2008 vs. 2012 Presidential Election Results

November 7, 2012Updated November 12, 2012

Last Updated

11/12/12

Source: National Journal 2012 Election Results; CNN 2012 Election Center.

Obama 2008 vs. Obama 2012: Popular Vote

2

100%50%

Percent Popular Vote

States in Which Obama Won Popular Vote in 2008

States in Which Obama Won Popular Vote in 2012*

Last Updated

11/12/12

*With the exception of Florida, popular vote results based on exit polling on 11/7.

-1 -1 -1 -1 -1

-2 -2 -2 -2 -2 -2

-3 -3 -3 -3 -3

-4 -4 -4 -4

-5

FL MA MN OH VA CO DC DE IA ME NH CT NV OR PA WA CA MI NM WI IL

Source: National Journal 2012 Election Results; CNN 2012 Election Center. 3

Performance of Obama Campaign: States Won in 2012

Last Updated

11/12/12

Change in Percentage of Vote Won By Obama in 2008 vs. 2012*

Quick Take

In the industrial Midwest, voters overwhelmingly favored Obama’s 2009 auto industry bailout.  Even so, Obama is the first president since the 19th century to win with a lower percentage of the vote in his second-term victory than in his first.

Comparing Obama’s 2008 and 2012 Popular Vote Results

*With the exception of Florida, popular vote results based on exit polling on 11/7.

4

Performance of Obama Campaign: States Lost in 2012

Comparing Obama’s 2008 and 2012 Popular Vote Results

Change in Percentage of Vote Won By Obama in 2008 vs. 2012*

Last Updated

11/7/12

Source: National Journal 2012 Election Results; CNN 2012 Election Center.

*Popular vote results based on exit polling on 11/7.

McCain 2008 vs. Romney 2012: Popular Vote

5

100%50%

Percent Popular Vote

States in Which McCain Won Popular Vote in 2008

States in Which Romney Won Popular Vote in 2012*

Last Updated

11/12/12

Source: National Journal 2012 Election Results; CNN 2012 Election Center.

*With the exception of Florida, popular vote results based on exit polling on 11/7.

6

Performance of Romney Campaign: States Won in 2012

Comparing McCain’s 2008 and Romney’s 2012 Popular Vote Results

Change in Percentage of Vote Won By GOP Candidate in 2008 vs. 2012*

Last Updated

11/7/12

Source: National Journal 2012 Election Results; CNN 2012 Election Center.

*Popular vote results based on exit polling on 11/7.

7

5

4 4 4

3 3 3 3

2 2 2

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

0 0 0 0

MI CA IL WI CT NV OR PA DE NH WA CO FL IA MA MN NM OH VA DC HI ME RI

Performance of Romney Campaign: States Lost in 2012

Comparing McCain’s 2008 and Romney’s 2012 Popular Vote Results

Change in Percentage of Vote Won By GOP Candidate in 2008 vs. 2012*

Last Updated

11/12/12

Source: National Journal 2012 Election Results; CNN 2012 Election Center.

Quick Take

While Romney commanded large majorities of white male voters in much of the country, many Republicans will think they could have won the White House with someone more conservative than Mitt Romney.

*With the exception of Florida, popular vote results based on exit polling on 11/7.