MetaChat - Election Returns and Chatter Thread

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posted by taz 04 November | 07:48

I love election bunny!

posted by LoriFLA 04 November | 07:53

So far, it's Obama in the first two towns to finish voting, Dixville Notch, NH (Obama, 15, McCain 6) and Hart's Location, NH (Obama 17; McCain 10).

posted by taz 04 November | 07:54

Tanner Nelson, below, was the first guy to vote in Dixville Notch, so I guess he's the very first person to cast his ballot this election day. Wow! What a strong feeling that must be.

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posted by taz 04 November | 07:56

I've mailed in my ballot already, but have been encouraging my Mom to vote early. She decided to not do that and I've prepared her with the idea that she will be in line for a while. I'm slightly concerned for her, as standing for a long time is really tiring for her. And, her patience isn't what it used to be. I guess you get that way when you get older.

When I went online to verify that her polling place hadn't changed: the NC board of elections could not find her polling place. Now, she hasn't moved for over 20 years and we thought the place was the same, but I wanted to make sure. Good old google led me to Obama's website link to polling locations. In less than one minute on their site, I had verified her polling place and they even posted the contact info for 5 people in her neighborhood who could take her to the polling place!

Now, if he can run this country half as well as his website, then we're in for great things!

posted by mightshould 04 November | 07:58

Not yet.

"Not yet" is the polite reply that is always given in Bali. It leaves the possibility, always. "Do you play the violin?" "Not yet." Sweet way of leaving things open.

posted by Specklet 04 November | 08:03

Let me say now that if Obama carries Georgia (and it could happen... it's not likely, but it's looking more possible than anyone thought earlier this year) I'm going to run a victory lap around my neighborhood, screaming so loud you'll hear me all the way over there in Greece.

This is so encouraging (from the linked article):

1,994,990 people voted early in Georgia. 3,301,875 total voted in Georgia's presidential race in 2004.

A commenter on that article says the final early voting tally was closer to 2,020,839. Wow. Turnout today is going to be insane.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 08:04

I'm going to take the dog for a walk, and see if I can find some champagne - in case things work out. I'm on pins and needles, I'm on the edge of my seat, I'm a cat on a hot tin roof!

posted by taz 04 November | 08:07

I know how you feel, BP.

I think Obama is going to lose NC, Florida, and Missouri. I hope he will win Florida, but it doesn't look promising. I think any state where Obama has less than 48 percent will be tough. I suspect strongly that Independents will vote for McCain.

Champagne! What a great idea!

posted by LoriFLA 04 November | 08:10

I guess he's the very first person to cast his ballot this election day.

I sent my ballot in around October 1st. Take that, Tanner Nelson!

posted by cmonkey 04 November | 08:10

Go McCain / Palin '08!!!

posted by seanyboy 04 November | 08:18

54.1 on Zogby!

posted by LoriFLA 04 November | 08:20

standing for a long time is really tiring for her. And, her patience isn't what it used to be

I've seen some sources recommending bringing a folding chair - there's no problem with doing that. In some locations volunteers will be bringing chairs for people who need a break from standing. If anyone's free today, that might be a very considerate service to offer.

The Obama campaign continues to amaze me. I spent last night making "third pass" calls to "lazy" and "sporadic" voters - that means that the campaign made the effort to give a personal phone call to people whose voting history indicated they might not motivate themselves to get out to the polls. We tried them 3 times until we got a human. We asked them if they knew their polling location, confirmed it, gave them directions, and then asked if they needed a ride. Those who do will get picked up tomorrow. The degree of organization - all across the nation - is astounding. This is some serious data wrangling, and it's so well organized. This morning I got up and on my front door was a little door hanger reminding me to vote - it also had a sticker of my polling location and hours. Smart! Smart! Professional! Capable!

posted by Miko 04 November | 08:22

Also - Vote No on Prop 8. Or Mormons will rifle through your knicker drawer.

posted by seanyboy 04 November | 08:23

My wife called from the school she works at to let me know that the lines there were really long. Little drezdn is teething so waiting in line with him isn't going to be that fun, but it'll be worth it.

posted by drezdn 04 November | 08:31

Just got done voting, I thought I'd be clever and get in line early. I got there at 6:30, and there were almost 100 people in line in front of me. By the time I was done, at about 8:00, there were probably 150 people in line.

It's most likely that my neighborhood leans Democratic, especially in this election. I have my fingers crossed.

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 08:52

Okay, champagne is chilling. I think I'm going to make economic-downturn soup tonight (otherwise known as potato soup) and cherry clafouti for dessert. It occurs to me that if I could find some blue food, I'd have a red, white and blue supper. :)

posted by taz 04 November | 08:59

mmm clafouti.

I voted weeks ago. Waiting in line for over an hour to do so. Passed three polling places on the way to work at 7:00am, all with lines down the block. Going home at noon. It's a court holiday and although it's no less than I expected, I cannot understand why the office is even open today. Nothing is ruined by a day of no work.

posted by crush-onastick 04 November | 09:05

economic-downturn soup

Hee hee.

posted by Miko 04 November | 09:13

They usually have one machine for every two city council districts in my area. They had two for EACH today. I only had to wait 20 min or so... in notorioisly low-turnout Buffalo.

I got out and, while waiting to cross the street, a guy drove past listening to that Nas song about Obama. We waved.

And yes, I cried in the booth when I actually saw his name and flipped the tab.

posted by kellydamnit 04 November | 09:24

Specklet, I can't wait to check that site later tonight and watch it turn to YES!

posted by desjardins 04 November | 09:25

Taz, get some blue tortilla chips and eat'em with the soup!

posted by Brandon Blatcher 04 November | 09:39

Specklet, I can't wait to check that site later tonight and watch it turn to YES!

Well, technically, if elected, he doesn't become President until January 20.... wonder if the site will wait 'til then.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 04 November | 09:45

no such animals 'round these parts, Brandon. :(

posted by taz 04 November | 09:46

Drezdn, when my little one was teething and cranky standing in line in a presidential election I care not to name, polling officials pulled me out of an hours-long line and took me to the front of the line. Elderly, pregnant women, and people bearing squalling children get preference in most polling stations. Most everybody seems quite cool about it. Knowing this fact, when I voted early this time the day the polls opened here in NC (first time voting in the US in over a decade, woot!), I dragged a cranky, over-tired four year old with me, hoping to pull a similar trick. Lucky me (and lucky four year old), it wasn't necessary. There weren't any lines, and voting went smoothly. The four year old was left with a very favorable impression of the voting process. You get stickers!
Yay for the election being over!!!!!

posted by msali 04 November | 09:51

TPS - then the URL should be isobamagoingtobepresident.com

posted by desjardins 04 November | 09:56

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"The suspense is terrible! I hope it lasts."

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 10:00

Blue cheese and crackers then!

posted by Brandon Blatcher 04 November | 10:01

Even Silver and Saffron are extra excited today. Must be something in the air.

(We voted early at the eek household. They used touchscreen voting machines, and the dogs had a hell of a time with that...)

posted by eekacat 04 November | 10:04

You know, I haven't believed in Santa Claus for a long, long time, but maybe....?

posted by mightshould 04 November | 10:14

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Me waiting in line at PS 122 in Astoria, Queens (that's one of those giant round mirrors they had hanging around). There were probably 150-200 people in the cafeteria waiting in line to vote. I showed up at around 8:30, figured out I was in the wrong line at 8:45, got in the right line and voted by 8:50.

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Oh. And we use the ancient voting machines here. I didn't get a picture of the giant red lever I had to move though.

posted by stynxno 04 November | 10:17

I voted this morning and there was no line at all - I think everyone else in Asheville voted early. Took about 15 minutes; I ran into a really good friend I hadn't seen in a while and I felt all amazed and proud and excited to fill in that Obama/Biden oval. NC or WNC at least has gone to paper ballots so it's kind of like taking the SATs or something: all ovals.

posted by mygothlaundry 04 November | 10:24

Eek, you haven't posted any pictures of Saffron recently as far as I've noticed. Fix that.

posted by Wolfdog 04 November | 10:36

Plus, here's the Election Day Open Thread on politicalfilter.com, and, for the moment, here's the election thread on MeFi.

I think I like it here best. Hope I didn't get all youknowwho on you folks this morning. I'm not looking for drama.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 10:42

I've not commented much with regard to the US Election...I kinda felt like it was too heated and emotional for this Canadian to get involved in. The one thing I will say today, is that I really really hope that this plays out the way you guys are hoping. I really want this for you folks.

I also realize that the outcome has a large effect on the rest of the world, of course, but for those of you who are actually living in the states...well, I just hope to hell that you get the results you want.

posted by richat 04 November | 10:52

turtlegirl and I are counting ballots in our town tonight. Being that there are only 1200 people in our town I doubt there will be lines at the polls and it shouldn't take too long to count. We are looking forward to spending election night somewhere other than our couch yelling at the TV.

posted by terrapin 04 November | 10:54

i like how stynxno uses the term "ancient" to describe his voting machines... we use paper and pencil ballots here! And the ballot has HUGE lettering so all the old people can read them!

posted by terrapin 04 November | 10:58

Can i just say this isn't the time to see if you can score a date?
i'm not saying some people aren't open to it, especially i you are waiting for a long time, but just because it worked at some other election at some polling place, it does not mean this is the time and place to trawl for bootie.
Especially when you don't know how your target is voting.
Don't co-opt convivial feelings for your genitals.

Some of us are having a tough enough time without people thinking this is a great way to check out new meat.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 11:04

Hey Taz, I gotcher blue potatoes RIGHT HERE, BUDDY!

