Accessibility links
Barack Obama Check out the latest NPR coverage of President Obama's bid for re-election in 2012.
Special Series

Barack Obama

Check out the latest NPR coverage of President Obama's bid for re-election in 2012.
Obama's Feat: Not Just Winning, But How He Won

President Obama greets the crowd after a Sept. 22 speech in Milwaukee. Carolyn Kaster/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Carolyn Kaster/AP

It's All Politics

Obama's Feat: Not Just Winning, But How He Won

Many of the minority groups central to President Obama's victory had long supported Democrats. But he's the first party leader to put together a stable — and majority — coalition since Franklin D. Roosevelt back in the 1930s. This coalition promises to pay dividends to his party for years to come.

Three More Stories That Help Explain Why Obama Won

Some of the faces of those who supported the president, at his victory rally Tuesday in Chicago. Jewel Samad /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Jewel Samad /AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Three More Stories That Help Explain Why Obama Won

The president's campaign fine-tuned its appeal to a younger, less-white electorate and got its supporters to turn out in much larger numbers than Republicans had anticipated. Meanwhile, Mitt Romney was hurt by a lack of money at a critical moment.

Tell Us: Why Did Obama Win?

President Obama celebrating early this morning in Chicago. Robyn Beck /AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Robyn Beck /AFP/Getty Images

The Two-Way

Tell Us: Why Did Obama Win?

There are a number of possible reasons. Did the president run a better campaign? Is the economy really on the mend? Or is it as simple as him being more likable?

NPR's Steve Inskeep talks with Pew's Michael Dimock

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/164607311/164603064" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
For Obama, Vindication, But Not A Mandate

Obama has become only the third U.S. president to win re-election by a narrower margin than his first victory. Having won a second term, Obama will seek to set the nation's agenda on issues ranging from taxes to immigration, but he may continue to struggle in selling his ideas to Congress. Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Robyn Beck/AFP/Getty Images

It's All Politics

For Obama, Vindication, But Not A Mandate

Obama has become only the third U.S. president to win re-election by a narrower margin than his first victory. Having won a second term, Obama will seek to set the nation's agenda on issues ranging from taxes to immigration, but he may continue to struggle in selling his ideas to Congress.

Special Coverage: Hour 1

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/164444409/164614197" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Obama Gets 4 More Years In The White House

President Obama will spend another four years in the White House after winning more than 300 electoral votes. In his victory speech from Chicago, the president promised that the "best is yet to come."

Obama Gets 4 More Years In The White House

Listen · 4:25
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/164582502/164582481" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Audio And Transcript: Obama's Victory Speech

President Obama speaks at his election night party Wednesday in Chicago after defeating Republican challenger Mitt Romney. M. Spencer Green/AP hide caption

toggle caption
M. Spencer Green/AP

Audio And Transcript: Obama's Victory Speech

President Obama delivers his victory speech in Chicago after winning a second term.

Obama's Victory Speech

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/164540079/164572075" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Battleground States Carry Obama To Second Term

President Obama walks on stage with first lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia to deliver his victory speech on election night in Chicago. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Win McNamee/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Battleground States Carry Obama To Second Term

By holding the "Midwest firewall" — including Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan — the president handily defeated challenger Mitt Romney. Obama won seven of the eight battleground states and is ahead in Florida, the final battleground.

NPR Election Coverage Hour 4

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/164362273/164561694" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

It's All Politics

The Last Pew Poll: Obama Holds Edge On Eve Of Election

The poll shows President Obama leading his GOP challenger, Mitt Romney, 48 percent to 45 percent among likely voters. The poll was conducted after Superstorm Sandy hit the U.S. East Coast. Pew also found that Romney supporters are more committed to voting than are Obama's supporters.

The Last Pew Poll: Obama Holds Edge On Eve Of Election

Listen · 4:11
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/164290237/164293949" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Re-Election Campaign Reveals A President Looking For The Right Balance

President Obama's performance in the first presidential debate cost him a lot. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

It's All Politics

Re-Election Campaign Reveals A President Looking For The Right Balance

Over the course of a long campaign, Americans have gotten a chance to learn more about President Obama. His personality and his performance as a leader, a debater and a candidate have all been under the microscope.

Re-Election Campaign Reveals A President Looking For The Right Balance

Listen · 5:16
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/163969823/163981184" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript