A Mandate For Change

CBSNews.com Analysis: President-Elect Obama Has Achieved A Historic Victory And Set High Expectations For The Future

(CBS)  This analysis was written by CBSNews.com senior political editor Vaughn Ververs.

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As far as epochal moments of a nation are concerned, the election of Barack Obama to be the forty-fourth President of the United States is virtually certain to rank near the very top. While the historical, sociological and political meaning of campaign 2008 will be written about and analyzed for a generation or more, the immediate impact of the election results is this: A sweeping mandate for Obama’s campaign mantra of change.

Indeed, Obama’s election arguably represents the most dramatic break from the status quo ever in presidential politics. The first black president, one with a less-than-familiar name, is in so many ways a complete repudiation of everything about the presidency of George W. Bush.

The once-improbable Democratic candidate has ridden the twin themes of “hope” and “change” into the White House, and that, combined with his juggernaut of a campaign operation fueled by unprecedented fundraising, has helped his party extend its advantages in Congress to the point where there is a real possibility of sweeping changes in the country’s direction. The sheer size of the victory would be mandate enough, but Obama’s is a promise of fundamental, radical change, not incremental adjustments, giving even more impetus to his agenda.

Throughout the course of the election, Obama became a symbol for the frustrations, anxiety and concerns of a country in the midst of economic crisis and war. He systematically sought to connect himself to transformational leaders and moments from the nation’s past - Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy and the Civil Rights movement were among those most commonly referenced - he even spoke kindly of Republican icon Ronald Reagan.

Now, with an election victory the size of which has been unseen in presidential election in decades, this young President-elect has the expectations of that lineage to fulfill.

“All of us running for president will travel around the country offering ten-point plans and making grand speeches,” Obama said in his announcement speech in February of 2007. “But too many times, after the election is over, and the confetti is swept away, all those promises fade from memory, and the lobbyists and special interests move in, and people turn away, disappointed as before, left to struggle on their own.”

Democrats would be smart to listen to the warning issued by their new leader at a time when his election appeared an outside shot at best. There is a great deal of pent-up frustration among many segments of the party after eight years of the Bush Administration, most of which saw Republicans with control of both houses of Congress. There will be pressure to not just reverse Bush policies but to exact a measure of revenge along the way.

Such an approach would not just be unwise; it would run completely counter to Obama’s promise to reach across the aisle for Republican support for his agenda and to end politics as we know it all together.

“Part of what has been lost these past eight years can’t just be measured by lost wages or bigger trade deficits,” Obama said in his speech accepting the Democratic nomination. “What has also been lost is our sense of common purpose - our sense of higher purpose. And that’s what we have to restore.”

Cynicism about politics and the governing process was a constant target for Obama throughout the campaign. Destroying that and inserting confidence in government won’t be easy, as candidate Obama often acknowledged throughout the campaign.

Americans have voiced their displeasure with the direction of the country on a number of levels. In the beginning of this, the longest presidential campaign ever, the unpopularity of the war in Iraq provided Obama his initial lift. His early opposition to the war contrasted with Hillary Clinton’s vote to authorize it - and her refusal to apologize for that vote.

As the campaign wore on and the war faded as the issue driving the campaign, the economy became the dominant question. The crisis that hit Wall Street in the midst of the campaign combined with the edge Democrats traditionally hold on the issue put Obama in a commanding lead heading into the election homestretch.

The very dynamics which propelled the Illinois senator into office threaten to undermine him as president, however. Obama has made a lot of promises in this campaign that don’t necessarily square with reality. Whether it’s on foreign policy, the economy, jobs or health care, Americans come out of this election with a heightened set of expectations of ending war, enlarging the economic pie for all and expanding the social safety nets provided by the government. He’ll have precious few resources with which to do it all.

Those lofty aspirations were set and encouraged by the candidate himself, leading to criticism by his opponents that Obama was merely a celebrity, given to sometimes over-reaching rhetoric. Rather than shy away from the hype, Obama methodically used it, telling supporters on the campaign trail that, together, they would change the world.

Even before he takes office in January, Obama will begin to learn more about the situation he has inherited, both at home and abroad. Then he will have to begin making the hard choices about which of his promises can be pursued and which will have to take a spot on the shelf. Massive federal deficits, a two-front war, increased government intervention into free markets and huge guaranteed outlays for programs like Social Security hang around the government’s neck like so many anchors.

