancer.

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4. 0

   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Because he was a flip flopper, A broken record that repeated himself over and over about what he had done for Massachusetts. He was also a chameleon changing his colors to suit the mood of the crowd in which he was speaking to.

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   1. 0

      Larry Wallposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      "I know what to do and I know how to do it." That was Romney's theme but he never told us what he was going to do it nor how he was going to do it. The people wanted more than rhetoric from him, but that was all he provided.

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   2. 0

      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Agree Mr. Wall.

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   3. 47

      Suec88sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It wasn't rhetoric , Romney was a proven commodity. Americans see a familiar name and vote. What does it matter if Romney is a flip flipper if his opponent is?  Have to fight fire with fire.  Actually , he was a breath of fresh air .

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5. 68

   LandmarkWealthposted 12 years ago

   He lost because most people who are "Swing Voters" vote based on popularity and not substance.  From a policy perspective those on the right or the left who follow political issues year round will not be influenced by the ideas of the other side.  They already know what they believe and support.  Yet you had two completely opposing views and yet some people where still undecided just before the election.  That can only suggest they are not particulary informed.  So essentially elections come down to popularity.  Democrats have far more advocates in the media and Hollywood and will always have an advantage in national elections.  In the mid terms however the republicans tend to do better in recent years because their voting block is bigger when we look at people who pay attention to issues all year long and vote consistently
   . 
   From a policy perspective Democrats did a good job of playing the class warfare card.  They have convinced middle class voters that if their employer is taxed more, they'll somehow want to expand their economic activity. In recent years the class warfare card has worked very well.  We have slowly moved over the last 3 decades or so to a society that expects the gov't to give you things and not take into account who or what it takes to provide these things. So the Obama rhetoric sells.   I have said for years that personal responsibility in our nation is dying a slow death.  America is slowly moving towards a European style social democracy where 10% unemployment is the norm.  While that's not something I want to live under.  I personally am not worried about it.  The guy on the bread line is the one who needs to worry.  Extremely successful people will always find a way to make money.  The 9-5 guy is the one who tends to suffer from expanding gov't influence.
   
   Additionally democrats also did a great job of scaring women into believing nonsense like they can't buy birth control if republicans win. But this stuff sells in the world of American Idol politics
   
   Republicans did a terrible job of articulating the benefits of real tax reform to the nation as a whole.  Romney unlike Bush was a better speaker.  But still not very good at communicating with the average American who isn't well versed in economic theories.  And that is the only way to combat to the class warfare card.  You have to be able to articulate an economic position in simple terms for the average guy to understand.

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   1. 95

      Robephilesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Most undecided voters at the end of an election stay home rather than vote at all, though I agree with you that swing voters are less informed, even while I disagree with nearly everything else you say.

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   2. 68

      LandmarkWealthposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      The turnout was high so very few stayed home this time around.

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   3. 74

      fitmomposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Do we know what the turnout was? I was hoping to hear that fact and haven't yet.

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   4. 68

      LandmarkWealthposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, turnout was high among independents and democrats.  Yet 3 million republicans stayed home.  They simply felt Romney was not a real conservative.  Maybe they're right. McCain got more republican votes than Romney.

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   5. 70

      Ralph Deedsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      http://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/18/opini … mp;emc=rss
      
      As a lifelong Republican whose first vote was cast for Barry Goldwater, in 1964, I have seen my party hijacked by the religious ri

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   6. 68

      LandmarkWealthposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thats a tough case to make when Romeny who is a massachusetts moderate got the nomination.

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   7. 95

      Robephilesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Lets see  2008  Obama 69, 498, 215     McCain  59, 948,240
      2012  Obama 63, 470,175     Romney 59, 646, 883
      
      If you look at these numbers you can see the claim that the Republican turnout was down and the Democrat and Independents was up, is total BS.

