Latest News

Romney concedes defeat, congratulates Obama on reelection
US Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney said early Wednesday that he just called President Barack Obama to concede defeat and congratulate him on his reelection.

Barack Obama re-elected as US president: TV networks
The incumbent Barack Obama has won re-election in the U.S. presidential race, TV networks including MSNBC projected on Tuesday.

Obama takes lead in grab for swing states, GOP keeps Hous
Swing state Ohio witnesses last-ditch campaigning on US Election Day
US voters head to polls to elect economist-in-chief
Polls close in critical swing state Virginia, 5 others

Election Results

Electoral votes

Barack Obama	270 to win		Mitt Romney
303			206

Viewpoints

The Global Times said that US policies would not have seen any dramatic change and the problems in the US will remain whether Obama or Romney had won.

However, "a real understanding of the US presidential elections is extremely important to Chinese society," the paper said.

The election results will not influence its global strategy, commented the Hong Kong Economic Journal.
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Whether Obama or Romney is elected, a positive relationship with China is now understood to be critically important to both countries. In the past 15 years, US politicians from both parties have come to understand that the relationship between China and the US is the single most important bilateral relationship that will determine our future.------David L. Boren (Boren), President of the University of Oklahoma, three-term US Senator and former governor of Oklahoma

But in foreign policy, the president is not always master of his own destiny. A dramatic terrorist attack, conflict in Iran, or a break down of diplomacy may very well leave Obama looking weak and ineffectual, just as a no-win situation in Iran helped destroy then president Jimmy Carter's hopes for re-election in 1980.------Charles Gray, a freelance writer based in Corona, California

This is no doubt a campaign strategy for Obama as he seeks to garner support from immigrant communities, particularly Hispanics, in the November presidential election. Everyone knows an executive order from one president can always be rescinded by his successor. Nevertheless, it's a blessing for the 800,000 illegal youths who will benefit from it.------Rong Xiaoqing, a New York-based journalist

Democratic practice requires equality of access to voting rights for all adult citizens. But 2.5 percent of adults are permanently disenfranchised because of having been convicted of a felony in states where this disbars you from the voting rolls. Most are poor, and many African-American or Latino, traditional Democratic supporters, so the disenfranchisement disadvantages the Democratic Party.------Norman Birnbaum, an emeritus professor at the Georgetown University Law Center

Background

★US presidential election

Starting in 1792, US presidents and vice presidents have been elected quadrennially on election day, the first Tuesday after the first Monday of November.

As a matter of fact, voters only cast their ballots for a slate of electors of the US Electoral College, who in turn directly elect the president and vice president.

★US Electoral College
★US Democratic Party
★US Republican Party
★Profile: US President Barack Obama
★Profile: GOP candidate Mitt Romney

US president in past 20 years
Barack Hussein Obama II:                 Democratic, 2009 - now	George Walker Bush:                Republican, 2001 - 2009	William Jefferson Clinton:          Democratic, 1993 - 2001

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