How he will square his promises without breaking others, particularly the promise to avoid tax hikes for 95 percent of Americans, will be a difficult proposition. Doing so with a Democratic congress with its own ideas, will make it even more difficult.

As for his pledge to change the politics of the nation and bring Americans of all stripes together will likewise be a trying challenge. Politics by its very definition is about the airing of differences on issues where both sides often have deeply-held beliefs. While John McCain and other Republican leaders sounded conciliatory notes when the results came in on Election night, there remains a full plate of issues where real differences exist.

“There will be setbacks and false starts,” Obama cautioned in his victory speech early Wednesday morning. “There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as President, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years - block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.”

Obama will have time. Americans traditionally afford their new presidents a honeymoon period. Considering the massive problems his new administration will face, it can’t possibly be enough. And after all the confetti is swept away, Americans will not let the promises Obama made fade. They elected him to fulfill those promises, and they are many and big. But he has a mandate to try.

[pony1225]

KUDOS TO THE PERSON NEXT TO ME, I JUST WANT TO MENTION A BIG THANKS TO OUR PRESIDENT WHO HELD OUR HANDS AND HEARTS WHEN THE TERRORIST BOMBED OUR VULNERABLE NATION, AND LIKE A PROTECTIVE FATHER, STOOD UP FOR US AND DIMINISHED OUR ADVERSARIES, AND NOW MY CHILDREN HAVE A BETTER COUNTRY FOR THIS. LINCOLN WOULD BE VERY PLEASED WITH YOU MR. PRESIDENT.

[r9119111]

CBSisPravda: It is because of people like you that Barack Obama won this election. I hope you will take an honest look at yourself and wonder why you are so hateful. The Ameican people have spoken, thank God, and I agree with them.

[norepubs]

I guess that Bu$h''s $5.5 trillion deficit,his lies about Iraq,the corporate socialism/$1 trillion giveaway,and the war on the middle class just wasn''t enough for you........
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it will be interesting to watch the faces of those who elected Barack Obama - they will rapidly change from their wide-eyed wonder - to confusion, then to apprehension, then to disbelief, and finally to horror as they discover their new leader is as hollow as the promises he has made.

[norepubs]

A MAJORITY of Americans voted for Obama. Goodbye right wing nutjobs. Your twisted agenda based on GREED,and DECEPTION has gone down in flames.

[norepubs]

Actually the Obama win can more directly be attributed to right wing GREED,and the LIES of Bu$h and his band of twisted republican fascists.......

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CBSisPravda: It is because of people like you that Barack Obama won this election.

[wayno561]

What a great day for America!!!

[sayfud-deen]

wow! some people are just sore losers!!!!!!!!

[shochikibo]

CBSisPravda: are you one of the _real_ Americans? One who wants the country and _all_ of its people to succeed? You now have an opportunity to put away your hate and actually work toward positive results rather than continue to the wasteful bombing, profligate spending, and hate mongering of the Bush years. If you are not willing to help, please get out of the way. Those of us who do want the U.S. to succeed have work to do.

[spainbureau]

The american people have spoken clearly!!! Congratulations America from Spain!!! The change has come to America... and I think "the change has come to World!!!

[hatesthecolt]

wow! some people are just sore losers!!!!!!!!


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Posted by sayfud-deen


yeah, I remember when Bush won in 2004 and all I wanted to do was crawl into a hole so to some extent I feel sorry for them. The difference: that was a squeaker... here their entire world view has been rejected. It has GOTTA hurt.

[bjcone8559]

What a wonderful feeling!! I am a 60 year old white male, Vietnam Veteran, and I just took a long shower and washed off 8 years of slime. America feels clean today!! God Bless America!! God Bless all Americans!!

[G H M]

The silent majority is no longer silent.

America spoke LOUD AND CLEAR!

And it feels good!

[arnldmartin]

America HAS FINALLY SPOKEN! iT''S TOO BAD IT TOOK SO LONG.

