While there were certainly several factors that contributed to either candidates chances of winning, I think one of the biggest in this year's election was social issues. Both Democrats and Republicans alike boasted their candidates views on abortion, gay rights, medicare, and the likes. And people from either side seemed unwavering in their stances. In class we discussed the more economic issues that concerned voters and lead their decisions in voting, but I'd like to focus on the social.
For me, personally, women's health and gay rights played a huge part in deciding who I voted for. Romney promised to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood and to repeal the repeal on "Don't Ask Don't Tell" while Obama promised to do just the opposite. While I've never used Planned Parenthood's services, I know plenty of people who have and I've seen the benefits of having it around. And the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" was such a major step forward in the gay pride movement that I'd hate to see it take another two steps back.
So yes, while I think the state of the economy and our futures played a big role in deciding the election, I think people had much more on the line than that.
-Fran
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