Seriously though, the All-Blue potato is a rare treat, I highly recommend it. And in person the white veining is far more gorgeous than in the picture I linked. They really are little carbohydrate jewels. If you were anywhere near the Pacific NW, I'd hook you up because, in addition to being pretty, they're crazy fucking prolific and I've got about two bushels

posted by stet 04 November | 11:13

Those look awesome, stet. I will partake of your virtual blue potatoes, e-virtually.

posted by taz 04 November | 11:21

Taz - make a Blue Martini: (add some blue food coloring for a darker color)
1 ounce Vodka
1 dash Blue Curaçao
2 ounces Lemonade

posted by mightshould 04 November | 11:27

Good luck down there, guys. Must feel like the beginnings of a thaw after a long, cold, dark time.
I'm pulling the Obama lever in spirit.

posted by chococat 04 November | 11:30

I am super jealous of the NY old school lever machines. That was the first type of voting I ever did, as I was born and raised in Buffalo and went to college in Ithaca.

I voted this morning. Got to the polls at about 6:15 am, walked out at 7:15. Unfortunately I planned it all wrong; if I had gotten ready for work first and gone at 7:15 there was almost no line. Oh well!

We have the scan ballots - there are broken arrows pointing to each candidate and you fill in the arrow for the one you want with a black marker they give you. When you're done, you feed your ballot into a scanning machine.

I am going to the Obama rally tonight!! I am so excited (and scared)!

posted by misskaz 04 November | 11:30

My father is a school teacher in Florida, and he's holding an election in each class. First period was 13-9 McCain (with one vote for Edward Cullen from Twilight), second period was 9-9 (with one vote for Nader). I asked him if at the end of the day, the winner is declared by popular vote, or if each class has an electoral vote. He's not sure.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 04 November | 11:30

And the ballot has HUGE lettering so all the old people can read them!

On the wall in the voting booth, they have one of those really huge and oddly shaped piece of plastic that is suppose to serve as some sort of magnify glass.

I just wish the red lever in the NY voting booths was bigger and, when you moved it, it was much more dramatic. The loud CACHUNG should be louder, imo.

posted by stynxno 04 November | 11:31

2.25 hours at my polling place...I'd never waited more than 40 minutes before. *excited*

posted by danostuporstar 04 November | 11:32

Voting was nice, and this election's a thrill, but I can't wait 'til the class war starts and I can gut me some plutocrat. If they won't pay taxes, blood will do.

posted by Hugh Janus 04 November | 11:33

misskaz, which hill did you go to school on? East hill, represent!

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 11:37

I Didn't Vote for Obama Today (via brandonb at politicalfilter).

posted by Atom Eyes 04 November | 11:40

@stynxno: I agree about the KA-CHUNG! I also have been mispronouncing your user name in my head for over two years which I didn't realize until I actually had to spell it out.

My polling place was Harlem Renaissance High School, across the street from my apartment. I teared up while in line, seeing all these happy (mostly black) voters. Everyone in line was happy to help everyone else who wasn't clutching a voter ID card to tell them to get one before standing in the longer line.

At one point, I even wondered if we should be giving each other high fives and when we were told they ran out of stickers, more than one of us was disappointed. "How are we going to get our free Starbucks coffee, now?" was the question.

posted by TrishaLynn 04 November | 11:41

TrishaLynn, Starbucks is now forced to hand out free coffee to everyone, because in some states, handing out coffee to voters only constituted fraud. (scroll down for the story)

posted by msali 04 November | 11:44

@msali: Woot! Hopefully I can get a cuppa on my way to my ex's for the long evening.

posted by TrishaLynn 04 November | 11:47

I am so high strung right now!
I voted and I am excited but I just can't wait to start hearing results. I can't focus on work at all. I think I am going downtown to Toys in Babeland to pick up my free voting gift in 15 min. Maybe that will help chill me out ;)

I can't wait for tonight. I am going to the Mefi meetup AND my sister is moving to town today and coming with me AND Obama has a good chance of winning! (knock on wood) It's too much for me to handle!

posted by rmless2 04 November | 11:48

Jiminy cricket Atom Eyes. Man, that just about killed me, and I'm sitting here at work.

posted by richat 04 November | 11:50

4 years ago, at this time the exit polling indicated that Kerry was ahead in Fla and Ohio.

This made his defeat doubly devastating. I do not want to have that feeling ever again.

posted by danf 04 November | 11:50

I'm surprised there was only one vote for Edward Cullen.

posted by sperose 04 November | 11:59

10 Reasons Why You Should Ignore Exit Polls

I remember that, danf, which is why I'm going to try to tune those out this year.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 12:03

Problems.

My precinct did better than the primaries, the wait was within ten minutes at 10:15 am, but it was very chaotic with lots of shouted directions at the crowd. It took me a bit of time to be confident that I was using the electronic machine correctly. There were helpers, but again sort of yelling facts out and if someone needed individual help, they lost all privacy. I can see how say, an elderly person would have been confused and stressed. Also, no paper recipts of any kind, which I do remember getting in the primary - not a ballot print out, but a # ticket you turned in on the way out. That didn't happen. No early voting in VA.

So I have to assume I voted.

On the way out, we did not have any exit pollers, but we did have Vendors. Obama Shirts. One guy? "Obama Software" "What does it do?" someone asked him, interrupting his patter. "Windows 98" was the reply.

Near chaos, and talking to people out and about, it seems I was lucky.

Stynxno, that's a great picture, the mirror one.

posted by rainbaby 04 November | 12:14

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posted by eekacat 04 November | 12:39

Third period results are in from my Dad's classroom elections (my Dad is in FL, btw): Obama 13, McCain 7.

Totals for the day thus far as McCain 29, Obama 31 (and one for Nader and one for Edward Cullen, lol). It's anybody's race!

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 04 November | 13:00

The New York levers should make the Law and Order *chung chung* sound

posted by drezdn 04 November | 13:16

Baby drezdn cried through the whole experience, but it only lasted twenty minutes or so. (Oddly enough, because there was no wait to register, and because my last name starts with C)

posted by drezdn 04 November | 13:18

20 years of voting on this campus, and I've never seen the atmosphere that I'm seeing today. The voting itself is in the Student Union Building and from all accounts it's been as organized as the early voting was. (I voted last week)

Outside there's a girl handing out condom samples, one of the Greek societies is having a pie party - you throw a virtual pie at someone wearing a candidate mask for a dollar. There's a fraternity selling gift cards at a discount, and there's a Democratic ticket cheering section at the busy intersection shouting out "OBAMA!" every few minutes.

I'll try to get a picture soon.

posted by lysdexic 04 November | 13:22

Okay, I'm laughing a lot right now. Comment in the MeFi puppycam thread:

From the left, clockwise:

Bark Obama, John McCanine, and Rowlf Nader. Back row, Joe Bitin' and Sarah Pawlin.

posted by scrump at 9:43 AM on November 4

posted by taz 04 November | 13:22

OK, so I've been working outside on the house the last few days. Saturday, a woman stops by and asks if the house next door to me is empty (it is). She said she was out walking the neighborhood for Obama, and I tell her I already voted for him. She thanked me nicely, and made some nice comments about my house before walking across the street and talking to my neighbor who is working on his car, and she spends quite a few minutes with him. Today, I'm getting all set up to finish my job out front, and this older gentleman comes shuffling up the street, and I figure he's a get out to vote person, and sure enough he walks straight to my neighbors house. Finishes his conversation, and sits on a low wall and waits to be picked up.

I am amazed. I've never seen organization like this. In the past I've had multiple stops by my house even if I've already voted absentee. Not only is the Obama team organized, they're freaking surgical strike efficient. And, I live in a little town right on the outer edge of the Denver Metro area, and we're getting this kind of great attention? There's even an Obama office in my town. Regardless of his politics, or his "executive experience", the guy obviously knows how to operate an organization!

posted by eekacat 04 November | 13:23

I just stopped by the mefi thread on said very same subject. I must say, I like this one better.

posted by msali 04 November | 13:32

I've had four calls from Obamaland today. Just now I said "Katie? I've had four calls. I've voted. Can you like, take me off the list?" She said no problem. Now it occurrs to me to worry, can they somehow tell I've not voted? Even though I thought I did? Seriously, I'm getting worried VA is going to be the new FL.

posted by rainbaby 04 November | 13:32

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I cast my ballot by mail a few weeks ago. Well, actually I received it by mail, and walked it down to hand drop at the elections office a few blocks from my house.

posted by pieisexactlythree 04 November | 13:34

I'm waiting for the mister to get home, then we're all going to vote as a family. I hope the line is not too long, but we're a very small municipality and even if everyone in the township all showed up at the same time, it still wouldn't be too bad.

I love election day and am usually all atwitter, but today I'm just INCREDIBLY cranky. There's been a bunch of group e-mails going back and forth between some of my friends with some good-natured ribbing back and forth between the two sides, but I find myself completely unable to participate because I have no sense of humor about this election whatsoever. I'm just too anxious. Just a total ball of nerves.

posted by jrossi4r 04 November | 13:38

Eekacat's giant image is inducing horizontal scroll. Can we get that shizzle reduced a bit?

posted by cortex 04 November | 13:47

pieisexactlythree, I'm jealous that you got to cast your vote by filling in those little bubbles. That's how I wanted to do it! (That, or pulling the big clunky lever.)

posted by Atom Eyes 04 November | 13:48

I am super jealous of the NY old school lever machines. That was the first type of voting I ever did, as I was born and raised in Buffalo and went to college in Ithaca.

Woo buffalo! We still have the machines. Rumor has it this will be their last major election, though. The company that makes them is no longer around, and I guess repairs get tougher every year. I want to get one for my apartment if they retire them. I love them. The giant red crank makes the sound of democracy.

I am going to the Obama rally tonight!! I am so excited (and scared)!

Lucky!!! Have fun. Cheer a bit for me!

posted by kellydamnit 04 November | 13:54

shizzle redizzled.

posted by taz 04 November | 13:55

Sorry, not used to the photobucket thing. I resized it to super tiny on photobucket, but taz beat me to it.

seriously, shizzle?

posted by eekacat 04 November | 14:00

I voted early also, just like pie, except that my ballot had arrows that you had to draw a line to complete. Same deal.

Smith/Merkley is going to be tight. I am really ashamed of the ads that Merkely ran, which were as disgusting as the Smith ads.