[soul_dsm]

Today is an amazing day for not just the American people, but for the entire International Community. I am a 20 year old first time voter this year and I find it amazing that people like jerr111 and CBSisPravda could have such ignorant views. What doesn''t make sense to me is allowing a President to destroy our country, our economy, our constitution and the safety of our troops for 8 years and go unpunished. CBSis, this country has already failed and has been failing for 8 years. ANY leadership is better than the failed leadership we have now. This election proves that the common sense, which sadly had flown out of this nations windows for the past 2 elections has returned. Last night, the American people rallied together and delivered a clear message to all levels of government that we demand better for our country. God bless America

[jjyorks]

I wholeheartedly agree with the comment about elite Washington establishment since I too had long been suspected about it, since all the so-called commanders-in-chief are more of the same when it comes to truly major policies which are actually laid out by establishment in Washington,DC, and spoon-feed
to the Presidents. God Bless America!

[olivia4441]

A day to remember?..November 3, 2008!

The day that they United States of America ceased to exist as a free and independent capitalist nation. The day that the pledge of allegiance became a worthless statement and the Constitution was reduced to the status of toilet paper. The day that the principles and ideals that once served as the foundation of the nation were trampled underfoot and banished to the realm of oblivion. The day that the decline and fall of the greatest nation in the world reached the point of no return beyond the possibility of rescue or salvation.

Congratulations to all of the lazy mindless gullible greedy selfish idiots responsible for the travesty who are only capable of sucking off of the *** of the real working citizens of the country and stealing their hard earned money and property for themselves. Congratulation for ushering in the change you so earnestly desired which will establish the first totalitarian government of the United States.

Congratulations to those wonderful racists, those immoral scum bags, those incredible extremists, those stalwarts of socialism, those tremendous lovers of fascism you''ve managed to succeed at the task that all of the previous enemies of the United States of America could not.

[lhohen]

In my previous 6 presidential elections, I had to choose the lesser of two evils. This time my choice was between good and evil. Thank God good prevailed!

[pepperwood2]

A Mandate For Change??? Eh! Soon we''ll have Hillary, Bill, Carter, Mondale, Rendell and some of the SAME good old boys & girls appointed to various positions in his cabinet.

The Liberal Congress with it lowest approval rating in History will continue with the present agenda of allowing Oil companies to fleece the American People. Higher heating oil, Food & Housing costs.

In the meantime the Banking Industry, Fannie Mae & Freddy Mac goes down under the watch of Barny Frank while he goes around sucking his thumb.

A Mandate for Change alright! Under the watch of Our Liberal Congress for the last 3 years??? A change could mean a lot things in their vocabulary.

I Just CHANGED the channel. Know what I keep getting the same programs on the other channels.

[tallyman2008]

Sounds like many of you should pack up and move to Alaska, or Texas, Alabama, Mississippi - take your pick.

Then you can all sit around complaining about the current situation while you clean your guns, throw rocks at bleeding heart liberals, argue over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin or whether Adam and Eve did exist at same time with dinosaurs, and do all of that while your 17 year old daughters are off rolling in the hay making babies you can later raise for them since they are still clueless children.

Or you can wake up ...

Join the rest of America and The World

And all of us work together to make things better

[noloyalisti]

Thanks god some of the wrong wingers took their heads out of their butts and admit their right wing ideology has failed. The great news is that Obama is so young and will be able to extract so many more heads from butts for decades to come. Halleluyah.

[credibility2]

None of this matters any more. Things will get worse and those that didn''t vote for Obama can have the last laugh when the Obama administration falls flat on its you know what. I can hardly wait. These nincompoops won''t have Bush or the Repubs to blame any more. This is what most of us should be rejoicing in. Take solace in the future, for those rejoicing now will inevitably suffer the most and they will have richly deserved it.

[noloyalisti]

All we progressive need to work really hard to support Obama because he will get a lot of pressure from the fascists who stole all our money the last 8 years.

We need to make this the BEGINNING just like the man Obama himself said. Now that we have disposed of King George and his violent extremist heirs like McSame, we can get down to work for liberal policies and moving Obama to the left.

[samthetvcat]

---"There is a great deal of pent-up frustration among many segments of the party after eight years of the Bush Administration"---

Yes, well said!

