President Obama won crucial swing states last night, earning four more years in office.
The election came down to thousands of votes in states such as Florida, Ohio and Colorado who ultimately decided the fate of the United States for the next four years. The swing states in this election were: Colo., Wis., Ohio, Fla., Va., N.C., N.H., Iowa and Nev. Republican candidate, Mitt Romney was only victorious in North Carolina.
Romney bowed out and gave his concession speech in front of a crowd of supporters.
“The nation, as you know, is at a critical point,” Romney said. “At a time like this, we can’t risk partisan bickering and political posturing. Our leaders have to reach across the aisle to do the people’s work. And we citizens also have to rise to the occasion.”
Romney’s faith in the American people remained strong in spite of the loss of the White House for a Republican candidate — at least for another four years.
“I believe in America. I believe in the people of America,” Romney said. “And I ran for office because I’m concerned about America. This election is over, but our principles endure. I believe that the principles upon which this nation was founded are the only sure guide to a resurgent economy and to renewed greatness.”
President Obama speaks last Thursday night at the Coors Event Center. (James Bradbury/CU Independent File)
Obama won both the electoral vote (303 to Romney’s 206) and the popular vote .
President Obama thanked the American people for the hard work that they put into the election in the hopes that the future of the United States would improve.
“Tonight, in this election, you, the American people, reminded us that while our road has been hard, while our journey has been long,” Obama said. ”We have picked ourselves up, we have fought our way back, and we know in our hearts that for the United States of America, the best is yet to come.”
Obama spoke about the tenacity and determination of the American people through the economic recession and other challenges faced in recent years.
“I have always believed that hope is that stubborn thing inside us that insists, despite all the evidence to the contrary, that something better awaits us so long as we have the courage to keep reaching, to keep working, to keep fighting,” he said.
Students on Election Day had mixed feelings about Obama’s second term in office.
Linsi Bower, an 18-year-old freshman psychology major, said she was glad that Obama won because she supported his politics.
“I feel great about Obama winning considering he is the one I voted for,” Bower said. “Socially, since I agree more with Obama, I think that we will make great strides that will change history.”
Bower was hopeful about the future economic state that would be in place when she graduates.
“I hope that he can change his economic policy to help people out more because that was a big thing on why people weren’t voting for him,” Bower said. “Hopefully this will allow me to finish my college degree and maybe go to grad school by taking out loans and getting Pell Grants and still be able to pay it back. This will also allow me to have all the rights that I should have as a woman and to be treated equally.”
Johnathan Thompson, an 18-year-old freshman aerospace engineering major, said that he wasn’t satisfied with Obama’s election and hopes that Gary Johnson will pave the way for more than a two party system.
“I’m not real happy with Obama winning, but I can’t do anything about it now so I’m just hoping that Gary Johnson will get his 5 percent,” Thompson said. “I think it’s important for Gary Johnson to get 5 percent because we need more than a two party system.”
Although the nation was divided on Election Day, President Obama expressed hope for the future of America and the headway that is promised under his continued presidency.
“I believe we can keep the promise of our founders, the idea that if you’re willing to work hard, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you come from or what you look like or where you love,” Obama said. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re black or white or Hispanic or Asian or Native American or young or old or rich or poor, able, disabled, gay or straight, you can make it here in America if you’re willing to try.”
Contact CU Independent Breaking News Editor Bethany Morris at Bethany.morris@colorado.edu with contributions by Staff Writer Alex Aguerre at Alexandria.aguerre@colorado.edu.
