This 2012 US Election blog is winding down, We recorded President Obama's win and eloquent victory speech early this morning in the UK. Both he and Romney, at least publicly, showed why they have a following. Romney was gracious in defeat and Obama in victory. Yes it does take a special skill to be gracious in victory and not resort to school playground behaviour.

One GOP supporter though has proved that at least some Republican supporters are not going to take defeat lightly.

Entrepeneur Donald Trump, who is something of a joke in the UK, took to Twitter to express his displeasure. Even before the result was in he was not happy. As soon as it was clear that the vote was not going to go Romney's way he was vehemently attacking the election.

Trump who was a fan of bringing down Obama by raising questions regarding his place of birth was furious. His tweet said, "Well, back to the drawing board!" Calm enough but then came his outburst that, "We can't let this happen. We should march on Washington and stop this travesty. Our nation is totally divided!"

Well yes at times it is and it is usually by people such as Trump. What a Wally. Only last month Trump offered to give $5mil to the charity of Obama's choice if the Presdient could produce certain personal documents which met wiith Trump's approval. How arrogant is that? How disrespectful also.

When Trump took to Titter following Romney's defeat he had to post in 140 character chunks. This did not stop his rather silly but hate filled rant. He tweeted in sections ending up saying,

• Let's fight like hell and stop this great and disgusting injustice! The world is laughing at us.

Yes Donald they are laughing at YOU, you ridiculous man.

• This election is a total sham and a travesty. We are not a democracy!

Well surely if you marched on Washington just because the vote did not go the way you wanted it too that last sentence would be true?

• Our nation is a once great nation divided!

And you think your words offer healing?

• Our country is now in serious and unprecedented trouble...like never before.

Really? Are you not sure that you mean your business interests are?

• The electoral college is a disaster for a democracy.

Well then work toward a better voting system in the USA.

The 2012 US Election has been costly and time consuming. Americans must be sick and tired of being bombarded by campigners trying to secure votes. Now that it is over, IT IS OVER. Time to get down to business, rally behind the man democratically elected to lead America for 4 more years, lick wounds and start again.

President Obama's victory and Mitt Romney's defeat speeches held some hope and promise. That is of course if the Commander in Chief is allowed to do the job he was elected to do.

It is 6.30am GMT in the UK and we have woke to the news that President Obama has been re-elected for a second term in the USA. In the end he won by a reasonable margin. UK TV presenters are in Chicago at what looks set to be a huge victory celebration. The crowd and media are waiting for Barack Obama to make a speech.

He has now appeared on stage with wife Michelle and his two daughters.

The crowds show their appreciation to their man. He has received good wishes from his Republican opposition, Mitt Romney, and from World leaders such as David Cameron. Obama applauds the crowd and his supporters as appropriately enough Stevie Wonder's signed, sealed delivered I am yours belts out.

His speech attempts to reinforce the power of the people with a tip of the hat to US history and the founding fathers. Obama offered his thanks to all those who voted in the 2012 election, participated as fund raisers, in whatever way and worked hard for this election result.

In victory Obama was gracious to Mitt Romney. He applauded verbally Romney, his family and his camp and perhaps surprisingly said that he looked forward to sitting down with Romney in order to discuss the best way forward for America.

The President went on to recognise his wife's efforts, acknowledge how proud he is of his two girls and importantly his campaigners. VP Joe Biden was acknowledged as an essential part of the team. The speech went on to attempt to include all Americans and hope for a good working relationship in the future. The GOP camp were not as gracious in defeat.

OPINION: Congratulations to the USA and the President. The right choice has been made we think. President Obama now has a second term to try and complete the job that voters have trusted him with. He will represent the people not just a small  percentage of them. He is human and may not always suit everyone but is his heart in the right place? We think it is. You only have to look at the grey hairs, a mark of the stress of 4 years as President, to know that the job is never easy. Obama however is prepared to give the job his very best efforts. What more can you ask for?

As the final loose ends of the US 2012 election are tied up it seems that there is still all too play for. Swing States, what would be called marginal seats in the UK, could yet tip the balance either way. The USA may pride itself on its constitution and voting system but it is no stranger to voter fraud. If you have read about past incidents of dead people's names being fraudulently used to cast votes you may have believed that such criminal activity had been stopped. These days voter fraud may be rare but it is not unknown. These days of course more sophisticated means are used to fiddle elections.

The last time G W Bush was voted into Presidential Office there were claims of foul. The vote was tight and looking back one has to wonder just how sound a result it was. Let's hope that this election is at least a "clean" affair.

