Live Blog transcript – Part One

Click to read the first half of the transcript from our Live Blog last night – the early results were coming in but the west coast states hadn’t been called yet…

7:05
we’re going to get started a little earlier than scheduled
7:05
results are coming in
7:05
kentucky has been called for John McCain
7:06
52 to 47 percent
7:06
Vermont has been called for Barack Obama
7:06
[Comment From Kelly]
I’m ready!
7:06
[Comment From Suz]
neither were unexpected…
7:07
NBC is forcasting New House will be 261 dems 174 Reps
7:07
[Comment From Suz]
Interesting that Virginia is too close to call.
7:08
Indiana too close to call
7:08
Rep leaders in North Carolina say Dole will lose
7:09
Rep leader in North Carolina call it … an Obama Tsunami
7:09
many more polls will close at 7:30 and 8pm
7:09
[Comment From Suz]
They say that Libby losing may catapult Obama
7:11
[Comment From Kelly]
My father was very opposed to Dole this election – yet parents were enthusiastic supporters before.
7:12
Pat Buchanan thinks we may be at the cusp of a new Liberal era – whaaaaa?
7:12
Virginia too early to call
7:13
[Comment From Suz]
Am in Maryland and was told (when I told them I’m from PA) that they hope the state holds true…and then said they were for McCain. Was a very long, akward silence
7:14
Reps win Indiana Governor
7:14
with one percent – mccain up in virginia
7:14
In indiana obama up – but way too early
7:16
still long lines in Massachusetts
7:16
where result not really in doubt
7:17
Virginia exit polls – mccain edge with white voters – but obama wins 91% of african american vote
7:18
[Comment From Suz]
McCain is way up on Virginia right now, but depending on where they are reporting results from could be very much a toss up
7:19
mccain is up in florida
7:19
mccain has taken the lead in indiana
7:19
[Comment From Suz]
Am with a colleague from Virginia and she is squeezing thumbs for Obama
7:21
current electors – 3 for Obama and 8 for McCain
7:22
Senate races in Georgia and Kentucky are still undecided
7:22
[Comment From Kelly]
Any governor news?
7:23
Reps won indiana gov
7:23
Mark Warner wins in Virginia – +1 for Democrats
7:25
Economy has trumped all other issues = 71% most important = next closest – iraq war at 11%
7:26
Obama is doing well in indiana counties in which John Kerry did not do well – even in southern indiana
7:26
[Comment From Suz]
still…with 12% reporting it’s making me nervous…
7:27
lines long in Philadelphia – pa polls close at 8 pm
7:28
Lehigh valley in Pennsylvania had 2 – 3 hour waits – 80 to 85 % voter turn out
7:28
[Comment From Suz]
Did you see that Tim Robbins was turned away at polling place (been voting there 15 yrs)…had to go to election headquarters where it was confirmed he was registered and in right place…calling for investigation into polling issues
7:29
saw that – some people needed to be tenacious – or have me standing behind them in line :)
7:29
[Comment From Suz]
Obama still a chance in Indiana…is winning counties that Kerry couldn’t dent
7:30
NC Ohio and WV are closed
7:30
NC too close
7:30
WV and Ohio too early
7:31
McCain leading in Georgia = but still too early to call
7:31
South Carolina still too early
7:31
[Comment From Suz]
In Minnesota they project that 3 million voters will turn out…only 3.7 million voters registered. Will be records in most states I would guess.
7:32
[Comment From Elisa]
Hi! I am nervous and excited. I talked to somebody on the bus who said Lancaster County could pull PA to McCain and after the weekend and all these signs there… I am worried
7:33
[Comment From Suz]
Obama doesn’t have to win PA to win the required electoral votes he needs to win
7:33
Remember to check the NBC live blog – they are live blogging from Ohio – which just closed it’s polls
7:35
[Comment From Kelly]
I think records in most states, too.
7:35
[Comment From Kelly]
No matter who wins, it is historic. Am glad so many people care.
7:36
[Comment From Suz]
Will be historic either way. Either the first African American president or the first female VP.
7:37
First time 2 sitting senators have run against each other – first sitting senator since Kennedy -
7:37
[Comment From Suz]
CNN reports Obama has 51% of the popular vote to 46% McCain.