Voted for Merkley though.

We are going down to the Fairgrounds, where the County election event happens. We hope that it's celebratory.

posted by danf 04 November | 14:00

danf, the Gordon Smith adds showing a slack-jawed Jeff Merkely chewing a sandwich in slow-mo really set a new low for campaign ads!

posted by pieisexactlythree 04 November | 14:05

I just voted with the new-fangled touch screen thingies. They still have the 102 year old deaf and blind lady looking up your name in the card catalog. She can't hear anyone's name and can't read the cards but I assume that she's been at that job since the WWII and she won't give it up.

Even though I had to shout my name to the little old lady a few times to get her to hear it, it only took me about 10 minutes total. I went at 1PM so I assume that everyone's at work.

posted by octothorpe 04 November | 14:08

danf, the Gordon Smith adds showing a slack-jawed Jeff Merkely chewing a sandwich in slow-mo really set a new low for campaign ads!

True. . I had not seen that.

Smith, (I assume trying to set himself up for reelection) started distancing himself from Bush, early on. Merley's ads, of course seemingly never had a shot of Smith without Bush by his side.

Really, it's not surprising, but, historically, it's astounding that the incumbent is such a pariah to the members of his party.

Jim Torrey, the former mayor of Eugene, and now a candidate again, gave $2K to Bush in 2004, and recently declared himself an "independent," in order to get out from under Bush's record. He's actually quite moderate, and a decent guy, but of course I voted for the liberal dem.

posted by danf 04 November | 14:13

Obama...I'm voting for you. I swear. But I've got two sleeping kids here--one sick, one a cranky baby. If you call my house one more f--ing time, I'm giving my vote to someone fictional. I am not above writing in Crow T. Robot for President. Or Ray Pruitt. Or Rufus Xavier Sasparilla. You don't want to test me. I'm in Pennsy.

posted by jrossi4r 04 November | 14:32

Washington State is phasing out in-person voting--my county only has vote-by-mail now--and damn, I find I really, really miss going to the polling place, waiting in line all a-fizzle with excitement, chatting with neighbors, then going into the booth and marking the ballot. I am envious of all of you who still get to have the Full Voting Experience!

posted by kat allison 04 November | 14:37

On the wall in the voting booth, they have one of those really huge and oddly shaped piece of plastic that is suppose to serve as some sort of magnify glass.

What, a fresnel lens? Makes sense in that they're pretty cheap to manufacture and do sorta work, I guess.

Smith, (I assume trying to set himself up for reelection) started distancing himself from Bush, early on. Merley's ads, of course seemingly never had a shot of Smith without Bush by his side.

Bbeyond that, Smith really tried hard to sell himself as being tight with (a) Wyden (our other Senator, and a Democrat) and (b) Obama, but then Wyden explicitly called Smith on his shit for that and Obama filmed an ad for Merkely.

I'm not in the tank for Merkely, but I'm sure as shit glad at the idea of Smith vacating his seat.

posted by cortex 04 November | 14:48

(I love my fresnel lens)

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 14:55

I am going home where there are no internets for the time being and I am going to work on a song I've been working on and maybe tomorrow I'll know something, or not, and that's about all there is to say about it for now.

posted by Wolfdog 04 November | 15:06

I'm going to bed to try to sleep, so that I can wake up when the returns start returning... I hope I don't have scary dreams again.

posted by taz 04 November | 15:21

I am super jealous of the NY old school lever machines. That was the first type of voting I ever did

Same here. I remember the first time my dad brought me along to vote. As a kid, I was awestruck by all the little rows of levers; it made voting seem so complex and important.

...and after years of filling in ovals, punching holes, connecting arrows & whatnot, I still feel like the only "proper" way to vote is to use a machine dating back to the Eisenhower era.

posted by Triode 04 November | 15:31

You guys can have the machines! They scare me to death. I do not trust them.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 04 November | 15:39

I don't trust them either- where did all of my Xs go? But the end THWUNK is really satisfying.

posted by rmless2 04 November | 15:40

MD is getting rid of the slick touch screen crap and bring back paper stuff for the next election. I'm excited. Ever since I was wee, that's what I thought voting really was, using the big ole lever and lining up your fiddly bits.

posted by sperose 04 November | 15:51

I'm getting antsy for returns.

C'mon American don't let me down.

posted by kodama 04 November | 16:16

I'm jealous of both the machines and cool paper ballots you folks get to use. Around here, we just write a number on a piece of paper, fold it in half and drop it in the box.

posted by Daniel Charms 04 November | 16:19

My father's class election (he teaches 7 periods at a middle school in FL) is complete!

Barack Obama- 72 votes
John McCain- 62 votes
Fred Figglehorn- 4 votes
Edward Cullen- 1 vote
Brian Moore- 1 vote
Ralph Nader- 1 vote

5 votes were disqualified for voting for multiple candidates.

posted by ThePinkSuperhero 04 November | 16:19

Barack Obama- 72 votes
John McCain- 62 votes
Fred Figglehorn- 4 votes
Edward Cullen- 1 vote
Brian Moore- 1 vote
Ralph Nader- 1 vote

I hope this really is how florida turns out.

posted by stynxno 04 November | 16:26

Sitting on the train this morning, the conversations around me were a buzz of "have you heard anything about the election yet". I don't think I've ever seen so much excitement about an election anywhere in the world before, and I'm on the other side of the planet.

There is so much pressure on the population of the US right now, I'm glad I'm not there. If McCain wins this election (and if you think Obama is a certainty, you are kidding yourself), I'm afraid for the future. You know how people used to ridicule the politics of the USSR? That would be just some gentle ribbing compared to what you will suffer if you allow the travesty that would be a McCain victory to happen.

Please don't let the world down.

posted by dg 04 November | 16:32

Crap, it is still raining here, and I didn't see many people out and about when I drove past our local polling station to see what was going on. It is EXTREMELY unusual that it should rain ALL DAMN DAY in central North Carolina. I feel like I am in Seattle.

posted by msali 04 November | 16:41

There is that poll done every year of elementary schools that has some ridiculous level of accuracy. The theory is that kids that age more or less vote what their parents would and since there is no skewing that polls always have some of, its remarkably predictive. Ah here it is, Scholastic News Elementary School Poll - its been accurate for 40 years. Obama won this year by 57 to 39!

That does remind me though of the first election that I was old enough to remember. It was Carter v. Reagan in 1980, I would have been seven and a half. I went with my mom to my elementary school where our polling location was and while she was inside casting her ballot I stayed outside and played in the playground. There were a couple of other kids from my class out there and amongst the running around we talked a bit about the election. We were universally for Carter, though I'm certain that my parents voted for Ronnie. I remember singing derogatory rhymes about Reagan, wish I could remember the lyrics. Anyway my figuring on that (in contrast with the first paragraph) was that kids in general like consistency and at age seven Carter was the only president we know, he was as far as we were concerned WAS the president.

posted by kodama 04 November | 16:51

Just got texted by daughter. . ."I voted!"

I am very proud. . .her first election.

posted by danf 04 November | 16:55

When I was a wee sproglet in California in 1984, I remember making a drawing that was of two battleships going at it, the Mondale ship and the Reagan ship.

I distinctly remember drawing the Reagan ship as winning the battle and having more pirates etc. than the Mondale one.

I have since changed my ways (obviously).

posted by TrishaLynn 04 November | 17:13

I remember when I was a wee little girl, during the 1992 election I used to argue with other kids in the children's theater group about Clinton vs. Bush vs. Perot - my parents were staunch Republicans, but I was a Clinton girl because that's who the cutest boy was rooting for.

posted by muddgirl 04 November | 17:15

I distinctly remember drawing the Reagan ship as winning the battle and having more pirates etc. than the Mondale one.

I have since changed my ways (obviously).

Well he did probably have more pirates.

posted by kodama 04 November | 17:19

In 1992, I told my parents to vote for Ross Perot because he has charts. That is all I remember about the 1992 election - those damn charts.

posted by stynxno 04 November | 17:22

Please don't let the world down.

I'm totally letting the world down now.

posted by stynxno 04 November | 17:23

Today is so exciting! I voted, and then I got my free vibrator, and then I went to a Kenneth Cole sale where everything was 44% off for our 44th President and got new tights and shoes, and now I am about to leave work and see my sister and then we'll go get free ice cream and then we'll go to the meetup and watch Obama kick ass! (knock on wood)

This is like the best day ever!
BLAARGH! AAAHHHH! I have so much schpilkis! I think I need to run around the block!

posted by rmless2 04 November | 17:26

WHEN DO THE RESULTS START COMING IN.
I NEED A SWINGOMETER.

posted by seanyboy 04 November | 17:30

On small sprogs voting like their parents - Older Boy told me he voted for McCain in his classroom's election "because he's white like me". I sense some edumacation coming. I emailed my sister asking for recent pics of his Carribean-American cousins and American Indian grandfather.

posted by lysdexic 04 November | 17:33

Our polling site is in an elementary school a couple blocks away. By the time I arrived at about 7:25 this morning, the line was already out of the polling room, up two flights of stairs, through the lobby and out across to the public sidewalk. It was a quiet, murmured wait - lots of couples voting together, sipping coffee, reading papers and quiet acknowledgments between neighbors passing on the stairs.

The first thing that moved me was the constant flow of parents bringing their children in with them to drop off their ballots. [Example: this is how we find ways to make time to do this.] And then the parents who brought their children with them through the line to physically vote, explaining the process and the ballot, how it works and why it's so important. [Credibility and familiarity: this is how this process works.]

Finally, as I neared the polling room itself, some of the youngest students were being called in from the playground for class. First graders, I'd guess. As they were called in to line up, I heard a school staff member ask them to be especially quiet, explaining that "this is a big day and these people are here doing something very, *VERY* important. Someday, you'll each get to do this, too." They passed us in a curiosity filled hush.

