US Presidential Election 2012

Special Report

Last modification: 11/11/12

Democratic President Barack Obama has defeated Republican challenger Mitt Romney to secure a second term at the White House, wrapping up a closely-fought presidential contest. Despite lingering dissatisfaction over the slow pace of economic recovery, the incumbent president won most key swing states, including the “bellwether” state of Ohio, while his Democratic Party also kept its narrow lead in the Senate. But with Republicans still in control of the House of Representatives, Obama is set to face familiar difficulties in pushing through his liberal agenda over the next four years. FRANCE 24 brings you the latest news, analysis and video on a knife-edge election that had long seemed too close to call.

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US ELECTION 2012

Obama beats Romney - US election as it happened

Millions of American voters cast ballots Tuesday night, re-electing President Barack Obama to another four-year term after a closely fought race with his Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

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US ELECTIONS 2012

Obama wins Florida in final electoral vote count

Florida officials declared US President Barack Obama the winner of the state’s 29 electoral votes on Saturday, four days after the Nov. 6 election. The final count gives Obama 332 electoral votes to Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s 206.

US ELECTION 2012

Can the 'youth vote' carry Obama to victory again?

High turnout and passionate support among young voters helped carry Obama to victory in 2008. But can he count on them four years later? France24.com reports from the University of Virginia campus on Election Day.

US ELECTION 2012

Five key indicators to watch out for on election night

US election nights tend to be long-drawn-out affairs involving complex electoral mathematics. FRANCE 24 boils it down to five key issues.

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US ELECTION 2012

‘Mitt Romney is the definition of an empty suit’

Continuing on their journey through swing states, FRANCE 24’s Jon Frosch and Julien Peyron talk to some of the voters in Virginia, a state that could be critical in the 2012 race to the White House.

US ELECTION 2012

Undocumented youth await election with fear and hope

In June, Obama announced that he would grant work permits to certain young undocumented immigrants. These people -- many of whom have grown up in the US -- cannot vote, but are watching the election anxiously. France24.com reports from Miami.

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US ELECTION 2012

A peek inside Romney's HQ in the swing state of Virginia

US ELECTION 2012

Arab Americans offer Obama grudging support

Recent polls show the majority of Arab Americans intend to vote for incumbent President Barack Obama in next week’s election – but some say they have lost faith in the United States’ first black president.

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US ELECTION 2012

Is 'Mr Business' Romney losing his grip?

With the US election just days away, both Republican candidate Mitt Romney and incumbent Barack Obama are hustling for an edge in the race. Yet in recent weeks, the president has been boosted by those traditionally considered Romney allies.

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US ELECTION 2012

Obama and Florida Jews: through thick and thin?

Republicans feel confident that Romney can peel away some of Obama’s support among American Jews – especially in Florida, with its older, staunchly pro-Israel Jewish population. But on the ground, voters tell a different story.

US ELECTION 2012

LGBT voters join frontline of Obama campaign

Obama’s endorsement of same-sex marriage has invested the LGBT community’s once-waning support with renewed passion. France24.com takes a closer look, from the heart of Southern Florida’s vibrant gay community.

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US ELECTIONS 2012

'I voted for Marine Le Pen and Barack Obama'

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USA

'Since the storm, my home looks like lakefront property'

The town of Hoboken in the state of New Jersey faces New York City across the Hudson River. Usually known for its tree-lined residential streets, bars and trendy restaurants, superstorm Sandy has left Hoboken looking like a disaster zone.

USA

Will Sandy change the game for Obama and Romney?

US President Barack Obama has much to gain – and a lot more to lose – in his response to "super storm" Sandy, currently battering the US East Coast. Political analyst Larry Sabato tells FRANCE 24 what’s at stake.

US ELECTION 2012

In Miami early voting, long lines and clashing opinions

Early voting kicked off in the hotly contested swing state of Florida this weekend. FRANCE 24 checked in at a local polling station to see who showed up, how people voted, and why.

US ELECTIONS 2012

Timeline: Two decades of swing states

America's so-called "swing states" are again under intense scrutiny in a very tight race for the White House. FRANCE 24 looks at the swing state phenomenon over the past 20 years and its role in determining the outcome of recent elections.

US ELECTION 2012

Youth, new citizens weigh first presidential vote

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US ELECTIONS 2012

Obama on the attack in final debate against Romney

Opinion polls named US President Barack Obama the winner in a third and final face-off against Republican challenger Mitt Romney in Boca Raton, Florida, Monday night that saw the two candidates trading barbs and criticisms on foreign policy.

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US ELECTIONS 2012

Presidential candidates spar on Benghazi attack

In a particularly spiky moment in Tuesday night’s debate, US presidential candidates Barack Obama and Mitt Romney sparred on the September 11, 2012, Benghazi attack, sparking a rebuttal by the moderator and some rule-breaking applause.

US ELECTIONS 2012

A feisty Obama hits back at Romney in second debate

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US ELECTION 2012

Biden takes off gloves in bruising debate against Ryan

Trying to make up for Obama’s lacklustre debate performance last week, Joe Biden aggressively challenged Republican vice presidential nominee Paul Ryan in their face-off Thursday night, energising Democrats and irritating Republicans.

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US ELECTION 2012

Romney leads Obama in post-debate Pew poll

Republican White House hopeful Mitt Romney leads US President Barack Obama among likely voters after a strong showing in last week’s debate, a new Pew Research Center poll showed Monday, with Romney now favoured by 49 percent to Obama's 45 percent.

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US ELECTIONS 2012

Romney aggressive, Obama subdued in first debate

The home stretch of the 2012 election kicked off Wednesday night with a first debate that saw an assertive Mitt Romney pressing a more subdued President Barack Obama on the economy and other domestic policy matters.

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US ELECTIONS 2012