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President Obama went into his reelection fight facing significant head winds – most important, high unemployment and slow economic growth. But for a multitude of reasons, including Obama’s positives and Republican challenger Mitt Romney’s negatives, Obama succeeded. Here’s our list.
President Obama and supporters celebrate victory at McCormick Place, on November 6, in Chicago. (Melanie Stetson Freeman/The Christian Science Monitor)
2. Obama's superior campaign
In his first presidential run, then-Senator Obama put together a top-notch team, first overcoming the Democrat favored for the nomination – then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton – then easily beating Republican nominee John McCain. Team Obama’s skill in messaging, fundraising, strategic planning, micro-targeting voters, and getting out the vote carried into the 2012 cycle. Some will fault the harsh way in which Mr. Romney was attacked, but the morning after, few Democrats are arguing with success. Also, Team Romney failed to respond effectively to the Obama campaign’s attacks over the summer, to the frustration of many Republicans. That was due, in part, to the extended GOP primary season.
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