I felt my throat get lumpy and my eyes well up. What a beautiful way to begin to introduce the importance of voting. Tiny seeds of enthusiasm and ownership planted before apathy can begin to make its mark.

posted by Frisbee Girl 04 November | 17:43

And, omigosh,omigosh,omigosh!

I less than three election bunny to bits and back. Thanks, taz!!

posted by Frisbee Girl 04 November | 17:44

I have a bottle of champagne sitting in the refrigerator that we got when we were planning on celebrating our victory over the big C. I've not known what to do with it till now. If Mr. Obama and the rest of us Americans can pull this one off, I do think it's time for me to crack open that bottle.

posted by mightshould 04 November | 17:46

Will election bunny be making a re-appearance when our other non-US-ian bunny bretheren and sisteren (not cisterns) have their elections? Because that would be awesome and egalitarian and stuff.

posted by TrishaLynn 04 November | 17:47

A picture in time

posted by lysdexic 04 November | 17:59

My stepdaughter and I headed to the polls at 7:30 this morning. It was her first vote, but unfortunately, she had to fill out a provisional ballot due to a huge influx of newly registered voters. Of course, the election attendee is somewhere between 80 and 110 years old, and it took her five minutes to cut open the bag of provisional ballots, another 10 to count them, five more to hand stepdaughter the first part, another 10 minutes for the actual ballot. I have to admit, I was a bit teary over the whole thing. I think the magnitude has finally sunk in. We were lucky - they said they had a rush between 6am and 7. We went right in; I only signed my name and stepped in the booth, no waiting at all.

Mr. V and I were in Philly for his oncologist appointment, and saw a line around a block, plus all sorts of "Vote!" signs everywhere. We saw people waving Obama signs at intersections. I felt so good for voting first thing. Now to settle in, and wait for the results.

posted by redvixen 04 November | 18:02

I agree with TishaLynn. I think it would be cool to have election bunny come out for other elections, and then maybe we could all learn some stuff about the world that perhaps we didn't know before. Well, except all you people that already know everything. For me, I think it would be fascinating to hear taz's angle on the Greek elections for example. The Canadian election went by with hardly a whimper.

posted by eekacat 04 November | 18:06

I voted!!! And my polling place parking lot was only half full although the kind poll worker told me that it was crazy earlier (which I know because my dad told me he waited 3 hours). I was in and out within about 15-20 minutes.

posted by sperose 04 November | 18:15

i have more hope for Georgia than i do Indiana right now, but that either might go red again has me ready to be frustratedly disappointed at two of my former residencies. Then i'll get pissed off at Colorado after the fact. Ohio i plan to be generally disappointed in per usual, but everywhere else i'm pretty confident in not adding to global suck today.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 18:32

If my connection would stop dropping and rocks don't come flying through the window.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 18:34

I got your election bunny right here! Actually my girlfriend and I took our Barak Obunny canvasing with us, figuring it would help diffuse tensions if we encountered any hostiles.

posted by pieisexactlythree 04 November | 18:39

I has Chinese food. Channel 4 news, a comfy couch, and garlic chicken -- what more could anyone want? Except my honey home from work. (He's got cheese wanton and orange beef waiting.)

Voting was pretty quick and easy. I only waited about ten/fifteen minutes for my turn in the booth. I think I hit it just right, before the five o'clock rush. It started getting more crowded with the after-work crowd by the time I finished.

I have a good feeling. I think it's gonna be a big Obama win. But I'm afraid to say. I'm afraid to breathe. I don't wanna jinx it (as if I had such power). Please-oh-please-oh-please.

*rubs Election Bunny's ears for luck*

posted by Pips 04 November | 19:01

Early exit poll results

posted by jonathanstrange 04 November | 19:02

McCain wins Kentucky (8 EV) and Obama wins Vermont (3 EV)

according to NPR and CNN

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 19:05

UK Elections aren't nearly as exciting as the US one. Well - 1992 & 1997 were pretty exciting, but this next general election isn't going to be. Pretty solid candidates and people don't hate Brown with the same fervour as we hated Thatcher.

Plus - There doesn't seem to be the same divisions between the supporters of our main two parties. There's none of that "Real American" or "I believe in God better than you" or "Here's a single issue I'm very excited about" stuff.

The only thing I hope doesn't happen is the BNP doesn't make any further inroads into the political system. Because I hate those fucking BNP fuckers.

posted by seanyboy 04 November | 19:07

We were in and out in no time. The baby kept yelling, "Obama..OBAMA!" the whole time we were voting. It was pretty cute, but I feared unappreciated by our primarily Republican fellow voters. BUT then, when I looked down at the list of people who'd already cast their ballots, there was a HUUUUUUGE amount of "D"s on the list. I guess our local demographics are changing. So...yay for that.

posted by jrossi4r 04 November | 19:13

All I can do at this point is hastily record music and vibrate.

posted by cortex 04 November | 19:28

I voted. The cop at the poll gave me a high-five!

I think it would be fascinating to hear taz's angle on the Greek elections for example.

It is the birthplace of democracy! I am all for internationalism.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 19:30

Ohio, N Carolina & W Virginia imminent. Eeeek. Ohio quite important I believe. W Virginia probably going to McCain.

posted by seanyboy 04 November | 19:34

NYT shows Obama up in FL. (Early, but still....)

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 19:38

MSNBC says a "GOP strategist" is already saying that Dole is losing NC's senate race. Damn, that would be awesome.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 19:40

Yeah, I'd love to see Dole go down.

Warner wins in Virginia - that's a pickup in the senate for the Dems

posted by kodama 04 November | 19:44

He's got cheese wanton...

I should've known you'd know where to find the wanton cheese, Pips.

posted by elizard 04 November | 19:48

True dat, BP.

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 19:52

S Carolina called for McCain.

posted by seanyboy 04 November | 19:54

Oh, hell, now i want Chinese food. If i could eat.
i have stopped flipping channels because people i recognize are being embarrassing in that one second i see them behind some newscaster.

If i could stand human company right now, i'd have to be unsober and/or in a moshpit.

i may start working on that unsober any moment now.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 19:55

I am NOT staying in this country if McCain wins.

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 19:58

I have to stay, so... he better not win.

Weird, CNN has called SC for McCain, too, but shows Obama with 55% of the vote so far. Of course, I don't think a McCain win there was ever in doubt.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 19:59

ABC just projected Pennsylvania for Obama.

posted by box 04 November | 20:01

OMG... NPR is calling Pennsylvania for Obama

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:02

please Virginia please Virginia please Virginia

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:03

omg, you guys; there are four channels here with live coverage of the election happening right now. This amazes me. I was hoping for one... and it's 3 a.m. here. They could have waited until morning, but they've got it covered like brown on rice.

*yawns, waves* I just slept for three hours, and husband woke me up for watching the history. I am blearily watching the history.

posted by taz 04 November | 20:05

Yay history! Also, yay Greek TV. That's awesome that you have that much coverage.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:07

103 to 34. Go Obama.

Hoping for Indiana.

posted by seanyboy 04 November | 20:11

MSNBC and NPR seem to agree on all these for Obama:

Maine
New Hampshire
Delaware
Connecticut
New Jersey
Maryland
DC
Illinois

CNN is being more cautious and hasn't called Pennsylvania yet.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:12

(I left PA off the list... MSNBC and NPR both call it for Obama)

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:14

CNN reports that, with 0% of precincts in Ohio reporting (I'm guessing the less-than-one-percent is in Cuyahoga and Franklin counties, where Cleveland and Columbus are located), Obama's up 69/30.

posted by box 04 November | 20:16

In Alabama with 0% reporting, they have Obama up 92% to 8%.

I think they've only counted BitterOldPunk's street so far.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:17

NPR just called Hagen over Dole. Woohoo!

posted by kodama 04 November | 20:18

Virginia. . .rainbaby, wtf?

posted by danf 04 November | 20:18

I am NOT staying in this country if McCain wins.

Why? Why not just leave now since, at some point in your lifetime, there will likely be another republican president?

Standard responses to this bullshit:
1. Don't let the door hit you on the ass on the way out. I don't want assprints on my new door.
2. No you won't. You're still here, 8 years later. If you didn't leave then, you're not leaving now.
3. Relax. It's not about the presidential race as much as it is about building from the ground up. Howard Dean has the right idea (and I think we'll start to see that this election cycle).

Now that that's over. You're not doing anyone any favors by being a drama-queen. It's important that you stay were you are, keep paying taxes, keep volunteering locally, and keep hope alive. America got to where it is now by giving up when it gets tough, and by taking the easy route. That's not how we gained independence from the British.

Let's nip this shit in the bud this year.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 20:18

Oooh! NPR just predicted a Kay Hagen victory in NC... loss for Dole... another Democratic gain in the Senate!

(Also bodes well for Mr. O!)

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:18

If North Carolina goes red, i will be so upset.
i hate you, several counties in Indiana, and i know your names and addresses.
i know you didn't vote, fuckers. Yes, i'm looking at you.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 20:21

fivethirtyeight claims Obama is at 234 safe electoral votes to McCain's 118.

posted by box 04 November | 20:22

Wish 538 was running on a more stable platform then blogger. I'm not getting the statistical deluge I was expecting from them.

posted by kodama 04 November | 20:23

Georgia is looking ready to disgust me, too, ethylene, but I've gotten used to that in the last decade or so. *grumble mutter spit*

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:25

Weird, but serious question: looking at these maps (NPR, CNN, CBS, ABC, MSNBC, FOX), am I completely crazy, or does it look like Fox is using a different (geographic) projection than everybody else?

posted by box 04 November | 20:29

I'm not going to click on FOX but who'd be surprised by that? They've been seeding stolen election discontent for a while now. They are doing their best ensure that the population won't come together after Obama wins.

posted by kodama 04 November | 20:31

MA question two is looking good! First gay marriage, now civil penalties for small amounts of marijuana! Communist France, here we come!

