Closing Arguments: Was It the Economy, Obama?

look we are making much more out of this than it merits. it was an election-2 party's run against each other sometimes one party wins sometimes the other wins.

that does not mean that i diminish the historic aspect of obamas election and i wish him the best.

now the losing party starts to prepare for the next election in 4 years. no great mystery.

pullmyfinger, you are so hateful! We are past that now and you are less than the minority. That said, I do believe the economy had an effect because people have been so conditioned to blame everything that happens in the entire world on Bush and the republicans and, irrational or not,any hint at a connection pushed everyone to the democrats. I don't believe Obama really has a doable plan. But he has been able to excite people into thinking he has, and that's something. I hope he can deliver because so many hopes have been pinned on him.

The key to Obama's success was the financial crisis and America's willingness (especially swing voters) to vote for the "perceived benefit" Obama offered for their pocket book. This combined with the Obama camp's effective assocation of McCain with Bush created the perfect storm that would have defeated any Republican running against Obama. The liberal press and voters gave Obama a pass on questionable past associations, liberal voting record, going back on his promise to accept limited public campaign funds, and fact he was part of the Democratic majority in Congress / Senate (that had all time low approval ratings) who didn't put oversight into play years ago that would have eliminated the need for the $700 billion bailout and perfect storm that put us in our current financial crisis.

Obama's election success was not due to one issue. It was a collective groundswell of awakening on many fronts. He did not succumb to rhetorical tactics, but was straightforward and showed he has the potential to govern wisely and with heart. People finally realized they've been hoodwinked in the past, and they stood up and said, "No more."You can't pin it on a single issue.

It would not have made a difference it
was his time. Many have tried before, but god has the assignment to him. He has been nurtured for such a time as this. we saw the slings and arrows being thrown at him,he never even ducked.

Without a doupt we would have had a woman as vice-president. The economy played a huge role in Obamas's victory. I don't think he'll deliver ... He did a great job of getting the naive to believe all that hog wash. In additon I think alot of people just wanted to make history and voted for him because he's black.

TO 'Pull my finger' 12:43:48AM post...
Your post evidence racism & bigotry will never die. Many well-educated, hard-working, professional caucasions chose to vote for Obama. Such a hateful post! And shame on ABC for even the suggestion that Oprah is responsible for Obama win--Wondered what you would fill air time with after election--Try harder.

"Those who do not study History are doomed to repeat it." Has anyone read the story of the Pied Piper? Senator Obama could not possibly stand up on the very high pedistle that you have put him on. You will all be so disappointed when he cannot live up to much of what he promised. He bought this election just like in the "olden days" when people were promised "A chicken in every pot." You people voted about what you think will end up in your pockets, not about ethics. The economy had everything to do with his winning. Has everyone forgotten that the congress for the last two years has been run by the Democrats? You give too much power (in your minds) to the president. That's why it is called the balance of power. The congress is where the power resides. May God have mercy on America, because we have moved so far from him that radicals want to distroy us.

its not like a president is a life long appointment.

it is the other party's turn, lets see how they do, and if they do well we may re elect them in 4 years-if not, we show them the door.

at least for the next 4 years we won't have gwb and republicans to blame.

Obama's campaign was a message of 'Change'. Change is what Americans wanted and as a result that is what Americans voted. If in doubt, just look at the reaction of people across the world, not just the U.S.
Truly a 'Change Has Come'.

You asked 2 questions:
Would Obama have been elected without the endorsement of Oprah winfrey? Emphatically, YES!
Would Obama have been elected without the economic crisis? Emphatically, YES!

Your attempt to denigrate by innuendo this man and his accomplishment is beneath you. Shame
on you, Terry Moran; I expect better of you.

