Well, we've finally come down to that day. I voted this morning and contrary to what I assumed, I ended up waiting for 4 hours to get to my voting booth. That I live in a heavily Democrat voting district, I can see the Dems have their numbers out. However, I understand lines were long in those more Republican districts as well. Maybe not 4 hours, but I must admit, quite a lot of that time was due to poor poll workers. They simply weren't in a hurry to move the voters through.
I gave my vote to McCain/Palin as I imagine all two and half of my readers assumed I might. Against my better wishes, I also voted for Saxby Chambliss. He's not my favorite thanks to what seems his go along-get along style in the Senate. But I'd rather have one bad Senator from the state of Georgia that 60 Democrats able to stop a filibuster all on their own.
Exit polls are coming out but they've been so off these past few elections, I am not paying much attention. But as the polls begin to close, I'll try and live-blog what I am thinking. I still think McCain can win this thing, but I can also see Obama pulling ahead. It could be a short night or one very long one. Let's see.
UPDATE 7:05 - Kentucky called for McCain and Vermont for Obama. No surprises there. The positive news, for now, is that Virginia is too close to call. If Obama wins Virginia, it will be very hard for McCain to win this election. Indiana too is close, as is South Carolina and Georgia. These are not good signs.
UPDATE 7:30 - Polls close in Ohio and it's too close to call. As remain Virginia, SC, Georgia and Indiana. But West Virginia goes to McCain. All the risky Senate races are also too close to call. So it's not over early...yet.
UPDATE 7:34 - Strike that earlier thought on the Senate races - Mark Warner in Virginia takes the race making a turnover of 1 for the Dems. That doesn't speak well of the Presidential race but lot's more to go.
UPDATE 7:50 - If there was a surprise, it was that South Carolina wasn't called earlier. As it is, it is called for McCain. So far, he's a head in the electoral count but behind in the popular vote. Both have much room for change. Oh no...there's that word again.
UPDATE 7:59 - Polls about to close at 8pm...let's see what goes where...Mass., Maryland, Illinois and DC...Conn., Maine, NJ, Delaware all for Obama...Oklahoma to McCain. All the sudden the electoral count moves towards Obama. None of these are surprises, however, nor should the have been. Biden keeps his seat in the Senate. Strange that, but he could run both campaigns. Kentucky, North Carolina and Georgia Senate races all still too close to call. Finally, Tennessee is called for McCain.
UPDATE 8:07 - By the way, there is an interesting debate going on with Eric von Haessler from The Regular Guys and a couple of other panelists going on right now at 11Alive's website.
UPDATE 8:09 - One turnover with Liddy Dole losing to Karen Hagen in North Carolina and Mitch McConnell is called winning the Senate race in Kentucky. The Dems wanted Kentucky which will make it harder for them to get to 60.
UPDATE 8:13 - And now it seems New Hampshire will be called for Obama. McCain wanted that. The Senate race there looks bad for Sununu as well. Could be another Dem gain.
UPDATE 8:22 - New Hampshire Senate race called for the Dems. Another loss.
UPDATE 8:31 - Arkansas called for McCain and Pennsylvania called for Obama. That last hurts McCain's chances badly. I didn't ever really think he could take it, but if he loses Virginia, I think the night is over unless something really crazy occurs in Colorado. And even there, I think McCain needs another pick up.
UPDATE 8:36 - Looks like FOX is calling Alabama for McCain. No shock there.
UPDATE 8:39 - Good news...Georgia is called for McCain. Had it gone for Obama, this race really would be over.
UPDATE 8:42 - And Saxby is safe too. Georgia Senate race called for the Republican. This means Dems have to upset in every other Senate challenge to get to 60.
UPDATE 9:00 - Polls closings in a slew of states, including all important Colorado (though it should be too close, I'd think)...Wisconsin called for Obama, New Mexico as well (a switch), North Dakota goes for McCain, Minnesota to Obama, NY to Obama, RI to Obama, Michigan to Obama and Wyoming to McCain. No word still on Ohio where Obama leads, and in NC. Virginia sees a McCain lead but still too close. No word on Colorado at all.
UPDATE 9:10 - Looks like the Dems pick up another Senate seat in New Mexico.
UPDATE 9:19 - Ohio is looking to be called for Obama which effectively ends the night unless McCain can switch Michigan. And no Republican has ever won the White House without winning Ohio. North Carolina looks to go late in the night and Virginia might now be the difference between a large win and a close one.
UPDATE 9:52 - Looks like Louisiana has been called for McCain but it matters very little at this point. All Obama has to do is win California, Oregon and Washington and he's won the election. It looks to be over folks. I'll stay up a little while to see how some further Senate races turn out but don't expect me to stay up late. Not after spending 4 hours helping McCain and Chambliss win Georgia in the cold this morning.
UPDATE 10:03 - Texas, Utah to McCain and Iowa to Obama. The biggest news is the Mississippi Senate race goes to the incumbent Republican. This means it will require an upset by the Dems to get to 60 votes.
UPDATE 11:00 - Obama wins California and that seals it. Welcome President Obama. Good night and good luck, America.
That is all.
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