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Show DIA1 LY UTAH CHRONICLE Wednesday, November 7, 2012 www.dailyutahchronicle.com The University of Utah's Independent Student Voice Since 1890 I Local musicians, Indonesian artist collaborate to produce energetic style » 5 Vol. 122 No. 56 1 02012 ALSO INSIDE: Opinion columnists discuss what President Barack Obama's victory and the next four years mean for the United States » 4 4-4-4-*************-414-40-**.***01-. .vv-v--**********1•1,-***-41,-************************-41,-**********4-4- Four more years ECOND-TERM VICTOR President Barack Obama won his second presidential election Tuesday night, taking 303 Electoral College votes GETTY IMAGES U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his victory speech after being re-elected for a second term at McCormick Place Nov. 6 in Chicago. DJ Summers STAFF WRITER President Barack Obama rode to victory and a second term Tuesday night, sweeping 303 electoral votes in key states such as Colorado and Ohio. The crowd at the Utah State Democratic Party's election night soiree at the downtown Sheraton Hotel roared with "four more years" as the president launched his second term with a speech to his supporters, broadcast live from Chicago. The mood for the party itself was electric, with people cheering for every reported electoral vote that propelled the incumbent to victory With a race that had been numerically close in terms of both popular and electoral votes, when Obama was announced the victor the room's tension exploded in a shower of flashing lights and celebratory dubstep music. "It was nerve-racking there for the last few days," said David Mondragon, director of art for Scott Howell, a Democrat who lost his challenge to incumbent Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch. "It's been so close, every day, and now we can finally get along with it and stop worrying. He doesn't have to defend himself against stupid allegations anymore — he can get back to fixing the country. This is exciting, too exciting to handle almost." Even before the re-election, the crowd seemed assured of a Democratic victory. "There's no way that Obama can't win," said Mike Lee, a Democratic supporter. "I think [Republican candidate Mitt] Romney could possibly get all the popular votes, but Obama will get the electoral votes, no doubt. It's not time for a new guy — it's time for the same guy to finally get the opportunity to do what he needs to to get things fixed up." There is no relation between Lee and incumbent Republican Sen. Mike Lee. For the duration of the election, social issues that the Democratic Party typically touts took a back stage to questions about the economy and health care reform. Local business owner Richard Dawson said Obama's re-election could not have come at a better time. "This economy is getting worse, not better, and it's because we just had too much to deal with in the first place," Dawson said. "Everything he's doing will work — we just need to give it more time, like with FDR. He was the champion of the little people, like Obama is, and he got us out of the [Great] Depression." Ashley Trescem, who has been working as a volunteer with the Utah Democratic Party for the last several months, focusing on outreach to minorities, said the night was monumental to American history. "This is a completely historic night," Trescem said. "This is America, and everyone in this country can do anything, including be a black See OBAMA Page 3 Campus politicos watch results come in with mixed reactions Topher Webb STAFF WRITER Applause and cheers filled the Hinckley Caucus Room when at 9:21 p.m. on Tuesday night, CNN's Wolf Blitzer projected the re-election of President Barack Obama in the 2012 presidential election. Ali Sadler, a sophomore in political science, director of the ASUU Government Relations Board and an Obama supporter, was speechless. "I did not think we would know tonight," she said. A din of students talking at times drowned out CNN during the party, sponsored by the Hinckley Institute and the ASUU Government Relations Board. The din turned to silence when CNN was about to project the winner of state. Sadler said she is excited, but said the presidential race is not the only important race. At the time of reporting, not all federal and local races had been decided. Sadler said if the House of Representatives stays divided between party lines, things ASUU ERIN BURNS/The Daily Utah Chronicle Students attend the ASUU election party to follow the progress of the election on CNN on Tuesday at the Hinckley Institute of Politics. Students voice their candidate choices Anne Plummer STAFF WRITER With Election Day fever still in the air, U students opened up about their political persuasions Tuesday. Some students find local candidates unimportant, whereas others are just as passionate about local races as they are about the presidential election. Emmett Barlow, a senior in chemistry, voted for incumbent Democratic Rep. Jim Matheson and incumbent Republican Gov. Gary Herbert. "I don't know what [Republican congressional candidate] Mia Love is saying about getting rid of the Department of Education, which See STUDENTS Page 2 See ASUU Page 3 Voters divulge Election Day experience, polling concerns Carolyn Webber STAFF WRITER There were mixed reactions from voters on Tuesday at polling locations for students living near campus. "We walked to the polling station," said Miranda Calhoon, a senior in French who voted for mostly Democrats at the Trolley Square location. She said even though Utah went to Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney, voting in Utah was still important. "[People are] lazy and closeminded if they don't vote," Calhoon said. "It's part of our democratic rights." Lindsay Decker, a senior in geology who voted a straight Democratic ticket, said voting reveals the diversity of political opinions in Utah. "Voting lets us express how we feel about situations," she said. "It ... lets everyone voice their opinion." Margie Pehrson, a senior in speech and learning science, voted for Romney at Trolley Square. "If I don't vote, then I can't complain about what happens," she said. Pehrson said she noticed some voters rushing through their ballots because of long lines. "When there are long things to read and a bunch of people waiting, you feel bad going slow," she said. For many of those who went before the after school and work rush, there was no wait at all. Dolan Lucero, a junior in geology, voted for the first time at Wasatch Elementary School, and was surprised to find no lines waiting for him. He said he was See EXIT POLLS Page 3 Shuttle gives students speedy access to polling locations » 3 1.0141i tal V' KARINA PUIKKONEN/The Daily Utah Chronicle Students wait in line to vote at Garner Funeral Home after being dropped off by the complimentary ASUU shuttle on Tuesday. |