As both candidates, their families, their staff and hardline supporters continue to campaign until the bitter end you have to ask when will enough be enough? For some that will only be when all the ballot boxes are in.

People in parts of the US East Coast that are struggling to get up and running following Hurricane Sandy's devastation last week will have much more important fis to fry than voting. Yes voting is vital and hugely important but if you have no accomodation food water, power or means of transport you could be forgiven for not bothering to vote this year.

By the time the US election ends on Tuesday November 6, 2012, the American people will surely feel battle weary. Elections can be long drawn out affairs but in America it seems that they are almost in constant election mode.

The lengthy campaign by Republicans to select their GOP candidate for 2012 dragged on and on. Televised debates, a  nationwide tour and ads trying to win support. Once Romney was elected there were seemingly endless fund raising ads. Even at such a late hour American voters are being accosted by election news and propaganda.

With early voting in place in some States many people have already voted. The monumental effort being thrown into the final stages of this election shows just how tight the race for the White House is in 2012. It would appear that there is still all to play for.

Hurricane Sandy altered the election landscape somewhat. Both Obama and Romney may have gained some political leverage on its back. A week after the event, as fuel shortages, power outtages and freezing cold weather bites many victims of Sandy will blame Obama. He is after all the President. For now at least Romney can concentrate on his election campaign.

Would the outcome of Sandy have been different with Romney in the White House? Not at all. The people could have been looking at a longer restoration period though. If he had abolished FEMA many would be fending for themselves entirely.

Age and experience has taught us that politicians are often not what they seem. Part of public speaking is playing a role. Presidential hopefuls will part with plenty of personal information without  revealing  who they really are. For many voters then gut instinct will play a part in who they choose to support. That is unless they have a vested interest in who is the next resident of the White House.

The only conclusion you can draw about Mitt Romney and his uber wealthy backers is that they want a stake in the White House for their own ends. Our gut instinct is that President Obama is a better option for America and the World than Mitt Romney. It will of course be up to Americans to decide for themselves and see through the spin and campaign words.

Which candidate talks the talk and can walk the walk is the all important question?

The US Election campaigns are hotting up. Time is short and each side is trying to damn the other. It seems some politicians are making it easy for the opposition.

Women are going to be key players in the US election. Their vote could make the difference especially in some States.  Notice how many time President Obama is backed by rows of women when he is making speeches. Campaign managers are utilising women and recognising their election value.

The GOP however are no strangers to alienating women. A while ago there was Rick Santorum with his views on abortion, then a couple of months ago there was Todd Akin commenting on rape and now there is Richard Mourdock.

As Mitt Romney and leading lights of the Republican Party try to distance themselves from Mourdock it is already too late. The damage has been done. So what did this supposedly intelligent man say. Well unlike Akin who does not believe that "legitimate rape" can result in a pregnancy Mourdock believes that it can and does. The problem is that if it does he believes that it is a "gift from God".

Mourdock joined a long line of GOP politicians who have put their foot in their mouth. A US Senate candidate his words could end his career hopes. At the end of a debate late yesterday he was asked if abortion should be allowed in the case of incest or rape. His answer?  "I struggled with it myself for a long time, but I came to realise life is that gift from God. "I think even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that's something God intended to happen."

We can never understand why it would be viewed as from God and not the Devil. Of course that would perhaps in a religious person's mind justify an abortion which goes against their grain.

Today Mourdock was on a damage limitation exercise claiming his words were twisted for political gain. What did he expect? He was out of order like so many other male politicians.

As each side tries to gain some political leverage words can be misconstrued. If you talk such blatant nonsense you make it easy for the opposition. You also alienate many would be voters. Today evil, God, abortion and pregnancy have been chewed over in Indiana where Mourdock had political ambitions. I say had because surely he has shot himself in the foot?

More here

So Americans have their final Presidential debate to look forward to tonight. We wonder how many will actually tune in. If what is put out on the media it would seem that many Americans and plenty of people in foreign lands will tune in. For some it will be a taster, for others they will watch it glued to the TV. How much will really be achieved is also debatable.

There is always a lot of spin. There are always facts and figures, some accurate others more vague. Then there is who is behind each man. When in the first debate Romney appeared to out debate Obama we wondered who had been training him. After all failed GOP hopeful Newt Gingrich, more adept at debating, had said that he would help out.

This is of course is the point. Are these debates really showing the true candidate or not? They could simply be showing a well rehearsed speaker who has been coached to the hilt.

People need something to utilise to choose their new President but is this the way? For more than a year the USA  has been in election mode. The new Presidential hopeful has in some ways a better chance. After all he or she does not have to run the country whilst fighting an election. In the end though at times it all seems like a slanging match. A fight where the seconds out is about to be called.

