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STATE REPRESENTATIVE: SOCCER:
Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012
Presidential electoral votes
303 49%
OBAMA!
203 49% Romney
As of 1:00 a.m.
Senate Percentages
57%
courTeSY phoTo oF roBerT duYoS/SUN SeNtINeL/MCt
President Barack Obama speaks at Mcarthur High School Sunday, November 4, 2012, in Hollywood, Florida.
39%
President re-elected with 303 electoral votes
Hoekstra As of 1 a.m., with 62% of precincts reporting
Proposal 1
?
A referendum on Gov. Snyder’s emergency financial manager law.
Proposal 2
no
The proposal would guarantee collective bargaining in the state constitution.
Proposal 3
no
Renewable energy would comprise 25 percent of Michigan’s energy by 2025.
Proposal 4
no
The proposal would give home care workers collective bargaining rights and establish a home care registry.
Proposal 5
no
Proposal 6
no
By John Irwin | elections Coordinator President Barack Obama has won four more years in the White House, winning most swing states following a heated 2012 campaign. As of press time, Obama is set to receive at least 303 electoral votes with 48 votes in play, compared to 200 projected for Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, according to the Associated Press. To win, a candidate must collect 270 votes. Obama, who was elected in 2008 as the first black president of the United States, became the first president since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940 to win re-election with an unemployment rate over 7.1 percent. Currently, the national unemployment rate sits at 7.9 percent. According to CNN exit polls, 60
percent of voters nationwide considered the economy their number one issue this election season. Obama thanked supporters via Twitter. “We’re all in this together,” Obama said. “That’s how we campaigned, and that’s who we are. Thank you.” The key to Obama’s win was perhaps a similar electorate to the 2008 electorate that delivered him his first term. According to Politico, combined turnout from African-Americans and Latinos jumped from 2008, up to 26 percent of the electorate from 24 percent four years ago. Likewise, 18-29 year olds, a key liberalleaning demographic, comprised 19 percent of the electorate, up from
18 percent in 2008. This election found yet another deep gender gap among the national electorate. According to exit polls conducted by Politico, Obama won the women vote by 12 points, but lost by 7 points among men. For weeks, pundits have touted an Obama “swing state firewall,” as polls in coveted swing states such as Ohio and Iowa have found the president ahead by small but consistent margins for most of the year. Yesterday, that was the reality as the president swept through most swing states, winning by small margins in most swing states, withstanding late pushes from the Romney campaign in states like Pennsylvania and Ohio.
A OBAMA | 2
Students celebrate re-election, political groups watch returns together By Melissa Beauchamp | Senior Reporter Students at the 1892 Productions viewing party in the Bovee University Center watched intently as the map of the states turned red and blue as majority votes were determined for the 2012 presidential election. Vice President of College Democrats Taylor Gehrke said as soon as President Obama’s re-election was announced, he was filled with a sense of relief and dedication was paid off for the Democrat Party. He said he’s satisfied Michigan’s large voter turnout contributed to the outcome. “(President Obama’s) reelection is going to allow many more things to flourish in all spectrums,” the Comstock Park sophomore said.
Chairperson of the College Republicans Megan Gill said the neck-and-neck election was creeping up in President Obama’s favor, and she wasn’t too surprised when the outcome was announced. Gill said it came down to swing states of Ohio and Florida. The Traverse City senior said she expected it to be down to the very last vote, and she wishes it came out stronger for the Republicans. “We have to look at the popular vote,” she said. “It really highlights the support on both sides.” Gehkre said he didn’t know how to comment on the results of popular vote leaning toward Romney, and further reporting will tell
Michigan voters would have to approve construction of a new international bridge if constructed.