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6. 68

   safiq ali patelposted 12 years ago

   I think it is something to do with diversity of a lack of it in the Republican party. The United States today is a multi ethnic, multi class nation. The republicans need to choose a candidate who talks the languages of many races and classes not just the middle class. They say America is the melting pot of the world. Republicans must draw on the new demographics of America if they are to stay in the race.
   Having said all of that Mitt Romney still pulled in over 47% of the votes. This is a good robust showing for Mitt Romney and for republicans. Mitt Romney didn't go to the white house. But he sure pulled in a large section of supporter nevertheless. Romney talks well, he shone in the debates and his campaign had exciting class. But he's just seen as too white and too traditional. The youth of today, the trendsetters of today and fashion today are all multi ethnic. Not just white, but white and gay or black and christian. Romney just needed to weave in a little Ghetto Class. As he was Romney was perhaps a little too white and conservative and a world that is gay, multi racial and trendy. But okay he may not have the slick following or image that Barrack Obama sports. Never the less it has to be said Mitt Romney lost be he led a stunning campaign. Maybe Mitt Romney and America's Republicans just are not black enough and gay enough to get that crucial 52% to 54% they needed to make it to the white house.
   A lesson for the future for the Republicans is diversify. Become black, white, Hispanic, Indian, gay and friendly. Just being friendly and middle class white is no longer enough to get you to the white house whatever your name.
   So for victory in 2016 the republicans need to allow the new Americans to be a party of the campaign and leadership.
   And a tribute to Mitt Romney. He was, nevertheless amazing.

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   1. 48

      DrRayEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Good points. It was Romney's to lose. Obama did not have more than 52% in any battleground state. 80% of blacks, Latinos and women drank the social-issue Koolaid instead of paying attention to the only important one--the economy. 4 more years--ugh!

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7. 58

   GNelsonposted 12 years ago

   Romney changes his mind on issues with the latest polls.  Once you have stood on every side of an issue, it is hard to get people to belive you mean what you say.  Mass. didn't even want him back.  Many of his ideas have been proven wrong like tax cuts for the wealthy creat jobs.  Ryan was a disaster.

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   1. 47

      Suec88sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Reagonomics worked, which  would have been promoted by Romney. Everyone is a conservative because we all want to balance even our own budget. Romney just changed his mind cuz different times call for different solutions. If he stuck to his principles

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8. 90

   Sherry Hewinsposted 12 years ago

   I think there were a lot of reasons, lack of appeal to young people and Latinos played a role. The gender gap also was a factor. I think a lot of women had trouble voting for him because of his attitude toward contraception, Planned Parenthood and abortion. Those things are not theoretical, they affect the lives of women.
   
   If people were certain that he had the magic answer to fix the economy, they probably would have held their nose and voted for him anyway. But the economy did crash during the Bush years, so would a return to those policies some how turn things around?

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   1. 47

      Suec88sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Romney would shave been a president for all , just as he was in the diverse stae of Massachusetts. He has already proved that he can relate to all by doing things for people many of us never will and possibly wouldn't if we had the time an Money.

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   2. 48

      DrRayEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Obama's claim that Romney opposes womens reproductive rights is a lie.  He, along with the LDS Church, leave contraception up to the individual.  While he personally opposes abortion, he did nothing in MA to stop it.  Govt. funding of PP is wrong.

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9. 74

   Junaid Ghaniposted 12 years ago

   Because he believed on number of votes and his opponent believed on success.

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   1. 47

      Suec88sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Why can't Obama be as transparent as Bush was?  Obama is more like Bush, but worse , than any other president.

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10. 70

    Ralph Deedsposted 12 years ago

    Romney was caught between the Tea Party wing of the GOP and the views of the majority of American voters. His kowtowing to the Tea Party during the primaries turned off many voters, especially women, Hispanics and young people. His attempts to move toward the middle didn't ring true. His position on the auto bailout was incorrect and hurt him in Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin and Indiana, all dependent on the auto industry. Finally, he had a hard time connecting with ordinary Americans, coming across with an overblown sense of entitlement and a lack of sympathy for nearly half (47%) of ordinary Americans.

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    1. 68

       LandmarkWealthposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       His position on the auto bailout was exactly correct.  All the president was put off the problem. Those companies are in worse shape now because they never dealt with the real problem and are still strangled with legacy costs.

