The deciding votes

Sending the Obama: Uses reproductive rights as an economic issue. Supports Planned Parenthood. Birth control is "a pocketbook issue for women." Obama: Pushes hard on his Dream Act, which would provide a path to legal residency for the children of illegal immigrants who attend college or serve in the military Obama: Joe Biden's line sums it all up: "Osama bin Laden is dead, and GM is alive." Obama: Will break down gridlock. "If you want to break the gridlock in Congress, you'll vote for leaders who feel the same way whether they're Democrat, Republican or independent." Obama: Push progressive agenda such as allowing gay marriage. And enlists stars such as will.i.am, P. Diddy, and Sarah Silverman. Romney: Cites bleak economic future for her children. Ad features a young woman telling her newborn: "Dear Daughter. Welcome to America. Your share of Obama's debt is over $50,000." Romney: At first hindered by his suggestion that some Latinos "self-deport," lack of jobs became his new tack. "I am concerned about the fact that we have gone for over 50 months with unemployment above 10 percent among Hispanic Americans." Romney: A Romney ad (whose accuracy was later assailed): "Obama took GM and Chrysler into bankruptcy and sold Chrysler to Italians who are going to build Jeeps in China. Mitt Romney will fight for every American job." Romney: Claims Obama wasn't able to break gridlock and says he has cross-the-divide credentials. "We can't change Course in America if we keep attacking each other." Romney: Karl Rove's SuperPAC Crossroads Generation, which seeks to woo millennials to the Republican Party. message HISPANIC LUE COLA INDEP NOEFENDEN LLENNIAL MOM THE HISPANIC The deciding votes LAST-MINUTE OPINIONS GUARANTEED VOTES The term Hispanic refers to a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race. They are the largest minority group in the United States. REPUBLICAN CONSTITUENCY Undecided voters: when do you typically make your final decision regarding who you are going to vote for? ) Self-described conservatives, white evangelical Protestants and, the core of the GOP, white men. 67%) of the Hispanic vote went to Obama in 2008 Registered Latino voters: 69% Obama 21% Romney Three or less One week before One month > One before The choice now belongs to the American voter. Both President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have extensive ground operations to get their core supporters to show up on voting day and scoop up any undecided voters along the way. The American electorate is a diverse collection of voting blocs that each campaign has been trying to woo for months. On Election Day days before month DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUENCY -while- In nine battleground states, registered Hispanic voters: 65% Obama 23% Romney 23% 22% 23% 18% 14% Minorities, young voters, union members and unmarried women. 44% of Hispanic voters supported George W. Bush in 2004. 68% don't make up their minds until the final week. 58% 20% Republicans 23.7 million Hispanics are eligible to vote in 2012, representing 11% of the electorate, a growth of 4 million since 2008. Democrats 10% are unemployed (Oct. 2012) HELP THE MOM 22% Independents The gender gap has played in the Democrats' favour for the past four presidential elections, with 56% of women voting for Obama in 2008, compared Out of all undecideds, Education, jobs and the economy are the top ranked issues. About 60% of ( DCE Hispanic men disapprove of Obama's job on budget and spending. Health care concerns rank higher than the federal budget deficit, immigration or taxes. Single women favour 79% Obama over Romney 18% TOTAL UND. VOTERS THE INDEPENDENT with 49% of men when 9.7 million more women than men voted. However, independent, working-class women without degrees, often referred to as 'waitress moms', -while- white female non-college graduates say they will vote Romney. There are more political independents in 2012 than at any point in the past 75 years with 38% of Americans identifying as independents, up from 32% in 2008 and 30% in 2004. 63% 27% 53% have an unfavourable view of Barack Obama. the majority are women. 52% 48% GENDER have been called a 'volatile' Out of all employed women, The 'Walmart mom' (who has shopped at the retailer in the last month, has children under 18, college degrees and higher income) is also a key factor the 2012 race, with 52% disapproving of the job Obama is doing. 55% 45% force in the 2012 election. 63% say the country is going in the wrong direction. 42% were still undecided in late October. 8% other 7% 41% 38% black 34 32% 30% 67% white 16% RACE Hispanic Wants government to do more to solve problems and help people. Concerned with her own financial crisis more than the national, 11% Feels economically S challenged. Has concerns about O both parties' leaders. were undecided last week about who they will vote for. 26 2004 2008 2012 Concerned about government + involvement in health care and the rich getting richer. Favours unions to protect workers and greater restrictions on immigration. Waning interest in helping needy people if it means the Country will be deeper in debt. THE BLUE-COLLAR MIDWESTERNER White non-college-educated voters favoured Republican John McCain in 2008, but Democrats have argued that Obama gained their support after the 2009 auto industry In 2008, O 54% of Midwest votes went to Obama, but only 7.85% 8.12% national unemployment unemployment rate for the eastern rate (Oct.) Midwest states (Sept.) THE MILLENNIAL Also known as Gen Y, or CENGAS (College educated, not going anywhere), those born between about 1981 and 1994 represent about 18 per cent of the voting-age population. T I| 47% of whites in the Midwest voted for Obama. 13.2% of those aged 20-24 are unemployed, according to seasonally adjusted calculations; about 4 million are out of work. 10. 7.3% 9.3% bailout. GENDER Recent polls show working- class (non-college) voters: 79% Romney 21% Obama According to a recent pol. Wisc. Mich. 57% 43% 51% Romney 5% undecided $26,500 is the average student loan debt for 2011 college graduates, a figure rising by 5% each year. Under-30 registered voters who say they will "definitely" vote Ohio Ill. Ind. MIDWEST VOTERS 100% Union households: 54% Obama 42% Romney 81% 43% Obama 78% 8.8% 7.0% 70 State figures from Sept. 8.2% 10% More than 40% are were undecided last week about who they will vote for. 58% Economy is the biggest issue for white middle- and working-class who voted for Obama in 2008 but feel powerless with situation and direction of country. Hispanic or non-white, making this the most diverse generation. 40 2004 2008 2012 RICK CASH, MURAT YUKSELIR, LIZA SARDI, AND MATTHEW BAMBACH/THE GLOBE AND MAIL » SOURCES: PEW RESEARCH CENTER, TARRANCE/LRP, GALLUP, BUREAU OF LABOR STATISTICS, THE INSTITUTE FOR COLLEGE ACCESS & SUCCESS, NATIONAL JOURNAL, CENTER FOR AMÉRICAN WOMEN AND POLITICS, PEW HISPANIC CENTRE, THE NEW YORK TIMES; CABLE NATION Holds liberal attitudes on most social and governmental issues. Has growing unease about the direction of the country in recent years. Faltering allegiance to the A Democratic party, which may move them further toward the GOP.