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 20:33

FOX is on a different planet. You can click between it and CNN and get completely opposite news every damn day. i don't even have MSNBC.
i can't click any more stray links. Our Brits on webcam already crashed me once.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 20:35

PA and IL for Obama, according to CNN. Popular vote split 50-50, but electoral vote 102 Obama, 34 McCain.

I feel like the Hagen thing means Obama's going to take North Carolina too...

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:43

I'm happy Dole went down. Everything's X'd that can be.

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 20:44

ABC just projected Pennsylvania for Obama.

Woot!!!! I may need to buy new feet but the 11 hours of knocking on doors to ask people "did you vote yet?" was worth it.

posted by octothorpe 04 November | 20:50

I am NOT staying in this country if McCain wins.

I'm with Chewie, despite Eideteker's disrespectful "ooh ooh ooh drama queen!" bit.

If McCain wins, and if Prop 8 passes, it's simple: This place will no longer feel like my home, and I will no longer support its values and principles. Will I move? Unlikely; I am inert. But the extreme, genuine, heartfelt, nausea-inducing sentiment will be there.

Who knows. Maybe a McCain/Prop 8 double bill would be the change I need to stop being so inert. Maybe it would encourage me to get a passport and hop a ship. There's that, anyway.

I've done what I can. If it goes the other way, I don't want to call myself an American anymore.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 20:55

i never lost faith in friends in Pennsylvania.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 20:56

I've done what I can. If it goes the other way, I don't want to call myself an American anymore.

That's fine. But this is my country, and I refuse to give it up.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 20:57

I may need to buy new feet but the 11 hours of knocking on doors to ask people "did you vote yet?" was worth it.

You and all the other volunteers, man... I think the country is about to owe each and every one of y'all a huge debt. Thank you.*

*premature, I know, but c'mon...

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 20:57

That's fine. But this is my country, and I refuse to give it up.

I feel the same way, though I don't judge others who can't feel the same way. My stubbornness is why I won't leave my home state, even, despite the holy warriors trying to run me out.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 21:00

Yeah I worked and did what I could for now the third cycle. If it doesn't work this time, I'm done. And if this isn't dramatic, I don't know what is:

But this is my country, and I refuse to give it up.

peace out

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 21:02

Tom Udall in New Mexico! Another Dem pickup! (House of Reps this time)

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 21:07

No, sorry, Senate... even better

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 21:09

That's four states that have flipped to the Dems side in the Senate

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 21:10

Ohio to McCain possibly and Florida to Obama. It's still tight. Good but tight.

posted by seanyboy 04 November | 21:16

That's fine. But this is my country, and I refuse to give it up.

Fortunately, no one has asked you to. Everyone wins!

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 21:16

I am watching returns, I am enthused, but I really hope it doesn't come down to us (VA). Because, you know what? Today, it just didn't feel right. Process wise.

posted by rainbaby 04 November | 21:18

Just back from after-work beer. I voted this morning at the local junior high (for Obama, duh.) My co-workers are just about all pro-Barack. Among the homeless guy regulars, many of the old geezers were downright enthusiastic at the prospect of Obama's election 9and I can't blame them and share their enthusiasm). One did say "Don't matter to me who wins, I still gotta sleep under the bridge tonight." and I guess he's got a point.

Also, there's a guy at work who works in a different part of the store but who has his lunch hour at the same time as me, so we'd chewed the fat a few times. Apparently, yesterday he passed away of a heroin overdose, leaving behind a wife and a six-year old child. Damned shame. One time we talked about TV and I'd mentioned 'The Wire,' and he'd said 'Great show, reminds me of my other life.' I barely knew him so I didn't press. Anyway, RIP, Ben.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 21:19

CNN calls Georgia for McCain, 60% to 39%. Not unexpected, but I'm still going to go urinate out the window. Excuse me.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 21:19

Hellloooooooo MetaChat.

I'm just checking in after 8 hours offline. Left work about one to volunteer at the Obama HQ. I made a few hours' worth of those annoying "did you vote yet?" phone calls, and then took a bunch of signs down to our polling place to stand doing visibility for 3 hours.

Now, we're sitting in a barbecue-and-beer joint downtown, watching returns on NBC. If you haven't looked at NBC yet, dig it - they took the Rockefeller Center ice skating rink and have turned it into a huge electoral map. they're spray-painting it blue and red as each state get called.

We're feeling good because the Senate candidate LT and I campaigned for, Jeanne Shaheen, TROUNCED her Republican opponent by 17 percentage points. That feels good, because we spent hours on the phone and on foot for her as well as working for Obama.

Whew. I'm really, really tired, but this beer tastes good, and I'm hoping for some joy tonight.

posted by Miko 04 November | 21:19

BoPo: that means that alamost 40% of those who bothered to vote have their head on staright. It's not like some Reagan era landslide, so I'm not as discouraged as I was then.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 21:22

Eideteker - for me, it's simple: I cannot afford McCain's plans for privatized health care. It will completely bankrupt me over the next 10 years. And, if I'm going to emigrate, now is the perfect time as I can get in on a student visa and bring my husband with me.

MSNBC just called Ohio for Obama! Freakin' A! Let's go Florida!

posted by muddgirl 04 November | 21:24

Well, you're exactly right, jonmc, and I think it may still tighten up a bit as the rest of our votes are counted. I believe the metro Atlanta area is usually late in responding and will alter the numbers a bit (not enough to change the outcome, though).

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 21:24

MSNBC -- Ohio, Obama.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 21:25

MSNBC -- Ohio, Obama.

*spills beer* whoa!

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 21:26

Rainbaby, I think VA is going to tip Obama's way. And now I'm thinking it's going to be a big enough gap that even if McCain contests the overseas ballots, it won't matter.

And Ohio for Obama. Whoooo!

posted by moonshine 04 November | 21:27

PBS just called Ohio also. . I feel so much better now

posted by danf 04 November | 21:27

BoPo, you're around my age so you'll know what I'm saying here, that when I see threads on MeFi where some of the younger members get all despairing about the state of the nation, I always wonder how they would've dealt back in those days and want to tell them to quit moping already.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 21:28

OHGODPLEASEOHGODPLEASEOHGODPLEASEOHGODPLEASE keep Ohio PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 21:28

woo hoo. Looks like Obama found the secret pipe to world 8. For McCain... The princess is in another castle.

posted by seanyboy 04 November | 21:29

FOX NEWS SAYS NO GO MCCAINERY

posted by ethylene 04 November | 21:29

Holy fuck- FOX calls Ohio for Obama.

Y'all... apparently, YES WE CAN.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 21:29

I don't judge others who can't feel the same way.

I do. I don't judge people a lot, but one thing I believe is that if you love your country, you don't leave it for anything. You go down fighting.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 21:30

NPR also on the Ohio tip. Assuming the West doesn't go to a movie now that its "all over" it is as they say all over

posted by kodama 04 November | 21:32

Eide, i don't care where you go, just get out of the way.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 21:33

For the first time in a few months the knot in my stomach is loosening. I've been burned in the past getting my hopes up to early, but once Ohio looks like it's gone Obama's way I'm starting to relax a bit. Now I might even be able to ENJOY some of this coverage tonight.

posted by Slack-a-gogo 04 November | 21:33

YO BAMA!
i almost like you, Ohio.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 21:35

Ok, I'm leaving for a bowl of chili and some TV coverage, though I'm almost too wound up to eat. See y'all shortly, hopefully by which time the snowball will be rolling on down the hill.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 21:36

ay-oh, way to go ohio!

posted by jonmc 04 November | 21:36

I don't judge people a lot, but one thing I believe is that if you love your country, you don't leave it for anything.

It's a valiant principle. You're young, though. When you've got certain beliefs, and the country votes against them over three election or four or five cycles during your adult life, you start to love your country less. That doesn't show a lack of character or a lack of patriotism. It's basic boundary-setting.

Anyway.

Tim Russert (RIP) was fun to watch with his whiteboard in 2004. But that dude with the touchscreen on MSNBC is riveting.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 21:36

(Oops, I was on CNN, not MSNBC.)

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 21:38

and the country votes against them over three election or four or five cycles during your adult life, you start to love your country less. That doesn't show a lack of character or a lack of patriotism. It's basic boundary-setting

I can understand that, but I still try to maintain some faith, and tonight it looks like it's paying off.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 21:42

CNN is desperately trying to explain why this race isn't already in the bag for Obama.

posted by octothorpe 04 November | 21:42

i'd like to think Hank Williams, Jr. lost it for them.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 21:42

It looks good. .a buttload of electoral votes on the west coast waiting for Obama. .he just needs a few more from elsewhere. . .

posted by danf 04 November | 21:45

Hank Sr may rise from the grave and slap him around.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 21:45

But I think BP's point is that it's not an academic thing for some people - it's not a matter of faith - it's a matter of cold, hard fact.

posted by muddgirl 04 November | 21:49

If Hank Sr would rise from the grave, it would be for a drink.

posted by Slack-a-gogo 04 November | 21:50

This is the most fun I've had in 8 years! WooHoo! Just 70 more. 70 more.

Also, I know this is petty and off topic, but DAMN does Diane Sawyer look good for 63.

posted by jrossi4r 04 November | 21:51

jross4r, CA, WA, and OR are 73 total. DONE.

posted by Fuzzbean 04 November | 21:52

I can understand that, but I still try to maintain some faith, and tonight it looks like it's paying off.

Oh, I am too. I was just trying to explain why the prospect of my pet candidates/issues losing would make me want to leave the country.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 21:52

CNN says Obama has NM.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 21:53

Interesting. Local station in Michigan is calling both Prop.1 (yes onMedical Marijuana) and Prop.2 (yes on limited stem cell research) as having passed.

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 21:54

Sorry if i texted the wrong people, but i'm too busy wishing we still had radio and dancing around the place with buzzing Bees.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 21:56

As long as there aren't any nasty surprises later tonight, I'd really love to be downtown Chicago in a few hours.

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 21:57

o hey, hey, the little google news map has also finally switched Ohio to blue. I've officially switched from coffee to wine.

