2012 Presidential Election

Election Run Up
The 2012 Presidential election was a contest between Democratic President Hillary Clinton and Republican challenger Mitt Romney. The main topics were during the campaign were the economic crisis, which the Republicans successfully pinned on Clinton's Presidency, and the stalling in relationship with Russia

Debates
The election consisted of 5 debates, in Denver (Colorado), Columbus (Ohio), Harrisburg (Pennsylvania), Juneau (Alaska) and Little Rock (Arkansas). Initial reaction showed that Romney won four out of five, in Denver, Columbus, Harrisburg and Little Rock, with Juneau showing undecideds splitting 35% for Romney, 33% for Clinton and 32% still undecided.

Polling
Polling, first compiled after the separate conventions, gave Romney a small, but steady lead of around 2%. As the campaign began to unfold, Clinton began to fall behind in key states like Florida (51% R, 46% D, 3% U), Ohio (57% R, 40% D, 3% U) and Colorado (55% R, 41% D, 4% U). This was attributed to the Republicans blaming Hillary for the economic crisis, which managed to swing huge numbers of undecided and independent voters.

Running Mates
Vice President Harry Reid (Nevada) decided to stand down from politics and so, Clinton chose Jeanne Shaheen (New Hampshire) as her running mate. Mitt Romney chose Chris Christie (New Jersey) as his running mate.

Final Polling
This map was released in the final days of the campaign, highlighting the key swing states.

Campaign Stops
Clinton, having discovered that she had lost vast swathes of support, spent her final five days campaigning in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Romney, on the brink of the Presidency, spent his final five days making stops in New Hampshire, Maine (3) & (1), Colorado and New Jersey.

Exit Poll
This exit poll was, once again, released through a collaboration of CNN, Fox News, ABC and CBS field polling. It was made through 'on the day' polling. It suggested that President Clinton would only make it to 194, to Romney's to 297, with 47 to play for; Nevada, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Maine (3). This exit poll, if accurate, would give Romney a safe majority and Presidency.

Final Results
Final results gave Romney the Presidency, winning 355 to 183. All of the exit poll's swing states ended up voting Republican, including a surprise win for Romney in his home state of Connecticut. Chris Christie managed to carry his home state of New Jersey, whilst Jeanne Shaheen failed to carry New Hampshire. Clinton accepted defeat, calling Romney to congratulate him on his victory just after Pennsylvania was called Republican.