Both sides have tried to name call the other. As the GOP faithful try to claim that Romney has been demonized by Democrats we wonder what planet they have just arrived here from. They have played everything form Birther Issues to Damning 47% of the population. Of course the 47% comments were not meant for general consumption. They however surely show the true nature of Romney and his followers. Hate and racism are rife.

In a debate Romney can and no doubt will say anything to come up trumps. In truth though will any of it be meaningful. If different words are spoke behind closed doors you have to wonder what actually is the truth.

All of sudden GOP campaign managers, Tagg Romney and Mitt's supporters want us to feel sorry for the guy. They want us to know that he is not how he has been painted. That from a group of people who have painted President Obama almost as the devil incarnate.

Soon this tiring political trek will end for Americans. Either Romney or Obama will reign supreme. Will either be able to easily cure America's ills? No.

The final debate is on foreign policy. President Obama must by now have had his fill of foreign affairs, wars and conflicts. Would Romney have tackled them in a better way? Probaly not. He may have done some things differently but in the end he would have followed America's path. Never forget that GOP President G W Bush took America into Iraq and Afghanistan. President Obama simply inherited an already unwinnable war.

Americans will have many concerns overseas but in the end it will be policy at home that will win or lose the election. Most voters when all is said and done look to their wallets. Can Romney a fully paid member of the Elite offer ordinary Americans a better future? You decide.

The two men, each hoping to be the next Vice President of America, locked words in battle yesterday. Veteran politician Joe Biden took part in a televised debate with Republican Vice Presidential hopeful Paul Ryan.

Experience and age does not always add strength of character and useful knowledge but in the case of Joe Biden it helped prove his political worth. Both sides claimed victory in the post debate "spin room". In politics anything can be "spun to suit". Barring an out and out disastrous performance by either man both campaign teams would be able to talk up their guy's performance.

We should of course always remember that it is a performance and not much more. In politics bluff and acting skills play a part. Hopefully each leader has truth or principles in a larger quantity though. In TV debates characteristics not essential for being a skilful politician come to the fore. After all does it really matter who is wearing what? Does it matter what the candidates wife looks and sounds like? Do we need to see the person's children? No in all cases. It is froth and not substance.

Who you think won in what is essentially a meaningless debate will depend on your political leanings. We all tend to see the faults in those we are not supporting more than in "our guy".

Having said that the televised debates area meaningless though we have to admit that in the US they are not. By the time spin doctors have spun their web of intrigue voters may be swayed toward a different candidate. In the US the politics of Presidential candidates seems less important than who the candidate is. Are there no American voters who tend to support either the Democratic Party or the Republican one?

In the recent debate between Obama and Romney the President was cautious. He allowed Romney at times to dominate the debate. He was courteous rather than feisty. Biden had either been advised, or personally decided to, act more aggressively. In doing so you run the risk of being just that, aggressive, rather than assertive.

Ryan appeared more calm and controlled. Perhaps the Romney and Ryan team had decided beforehand who would play the "good cop" and who the bad.

President Obama came to office at a time when World economies were crumbling. The former GOP President, GW Bush, had presided over a crumbling US economy and military involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan. In other words Obama inherited a mess. The question remains has he done enough to put things right? Would Romney have done better? He may have done somethings differently but would America have been in a better position if he had?

When you look at the candidates the GOP and the Democrats are much of a muchness.  What will be crucial for voters deciding who to vote for will be who is expected to pick up the tab involved in getting America up and running once more.

Now  that Mitt Romney appears to be back in the US election race, he is attempting to set the record straight. Those oh so offensive comments regarding 47% of American citizens needed addressing. In an arrogant manner he virtually declared that 47&% of Americans are happy to sit back and live a life of luxury on welfare.

What a shameful accusation, made all the worse as Romney is such a wealthy man. He and his wife are no newcomers to wealth and privilege, meaning that they have no idea how most Americans live.

His accusations were aimed at a swathe of Americans who do not pay taxes. That is they have no suitable income to be taxed. His remarks were disparaging especially considering that he manages to pay a low rate of tax in spite of his vast wealth.

Romney's remarks regarding 47% of Americans was muttered behind closed doors. It was secretly taped at a Romney fund raiser. This will leave many wondering how honest his words are in TV debates. Are they just empty words aimed at winning? Perhaps behind the closed doors of fund raisers Romney speaks what he believes to be the truth?

Mitt Romney yesterday said that his words regarding 47% of Americans were "completely wrong" Well we knew that all along. Shame it took Mitt so long to realise his words were wrong. His apology may be from the heart or just because he was caught out.

