(MOBILE, Ala.) - Seventeen thousand Alabamians say it's time to once again secede from the union and form a new government. A man from Mobile started the online petition on the White House's "We the People" webpage. There are similar petitions from 25 other states on the website.
"I think these are people who really really thought Romney was going to win," said University of South Alabama political science professor Sam Fisher. "And it's sort of a shock waking up. It's like Alabama fans waking up Sunday morning realizing we've blown that undefeated season."
"Can states secede from the union?" asked Local 15's Andrea Ramey.
"No, no. I mean that was settled by the Civil War," replied Fisher. "That's just whimsical thinking at this particular point."
"It's a little upsetting just because I know if Governor Romney would've won, that we would not be having this conversation," said Mobile County Democratic Chairman Napoleon Bracy.
Bracy says the petitions show the lack of respect people have for the President.
"It just shows the true character in people," said Bracy. "We live in a democracy. The people spoke and we need to just respect the voice of the people."
While the Mobile County Republican party isn't taking a stance on the petition, chairman Terry Lathan says she's glad we live in country where people can sign petitions freely.
"What's more important here is that what you're seeing spring up not just in Alabama or a few states, but in a lot of states, are maybe people that just had enough in some areas and they're trying to be heard. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with someone trying to be heard," said Lathan.
The White House requires 25,000 signatures in 30 days before it will respond to a petition. Texas and Louisiana are the only states that have met that requirement with 45,000 signatures.