[zhynaryll]

Change = Socialism. Is this what America really wants? And it doesn''t take a genius to look at the map of red and blue and see where the country is heading. And the next revolution won''t be just the South! And it will include a lot of those African-Americans who thought that Obama was "The One". I feel really sorry for them! They didn''t want Socialism, just a fair shake. But what they''ll get, I don''t want. So.........wait and see what falls out, good countrymen!! I can only pray that the Supreme Court will interpret the Constitution as it stands, and not as the Dims would like!

[downsteamjim]

Pure sexism: Not once to we hear of a womandate. It is always mandate this, mandate that. Of course, it may have something to do with ga y pride.

[lmartink]

By my math that means that 83% of the American people DID NOT support him.

Posted by bob5ford at 07:36 PM : Nov 05, 2008

Your math is flawed my friend. For example, the electoral college vote was a mandate for sweeping and fundamental change.

In politics, the word mandate has numerous other meanings and definitions. It is not just about the number of voters who actually went to the polls.

[lmartink]

And this from another CBS article.

"Concerns about the economy stretched from the poorest to wealthiest Americans. Obama did particularly well among those voters with family incomes of less than $50,000, winning 60 percent of their votes. But he also ran even with McCain among voters making at least $100,000. And he beat McCain by 6 percent among voters with incomes over $200,000."

Sounds like a powerful mandate to me.

[kevnkar]

You know the truly scary thing here is that the Dems now have an insurmountable advantage in the house and senate. Soon there will be handouts for illegals and even more for the welfare abusers. How do you people think this will be paid for? That''s right, more taxes on the middle class. You have all truly been duped. Already 43% of the us population pay no taxes and now that number will grow higher. The tax burden on the working middle class will become too great and our economy truly will collapse.

[downsteamjim]

Curse914: A goldfish in a bowl has about as much experience as Obama, so we should get a fair test of your theory.

[norepubs]

A *** in a toilet bowl has more experience than Palin. Imagine having her take over for grandpa when he finally keeled over?????
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Curse914: A goldfish in a bowl has about as much experience as Obama, so we should get a fair test of your theory.

Posted by downsteamjim at

[norepubs]

Ya know, it''s a funny thing. When welfare was at its liberal worst, the cost was about 6% of the GNP. Thanks to idiot Reagan,and cretin Bu$h, the *INTEREST ALONE* on the national debt now consumes 25% of the GNP. We have created a welfare state for bankers,and investors. Guaranteed Govt. money that you don''t have to do anything for except collect your check. All on the taxpayers dime. And of course, the recent $1 trillion+ giveaway is yet another dimension of repub corp. socialism evolving........
It''s a relief to see the criminal NEO "CON" class flushed into the sewer where they belong......
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Soon there will be handouts for illegals and even more for the welfare abusers. How do you people think this will be paid for? That''''s right, more taxes on the middle class. You have all truly been duped. Already 43% of the us population pay no taxes and now that number will grow higher. The tax burden on the working middle class will become too great and our economy truly will collapse.

[hannity2008]

Where ever I go, I get Pleas from Obama supporters , to stop bashing Obama. I think its time for the GW haters to get a little taste of there own Medicine.

I am willing to make a bet more radical stuff will surface about Obama. The real Obama is the one who was friends with Bill AYers. THe real Obama is the one toasting a PLO terrorist. The real Obama is the one who said he wanted to bankrupt our coal industry. The real Obama will be revealed and there will be buyer remorse.

1.Obama and Bill Ayers Annenberg Challenge Coverup
2.Obama and Alwadi, a palestine terrorist
3.Obama and Rev Wright
4.OBama and the socialist demcratic association
5.Obama and Acorn
6.Obmaa and Rev Flaggert
7.Hamas donated 30k to Obama
8.International Solidarity Movement
9.Wheels of Justice
10.Rezko
11.And now ACORN to the list of Obama radical associations


Take all of Obama associates and his comments he has made and ill sum up Obama.

Obama is the most left wing radical terrorist sympathizer who is pro-muslim and anti-Isreal. Obama is pro-black. Obama is arrogant, lies and throws people under the bus to pursue power. Obama is dangerous for this country. In a post 911 World , I dont understand how the Main Stream Media is not reporting or investigating Obama background. CAN anyone name a person in the past besides Michelle, Rev WRight, BIll AYers, Rezko who can VOUCH for Obama.