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    2. 47

       Suec88sposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Romney ddnt flip flop, he just changed his ideas in a changing world. If he didn't flip flop, he would be called rigid and inflexible by a biased media, that feeds propaganda. Romney would have been a president for everyone, as he was a governer for

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    3. 58

       GNelsonposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Romney ran an unorganized campaign.  Obama was much better organized.  How do you want the country run?  I voted for organized.  You are 100% right on the auto bailout as was Obama.

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    4. 68

       LandmarkWealthposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       His campaign was not disorganized at all.  And the Automakers that were bailed out are in worse shape now because they didn't fix any of there problems.  Both companies are being run like a mob run bust out with taxpayer dollars.

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11. 66

    lupineposted 12 years ago

    Romney lacked social appeal and true integrity. I think people just thought he could not be trusted enough...not sure exactly where he stood.

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    1. 48

       DrRayEposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Romney has more integrity in his little finger than any candidate in recent memory.  Politics is a dirty business, and the Obama campaign lied its way to victory with its War on Women and class warfare.  4 more years of stagnation and foodstamps.

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    2. 66

       lupineposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Romney may have integrity, but those opposing portrayed him as not having much and did a good job at it...I agree, politics is a dirty business and those winning know just what to do to get there. Just a friendly comment.

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    3. 95

       Robephilesposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Romney has no integrity PERIOD!  He helped people as Governor of Massachusetts and then ran against himself for president.  What kind of a man would do such a thing?

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12. 60

    GStampposted 12 years ago

    3 reasons
    
    1. Out of touch with the average American
    2. Demographics
    3. He seemed to be in the eyes of many a liar/flip flopper

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13. 85

    nanderson500posted 12 years ago

    It takes a very strong candidate to defeat an incumbent president. Romney just wasn't appealing enough. The only people who have defeated elected incumbent presidents in a general election in the last seventy years (ie not counting Gerald Ford, who wasn't elected president or Lyndon Johnson who dropped out in '68) were Ronald Reagan and Bill Clinton. Both of them have become two of the most popular and iconic presidents of recent American history. Romney was no Reagan or Clinton, no matter how much praise he lavished upon them. Paul Ryan was also a weak choice, if I was him I would have gone with Marco Rubio. It would have helped him with Latinos...maybe. Still not sure if it would have been enough, but it wouldn't have hurt.

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14. 60

    GGEniGmaposted 12 years ago

    Because politics are extremely deliberate, and mistakes are very rarely made.  His whole platform was designed from the ground up to further divide people, and give people a sense of accomplishment whenever they "caught" him.  It was a simple act of giving the people the feeling that their opinion mattered, when in fact, the election was done and over with LONG before anyone put in their votes. 
    
    God bless America

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15. 59

    lifetips123posted 12 years ago

    I won’t say that Mr. Romney was a worst candidate as he had gained a good number of American votes and is evident that he is also a good candidate, but some ideas and agenda points are those things, which can’t get fully accepted by all.
    In my opinion the real fact behind the failure of Grand Old Party (GOP) are the misstated stances on social issues and many other areas that deserve to be addressed, which are not at all put into consideration in agenda.
    Also, his failure in the election is not due to his social conservatism, but it is mainly due to the failure to appeal to Latino voters.
    The failure to capitalize biggest opportunities while doing his campaigns is also the main reason for his failure

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16. 0

    CJ Sledgehammerposted 12 years ago

    Let's be real: Romney did not lose something he was never allowed to win. You people need to wake up and smell the Maxwell House. Our officials are not elected - they are appointed. This whole election cycle fiasco is just an elaborate song and dance meant to brainwash and convince the masses that America is a democratic republic with free elections.
    
    We never get to see those who actually run the show...only the public faces they place before us. And, that is the bottom line. As the Prime Minister of England (Benjamin D'Israeli) said in the mid-nineteenth century, " the public would be surprised to know that those running the governments are far different than those they expect." (loose translation).

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