Obama to win Florida, CNN projects, sweeping all battlegrounds
(CNN) - President Barack Obama will narrowly win the presidential vote in Florida, CNN projected, based on updated vote totals provided by the counties to the state by Saturday’s noon deadline.
Obama won the state with 50.01% of the vote compared with 49.13% for GOP nominee Mitt Romney, according to those numbers. The incumbent's margin of victory was just shy of 74,000 votes.
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With the Sunshine State's results in – the last undecided state - CNN projects Obama's electoral vote total comes to 332, well above the 270 required to win the presidency. CNN projects Romney to finish with 206 electoral votes.
The state's 29 electoral votes have proved decisive in the past and were expected to be important this year.
But Obama ran the board on Election Day, and it was another heavily contested battleground, Ohio, that put Obama over the top.
Obama's narrow victory in Florida means he has swept all eight of the states CNN, along with other media outlets, rated as "toss-ups," where the vote was within reach of either candidate.
Heading into Election Day, polls had shown a particularly tight race in Florida, a state that is no stranger to close presidential races. Since 2000, the contest has never been decided by more than 5 percentage points.
Obama won Florida in 2008 by 3 percentage points.
Obama outspent Romney in television advertising in the state, according to CNN consultant Kantar Media/CMAG, although Romney visited the state more. Obama spent $69.5 million on ads in Florida to Romney's $42 million. Romney made 33 visits to the state, compared to Obama's 24.
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As if 2000 wasn't enough, we're the laughingstock again. Not just Disneyworld, glad we can provide entertainment for the entire U.S.
So 332 to 206 Electoral, 51% of the vote and won every battleground state besides NC. Not the drubbing McCain took, but I would call that a decisive win for the President.
In your own time, Florida. It's not like the election was several days ago or anything.
I know this isn't exactly a revelation but the entire voting system in Florida clearly suffers from one or more fundamental, systemic problems.
Four days after the election and we finally found out who won Florida...and no one cares.
About time. Regardless of how you come down politically, I think most citizens can agree that there is something very flawed with the voting process itself. This should not have taken 5 days to tally, and people should not have to wait 9 hours to vote. To quote the president "We have to fix that."
Just ruin Karl Rove's weekend!
Maybe we should have Florida vote a week before the presidential election.....that way by the time the rest of the country votes, it will be known by the time the rest of the country votes!
Yes! Good for the country, good for Florida and good for me–because I had a bet that the final total would be 332 to 206 for Obama!!!
Repubs got their clocks cleaned. Especially sweet after their voter suppression tactics. Gonna enjoy watching their infighting these next few months.
Is it by association that at each major election Florida has a senior moment? It is supposedly inhabited by retirees who one would suppose have had a full and mind stimulating life. Maybe it is true that folks that inhabit the tropical zone are slower physically and mentally. This time around it really didn't matter!
WHO CARES!?
Right after the "47%" comment made by Mitt, I knew it was game over..
Good news! What a shame for Florida!
Florida is quickly becoming irrelevant; however, I am sure most are delighted to have the President for four more years. Now he can finish what he started. Meanwhile, Florida needs new Government so that they can once again be counted as a relevant State in National elections
Wait! Isn't that a RED state?
Indeed! This morning I had breakfast with my betting partner and received two, $5,000 checks as payoff for my successful $10,000 wager–which seemed unlikely to win, in the weeks leading up to the election–that Obama's electoral vote total would exceed 319.
I paid for our breakfasts.
Way to go Florida.
Criminal charges need to be brought againest the Sec of State and governor or Florida. Clearly their illegal attempts to keep people from voting has backfired. Today we need to send a message to them and any others that it won't be tolerated in the United States. Thanks to all the Floridians that decided to get even and not quit.
Always some drama with Florida! Maybe we should just cut them loose!
Sounds to me like these long lines were voter suppression, and I expect legal action to be taken. I believe some of the political movers in Florida were doing everything they could to keep FL 'red', and delay any action that would indicate otherwise.
Finally!
To me, the fact that it took FOUR DAYS for a winner to be projected, is silly. I thought we learned from this debacle years ago, but maybe it's gotten worse! We're the United States! Voters shouldn't have to wait this long to cast a ballot! I don't care who you vote for, but the results shouldn't have become this skewered and caused delays!
Florida isn't even the largest state with the largest population, I know it's a swing state and could make it close, but my god we shouldn't have had to wait this long for results. It's ridiculous!
About time......about time!!!
Recount...LOL
Rick is the biggest Trick ever pulled on the state of Florida. His voter suppression antics are an embarrassment to this great country. I Will never understand why my party will not leave Rush and Fox news alone. GOP, please stop!!! You are hurting the party I love so dearly!!! Leave the Tea Party Alone.