Final Results Are In: Maritime Industry Weighs in on U.S. Presidential Candidates

In a close race, Mitt Romney beat out Barack Obama with 54% of the overall votes in the Maritime Executive's 'Which U.S. presidential candidate will have the most positive impact on the maritime industry?' poll via LinkedIn.

Take a look at the final results below, which includes voter demographics and some comments from the maritime industry.

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MarEx LinkedIn Members Speak Out...

"I am a Canadian and we wrecked our home grown merchant navy years ago, yet the amount of Canadian vessels flying under flags of convenience and poorly paid seaman staggers the mind. President Obama is 100% correct in being pro Jones Act for it has maintained a very high standard of ships and shipping around the US coastline. Milt Romney is like Attilla the Huneth, slash and burn, and the only jobs he will create are his own."

"Ron Paul people - may not win, however that is the person we really need"

"Romney! He will gut the JONES ACT - foreign ships will roll in cheap - and the industry will BOOM! Of course if the question had been "What US presidential candidate will have the most positive impact on the UNITED STATES maritime industry?" it would have been rhetorical - only President Obama supports the JONES ACT. I am employed aboard a US flag ship engaged in JONES ACT trade and my family's livelihood depend on President Obama preventing the GOP dismantling the JONES ACT for FOUR MORE YEARS."

"Well ... we've already seen nearly four more years of failure under Barack Obama, with zero impact at best, and very negative impact compared with 4 years ago in reality, in maritime matters. I have difficulty being enthused about Romney, but when you consider the alternative ... enough said!"

"Romney?? You people are delusional if you think Romney would be the better choice for a revitalized US Merchant Marine, you're deluding yourself. Romney who cut jobs when with Bain Capital? The flag of convenience model is something a person like Romney would absolutely love and encourage more of. He is also no friend of Labor. Go ahead and vote against your own self interests if you want."