After The Storm

MANDEL NGAN/AFP/GETTY IMAGES - President Obama hugs a woman Thursday as he visits a Small Business Administration tent in Staten Island, N.Y.

The LA Times reported on a story the Washington Post  wrote about yesterday, about Mitt Romney's belief that President Obama won the election due to all of the gifts he gave to minority groups. The article quotes Romney saying that African Americans and other groups voted for Obama for free health care via Obamacare among other things. The article criticizes Romney saying that "His explanation is beyond simplistic, ahistorical and more than a little self-serving." and mentions how public polls showed that Americans voted for President Obama because they felt he understood them more and had peoples best interest at heart, not because of "gifts".

Both the New York Times  and Washington Post wrote about President Obama's visit to Queens and Staten Island. Both publications mention his plan to create a strong federal role in the recovery process and that he has appointed his housing secretary, Shaun Donovan, to lead the recovery effort. The Washington Post quoted Obama saying, "We've got some work to do, and I want you to know i'm here to do it,".  

Democrats Fight

With the campaign plane behind them, the Romneys shake hands with supporters in Dubuque, Iowa.

Melina Mara/ The Washington Post

Today the LA Times covered the news that Nancy Pelosi, is seeking to continue as House Democratic leader. The article highlights the polarizing figures achievements mentioning that she has with very little Republicn support managed to oversee the passage of very difficult things such as health care reform.

Meanwhile, the New York Times caught up to the two other newspapers with a story on President Obama's firm stance on proposed budget plans such as ending the Bush-era tax cuts. The article also mentions that budget talks will begin on Friday at the White House. This article goes into much more detail about specific money figures. "He also said very clearly that he is not wedded to every aspect of his plan, and that he understands that in order to reach an agreement, everyone needs to compromise, and that compromise should not be a dirty word in Washington," said Jay Carney, Obama's spokesman. 

The Washington Post reported on Mitt Romney blaming his loss for the Republican parties presidential ticket on "gifts" that President Obama handed to African Americans and Hispanics. He believes President Obama followed the "old playbook" of seeking votes from these specific groups through programs such as health care reform. 

Negotiations

Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP - President Barack Obama, center, gestures as he is applauded during the annual Veterans Day observance at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012.

The LA Times reported a story about the majority of Americans, fifty-one percent to be exact, belief that President Obama and congressional Republicans will not reach an agreement to avoid going over the fiscal cliff. The consequence of not reaching an agreement by January 1, 2013 would harm Republicans more than Democrats. The article also mentioned how no progress has been made due to Obama wanting to include tax increases for the wealthy in order to achieve budget goals whereas Republicans only propose cutting programs. Americans believe that the economy and personal finances will suffer if both parties cannot compromise. 

The New York Times took a different approach and wrote a story about Representative Paul D. Ryans opinion on why he and Mitt Romney lost the Republican presidential ticket. "The surprise was some of the turnout, some of the of the turnout especially in urban areas, which gave President Obama the big margin to win this race," said Ryan. The article notably mentions that pointing to urban voter turnout for the Republican parties loss does not take into account that President Obama also won some rural, white states. It also goes on to add that Ryan does not realize the Republican party has been loosing the urban vote for awhile now and now they are beginning to loose the suburban vote. 

The Washington Post wrote a story like the LA Times did about negotiations with congressional Republicans  for the year-end fiscal cliff. It is mentioned in this article too how Obama wants to raise taxes on the wealthy and corporations. The article also talks about his plan to end George W. Bush-era tax cuts. Congressional leaders are set to meet on Friday with President Obama at the White House to begin discussions about the fiscal-cliff.

Let's Go Republican

John Kerry entering a weekly senate luncheon (Melina Mara/The Washington Post November 7, 2012)

The three publications talk about different aspects of the road to the White House, one being John Kerry as a possible defense secretary.  The Washington Post reported that Obama is considering Kerry for the job even though others stand in his way.  This is all a plan in designing new administration for national security.  Although meetings have been held at the White House no decisions have been made on who is going to hold that position.

