The divided states of America

A cliffhanger vote went right down to the wire last night as Barack Obama and Mitt Romney sweated on results from the presidential election, with 130 million people across the US casting their ballot.

Wed, 07 Nov, 2012 - 00:00

John Breslin in Chicago and John Riordan in New York

And Mr Obama delivered a demoralising defeat in Massachusetts — where Mr Romney was governor and he voted yesterday.

Counting began before 11pm Irish time, with early results showing a lead for Mr Romney in Indiana, which Mr Obama won in 2008. The first two states to declare were Kentucky for Romney, Vermont for Obama.

Combined Twitter mentions of @MittRomney and @BarackObama exceeded 500,000 today: http://t.co/pBgSIJo7
— Hootsuite 🦉 (@hootsuite) November 7, 2012

Two key states, Florida and Virginia, were among the early reporters. Both were must-win states for Mr Romney.

Some dedicated poll watchers flag up Vigo County on the western edge of Indiana as a good bellwether of who is going to win. A majority has voted for the winner in every presidential election in 50 years and all but two in 125 years, the best record in the country.

Vigo voted for Obama — but only by 162 votes.

After 4m votes were counted in Florida, the lead changed hands several times, but never by more than a couple of percentage points. Because of the electorial college numbers, Mr Obama did not have to win Florida to be re-elected, but Mr Romney did.

50% to 49% Obama in Florida over Romney with 80% of vote in very close race
— rod Staley (@Jagman1104Rod) November 7, 2012

Mr Romney flew back to Boston from Pittsburgh before polls closed, he told reporters that he believed Pennsylvania would go his way. He was in bullish but relaxed mood on his campaign jet, saying he had a victory speech of 1,118 words.

“You know I’m very proud of the campaign that we’ve run, to tell you the truth. No campaign is perfect. I’m sure like any campaign people can point to mistakes. But that’s the mark of anything that’s produced by human beings.

Perhaps the time has come for Romney to start working on his concession speech.
— Darren Norris (@Denmania) November 7, 2012

“Our team has been very solid. We have not had the kind of infighting that’s reported to have occurred in other campaigns. I feel we have put it all on the field. We left nothing in the locker room. We fought to the very end. And I think that’s why we will be successful.”

Officially, his quick dash from casting his own vote in Belmont, Massachusetts onto Ohio and Pennsylvania was described as a trip to thank volunteers but in reality it was a last ditch effort to try and secure votes in crucial districts.

With Mr Romney behind in pre-election surveys and exit polls, it was described as a “Hail Mary” effort to attract the last remaining undecided voters.

If Obama Wins Florida's Electoral Votes. Then He Wins For Sure !
— alexlutt.sol (@Alexlutt) November 7, 2012

With Vice President Joe Biden making a surprise trip to Ohio on his way to join Mr Obama in Chicago, his plane shared the tarmac at Cleveland Airport with planes carrying Romney and Ryan, summing up how crucial the state was to the outcome of this election.