Where do I get in line to slap Hank Williams, Jr.?

posted by taz 04 November | 21:59

jross4r, CA, WA, and OR are 73 total. DONE

Mr. rossi keeps running all the numbers at me (he's an accountant, he can't help it), but I won't believe it until I see it on the TeeVee!

He also suggested that they save all the McCain "Country First" signs and reuse them for the upcoming CMA awards. He's practical like that.

posted by jrossi4r 04 November | 22:00

He's already got 207, and he'll get CA's 55, so that's 262. So that's a Yay!

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 22:02

though. When you've got certain beliefs, and the country votes against them over three election or four or five cycles during your adult life, you start to love your country less.

That's not the case, even though the country hasn't ever gone the way I would like it to. Maybe I just have thicker skin, being a third-party wack job.

I'm with jonmc here. Don't be so quick to despair, here, hopeaholics.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 22:07

Argh polls don't close in CA 'til 8, I'm so anxious. (Not about Go-Bama, but about everything else here.)

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 22:07

Stick or fork in him, he's done. . .

OR, CA and WA are not going to be close!

posted by danf 04 November | 22:07

Awww, CNBC watching the sad McCain headquarters.

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 22:08

NC, VA & FL are all really close, w/ Obama a slight lead in all. (According to CNN and google)

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 22:08

Prediction: Chris Matthews will cry tonight (with emotion re first black president). Not sure about Gene Robinson.

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 22:09

Come on West Coast!

posted by rainbaby 04 November | 22:11

Maybe I just have thicker skin

I'm sorry, that just speaks to your privilege, Eideteker. Imagine if the country decided to elect a president who supported chemical castration of males who father children out of wedlock. Or abolishing the marriage of couples who are childless after one year. Not once, not twice, but three elections in a row. At some point, I have to say, "It is unsafe for me to live here."

posted by muddgirl 04 November | 22:12

Come on West Coast!

We won't fail you.

posted by danf 04 November | 22:13

Electoral vote is 207 Obama - 95 McCain right now, according to CNN...

I'm feeling something that's either hope, or some backfire from the partner's chili (which was delicious).

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 22:14

Eugene Robinson: It's not that I would have calculated the odds of an African American being elected president and concluded that this was unlikely; it's that I wouldn't even have thought about such a thing.

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 22:14

Don't count VA out rainbaby - 86% reporting & Obama's up over 25k votes.

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 22:15

Eide, my friend, my brother, I'm not sure wht crusade you're on here, but don't mistake my 'faith in my country' statement for not understanding where others are coming from. I'd love it if they could see things the way I do, but I understand why they might not.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 22:15

At this moment NYT has it 155 to 17. . they are playing it conservatively.

posted by danf 04 November | 22:15

danf when do polls close out there?

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 22:19

8:00 p.m.

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 22:20

With all due respect, I'd go down fighting. You're free to flee in fear, but don't try to make it look like it's a noble gesture. I'm poor (though I can currently afford internet, I'm certainly not wealthy), I'm black (by the one-drop rule), I've got a gay brother, and both I and my SO currently have serious health concerns. I'm also an atheist. I admit I'm not female, but I'm pretty well marginalized by any measure.

I'd rather go the route of civil unrest/disobedience than let my country go. There's too much at stake not just for us, but for the whole world, to let America go to shit. If all the thoughtful folks flee, then it becomes a foregone conclusion. That makes me sad, because I'll miss y'all.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 22:24

Colbert and Stewart are on.

posted by jrossi4r 04 November | 22:26

With all due respect, I'd go down fighting.

So will I, but let's not sow divisions among people who are more or less on the same side, is what I'm saying.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 22:26

I'm also having a wee bit of fun checking out freeper posts tonight: a lot of slapping each other around for being "surrender monkeys"; we have our first "socialist regime"; Obama is a dope-smoking street thug; we need to buy guns while we can; sue Obama on eligibility; somebody warns that the GOP has to pull itself together, and no more "reaching across the isle"; Jeb Bush in 2012...

I do think it's that reaching across the isle what done 'em in. And Jeb Bush is totally the way to go, guys. Stick with that.

posted by taz 04 November | 22:26

Some shots of Grant Park in Chicago.

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 22:30

My opinion is that this election has fractured the various segments of the GOP, (with a lot of them sitting this one out or defecting to the Dems) so much that they'll spend the next decade or so regrouping, and the freeper direction would be suicide.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 22:31

Oh, and anyone who opposed or criticized Palin should be drummed out of the Republican Party. Another good strategy that I can endorse.

posted by taz 04 November | 22:31

I'm feeling almost warm and almost fuzzy. Who's with me?

I have 25 minutes left to feel this way. Then the CA polls close and we start counting state referendums. So come on, let's enjoy it for the next 25 minutes, eh?

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 22:34

≡ Click to see image ≡

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 22:35

Heh Jon Stewart & Colbert et al. are funny with their Bradley effect "interviews."

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 22:36

taz, you're being ironic, no?

posted by danf 04 November | 22:36

Wolf Blitzer just referred to Al Franken as "the former comedian."

IT'S A LIE! HE WAS NEVER FUNNY!!!

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 22:36

In five years Sarah Palin will have a talk show or a cort show on American TV, mark my words.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 22:37

pup. . .it's just prop 8 now I am worried about. . .

posted by danf 04 November | 22:38

mudpuppie: I hope Franken wins his election, but as a guy who works in a used bookstore, I'm really sick of seeing his face.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 22:38

taz, you're being ironic, no?

I think she was repeating what the Freepers were saying.

pup. . .it's just prop 8 now I am worried about. . .

You and me both, my friend. Also, a big hug to you, you gay-daughter-loving dad, you.

mudpuppie: I hope Franken wins his election, but as a guy who works in a used bookstore, I'm really sick of seeing his face.

I mostly HEAR him, and I'm really sick of seeing his face too.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 22:40

I have 25 minutes left to feel this way. Then the CA polls close and we start counting state referendums. So come on, let's enjoy it for the next 25 minutes, eh?

My thoughts are with you, mudpuppie. Good luck!

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 22:40

I am also concerned about Prop 8. How the hell did California become so freaking conservative?

posted by TrishaLynn 04 November | 22:40

I'm still pulling like hell for FL and VA....

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 22:41

Heh. We get at least ten people a day selling us his books, and we always turn them down since we're overstocked already, so it's like Good Luck Al, now get outta my face.

How the hell did California become so freaking conservative?

California is the only state in the country that could elect both Jerry Brown and Ronald Reagan governor. Like I've said numerous times before, I don't believe it really exists. But I'll take their electoral votes anyway.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 22:43

BP = Ossem!

posted by deborah 04 November | 22:43

VA for Obama!!!

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 22:45

But...I like Al Franken.

posted by jrossi4r 04 November | 22:48

Prop 8 polling has been showing a "statistical dead heat," as they say. Along with everyone I know, I went out to pass out flyers today, in a suburb of San Francisco (the island of Alameda). About 70 percent positive, 30 percent negative, reaction. But that's here in Northern California.

We have improved public opinion on this issue -- look at how bad the voting is on Proposition 22, in 2000.

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 22:49

Al Franken will win, because he's good enough, he's smart enough, and goshdarnit...

People have already made this joke regarding the current election, haven't they?

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 22:50

He's a funny, funny man.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 22:51

There are two skinny guys from Illinois who made a difference -- Abe Lincoln and Barack Obama. (Charles Ogletree on Comedy Central.)

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 22:52

Can I just say: USA! USA! USA!

posted by jonmc 04 November | 22:53

Al Franken in the Senate. . trying to get my mind around that one. . .

posted by danf 04 November | 22:53

This isn't really happening is it? My brain just can't accept the idea. Are we really electing a guy named Barack Obama president? A really really smart, organized, competent, mostly-liberal, hard-working guy named Barack Obama? When did we get this cool?

posted by octothorpe 04 November | 22:54

When did we get this cool?

We always have been. It's just that sometimes we forget.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 22:56

FL come on, baby. NC pffffffffft. I'm peeing out my window now BP.

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 22:56

danf, these were freeper comments that I think are wonderful ideas... for our side. Go ahead and give us the thinking Republicans, and choose another Bush to lead the charge in oh-12, yes, please.

posted by taz 04 November | 22:56

Can I just say: USA! USA! USA!

I love America so much right now, I'm going to go dig a big hole in the back yard and express my love bodily.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 22:57

octo. .yeah. . I keep thinking this will be a dream and I will wake up next to Sarah Palin.

posted by danf 04 November | 22:57

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 22:59

VIRGINIA GIVES OBAMA 220, AND CALIFORNIA WILL GIVE HIM 275.

OBAMA.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 23:00

Here are live feeds from Obama and McCain E-night rallies (via a comment at pofi).

posted by taz 04 November | 23:00

I'm hoping we can finally get beyond the republican party as envisioned by Ronald Reagan. I will say here that I'm fairly conservative. Conservative in the way that I don't think the government should be involved with things like who people marry. What I think is fantastic about the Obama campaign is that he includes anyone that wants to take part. That's the kind of thinking that this country needs.

NBC HAS CALLED OBAMA! YAY!

posted by eekacat 04 November | 23:00

I am out of here. .going down to the fairgrounds to see the local results on tv and to watch obama go over the top. . .have a good rest of the night, and yeah, pup, hopefully 8 will break our way. . .

posted by danf 04 November | 23:00

I'm telling you -- Chris Matthews is going to cry.

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 23:01

OMFG

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 23:01

yeah these are good times. The first candidate I've voted for (and I've voted every time I've been eligible) that I've been genuinely excited about. Sure I'm far more to the left then he is, but the president does represent the whole country. Really happy to see the Senate wins as well, Dole and Sununu - really glad to see them go. Now if WA does right on our Gov. race and the propositions It'd be a sweep.

posted by kodama 04 November | 23:03

NPR has called the whole thing for Obama.

I never in my life thought I'd be able to say that.