7:37
West virginia – Rockafeller retains seat
7:38
Georgia Senate – too close
7:38
Kentucky Senate – too close
7:38
North Carolina Senate – too early
7:38
West Virginia Governor Joe Manchin (D) retains
7:39
Indiana Mitch Daniels (Governor) Rep, retains
7:39
[Comment From Suz]
Florida is ahead in Florida by ~121,000
7:41
[Comment From Suz]
Sorry…Obama is ahead in FL.
7:43
Current Senate – 27 Rep 41 Dems (includes 2 independents) –

35 Senate seats up for election tonight
7:45
Indiana 29% in McCain 51% to Obama 48%
7:46
John McCain projected winner in South Carolina
7:46
16 electoral votes for McCain and 3 for Obama
7:47
“on the road” to 270
7:48
Will a “midwesterner” replace the requisite “southerner” on the Dem ticket?
7:51
[Comment From Suz]
What site are you getting the info for on SC? Most sites are showing Obama ahead in SC.
7:52
[Comment From Guest]
What’s happening in Virginia?
7:53
[Comment From Denise]
We are going to grow tired of the phrase ‘too close to call’ aren’t we?
7:54
West Virginia called for John McCain (on CBS)
7:55
[Comment From Denise]
10 year old asks.. why are they only showing McCain and Obama? .. my job is done..
7:58
[Comment From Suz]
I don’t understand….they show McCain as projected winner in SC, but Obama is leading now 55% to 45%.
7:58
[Comment From Kelly]
Am being forced to watch “Roary” on TV so relying on you for my coverage…
7:59
[Comment From elisa]
I saw that with SC too,I think they just mixed up the numbers
8:00
NBC projects Obama wins PA
8:00
Obama wins NJ and Ill
8:01
McCain wins Tenn
8:01
Obama wins Maryland and Mass and Connecticut
8:01
New Hampshire to Obama
8:01
[Comment From Kelly]
Oh Pennsy. You made me proud.
8:03
Obama 103 electoral votes McCain 24
8:03
[Comment From elisa]
msnbc.com says Obama is ahead in Florida with 57%
8:03
[Comment From Suz]
Amazing that just as polls close in PA they predict the winn
8:03
Florida and Missouri too close to call
8:03
too early to call in Alabama
8:05
Delaware goes to Obama
8:05
[Comment From Suz]
Still impressed by FL voters. Would not hacve projected them to go Dem
8:05
Oklahoma to McCain
8:07
McCain still ahead in Virginia
8:07
surprise? Obama projected winner in DC
8:07
[Comment From Suz]
My colleage proud that her precint in VA is projected Obama
8:08
McCain leads in Indiana
8:09
CBS – Obama winning popular vote
8:09
[Comment From Denise]
They hinted there is a landslide in DC have you heard the #s?
8:10
of course, DC has no electoral votes
8:10
[Comment From Denise]
it doesn’t?
8:10
[Comment From Denise]
it should
8:12
correction – they have 3 votes
8:12
but no voting members of congress
8:12
[Comment From Kelly]
Maddy, it was Kay Hagan running against Elizabeth Dole in NC. Apparently beating the tar out of her.
8:13
Obama projected winner in Maine
8:14
Obama has big lead in NC
8:14
[Comment From Suz]
I’m not familiar with why Libby Dole has fallen so far from grace. Any ideas?
8:15
Hagan is a great candidate – and Dole has lost touch (or so it seems)
8:15
PA projection is based on exit polls
8:15
[Comment From Guest]
Dole ran some tasteless “godless American” ads against Hagan…check them out online
8:16
New Hampshire Dems win Senate seat
8:16
Maine Senate – collins (rep) retains seat
8:16
Biden and Durbin retain senate seats
8:17
John Kerry wins in MA; Lautenberg retains seat in NJ
8:17
Mississippi senate too close to call
8:17
alabama – senate too early to call
8:17
Oklahoma senate too early to call
8:18
New Senate – Dems 44 Ind 2 Reps 29
8:18
[Comment From Kelly]
I heard that about Dole. I don’t get those ads – they clearly don’t work.
8:19
5% in for NC – Obama jup 58% to 41%
8:19
[Comment From freehold woman]
I am waiting to see what effect all this has on the futures market
8:20
[Comment From Denise]
And the gas prices!!