By Annie Harrison Senior Reporter
Five of the six Michigan ballot proposals were defeated Tuesday, while Proposal 1 remained too close to call. Proposals 2 through 6 were projected as heading for defeat soon after election results started coming in, but only Proposal 1 was closely contested. Proposal 1, which would authorize the governor to appoint an emergency manager during a financial emergency, held a 54 to 46 percent lead with 30 percent of precincts reporting. The emergency manager
would be required to develop financial and operating plans. Proposal 2 was being defeated 61 to 39 percent, with 30 percent of precincts reporting. Proposal 2 would grant public and private employees the constitutional right to organize and bargain collectively through labor unions. The proposal would invalidate existing or future state or local laws that limit the ability to join unions and bargain collectively and to negotiate and enforce collective bargaining agreements. Kelly Chesney, vice president of marketing and communications for Business Leaders for Michigan,
S E I V O M N A M T A B THE F O R E C U D O R P EXECUTIVE Wednesday november 7th @ 7pm plachta auditorium
whether that is true. “It will be interesting,” he said. Gill said moving forward, the country needs to put divisions aside and get things done — united. Midland senior Kevin Keith raised up his hands when President Obama was announced to serve his second term. “I’m impressed with the quick process,” he said. “In previous elections, there were problems.” Co-chair of 1892 Productions Mat Perry said he feels he was one of the few cheering for Mitt Romney. “It was a close call,” he said. “It could have gone either way.” A CELEBRATE | 2
a member of Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution, is pleased to see that voters understand the importance of the ballot proposals. The group opposed Proposals 2, 3 and 4. “Clearly, the voters have spoken,” she said. “They don’t believe those things belong in our constitution.” Chesney said if Proposal 2 were to have passed, Michigan would have been the only state to include that sort of language on collective bargaining in its constitution. Proposal 3 was being defeated 64 to 36 percent, with 30 percent of precincts reporting.
MICHAEL USLAN
Stabenow re-elected to U.S. Senate By Ryan Fitzmaurice Staff Reporter
Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., is projected to win re-lection, defeating her Republican challenger Pete Hoekstra. Incumbent Stabenow, who will serve a third six-year term in the Senate, was leading Hoekstra 56 percent to 40 percent with 27 percent of precincts reporting at 11 p.m Tuesday. Stabenow was expected to win by several political experts. Although her approval rating has consistently been hovering around 40 percent over the last four years, she had an almost 20-point lead over Hoekstra heading into Tuesday, according to several polls. Stabenow expressed gratitude to Michigan voters and her staff in a statement released Tuesday night. “It’s all about Michigan families. I was born and raised here, my family all lives here, and Michigan will always be my home,” Stabenow said in the statement. “We live in an incredible state, and there is no greater privilege than to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate.” Stabenow has been a vocal supporter of the auto bailout and has also favored easier access to health care for the middle class, while establishing a heavy focus for environmentally friendly innovation, with a heavier focus on green energy and the preservation of the Great Lakes. A STABENOW | 2
Five of six ballot proposals go down to defeat
The proposal would require a twothirds majority in both houses of the legislature to raise taxes.
Women’s soccer to play Michigan in first round of NCAA tournament » PAGE 6
cm-life.com
obama
Stabenow
Cotter re-elected in the 99th district » PAGE 3
A PROPS | 2
No details yet in stabbing during party on Washington By Shelby Miller Senior Reporter
A party Saturday night on Washington Street resulted in one person stabbed and the suspect without his fingers. Mount Pleasant police Public Information Officer Jeff Thompson said officers were called to a party at 1023 S. Washington St., where the host of a party was stabbed while trying to clear people out of his home. The victim, whose name and age has not been released, was stabbed in the back with a knife and the suspect cut off several of his own fingers when the knife, slipped through his hand, police said. “As of right now, the incident is still being investigated, and the details are not completely available for release,” Thompson said. “It is my understanding that the assault was a result of the suspect being told to leave the party.” The victim and the suspect were taken to McLaren-Central Michigan, 1221 South Dr., police said. As of Tuesday afternoon, Thompson said the suspect had been identified but not yet arrested. “Due to the nature of the victim’s injuries, I would imagine he has been released,” Thompson said. “I would also imagine that the suspect was released but will probably have many more visits.” Additionally, the same night, 16 of the 29 arrests made by the MPPD resulted from one nuisance party. Police were called to the same Yorkshire Commons apartment, 7 Kensington Circle, three times Saturday night into early Sunday morning. Thompson said when police responded the third time, a large fight broke out and occupants of the home refused to open the door for police, resulting in police obtaining a search warrant. Of the 16 arrested and lodged at Isabella County Jail, Thompson said three were lodged for hosting the party and 13 for attending the party. “Except for the number of people going to jail, we had a pretty good weekend,” Thompson said. A STABBING | 2