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 23:03

YAYUH!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAYILL FUCKINH YAYUIH

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 23:03

CNN has called Obama. I'm gonna cry.

posted by deborah 04 November | 23:03

Hey, Dubya--THIS IS WHAT A MANDATE LOOKS LIKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

posted by jrossi4r 04 November | 23:03

This is so fucking awesome. I have shivers. I want to wake my 8 week old baby up and show her the tv.

posted by gaspode 04 November | 23:04

My high just deflated a big. Just talked to my mom, she said my dad's been "harrumphing" all day. He believes Obama is winning (has won, now) because of "racism." My dad is one of those people who believes that "reverse racism" is the only kind that really exists. I love him, but this makes me sad.

Anyway, IN YOUR FACE, DAD. I voted for Obama because he's awesome and he will do good things. Had nothing to do with his skin. It ends with you. So there.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 23:04

omg.

posted by taz 04 November | 23:04

Yay!! (I knew Obama would win, but it's way better in reality.)

posted by Claudia_SF 04 November | 23:05

I am proud to be an American tonight.

It was only 45 years ago that a Catholic president was seen as unthinkable. We've come a long way (side note: Joe Biden is the first Irish Catholic Vice President. Woo-Hoo).

posted by jonmc 04 November | 23:08

I just opened my doors -- I can hear people yelling and whistling and honking horns!

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 23:08

Dear God!

posted by ramix 04 November | 23:09

I'm crying! (And so is the mister...don't tell anyone.)

posted by jrossi4r 04 November | 23:09

Check that - I am crying. Truly a great day in history.

posted by deborah 04 November | 23:09

It's one of those times i wish i had a personal horn section.
Not that that's uncommon.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 23:10

Looks like FL is going Obama as well.

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 23:10

I can't wait to see the participation numbers, and I'm still worried about CA Prop 8.

side note: Joe Biden is the first Irish Catholic Vice President. Woo-Hoo

God love 'im!

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 23:11

Callin' out around the world
Are you ready for a brand new beat?

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 23:12

Florida, yesssssssss.

I'm crying too. Should I wake up my husband (6 am), or drink champagne myself.? I think I'll let the poor hard-working thing be. Can I feed champagne to the dog? JK!!!

posted by taz 04 November | 23:12

WooHooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!11111omgeleven!

The champaigne is flowing here! Everyone at the election party I'm at simultaneously called our moms!

posted by pieisexactlythree 04 November | 23:13

I'M HUGGING ALL OF YOU.

I just drove around the block and honked the whole way. I wanted to be part of it.

Ooh, now fireworks are going off.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 23:15

My computer just let out a big audible cheer and I can't figure out where it came from. I have like ten different tabs open with flash based electoral maps and I guess that one of them played a cheer when Obama hit 270. Or maybe my laptop is just very happy.

posted by octothorpe 04 November | 23:15

I'm not crying. I've wanted a black president since I was four. WHY AREN'T I CRYING?!

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 23:16

YEAH BABY!

posted by mightshould 04 November | 23:16

I'm so excited! This is unbelievable, I have been too excited and scared to believe it until now!

posted by jonathanstrange 04 November | 23:16

I can hear car horns and cheering all around the periphery of our neighborhood. I am literally shaking.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 23:16

I am so excited right now, I can't even tell you. It's like you're at a party, and all your friends are invited. YAY!!

I can't wait for his speech now.

posted by eekacat 04 November | 23:18

Crying here too.

And now, sirens outside. Heh. Must quell the rabble!

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 23:18

Okay, I'm going to pee, then I'm going to go whisper in his ear that we got it, then I'm popping cork.

posted by taz 04 November | 23:19

MCCAIN CONCEDES!!!!!!

posted by TrishaLynn 04 November | 23:19

McCain supporters are booing Obama's name. Classy.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 23:19

Man, the McCain crowd are a bunch of assholes. I give Mr McCain credit tho in defusing it. But sheesh.

posted by eekacat 04 November | 23:20

He's being very gracious and beginning the process of bringing us all together.

posted by MonkeyButter 04 November | 23:21

McCain's speech is pretty classy, dickhead supporters aside.

posted by gaspode 04 November | 23:21

Well, it looks like pretty much everything I was hoping for has happened.

Mudpuppie, here's hoping for Prop 8 going down.

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 23:22

I'm not crying. I've wanted a black president since I was four. WHY AREN'T I CRYING?!

Me too. Maybe it will be a little delayed. Maybe we are just too practical. Maybe we realize this is only the very start of a wonderful period in our history. Maybe it's gas.

posted by MonkeyButter 04 November | 23:24

Agreed, gaspode.

Wow. This is just beyond overwhelming - I am so happy! It's been an insanely emotional month for me, losing my dad, and now this unbelievable victory.

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 23:27

This is the old McCain. He knows he lost his way, and his speech is excellent.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 23:27

The boo'ing is so trashy.

Can't wait for Obama.

OBAMA! OBAMA! OBAMA!

posted by deborah 04 November | 23:28

Man, what a fucking asshole crowd, we're so lucky that they aren't the majority in this country. McCain is earning my respect back. Right on.

posted by eekacat 04 November | 23:28

Thumbs up for McCain and thumbs down for his crowd.

posted by arse_hat 04 November | 23:30

McCain's speech was wonderful.

I cannot believe the rude supporters. McCain must be so pissed that these assholes could not keep their traps shut. What a bunch of mental midgets.

posted by LoriFLA 04 November | 23:30

Is that Darth Vader's theme they're playing in the background?

posted by MonkeyButter 04 November | 23:30

This is the old McCain. He knows he lost his way, and his speech is excellent.

Yeah, he gets points for silencing the booing idiots, and for not whining. Classy concession.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 23:30

Man, the McCain crowd are a bunch of assholes. I give Mr McCain credit tho in defusing it. But sheesh.

Agreed on all counts. McCain veered into a racist thing 2 minutes in, but overall his speech was very gracious. I like him more now than I did at any time during this campaign. And the loud supporters in his crowd were dickheads. I'm sure they're not representative. So they shouldn't have tried to represent, you know?

The crowd outside the White House is awesome! I saw it on CNN, I think?

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 23:32

Yaaay!

posted by box 04 November | 23:32

Tonight's speech seems a little closer to what McCain seemed to be half a year ago. I think he had his eye on the prize and lost sense of who he once was.

posted by Slack-a-gogo 04 November | 23:33

The CSPAN live feed from Grant Park is hypnotic. I know this sounds stupid and pretentious, but that's the face of young America.

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 23:34

The people that booed are still in campaign character, since they've been trained to boo whenever Obama is mentioned directly or indirectly. They just don't know that you put away that character once the concession speech starts and play the humbled and gracious character.

posted by Slack-a-gogo 04 November | 23:35

It's Oprah.

posted by ethylene 04 November | 23:36

I'm glad I'm not an angry atheist cause the arrogance of this religious, particularly christian invocation would REALLY piss me off.

posted by MonkeyButter 04 November | 23:36

I think that's true, Slacks. That's one of the problems, no? That we put aside common human decency during a presidential campaign?

We suck! Let's fix us.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 23:38

We suck! Let's fix us.

Let's get to work!

Oh god, I can't believe this is real. I am beside myself.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 23:39

I'm glad I'm not an angry atheist cause the arrogance of this religious, particularly christian invocation would REALLY piss me off.

Or, you know, of some horrible other religion than mainline Protestantism.

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 23:39

Yeah I have to say it was a classy concession. Part of me wonders if he isn't relieved.

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 23:40

Would it be okay if we had a separate Prop 8 thread? Does anyone have strong feelings one way or another? I know it matters to a fair number of us, don't want it to get buried in YAYBAMA stuff.

posted by mudpuppie 04 November | 23:42

Mudpuppie, You don't suck. There's a lot of people I think don't suck. I'm thinking that a lot of the people that don't suck are getting their voice heard by this election. It's not any more about let's fix us. It's now about let's prove ourselves right! We've worked hard to get here, and you, and I, and lots of my friends, many here including BP and rainbaby as well finally are beyond the ugliness. We finally have a voice, so let's go out and prove to the world that we were RIGHT!

posted by eekacat 04 November | 23:43

Thank you America. I doubted you for a while but you came through when it mattered.

What about prop 8 and 2? I can't find any news on them.

posted by dg 04 November | 23:43

I was actually just wondering to myself what the results were.

posted by jonmc 04 November | 23:45

I think a new Prop 8 watch thread would be great, pupps. I don't know if I'll be able to stay up all the way to the end (I'm supposed to be at work at 7 am, but that ain't happening) but it's a topic that needs not to get buried.

posted by BoringPostcards 04 November | 23:46

Proposition 8 thread is perfectly great, pupps... This thread is only here for ease, not to be the one true thread.

posted by taz 04 November | 23:47

I'm waiting for Obama's acceptance speech. "SUCKERS!"

posted by Eideteker 04 November | 23:48

Prop 8 post would be good.

posted by arse_hat 04 November | 23:48

Anyone know of any Chanel reporting from other parts of the world on Obama's win?

posted by MonkeyButter 04 November | 23:49

go for it 'pupp.

posted by chewatadistance 04 November | 23:49

Wow. Just before ABC went to commercial it stayed on a close up of Jesse Jackson's face, with tears running down it. That finally got me. I'm using up the tissues.

I remember him running in 1988. He gave Dukakis a run for his money, and I felt some measure of pride and all grown up that this was the first election that I could vote in. I talked politics with my dad as we did housework or shop work, being all grown up and actually being listened to. I remember how disappointed we were that he didn't get the nomination, or the pick for veep.

He forged the path. There's nowhere to go but up.

posted by lysdexic 04 November | 23:51

With 75 percent of the vote counted, Amendment 2 has 62.3 percent support. It's statistically improbable it will lose. This is not good at all, but I'm not surprised

MSNBC is reporting from Kenya now.

posted by LoriFLA 04 November | 23:51

I'm happy. And drunk. Thanks, Dems!

posted by Stewriffic 04 November | 23:51

So... my computer rebelled at having eleventysix tabs open, half of them running flash or java or somesuch, so I had to reboot, and in the process, I stopped crying. And then the sun came up, literally and figuratively, and then I wandered into the living room to look at the teevee, and saw the image of a podium and the words "Awaiting President-Elect Barack Obama..." and I started crying all over again.