OBAMA SPEECH WRITER DEFECTS....WAKE UP AMERICA...EVEN THE SPEECH WRITER SMELLS SOCIALISM.

[pepperwood2]

Posted by Mcliar at 03:24 PM : Nov 05, 2008
Since when has Barny Frank been in charge of the federal government?

With all do respect Mr.McLiar - We all know your liberal protege Barney is just around to Gum up the works. So Sad!

[ajmarine111]

A *** in a toilet bowl has more experience than Palin. Imagine having her take over for grandpa when he finally keeled over?????
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Curse914: A goldfish in a bowl has about as much experience as Obama, so we should get a fair test of your theory.

Posted by downsteamjim at


Posted by NoRepubs at 09:13 PM : Nov 05, 2008



If Obama is qualified, so was Sharah.

[kevnkar]

Ya know, it''''s a funny thing. When welfare was at its liberal worst, the cost was about 6% of the GNP. Thanks to idiot Reagan,and cretin Bu$h, the *INTEREST ALONE* on the national debt now consumes 25% of the GNP. We have created a welfare state for bankers,and investors. Guaranteed Govt. money that you don''''t have to do anything for except collect your check. All on the taxpayers dime. And of course, the recent $1 trillion+ giveaway is yet another dimension of repub corp. socialism evolving........
It''''s a relief to see the criminal NEO "CON" class flushed into the sewer where they belong......
Posted by NoRepubs

Wow! You invoke Regan but Bill Clinton claimed to have balanced the budget years later. As for the bailout. That was caused by unscrupulous lenders, fraudulent policies written by AIG and irresponsible homeowners who bought houses they new they couldn''t afford. Not by POTUS. I have no pity for the lot and I think we should have let them all go down the toilet. I have a job and a home that is within my means to pay for.

[kevnkar]

Oh, by the way Norepubs,
Your democratically controlled congress legislated the *** bailout to begin with!

[iawildcats72]

Pelosi, D-California, said she hoped Obama would "bring people together to reach consensus" on issues that concern Americans. "A new president must govern from the middle," she said. Obama? ... govern from the middle? YEAH, RIGHT! Who does she think she''s kidding? The next four years will be more of the same. Lies, spin and distort the truth. Who is Obama going to blame in 2012?? The Democratic controlled congress?

[misha128-2009]

Posted by AJMarine111 at 09:41 PM

Sarah did not even know Africa was a continent -- care to try again?

Oh yeah, she did not even know the countries in NAFTA -- even though her state borders one and Senator McCain''s borders the other. -- oops -- that is unqualified.

[ajmarine111]

Sarah did not even know Africa was a continent -- care to try again?

Posted by misha128 at 10:17 PM : Nov 05, 2008



Obama said there were 57 states,.....I think they are even.

[onagros]

The first mandate will be more stalls and less urinals.
The liberals are feeling empowered.
Now they can squat and not feel intimidated by real men.

[joezap5]

onagros, Real men Republicans Like Larry Craig!!!???

Republicans are closet Homosexuals Like: Mark Foley, Ted Haggard, Larry Craig, Bob Allen, Glenn Murphy Jr., And of course onagros!!! LOL LOL

Bathrrom stall foot tapping G.O.P.ers talking about bathroom stalls!!! LOL LOL LOL!!!

[joezap5]

cntrymuzksux, Nothing truer said...

[joezap5]

The first mandate will be more stalls and less urinals.
The liberals are feeling empowered.
Now they can squat and not feel intimidated by real men.



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Posted by onagros at 12:35 AM : Nov 06, 2008

I used to have some respect for Republicans, but now they seem to be a bunch of draft dodging, AM Radio conspiracy theorist, spoiled rich kid, self-hating closet ***!

[joezap5]

Sarah did not even know Africa was a continent -- care to try again?

Posted by misha128 at 10:17 PM : Nov 05, 2008



Obama said there were 57 states,.....I think they are even.




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Posted by AJMarine111 at 10:39 PM : Nov 05, 2008

You are comparing the intelligence of Caribou Barbie with The former editor of the Harvard Law Review!!!??? The Magna *** Laude Harvard Law School graduate!!!??? The Scholar and College professor of Constitutional law!!!???

