Conversation B2

Read and answer the questions for B1 and look at the first post from last January.

Also answer these questions:

How do you feel about Obama's victory?

What were the 5 constituencies ( groups of voters) that voted predominately for Obama and why?

What 4 constituencies did Romney pick up the majority of the vote with? Why do you think they voted for him?

Do you think that hurricane Sandy had an impact on the election results? Why or why not?

What were the main differences between the 2 candidates in domestic policy in terms of.
1. the economy and taxes
2.social issues

What do you think the Obama victory shows about the US population and electorate?

Now find out the meaning of the following words or expressions and their relevance to the election:

- the electoral college

- swing states / battleground states

- voter registration

- ballots / provisional ballots

-grassroots movements

- gap (in percentage of votes)

- gaffe / open mic (microphone)

- the auto bailout

- a nailbiter / the Florida recount of 2000 (punch-card ballots)

- a landslide / a mandate

- "coat-tails"

-Citizens United / Superpacs