Based on ballot results and exit polls, here’s how Romney could have added 65 electoral votes to his actual 206 and advanced to the Oval Office.
Boosting black support from 4 percent to 5 and, consequently, white votes from 61 percent to 61.5, would have won Romney Florida. Virginia’s analogous black numbers were 6 percent to 9 and, among whites, 61 percent to 63. Lifting 3 percent black support to 5 and white votes from 57 percent to 58.6 would have clinched Ohio. Success in Colorado meant growing black ballots from 6 percent to 9 and whites’ from 54 percent to 57.5.
These 69 additional electoral votes would have totaled 275 and spelled President Romney.
