Whatever thoughts you chose to share. Please if at all possible real names and locations highly preferred.
Whatever thoughts you chose to share. Please if at all possible real names and locations highly preferred.
I decided to opt for this tonight instead of lots and lots of posts.
I see early on
http://www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/results/state/#val=SC
obama leading in s.c. 8,247 to 7,210
Exit poll data is posted all over the web in various locales. I simply do not trust it and urge people to be cautious about it. Ditto all of the national polling data which varied considerably.
http://www.drumwaster.com/index.php/weblog/liveblogging_the_election_2008/
An interesting live blog on the election.
Very orderly voting in KY today. I arrived at my local voting station at 6:30 a.m. and found about 70 people in line. The line moved quickly and I was on my way to work within 35 minutes. I had just enought time to read C.S. Lewis’ The Humanitarian Theory of Capital Punishment.
Kendall, Fox just called SC for McCain.
Fox called WV for McCain.
Oklahoma to McCain. Expected.
Just for those expecting a “landslide” of some sort…here’s what landslides [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1980]look[/url] [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election,_1984]like[/url].
Illinois to Obama. And that’s just the living voters counted.
Kendall, thanks for this. I have an absolutely hideous internet connection tonight, and I can’t get into CNN, the Wash Post, ABC, the NY Times.
About the only things I can get into are T19 (especially if I go for the “mobile” version & headlines only) and the text only low-graphics version of the BBC.
Normally by this time of night here (1 a.m. where I am) our connection should be good as traffic is low. I’m guessing there must be thousands here trying to watch CNN, etc. via broadband, which would explain why I can’t get ANY page from a major media site to load.
So, keep posting the results please!
Karen
NJ, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Mass, Conn to Obama
Ah, I can get into Real Clear Politics. Good. That has a very helpful table on the main page that will make following things a bit easier for me
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/
Pennsylvania to Obama. McCain’s in trouble.
I wonder though, I saw CBS has many states with the check mark by Obama’s name, but if you look at the percent of precincts in many of these races was listed as “< 1%". The absurdity factor is back. Also, they declared Elizabeth Dole as defeated, yet only 4% of those votes were in. As a result, I've turned off the tv. Also, did you see the reports from Philly, where two Black Panther members were blocking the entrance to the polling place, one reportedly had a night-stick? I wonder what the result of that was, and how many people were scared off without voting, and if the Democratic Party will challenge that one? Peace Jim E.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com has a nice map. They’re currently showing Obama 103 to McCain 34 in called electoral votes.
Did any reasserter bishops/CCP/Gafcon types issue any guide of guidance on a Christian’s responsibilities in this election?
Real Clear Politics is not showing any votes counted yet for PA. So how can they be calling it? I hate the race for scoops and calling a winner with no actual vote data. Yuck
On Intrade, Obama over 96 and McCain down to the 3’s.
Frankly, I don’t think either candidate should concede until the Electoral College meets and votes.
The popular vote really is an illusion, as it’s the Electoral College that chooses the President.
A most unusual day in Los Angeles. Left home at 7 AM to attend mass. The building lobby and commons room (always a polling place) were jammed. The polls open at 7. At church (also a polling place) it was the same only more so. They were lined up off the property and way up the block. Back home, there were even more waiting to vote. it’s now 10 til 6 and there are even more. I have lived in LA for 40 years and I have never seen anything like this. James Kennish
I sent my Washington State absentee ballot in a few days ago. The main competitive race there is the one for governor between democratic incumbent Gregoire and challenge Rossi. I’m hoping for a Rossi victory. I always like to watch presidential election coverage but I’m in the middle of an exam week of my 2nd year of med school. I’m going to try to combine watching the coverage and studying… We’ll see how it goes.
South Dakota:
Measure 11 (bans elective abortion, has exceptions for rape, incest and significant health threat to mother) was polling 44% – 44%, with 12% undecided.
Polls closed here at 7 p.m. CST… waiting for news.
I wonder what Obama voters think about giving Nancy Pelosi carte blanch power in Washington. She is from what is probably the most liberal area in the country in San Fran, CA. She will be the one initiating legislation….representing San Fran’s values. I think this contradicts most Christians values but many voted to put her in power.
I voted by mail. From what I have heard the voting here in the Central Valley of CA has been heavy but well organized. The presidential election is a non issue here. CA is a solidly blue state so my vote was irrelevant. The real issues here are some of the propositions. Prop 8 is really hotly contested.
Under the mercy,
[url=http://ad-orientem.blogspot.com/]John[/url]
An [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj4pUphDitA]Orthodox [/url] Christian
I just discovered that the NY Times has a display that shows you side-by-side how all the networks are calling the states:
http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/dashboard.html#t3
It’s over. Ohio just went for Obama. That was a must win state with PA already gone.
