A Status Quo Election

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3:15 AM, Nov 7, 2012 • By FRED BARNES

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But he did one thing that surprised the Romney campaign, Republicans, and political writers, myself included. He and his campaign delivered a massive turnout by Democratic voters who were supposed to be unenthusiastic, dispirited, and less inclined than Republicans to go to the polls. By voting in droves, they offset the increased Republican turnout.

This was a remarkable achievement. Obama did it partly by providing favors – policy favors – to every interest group in the Democratic coalition. It was a very old fashioned type of politics, lacking a higher purpose or an inspiring vision. But it worked. And now Obama has what didn’t seem likely a year ago: four more years.