AJMarine111, Did you get all, or just part, of your education from AM Radio?

[pony1225]

VOTE FOR CHANGE! IMPEACH OBAMA!
VOTE FOR CHANGE! IMPEACH OBAMA!
CHANGE, CHANGE, CHANGE,
IMPEACH OBAMA!!
IMPEACH OBAMA!!
IMPEACH OBAMA!!

[dredigga]

Most of the news stations were liberal. So they did what their bosses told them to do. DON''''T INVESTIGATE OUR ONLY CHANCE TO GAIN CONTROL AGAIN, PEOPLE MIGHT WISE UP.

Posted by insite4u

I am at a loss why the GOP faithful continue to blame the media and the DEMs. The fact-of-the-matter is that you guys and your views are out of touch with most of mainstream America. Instead of looking at yourselves internally, you continue to bash the media for perceived bias against your party. You folks need to wake up and accept that soon you are going to be a permanent minority party unless your conservative platform becomes more inclusive. I saw during the conventions that you were going to lose simply by observing the demographics in the respective audiences. The GOP''s consisted of mainly ederly whites while the DEMs had a broad representive audience. They looked more like America and reflected the diversity of this great nation.

[worstever2]

By the long faces around the office you would think Satan himself had been elected. I guess they belived that GOP self serving propaganda, but thats another story.

For the most part these long faces belong to some good people, who truely have the best interest of America at heart.

Not to dismiss their concerns, but be aware that on other side of the aisle we have existed for the past eight years.

We too love our country deeply, and I personally knew that Bush was going to be a trainwreck before he took office. Anyone who could read, with an open mind could have come to that conclusion.

But we have lived with your same anguish and dispair for the past eight years ....... so grow a spine ....... learn to live with it.

We have.

You are disparing about what MAY happen.

We have witnessed the winds of war grow, when the world said leave it alone. Now, all but the most stupid know this was a huge mistake.

[grumpas]

It would be nice if there were some sane person out there rather than a right wing whack job theblackman9! It''s that sort of sickness is why they are no longer in power. People are growing tired of all the venom and hate!

[ken3331]

You voted for higher taxes. You%u2019re going to pay them too%u2026 just like me. You voted for more government and less freedom. You voted for cuts in military spending as we fight 2 wars against a committed enemy. You voted for the same people and policies that have devastated the housing market and our economy. You have given the reins of power to the most under qualified, inexperienced and dubious candidate in our lifetime. This is not debatable. You chose an unknown quantity over a giant who has spent his life in service to America and who in the words of your own standard bearers has the right stuff for the presidency.

All that being said, what is done is done. Enjoy your victory, but as the euphoria fades, remember the ball is now in your court. There will be no George Bush or any republicans to blame now. It%u2019s now time to put up or shut up. I for one will give President elect Obama and this new administration the benefit of the doubt but I and my conservative brethren will be watching closely and if and when things go awry we will know exactly where to lay the blame.



Congratulations. Good luck and God Bless

[onarollagain]

Wall Street is continuing to pull out...serious investors know to take the profit now and only pay 85% cap rather than what Osama wants to increase the tax to on cap gains...the middle class has been duped and are going to get seriously hurt under this socialist.

So hold on to your hats; history was really made...the worst ever loss after a presidential election continues today....wise American investors know what he is going to do to them so they are getting out!! The facts speak for themselves....suckers!! America has been duped!!

Year Dow S&P Nasdaq President elect
2008 -5.05 -5.27 -5.53 Barack Obama
2004 +1.01 1.12 0.98 George W. Bush
2000 -0.41 -1.58 -5.39 No decision: G.W. Bush v Al Gore*
1996 1.59 1.46 1.34 William Clinton
1992 -0.91 -0.67 0.16 William Clinton
1988 -0.43 -0.66 -0.29 George H. W. Bush
1984 -0.88 -0.73 -0.32 Ronald Reagan
1980 1.70 1.77 1.49 Ronald Reagan
1976 -0.99 -1.14 -1.12 James Carter
1972 -0.11 -0.55 -0.39 Richard Nixon
1968 0.34 0.16 --- Richard Nixon
1964 -0.19 -0.05 --- Lyndon Johnson
1960 0.77 0.44 --- John Kennedy