Under the mercy,
[url=http://ad-orientem.blogspot.com/]John[/url]
An [url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj4pUphDitA]Orthodox [/url] Christian
The presidential race is razor close in Va with 70% in – but the Senate race is a walk for the Democrat. Obviously hundreds of thousands of voters voted McCain there and promptly voted for a Democrat senator. Why?
Sidney [#26]: Lots of Virginians found Gilmore unimpressive.
Several of the news orgs have called 200 electoral votes for Obama. If that’s accurate, then the west coast (CA/OR/WA) should put him over the top even if he doesn’t win FL, VA, or NC.
I am sure of this much. The predicted result should NEVER be permitted while there are states with polls still open. This practice should really be illegal. And this goes for exit polls as well. L
I’m with you, Larry – let people make up their minds on the basis of issues, not perceived trends.
It’s amazing how close so many states are.
Could McCain have done anything to eke out a victory, things being this close? Did he make any mistakes that tipped the scales?
Somehow I don’t see that he did.
McCain to 1.1 on intrade, so it is essentially over. 50% to 49% for mcCain in N.C. with 86% of precincts reporting.
Fox news projects obama wins in virginia
I don’t think it’s a matter of mistakes as such, Sidney. All the polls seemed to indicate that things have been tightening in McCain’s favor recently. We’re probably just seeing that play out now.
The master has spoken: Drudge calls it for Obama.
Given the economic meltdown in mid-September and dissatisfaction with the current administration I don’t think there’s anything McCain could have done. It’s really pretty remarkable that he did as well as he did considering these factors. Conservatives need to go off into the desert and rediscover their soul and broaden their base. This isn’t a time to place blame, it’s a time to rebuild.
It will be interesting to see the ultimate popular vote total. battleground has been unbelievably accurate in the last 4 elections and it *appears* as if it is going to come on about where they said–again.
http://www.tarrance.com/files/Final-ballot-final-prediction.pdf
Check page 2
NBC just called it for Obama also
The atmosphere in Chicago today was electric, a kind of pent up grimness that was waiting to break out in celebration. Celebrations now beginning. I’m not an American, but I’ve lived here for more than a decade. I have the slightly queasy feeling that tomorrow I’ll wake up in yet another foreign country–a foolish exaggeration, I know, but I wonder if the electorate really understood how profound a change this would be. Yikes. I hear the neighbours all around whooping it up. Think I’ll go and hide in my bed.
Austin,
not a bad idea. Given how fans have reacted to BASKETBALL victories in Chicago and Detroit, you could have a LOOOONG night ahead of you.
Keep safe!
Jim E.
Fl.
libraryjim, I understand your point but – and I say this as one who strongly supports the electoral vote system rather than electing president by popular vote – I also would oppose electoral college members not voting the way their state did. So that effectively if Obama has the EC numbers – he has the presidency even if the EC has not officially met yet.
I feel ill. And angry. People can criticize me, sermonize at me, “that’s not very Christ-like”, cringe, whatever, but I am just being honest. I feel genuinely angry. And I wonder what kind of nation we are becoming when it seems that the Northeast/East coast and the far West more or less control the destiny of this nation. And so much of the Southeast and Midwest feels dragged along for the rough ride. (For the record – I am a proud child of Massachusetts and most of my relatives are in New York. I am not a native Louisianan or southerner.)
The pattern of returns suggests it’s not just about region – but largely about urban versus rural America. (Heck look at Virginia. Mostly red – yet still somehow voting for Sen Obama.)
Conservatives really shouldn’t fret. A whole generation has grown up since Carter was president and doesn’t know how damaging real liberals can be while in power. There is enormous pressure on Obama to nationalize the health care system and get out of Iraq. The honeymoon may not last long.
Every generation has to learn things the hard way.
Time to give Hawai’i back their independence and turn California into two states: North and South California.
Jim Elliott
Florida
Sidney,
The real test will be if the Senate gets a filibuster proof majority (60 Democratic seats), and a stronger majority in the House.
Then we will see how a president who sees the Constitution as fundamentally flawed, negative, and too constraining with a sympathetic and liberal Senate can run roughshod over the rights of Americans.
I also hope he doesn’t have a chance to appoint new members to the Supreme Court, taking away all checks and balances.
I hope that common sense will reign that in, but who knows. Well, there’s always the ‘mid-term’ election in two years.
Peace
Jim Elliott
Florida
Rick [#40]: I’m sorry about your distress. I’ve been on the losing end of more than a few presidential elections.
Yet life has gone on much as before. We’ll see a new equilibrium, but it will be an equilibrium, not a perpetual slide toward blue. Obama and Democratic congressional leaders will need to make wrenching decisions about budget priorities. They will also need to make fundamental decisions about what course to steer between liberalism and centrism. Democrats from districts or states that were red before 2006 will have a strong survival-stake in a more centrist course. These Democrats will be the blue canaries in the political coal mine and they know it. More liberal House Democrats, many with safe seats, will not want to return to the minority. Nor will Obama want 2010 to be his 1994.
