Pivotal moments of the 2012 election

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Well it's all over but the analysis and of course the inevitable recriminations.

It was a nail biter with razor thin poll numbers all the way.

To Election Day and then election night quicker than maybe anybody expected Ohio was called for President Obama and his reelection.

That was here.

How did it happen what -- the defining moments.

For each campaign but bring in our campaign insiders have been what -- all season long.

Just absolutely a former Republican congressman for New York packet dale Fox News contributor former pollster for president Jimmy Carter -- -- -- to a Fox News can trigger.

And a former pollster for Bill Clinton -- gentlemen.

I must say you were all absolutely correct you predicted that the president would win reelection -- indeed he did.

And in the -- tails you were also quite right but what I -- -- start with these go through each one -- view it.

-- pivotal moment.

That that really turn this election -- pat let's begin with you.

On the -- don't do that you mentioned you -- but -- -- talk about the Ryan Patrick.

Which I believe was a disaster from the beginning.

To taking candidate house -- -- -- What we've never worked out for vice president.

Run someone who carried give him beat.

Burden of what his plans on Medicare with senior citizens the Republicans needed to win when you had to -- on the show I said.

Take Marco Rubio makes some effort of inclusion.

Kate Condoleezza Rice do not.

Do not take Bryant who gives you nothing that -- your base happy right.

-- well I mean I act pat said I'm gonna focus on the conventions bottom line the Republicans had.

A critical opening an opportunity to define Mitt Romney's.

Program.

Goals for the future.

And plant they didn't do -- they concentrated on his biography which they should have done for months ago on the democratic side one word great Bill Clinton.

It was a reaction to all of the negative advertising against Romney he had to build up is his bio his characters right now but he that indicated.

He was on the defensive and on the democratic side Bill Clinton got.

President Obama back from our congress who is a pivotal moment in the selection from -- other somatic but the one that I picked first was the 47%.

Video -- -- Very regrettable but it if there's more to it than just the video itself and it's the reaction by other Republicans.

When it came out how few -- I'm not just talking elected officials in -- people in general.

Who did not condemn those and it fits a pattern that I say that -- the change which is Republicans.

Have to like the American people they have to want to like our fellow citizens yes you can disagree.

But you've got to like each other and be likeable we cannot be a nasty party.

That has nasty opinions of our fellow citizens we're losing we've lost.

Five of the last six presidential races in the popular vote if that's not a warning of what's happening.

That we have to change our fundamental ways as a party we're gonna keep -- and -- I would pick three things you guys didn't pick the auto bailout the amnesty -- and contraception is critical pivotal moments but let's move on now you bull had been sort of giving advice along the way what Romney needed to do -- and some other you know predictions.

Doesn't talk well about -- -- It was a predictions I would say.

Pat and I about the year ago said that President Obama.

Was going to run the most abusive campaign in history we city could get reelected.

-- but we said it would be impossible to govern.

After being -- reelected and sadly -- the events of this week vis a vis the budget suggests that.

Sadly I think pat and I were were -- now right.

Well two things move on what I would mention the big 11 is I kept saying the number watcher knows Obama's approval rating right he was 5050 was about if you want election days -- -- -- about that vote.

But I'll tell you what I but I think but that was -- about holding the ball right after the third debate or near what we were on the show we talked about the fact that the effort did diving on would be.

Letting that he should go not developing that issue.

Took away something that was important.

He was -- -- strategy to hold the ball the president tried to hold the first debate that was -- they -- because it was very to be cautious which we with a line that put on Romney.

Back in the January.

Dare to be cautious than it.

Doesn't work on why I can remember since we first came on with you in March.

Each of us in our own ways we keep saying that the first of these two candidates Romney or Obama who presents a positive vision.

For what they would do in his second term would win now really neither of them debt but.

Obama at the end did a little bit more of the hurricane put him back I think on talking positively bipartisan.

Nice stuff.

What happened to the vaunted -- could it turn out the vote strategy.

-- governor Mitt Romney had.

Well it clearly didn't work -- it collapse it collapsed second John's point is one that we have to begin with.

If you were only really competing.

For white voters over the age of forty.

It's hard to have a vaunted turnout -- the Obama organization.

Whatever you think -- the campaign was inclusive and that every last vote.

You Republicans pat need to change on immigration a more conciliatory stance and even give this Bill Kristol pointed out today an arch conservative.

Given up on taxing the rich yeah well almost as defensive but he remembered the debates we have you know the Republicans spending all cost.

That mean John reminded me of this about South Carolina when Romney lost when -- -- when after about being in the -- entire Republican Party.

-- reunited to defend Wall Street I mean we talk about playing the type.

This problem suspending pollutes more than just all will come -- immigration.

You've got to have a policy in our approach -- but English golf that isn't just negative no no no.

And what we're missing here with the selection could have been -- -- and it was vision for the economy.

Good vision for job you're real vision.

We're gonna -- a quick break wanna ask you about the future of the Republican Party -- -- is it -- -- it poison is it time to panic or.

Does -- have a bright future so that's coming up Heather.

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Pivotal moments of the 2012 election

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