"Too close to call....." was the message from local banker and historian, Tom Sellers, as he addressed
the Rotary Club, at noon on Thursday, about the presidential election.

 

 

"Too Close to Call....."

 

Sellers Addresses Rotary Club
About Presidential Election

 

by: Bobby McDonald

 

It was a very informative and up-to-date presentation for members of the Sulphur Springs Rotary Club, at noon on Thursday, as local banker and historian, Tom Sellers addressed the group on the upcoming presidential election. "With only twelve days to go, this is likely to be one of the closest elections in history," stated Sellers. "Predictions are that it may come down to the state of Ohio, and even so close that precincts are being analyzed in the 'swing' areas of the state."

Sellers outlined the demographics of the nation and showed maps with the known "red" states or those that will go republican, the "blue" states that are known to be democrat strongholds, the "yellow" states that are "swing" states in this election, the "pink" states that are most likely leaning to the republican effort, and the "light blue" states that are leaning to the democratic party.

"Some say it will come down to four Ohio counties," offered Sellers. "Cuyahoga (Cleveland), Franklin (Columbus), Hamilton (Cincinnati), and Lucas (Toledo), are target counties in Ohio and both President Obama and Governor Romney are spending millions of dollars, focusing their time, and have 'ground crews' in those areas that are working twelve hours shifts, polling voters, asking them if they have voted, if they need a ride to vote, and actually taking them to the polls if they need transportation. That's just how close this election is!"

 

 

 

Sellers related that he had first-hand knowledge of the work of the "ground crew," as his daughter, Katy, was a member of the ground crew in the last election. "She says they are long, long days, filled with meeting loads of people, encouraging them to vote, and eating some 'not so good food,' as you canvass the area, looking for potential voters, who haven't voted and haven't made up their minds," related Sellers.

"We all think that this is something new in American politics, but ironically, it is only because it is being 'fought out' on the television screen, on social media sights, and right before our eyes, with much, much better information and technology," allowed Sellers. "Historically, the same scenario unfolded in the 1824 election where John Quincy Adams and Andrew Jackson were pitted against one another in a close election. No one received a majority of the votes and the House of Representatives gave the election to John Quincy Adams. Four years later, Andrew Jackson, was elected, as he had a four year campaign of how he had been overlooked in the previous election."

"If the 2012 election results in a "tie" vote of electoral support, at 269 for each candidate, the election will go to the U.S. House of Representatives, who will name the president, under our election laws. And, the U.S. Senate would name the vice-president. Likely because of these two bodies being controlled by opposing parties, the President and Vice-President would be from different parties," expressed Sellers. "And, this election is so close that it is a possibility!"

 

 

Sellers told the group that likely there will be over $50 million dollars spent in advertising by both candidates, in the state of Ohio, in the last days of the election. "If you're tired of hearing political ads, imagine what the people of Ohio are going through right now!" stated Sellers.

Polls now have President Obama ahead in Ohio, but his lead is within the margin of error, and typically the polling is done by phone, and with the number of households now not having "land" lines, and only cell phones, there is some uncertainty, to the polling. However, they have very scientific means of measuring the way that people vote, down to what news networks that republicans and democrats each prefer to watch, that republicans prefer Samuel Adams beer and democrats drink tequila!

 

 

 

"Also, factor-in that there is a hurricane, 'Sandy,' brewing in the Atlantic," warned Sellers. "If this hurricane was to reach land, along the eastern coast of the U.S. and prevent voters from going to the polls, it could have major effects on the election in certain areas and could swing the election, one way or the other, dependent upon where it hit. That's the reason that both candidates are encouraging their voters to vote early!"

In closing, Sellers warned that we likely may not know the results of the elections on Tuesday night, November 6th, because each and every vote in the state of Ohio will be "scrutinized" by both parties to make certain that the results are correct!

"This likely will be one for the history books!" warned Sellers in his parting remarks.

 

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