For the first time in many years, we can comfortably use the word "integrity" in the same
sentence as the phrase "President of the United States." This has been called the best
organized presidential campaign in history. A man who can conduct such a campaign, raise
the amount of money needed, maintain calm in the face of the nasty campaign run by
his opponents, is certainly qualified to face the tremendous challenge he inherits. The
election is over, it is a time now for unity, for support of the winner, no matter your
political leanings. Obama knows this and has challenged all of us to share the
responsibility for making the changes this country so desperately needs.
That includes responsible journalism.

some of you sound like we installed a king for life.

what we did is, we elected a politician. his time runs out in 4 years, 8 IF he does well and then we show him the exit sign and his picture goes on the wall.

in the mean time the opposition begins to prepare for the next cycle...

It wasn't until I watched your show tonight that I realized, THIS PRESIDENCY IS ABOUT RACE or reverse racism an Barbara above says.

Before this show aired, I thought he won on merit...

Rob

No, Obama would have won anyway because it is time for a leader like him.

I love his politics,and his vision for this country, the united states of america, and for the world at large. President Obama,who is a person of great integrity and wisdom,will prove himself a great president for america, and a great leader for the rest of the world.America holds the cup of light to the world, and if this is the case, we needed to select the right individual into this very top position, where important decisions are made.

Pull-My-Finger...
I was not going to comment, but my conscience would not let me rest.

Obama being elected as President is a message of Hope. Hope that our children and their children will not have the hateful spirit you have displayed in your blog. A message of peace. A message of all/for all (Red, Yellow, Black, or White) being UNITED to serve our great Country.

It was a stepped towards Dr. Martin Luther King Dream being fulfilled.
---The dream of My Heavenly Father!!!
If you are a man of Faith. I would encourage you to pray for our newly elected leader. As my pastor teaches his congregration. This means pray for our president, our school principals, our Nation, our military leaders, etc.
Heck...Just Pray.

Just a word from a middle class African-American who has always been middle-of-the-road when it comes to politics.
---Educated enough to know that change does not come over night; possibly not in four years.

Highly Educated from the best Universities is Texas...Ph.D.
Trina

I believe he would have. The Bush factor was as strong as the economic problems. Any Republican was going to have a hard time this election when the party's president has a favorability rating of in the 20-30% range.

Obama is a hope for something different...and he's just so damned intelligent (and since when is that a bad thing in a president?).

Overall it was Obama's ability to grow on the American electorate as each day of the almost 2 years campaign brought various challenges which called for decisive measures. When the US was in talks with Iraq about a timeline withdrawal, he gave a timeline. Mac was missing in action. Before Bush agreed to send additional troops to Afghanistan, Obama made it an urgent issue. Time and time again depending upon the global,or political landscape he showed leadership qualities superior to his opponents. When Palin's pregnant daughter appeared on the campaign trail, he told us all, to not mess with families. It was a cumulative effect of smart sincere thoughts that set him up as the unfaltering image he has become before the walls of our financial streets came tumbling down. The economic\financial crisis was the icing on the cake that took almost 2 years to bake.

Yes, the economy helped Obama, but it was McCain's own responses, seeming out of touch, that gave Obama that edge. Obviously, the issue of race did not stop Obama, but age worked against McCain -- and the reason was McCain's choice of running mate and possible successor. I believe that most people did what I did and researched the facts. My research lead me to trust what Obama said more than McCain. But also, Obama's conduct in the election lead me to feel more than belief in what he said, I came to believe in him as the only candidate with the finesse, honor and fortitude to see this country through difficult times. The approach of the current administration has not worked and our standing in the world has continued to worsen. It was only Obama who expressed a willingness to present a new way of interacting with the world, even when the sound bites of his opponent criticized him, he remained true to his ideals, indicating there was more behind his thinking than the sound bites we repeatedly heard from the other side. Obama won because he offered what the country wanted. The country has spoken.

Yes, the economy was a critical factor with the following qualifications:
1) John McCain and Barack Obama conducted themselves, each in a manor (erratic vs. calmly) that enhanced the effect of the crisis on the electorate, thus generating bigger differences in the polls.
2) before the critical economic crisis dominated the news, Barack Obama was rated by the by registered voters as more capable of handling the economy.
3) Unrelated to the economy, but contributing to lower McCain ratings, was the continuing decline in registered voters' opinions of Sarah Palin.