Also, damn, this socialist French champagne is good.

posted by taz 04 November | 23:52

Here it comes . . .

posted by deadcowdan 04 November | 23:58

He comes out strong! What an opener.

posted by Slack-a-gogo 05 November | 00:02

Obama's getting a puppy for the White House!

posted by TrishaLynn 05 November | 00:04

He is a Serious President. This is a Serious Speech.

posted by lysdexic 05 November | 00:07

He included gay people in his list of American diversity. I sat there and he said it. I heard my president include people like ME! I'm loosing it now.

posted by MonkeyButter 05 November | 00:07

(((Obama)))

posted by deborah 05 November | 00:08

New spirit of service and sacrifice? I'm in.

posted by TrishaLynn 05 November | 00:09

Ok, I'm in bed...and my clock radio just came on with Obama's speech. I have no idea what caused that, but heck, it's a good speech. I'm really glad for you guys. I felt your frustration and sadness in 2004, and I am really, really glad that it's gone differently this year.

Nice going America. Nice going indeed.

posted by richat 05 November | 00:13

Great speech. Total waterworks here, somebody bring a mop.

posted by taz 05 November | 00:18

It was a beautiful, beautiful speech. Husband is crying. I haven't shed a tear all night. I have a heart of stone.

I am so happy and so proud of my country. Good night all.

posted by LoriFLA 05 November | 00:19

Man, me too, taz.

posted by Fuzzbean 05 November | 00:24

For some reason, I held it together until I saw all the Bidens and Obamas mingling on the stage and waving, all those different ages and colors, and then I just busted out crying. Fucking finally, I saw our future, and I liked it.

posted by BoringPostcards 05 November | 00:25

i haven't even gotten my voting pictures up yet.
i'm glad he was pragmatic, gracious and kind, but i expected no less.

posted by ethylene 05 November | 00:26

He included gay people in his list of American diversity. I sat there and he said it. I heard my president include people like ME!

That too. I don't think that's ever happened before, and I was speechless when I heard it. OMG

posted by BoringPostcards 05 November | 00:27

Well, I guess I really have to get some sleep now, I still have to go to work tomorrow. But let me say that I am now more hopeful about the near future than I've been in some time. Good night all.

posted by deadcowdan 05 November | 00:30

What an awesome speech. Finally I can be proud of my country.

Also, finally I voted for the winner.

YAY for US! WE ALL WIN!

posted by eekacat 05 November | 00:30

Can we kill Katie Couric now?

posted by ethylene 05 November | 00:30

I'm sure Palin would like to shoot her from a helicopter.

posted by MonkeyButter 05 November | 00:33

Really moving speech. We'll all be bawling again come Jan 20, or at least I know I will. I didn't think I could be proud again, but I am now. And NC's governor is now female AND democratic, we have a new female democratic senator, and bunches of other dems in state level positions. And it looks like NC will turn blue for Obama after all. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday present! It's twooo, I'm 46 today. I'm glad I got to share this evening with you guys. :)

posted by chewatadistance 05 November | 00:36

I noticed that, too, BoPo and MonkeyButter. I immediately said out loud "Nice touch, dude."

posted by jonmc 05 November | 00:38

Oh, what an awsesome b-day present you got, chewie! HAPPY FUCKING HISTORY-MAKING LIFE-REAFFIRMING BIRTHDAY!!!! :)

posted by BoringPostcards 05 November | 00:39

Obama seemed really grim while delivering his speech, and after, even. Did anyone else notice that?

He included gay people in his list of American diversity. I sat there and he said it. I heard my president include people like ME!

+1 Acknowledgement
-.5 Doesn't support equal marriage rights
_________________________

+.5 Total

posted by mudpuppie 05 November | 00:43

I still can't believe it. I went canvassing on Sunday just to get service hours so I could get inducted into this one academic honors organization, but I loved every minute of it, and I'm glad it might have helped.

This is the first time I've been so invested in an election (I've only been able to vote in one previous presidential election), and the first time it ever felt as if my contribution mattered.

posted by casarkos 05 November | 00:45

Obama seemed really grim while delivering his speech, and after, even. Did anyone else notice that?

Well, the woman who mostly raised him died last night. Talk about a whirlwind of emotions. I wouldn't want to be him, history-makin' or no.

posted by BoringPostcards 05 November | 00:45

Wow, I've been up since 5:00 AM but I just can't go to sleep now. As a democrat, I'm so used to losing that I can't process the fact that we won. And we won clean, with a candidate that I really respect and admire. And the fact that that guy we managed to elect is a bi-racial black man is just mind-blowing.

posted by octothorpe 05 November | 00:48

Well, the woman who mostly raised him died last night. Talk about a whirlwind of emotions. I wouldn't want to be him, history-makin' or no.

True. I forgot about that part.

posted by mudpuppie 05 November | 00:52

Presidents of the United States of America

posted by Fuzzbean 05 November | 01:03

He also included people with disabilities ...

posted by Claudia_SF 05 November | 01:23

ARGH HURRY UP AND REPORT ALASKA

Chocolate City went 93% Obama. Go D.C.!

posted by Eideteker 05 November | 01:27

We're pretty happy here in Oakland!

posted by spork 05 November | 01:31

I'm going to bed happy. That's something I haven't been able to say on an election night for too fucking long and I've never, ever felt the way I do now, which is to say that my god, I think there might be hope for this crazy and benighted and beautiful country after all. Good night and gods bless, we did something today.

posted by mygothlaundry 05 November | 01:42

I was just with a thousand or so people at election headquarters, and it was like we were there in grant park, all the yelling and cheering during his speech. . .

posted by danf 05 November | 01:43

The Onion is reporting.

posted by Eideteker 05 November | 01:44

He also included people with disabilities ...

Also breathtaking. Hearing a president speak so inclusively, so thoughtfully, gives me so much hope that so many people be made to be more visible in our county.

posted by MonkeyButter 05 November | 01:49

He mentioned science. *swoon*

posted by Eideteker 05 November | 02:13

Eid, did anyone ever tell you that you're very silly?

posted by MonkeyButter 05 November | 02:36

I was at a party full of scientists and we all cheered at that point. "You had us at 'science!'"

posted by grouse 05 November | 02:59

One more thing: I wish I were living in a big city with people all out in the streets. It's hard to get a celebration lay in the suburbs.

posted by casarkos 05 November | 03:11

I wonder how many conceptions this night will bring? An Obama generation, indeed!

posted by MonkeyButter 05 November | 03:25

CHEWIE! Happy Happy Birthday and what a fantastic gift for you! I was at the Marriott last night celebrating with the local candidates, and I'll tell you, they know how to party.

The best by far was this local guy.

Both my mom and a friend of mine who moved to VA last year called/texted me when Hagan was called.

I stayed over at a friend's house and am sitting downtown at a coffee shop, ready to go shill for the United Way. It's going to be a long day on fewer than 5 hours sleep, but it's worth it.

posted by Stewriffic 05 November | 08:03

Hey Stew! thanks! I see Ty Harrell almost every day at Whole Foods - he follows my oh so lame and rarely updated twitter feed! Let me know if you're up for a beer at happy hour. Like, 3pm maybe. LOL

posted by chewatadistance 05 November | 08:49

Chocolate City went 93% Obama. Go D.C.!

How about Iowa and Idaho coming up 70%+ !!? Go potatoes and corn!

posted by danostuporstar 05 November | 09:44

Hmm, the Washington Post Express apparently gave me bad info. Nevermind.

posted by danostuporstar 05 November | 09:56

November 4, 2008 (image)

posted by BoringPostcards 05 November | 10:22

The Onion's election wrap-up is priceless. Headline:

Nation Finally Shitty Enough To Make Social Progress

Carrying a majority of the popular vote, Obama did especially well among women and young voters, who polls showed were particularly sensitive to the current climate of everything being fucked. Another contributing factor to Obama's victory, political experts said, may have been the growing number of Americans who, faced with the complete collapse of their country, were at last able to abandon their preconceptions and cast their vote for a progressive African-American.

posted by BoringPostcards 05 November | 10:41

Virginia. . .rainbaby, wtf?
posted by danf 04 November | 20:18

I take that back, and apologize.

Good work!

posted by danf 05 November | 11:08

What's with North Carolina, anyway? According to the simplified graphic at boston.com, it's 50/50.

posted by Melismata 05 November | 11:20

Wow. You did it! To all of you who voted, and especially all of you who volunteered, who gave your time and energy and worked your asses off to make this happen: thank you. Thank you so much.

Seeing the "OBAMA WINS" headline on the B'ham News front page this morning made me tear up all over again.

posted by elizard 05 November | 11:55

NC- Obama wins by 11,690 votes.

posted by mightshould 05 November | 12:20

It's official? I'm so glad. I used to live in NC (near Asheville) as a kid, and liked it. That makes three of my states for That One (more were McCainville).

I know mgl will be delighted.

posted by taz 05 November | 12:29

OT, but I wondered about the free Starbucks coffee thing. Obviously resident aliens (like me) can't vote, so this was only open to American citizens... which seems to smack of discrimination frankly. Though I'm sure well-intentioned.

posted by plep 05 November | 15:20

Awesome, mightshould, thanks for passing that along. We shall toast our blueness in Raleigh tonight. :)

posted by chewatadistance 05 November | 17:49

Nobody's officially called NC yet, though. I think they'll check out all the provisional ballots etc. before they do. So I'm still keeping my fingers crossed. OMG I'm so tired.

posted by Stewriffic 05 November | 20:12

Just before ABC went to commercial it stayed on a close up of Jesse Jackson's face, with tears running down it.

He was crying because now he'll never get to cut Obama's nuts off.

posted by kirkaracha 05 November | 21:43

04 November 2008