Speaking with Fox Romney said, "Well, clearly in a campaign, with hundreds if not thousands of speeches and question-and-answer sessions, now and then you're going to say something that doesn't come out right. " In this case, I said something that's just completely wrong."  "And I absolutely believe, however, that my life has shown that I care about 100% and that's been demonstrated throughout my life. And this whole campaign is about the 100%."

Do we believe him? Do we Hell. Today President Obama has bounced back on the strength of better than expected unemployment figures. Mitt Romney is trying to tie up lose ends. His 47% gaffe is just one of many such gaffes.

Voters will have to decide if they trust him enough to make him the next President of the USA.

The cynic in us would not be surprised if all of this was engineered. You know, upset some of the electorate and then back pedal. In doing so he can appease the masses but his true followers will know it was all a sham. Romney may not be clever enough for all of this but his campaign managers could be.

In truth Romney did not say his sentiment was wrong simply his wording. US voters are fickle but are they easily swayed. If they believe Romney's words they must be very naive.

Following the first US Presidential debate between Mitt Romney and President Obama it seems the consensus was that Romney was the winner. For once he appeared human and almost animated, at least at times. By comparison some have called Obama's performance lacklustre. His sparkle was certainly dimmed. He has of course had many problems this year to try and resolve.

Mitt Romney came out like a different man. You have to wonder how come. Was he buoyed up by the prospect of the debate? Was he confident that his words were well rehearsed? He has still made no firm commitments to any policies however and remains a bit of a mystery.

Romney, Obama and pundits were waiting on unemployment figures due to be released today. The Romney camp would be able to seek political advantage out of other people's misery if the figures were bad. Obama could use good figures to his advantage. The odds may have been stacked in favour of Romney but these things are never over till "the fat lady sings"

Perhaps surprisingly the figures released by the US Department of Labour showed a reduction. US unemployment is now at its lowest rate since 2009. This may not be brilliant news but it is a step in the right direction. Most western countries are experiencing economic woes and increases in unemployment.

Analysts and pundits had predicted an increase in US unemployment figures but instead September's rate was 7.8%, down from 8.1% in August. A further 114,000 jobs were added to the economy in August also confounding pundits.

These latest figures take the US back to the end of the George Bush era. It is quite an achievement for the Obama administration, given the current global economic climate. Supporters of Romney are of course looking to pick holes in the figures. They are concentrating on what they say is a subdued American economy plus job news that is middle of the road.

In truth however the reduction in US unemployment numbers is something to celebrate.

More facts and figures here

As Election Day approaches in the USA the two candidates, President Obama and Mitt Romney, are making one last push. It will entail final fundraising and televised debates. The first of three debates was aired in the US last night. It seems that for many Mitt Romney was the winner by a mile. Do such debates mean anything though in real terms?

Well sadly yes they do. In the UK it was the TV  performances of David Cameron and Nick Clegg which swayed voters to vote for the Tories and the Lib Dems ultimately creating the Condem coalition. They proved that style will often win out over substance.

President Obama has been the leader of the USA during a particularly tough time in history. Economic doom and gloom, conflicts around the World, Environmental chaos and Republicans staying his hand with many policy changes he had hoped to implement.

That said leaders often have to face tough challenges. When the going gets tough the tough should get going. That is if they are allowed to. He has certainly aced more bigotry than previous Americans leaders. In some ways last night he appeared to be a weary man. Well that could be because he has had the country to govern during his re-election campaign whilst Romney has been parading up and down the US concentrating on his campaign. Obama's team has been fundraising whilst Romney has simply relied on his wealthy backers and his own fortune to fund his campaign.

Last night's debate appeared to concentrate on the middle classes. On their income reductions and challenges. Those in that category who now feel that Romney will be there for them are sadly mistaken, in our opinion. They will not be his priority. He will have big buck supporters needing pay back top of his agenda.

Romney took Obama to task for spending so much political time on Obama Care. Yes we all know there are many challenges out there. Perhaps the President though wanted to honour an election promise. Would Romney not do the same? It appears he would not.

The people of America face a tough election. They may simply want to declare that Obama did not come up with the goods and it is time for change but they should exercise caution. Romney has already shown that he will say anything in order to get elected. His flip flop politics could be meaningless.

On a personal level this blogger does not like the guy. Romney that is. There is something about him that stinks. She is not an American though and so it will be nothing to do with her, as far as the voting goes. Two more debates will follow and it could be that President Obama is saving his best till last. President Romney does not easily trip of