The NY Times talked today about a new budget plan.  What Republicans brought up during the election about across the board income tax cuts are now being looked upon by Democrats as a possibility for this nation.  During the presidential run, Mitt Romney brought up the idea of limiting income tax reductions especially for affluent households but Democrats thought it was the worse idea.  This plan now might be the best thing. “Let’s just say there’s a renewed interest,” said Senator Kent Conrad, Democrat of North Dakota and chairman of the Senate Budget Committee. 

The LA Times reported on the Republican party and how they have no clue of what to do next.  After losing two terms back to back in the White House, they are stumped on where to head now.  Many say the Republican party should be a party that fights for their people. "We wanted someone who would fight for us," Jenny Beth Martin, a leader of the anti-Washington tea party movement, said at a morning-after news conference. "What we got was a weak moderate candidate, handpicked by the Beltway elites and country club establishment wing of the Republican Party."  The party is looking to make changes that will win them the 2016 presidential election.

Here Is Your Minority Report

Supporters of Obama at a rally on election night  (Brian Cassella, Chicago Tribune / November 2012)

Today the LA Times talked about nonwhite voters being the key in this year's presidential election.  They said even though President Obama carried strategic ideas on his campaign road, like Bill Clinton at the Democratic Convention, these were not all the things that brought him back to the White House.  This election year had some of the highest votes from young voters and other minorities living in America.  According to exit polls Latinos and Asians both gave over 70 percent of their votes, and Blacks gave over 90 percent.  The minorities of America counted in a big way in this presidential election, in which their voice was a pivotal part of it.

The NY Times focused on budget again today discussing Obama's new budget plan for America.  President Obama is looking towards another path for the economy, much different than his approach in 2011.  "Every president learns lessons from their successes and failures, and President Obama is no different," said Obama's communications director, Dan Pfeiffer.  Obama will meet with Congress later this week to discuss higher taxes on the wealthy and raising the nation's debt limit.

Meanwhile, The Washington Post did not update their website today.  Their focus was still on Mitt Romney's life after the big presidential election defeat.     

And The Results Are In...

Obama very emotional on one of his campaign stops.  (Nikki Kahn / The Washington Post)

Even though the presidency was already decided Tuesday night, Florida now has nearly 100 percent of their votes in.  The Los Angeles Times and NY Times both reported that the official results of Florida's ballots were in.  A little over 70-thousand votes was the margin between President Obama and opponent Mitt Romney, with Obama being the winner in this state.  The LA Times also reported that Obama's win in Florida came as no surprise.  In the NY Times they reported that one of the main problems for the official results taking so long was the long waits in line.  Many voters waited as long as seven hours to cast their votes.  Ken Detzner, secretary of state, told CNN Friday, “We could have done better; we will do better."  

The Washington Post reported today about life for Mitt Romney after his presidential loss.  Romney reminisced about his six-year journey on his campaign road and everything up until election night at a brunch early Friday morning.  L.E. Simmons, an oil investor from his national finance committee said that Romney did everything from the heart.  "He was analytical, no notes, spoke from the heart and was very appreciative.”  Even though Romney did not win the presidency he does not plan for this defeat to stop him.  

Back to Work

President Obama speaking to reporters about working with Congress to avoid the fiscal cliff crisis in the White House. (Los Angeles Times / Shawn Thew, EPA / November 9, 2012) 

The New York Times and Los Angeles Times both focused on President Obama's reiteration on increasing the tax rates for the wealthy.   Both the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times wrote that the president believes that his re-election is proof of approval by the country that placing higher taxes on the wealthy is the best for the United States.  The two articles focused on President Obama's re-election have validated his future plans in increasing the tax rates for the wealthy, whether or not Republicans are on board or not.

The Washington Post focused more on President Obama's decision to freeze the middle class tax rates.  The article focused on Obama's plans for the middle class and how he plans to help the middle class by freezing their tax rates.  The Post also went on to mention Obama's plan to increase the tax rates for Americans making over $250,000 a year.  “I’m not wedded to every detail of my plan. I’m open to compromise,” said Mr. Obama.