US Presidential Election 2012 (Joe'sWorld)

2012 was the 57th quadrennial election. It was between incumbent President Barack Obama and the Republican nominee, former governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney. President Barack Obama beat Romney soundly with 332 to 206 electoral votes, and won the national popular vote with 51% to 47%.

Background
Early projections gave an edge to incumbent President Obama with his approval ratings going up after the death of Osama Bin Laden. However after a poor debate performance his approval ratings went down. Mitt Romney's polling went up shortly went up shortly after his nomination at the RNC and picking Paul Ryan as his Vice-President in early August. Throughout most of the election season the election was considered a toss-up between Romney and Obama, however the Democrats had a large advantage over Romney with the overall national unpopularity of Republican policies and lingering memories of George W. Bush.

Democratic Party
Nominee

President Barack Obama (51) had an officially uncontested primary, easily winning his re-election bid from the Democratic Party

Republican Party
Candidates
 * Mitt Romney (65), former Governor of Massachusetts (Nominee)
 * Rick Santorum (54), former Senator of Pennsylvania
 * Ron Paul (77), Congressman from Texas
 * Newt Gingrich (69), Former Speaker of the House
 * Herman Cain (66), Businessman from Georgia
 * Rick Perry (62), Governor of Texas
 * Michelle Bachmann (56), Congresswoman from Minnesota
 * Jon Huntsman Jr (52), Former Governor of Utah and Ambassador to China
 * Tim Pawlenty (52), Former Governor of Minnesota
 * Gary Johnson (60), Former Governor of New Mexico
 * Thaddeus McCotter (47), Congressman from Michigan
 * Buddy Roemer (69), Former Governor of Louisiana

The Republican Party had a very close primary season with many different front-runners appearing, However Romney reminaed the only consistent front-runner and it was clear he was going to get the nomination. In early April his last viable competitor, Rick Santorum, suspended his campaign. Romney won the nomination and chose Wisconsin House Representative Paul Ryan as his Vice-Presidential nominee.

Libertarian Party
Former Governor and fomer Republican candidate Gary Johnson (60).

Constitution Party
Former Congressman Virgil Goode (66)

Green Party
Jill Stein (62)

Results
President Barack Obama won the election with 332 electoral votes over Romney's 206 electoral votes. Romney won 24 states and Obama won 26 states. Romney won the states of Indiana and North Carolina that Obama had previously won in 2008. Obama won every other swing state.