U.S. President Barack Obama smiles while celebrating his re-election during his election night rally in Chicago (REUTERS/Jim Bourg).

Blog Post

Barack Obama's Recipe for Electoral Success

November 7, 2012, William A. Galston

After Barack Obama's victory in the 2012 presidential election, William Galston looks at the composition of Obama's winning coalition, noting that increased voting by young adults and minorities in particular was key to his success.

Recent Activity

  • In the News

    [T]he swing state polls are showing that more voters—by narrow margins, but nonetheless, more voters—have confidence in Obama about the future.

    September 28, 2012, E.J. Dionne, Jr., National Public Radio
  • In the News

    A decade from now, I think you'll see [changes in the electoral map due to minority population growth in] Arizona, Texas, and Georgia for sure. You have got to look at the South and West—those are the fast-growing parts of the country—and that's where the minorities are dominating the growth.

    August 30, 2012, William H. Frey, Roll Call
  • In the News

    [The Asian-American population] is too small to make a difference on their own, but they could be a tipping point [in the 2012 U.S. presidential election]. In certain parts of the country, it’s going to be so close that any group can make a difference one way or the other.

    August 19, 2012, William H. Frey, Financial Times
  • Expert Q & A

    The Waning Days of the 2008 Presidential Election

    October 20, 2008, Thomas E. Mann

  • Interview | This Week with George Stephanopoulos

    Can Obama Carry the Evangelical Vote?

    August 17, 2008, E.J. Dionne, Jr., Michael J. Gerson, Jan Crawford Greenburg and George F. Will

  • Interview | NPR Talk of the Nation

    Obama Criticized for 'Bitter' Blue-Collar Remarks

    April 14, 2008, Sherry Linkon, Reihan Salam and Ruy Teixeira

  • Interview | Washingtonpost.com

    Souled Out: Reclaiming Faith and Politics After the Religious Right

    January 22, 2008, E.J. Dionne, Jr.

  • Interview | NPR's All Things Considered

    Causes, Defining Moments Line Road to S.C. Primary

    January 9, 2008, David Brooks and E.J. Dionne, Jr.

  • Interview | The Diane Rehm Show (WAMU)

    Congressional Races

    October 27, 2004, Thomas E. Mann