Irenaeus,
You are assuming that these folks are worried about “returning to the minority.”
Do you not even hold the possiblity that this may be our last election. I don’t totally discount the idea that these folks will totally change our political system. Remember, after the fall of the Czar, folks thought that things would “get better”, same thing with the fall of Batista in Cuba. Extreme leftists do not feel constricted by the Constitution.
I am going to enjoy this Christmas since there is a very real possiblity that it may be the last one which we are free to celebrate.
Chip [#45]: Your fears for democracy are almost certainly unfounded. Obama and Biden are not extreme leftists. Both care more about your democratic freedoms than Bush and Cheney ever cared about those who disagreed with them. The two greatest threats to ordered constitutional liberty will limo out of the White House on Jan. 20.
You may, however, still face part of their legacy, notably the Nuclear Option: the Republican theory that Senators cannot filibuster a presidential nominee.
I wonder if gun sales will skyrocket this Christmas?
Not that I would ever buy one, mind, I like being married, and my wife said if I ever bring a gun in this house … that’s it!
PS to #46: What would it take to convince you that Obama is not an extreme leftist who wants to end democracy and prohibit us from celebrating Christmas?
#48,
Well, he could say so EXPLICITLY!! He could tell people, we will not be investigating your churches, forcing your doctor to kill people, we will not force the Boy Scouts (or the Military) to accept sodomites.
When he refused to wear the flag or pledge allegiance to it, that was a pretty good indication of his “inner thoughts.” I know of a whole lot of people who are preparing for serious persecution.
Also, last time I checked, President Bush and VP Cheney never persecuted loyal Americans (well Cheney did shoot one-GRIN). They only “persecuted” (not really) terrorists.
Irenaeus,
Amen to #46!
But will Cheney actually leave his office? Maybe he will refuse to step down and lock himself inside his man-sized safe! Ha!!
recchip,
Even if “he refused to wear the flag or pledge allegiance to it,” doesn’t he have the freedom and right do that? That’s what it means to be American.
On a side note… I question whether Christians should even be pledging allegiance to the US flag as our allegiance is to Jesus Christ first and foremost above everything else. As the Scriptures teach, our citizenship is in the Kingdom of God, heaven, the New Jerusalem, etc… I think this is especially true as US Christians move further into Post Christendom realities in the USA.
[i]Also, last time I checked, President Bush and VP Cheney never persecuted loyal Americans (well Cheney did shoot one-GRIN). [/i]
He was a trial lawyer, so he doesn’t count. 😉
If numbers hold, It looks like Bob Barr cost McCain victories in both Indiana and North Carolina. And Ron Paul/Barr may cost him Montana.
Not that it matters all that much.
I might have added that all those voters knew that a vote for Barr/Paul was a vote for Obama.
Sidney,
It didn’t matter to them. I have a friend on another blog who was totally opposed to both McCain and Obama, and wasn’t going to vote for either of them no matter what! So he voted Barr.
Nothing would convince him otherwise. You know, like a lot of Obama Supporters were — based not on fact, but appearance.
[i]If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer,” Obama told more than 100,000 people who gathered for a victory celebration in Chicago’s Grant Park. [/i] (from Bloomberg)
Hope your wife was listening to that – since she’s one of those doubters. LOL.
Prop 8 (marriage = man & woman) is mighty close to passing here in CA. LA Times now has it at 51.8% majority w/ 82% precincts reporting. Slipping somewhat…
48 Hour Parental notifications for abortions scheduled by minors has gone down in defeat a second time. Baffling.
Some data-rich maps:
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/politics/cal/la-2008election-california-results,0,1293859.htmlstory?view=8&tab=0&fnum=0
I really want to see a headline that says “Obama wins. Emotional Vanity Trumps Rational Thought.”
I don’t think I’ll get that lucky.
Here is an account of a voting experience.
🙄
“Extreme leftists do not feel constricted by the Constitution.” I didn’t know Bush was an extreme leftist.
Obama, however, is a constitutional scholar who could have also chosen to take a route that would have left him open to the Supreme Court.
#49 – I doubt that him saying such would really assuage your fear. But I don’t know that he’s even thought of such a thing. Has he done such already? Has he approved of such?
I think its a bit paranoid.
[blockquote]I question whether Christians should even be pledging allegiance to the US flag as our allegiance is to Jesus Christ first and foremost above everything else.[/blockquote]
umm.. don’t we ‘pledge allegiance’ to lots of things besides Jesus? Our families, our spouses, our friendships? Obviously, you’re right that our first and foremost allegiance is to Christ, but that shouldn’t be inconsistent with our earthly allegiances.
If it becomes so, then we must choose our true Master. God give us strength to choose correctly!