At the last minute, it looked like Michigan could be in play for Mitt Romney, but shortly its polls closed, several major news outlets called it for President Obama. However, it's a far cry from the president's 16-point win 2008 -- at time of posting, and with 18% of precincts reporting, he was holding a narrow 51% to 48% lead. It's a tough loss for Romney, as this was the state where he was born and raised, and where his father, George, was a rather popular governor. Michigan's ballot proposals, however -- which would have been major victories for organized labor -- are all poised for defeat.
Romney also faced a disappointing loss in New Hampshire, the state where he both launched and concluded his campaign: it was called for Obama shortly after 10PM. This wasn't a wholly surprising result, but the four electoral votes would have helped Romney, as the race is so tight elsewhere. With 22% of precincts reporting, Obama held a 54%-44% lead.
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