8:21
North Carolina Governor – Purdue (D) leads
8:21
Hagan leads Dole 59 to 39%
8:21
[Comment From freehold woman]
Well paying a bit more at the pump is much better than losing your pension
8:24
[Comment From Kelly]
Just tweeted: If Purdue wins, does that mean that NC will change its official state bird from cardinal to chicken?
8:24
and the state drink to the Boilermaker?
8:25
[Comment From Kelly]
bwahahaha!
8:25
reported problems in …. wait for it … Palm Beach, FL
8:25
[Comment From Denise]
oh no!
8:26
exit polls – PA 90% economy not good
8:26
PA – white working class voted for Barack Obama
8:26
North Carolina – Obama winning more white votes than John Kerry did
8:27
in nc 30% of white voters who said that race was a factor … voted for Barack Obama – pundits are speechless -
8:28
Delaware Governor – Jack Markell (D)
8:30
New Hampshire – to Barack Obama (CNN)
8:31
[Comment From Suz]
Finally getting some individual precint news from PA. But only Philly is reporting.
8:31
North Carolina Senate called – Hagan is the winner
8:31
Dole – not enough time in NC – not enough work in the Senate
8:31
[Comment From Kelly]
Go Hagan!
8:32
First time in, well, forever (or 1956 or something) that neither a dole nor a bush will hold office
8:33
Virginia replaces Senator Warner with Senator Warner ;)
8:33
Kentucky senate – McConnell(Inc R) 51% Lunsford (D) 49%
8:34
MSNBC is being very more liberal (ha ha ha ha) with their projected winners, btw
8:35
virginia voter turn out estimated at 80%
8:36
McCain wins Georgia
8:36
[Comment From Suz]
Just an interesting comment that I am sitting in a hotel room with a colleague of mine, both of us searching news websites and reading and contributing to blogs and/or live feeds. What a change technology has made.
8:38
MSNBC says Palin pick hurt McCain in PA
8:38
florida Obama maintains lead – 39% reporting
8:39
12% in NC – Obama leading
8:39
Texas – all polls close at 9pm – but right now – mccain 51% obama 49%
8:40
CNN joins NBC – PA to Obama
8:40
[Comment From Suz]
CNN projects Obama for PA!
8:40
[Comment From Dani]
Obama is only 9% behind in VA (per CNN)
8:41
Huge crowd growing in Chicago’s grant park to cheer on Senator Obama -
8:42
[Comment From Dani]
make that 8%
8:42
[Comment From elisa]
If someone cares what europe is saying: german news saying that Obama is leading “significantly”
8:42
[Comment From Denise]
eMom is in the crowd I keep looking to see if I can see her. It’s fun hearing her comments from the crowd there
8:42
[Comment From Suz]
Where is McCain tonight?
8:43
Phoenix – i believe
8:43
[Comment From Dani]
The question is..where is Palin? Gazing out over Russia?
8:44
well – she was in Alaska this morning – but she wouldn’t confirm that she voted for McCain –

mainly because she didn’t want to have to reveal if she voted for senator stevens or not
8:45
anyone else missing tim russert?
8:45
[Comment From Suz]
Desperately missing Tim.
8:45
[Comment From Kelly]
Jesse Jackson is rhyming on BBC America.
8:46
very likely that Russert and Obama’s grandmother (and Durbin’s daughter – so sad, btw) are all sitting together and watching
8:48
[Comment From Suz]
Some are projecting that the election will be called by CNN by 9 PM
8:48
that’s what they are saying over in Ohio (on Brian’s live blog)
8:50
Roland Martin, on CNN – has been very vocal and prolific this campaign – his blog/articles are awesome
8:51
CNN says that close to 100% of Hillary Clinton voters will vote for Obama
8:51
[Comment From Suz]
Have to give a shout out to Elk County PA. With 3% in obama has a commanding lead:)
8:51
You know it – Elk County is so small that it SHARES a judge with Forest County!
8:52
Surprising – James Carville thinks that Obama is going to win
8:52
15 states’ polls close at 9pm (EST)
8:53
[Comment From Dani]
McCain’s lead in VA has shrunk to 5%
8:53
[Comment From Dani]
Carville looks lik ET
8:53
Carville looks like the “tales from the crypt” guy ATE ET
8:55
projections coming up at the top of the hour – it’ll be fast and furious -
8:57
[Comment From Suz]
Do you think they’ll call PA at 9 PM?
