Americans refused to be intimidated by severe weather, long lines at polling places or a massive voter suppression campaign and turned out in large numbers to elect Barack Obama to a second term as President of the United States. Voters also increased Democratic control of the Senate while Republicans held on to the House of Representatives.
“It is with great pleasure that I extend the congratulations of the entire Machinists Union to President Obama on his dramatic and decisive election to a second term as President of the United States,” said IAM President Tom Buffenbarger. “I want to also acknowledge and thank the thousands of IAM volunteers who worked the phones, pounded the pavement and never gave up on the person-to-person type of campaigning that remains the undeniable foundation of a successful election.”
The victory for President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden was in spite of a near-endless campaign that included erratic debate performances, high unemployment and a waterfall of corporate cash thanks to the Citizens United ruling.
While the balance of political power remains largely unchanged in Washington, the new Congress will quickly be challenged like never before.
“The nation is rapidly approaching a showdown over massive budget cuts that could trigger mass layoffs and push the country back into recession,” said Buffenbarger. “I am confident the President will make good on his promise to prevent the sequestration cuts from taking effect on January 1, 2013. I sincerely hope the new and returning members of the House and Senate will join the President in this effort and make this nation’s economic security their highest priority.”