8:58
Obama leading in Ohio -
9:00
no states have “changed colors” yet
9:00
CNN – projects Obama – rhode island, michigan, wisconsin, minnesota, and new york
9:01
Cnn projects – McCain carried North Dakota and Wyoming
9:01
[Comment From Suz]
Shocking that CNN doesn’t call McCain winning Arizona
9:01
Arizona too close to call
9:02
Texas too early to call
9:02
Colorado – too early to call
9:02
Louisiana too early – new mexico too early
9:02
Nebraska too early – South Dakota too early
9:03
Florida – too close – 45% of the votes in obama leads; NC – Obama leads – but still too close
9:04
Virginia – McCain leads – too close to call; Missouri – too close – McCain leads; Indiana too close; Ohio – Obama leads- but too early to call
9:04
according to Brian – Fox news has called Ohio for Obama
9:05
[Comment From Suz]
How/why did Sununu lose in NH?
9:05
[Comment From Dani]
ABCnews.com is calling Kan, Ark for McCain
9:05
Dems have 50 Senate seats
9:07
[Comment From Suz]
Centre county PA first report (0% reporting) currently to McCain
9:07
Fox is retracting “call” for Obama in Ohio
9:07
[Comment From Dani]
3% is seperating McCain and Obama in VA (ABC)
9:07
[Comment From Suz]
Darn conservative media!
9:07
[Comment From Suz]
Now is not the time for the flip flop
9:09
Pundits – predict long night in Indiana and Virginia
9:11
[Comment From Dani]
VA counties are starting to undergo some color change….
9:11
my personal guess is that the networks and those that value the votes of the west coast – are going to wait to call the “interesting” states until 11pm or so
9:12
like they did during the primaries – they want to keep the viewers
9:12
CNN – McCain wins Georgia – but we knew that – right?
9:13
[Comment From Dani]
took them long enough…
9:14
CNN is going through the “open” states
9:16
[Comment From Dani]
McCain 50%, Obama 49% in VA….
9:19
crowd in Chicago is getting ginormous
9:21
cnn Projects that McConnell wins Kentucky seat – he’s the senate minority leader
9:21
[Comment From Suz]
Seems the Reps will need to celebrate ’small’ victories
9:22
[Comment From Dani]
per CNN, Dems have 52 senate seats
9:22
NBC – Ohio is Obama
9:23
first “color change”
9:23
[Comment From -e-]
8 more senate seats to go — magic number 60
9:24
No Rep has ever won the Presidency without Ohio
9:25
[Comment From Suz]
CNN is close to a ‘major’ projection after the break
9:25
whatcha wanna guess it’s Ohio?
9:26
NBC – Louisiana – for McCain
9:27
Ohio “makes up” for a lot of other “leaning” states
9:28
Fattah winner with 88% of the vote
9:28
[Comment From Suz]
Ohio would be HUGE.
9:28
[Comment From Kelly]
OH for Obama.
9:29
yes, we know – CNN is just a little slow
9:29
we’re making fun of them
9:29
CNN – VA is 12,000 vote advantage for McCain
9:29
NC is tightening
9:30
as is FL
9:30
Obama leads in those 2 states
9:30
[Comment From -e-]
louisianna to mccain
9:30
Nope – CNN no call Ohio
9:30
[Comment From -e-]
what’s the status of florida?
9:30
Florida – still too close
9:31
Do the producers at CNN really think that we AREN’T channel surfing?
9:31
[Comment From -e-]
still 1.5 hrs for ca polls
9:31
New Mexico – Obama
9:31
another color flip
9:32
[Comment From -e-]
yes!
9:33
Reports from Georgia Dem – no champagne available in liquor store – looking for alternatives
9:33
NBC electoral college count – Obama 200 McCain 85
9:34
[Comment From Dani]
ABC has called ohio for Obama
9:34
NBC exit polls – voters worried about: Economy – 65% Iraq 10%
9:35
CNN calls Ohio for Obama
9:36
[Comment From -e-]
what’s the magic number for obama?
9:36
270
9:37
California is 56
9:37
California, Washington and Oregon can win election for Obama
9:38
West Virginia for McCain
9:38
Democrats win another senate seat in New Mexico
9:38
[Comment From Suz]
still hoping that VA goes Obama
9:39
Reps hold senate seats in Kansas and Alabama