Politico: Nation could face a short Election Night

[Shine]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/14660.html
<snip>
Network news executives said they are preparing for an unusual Election Night challenge: How to be honest with the audience, and still keep them tuned in, if the race between John McCain and Barack Obama is effectively decided before most Americans have finished dinner.


...The quandary is highlighted by Virginia, a state that has not voted Democratic for president since 1964 but where Obama is now leading in polls. There is no realistic McCain electoral college strategy that does not depend on winning the Old Dominion.

If it is clear on Nov. 4 that Obama has won in Virginia by the time polls there close at 7 p.m. — it will still be daylight west of the Mississippi — the obvious conclusion will be that Obama is headed to the White House.
<snip>


Lovin' it!! :toast:

[MissMillie]

1. VA, OH, or PA

if any of those states are called early in the evening for Obama, it's done.

[BOSSHOG]

4. But we'll have to wait up for the returns from Alaska!!

[Mz Pip]

7. Just as long

as we don't have to wait for the polls to close in Hawaii.

[RNdaSilva]

44. Careful there...

parts of Alaska are in the same time zone, Hawaii-Aleutian, as Hawaii. Hawaii does not recognize DST though.

When Palin visits one of her remote Aleutian Islands she could probably hop in her kayak for a short paddle to Russia.

If it were to be a tie coming down to those two states Obama would win...Hawaii has 4 electoral votes, Alaska the minimum 3. However, I expect to see Obama declared the winner shortly after the sun sets here on the west coast.

[damntexdem]

31. That's OK -- they can see the Alaska results from their front porches in Russia.

[AllentownJake]

2. Indiana

Polls close 7pm. If Indiana is too close to call or called for Obama...its over.

[leftynyc]

28. Virginia also at 7PM

I think that's the one this article may be about. It really does look good for both Obama and Warner right now.

[liberalpragmatist]

35. Not necessarily

You're right that if Indiana is called for Obama right away it'll mean it's over. But that's not likely. Indiana may well be "too close to call" at 7 PM. BUT, Indiana has actually been close all year -- even when Obama was only tied nationally with McCain, Indiana was close.

Virginia, in contrast, has swung sharply towards Obama. It isn't impossible that Obama could actually outperform his national numbers in Virginia. Virginia being called soon after poll closing is VERY possible. And if it happens, that implies that Obama is headed to a big win.

[steve2470]

3. k and r nt

[DinahMoeHum]

5. Hey, don't forget all those Senate and Congress races. . .

Plenty to celebrate the night of November 4, IF we all Keep On Pushing.

:kick::kick:

[otohara]

46. Yep - Gots to Vote No Matter What

happens in the Eastern states -

In 88 I was standing in line to vote at a hotel - Dan Rather came on the TeeVee and said "CBS News has projected Ronald Reagan has won a second term. I had tickets to see Joe Jackson in Boulder - and said fuck it...and walked out. It was the only time I didn't vote.

I want landslide from East Coast to West Coast for Obama and the majority he needs to back him up in Congress.

[Stephist]

6. Like 1996.

:o I swear I was outside smoking a victory cigar at 8 o'clock that night.

[BootinUp]

8. Obama: Don't get cocky

:thumbsup:

[alwysdrunk]

33. It's getting harder and harder

I mean seriously, read that article. Could you have imagined reading an article like that 20 months ago? Ever? I've never seen anything like it in my lifetime.

[Cha]

45. "Two words..

New Hampshire":)

[PearliePoo2]

9. Good!

I don't want to be up all night biting my fingernails here in the Northwest.
I want to start partying, celebrating and weeping for joy early!
:beer:

[gblady]

12. fellow N'westerner here....

hoping not to be in suspense for very long...

[PearliePoo2]

16. Now we need Governor Chris Gregoire to kick some Dino ass

:toast:

[gblady]

20. yeah....that one seems....

more difficult....
in phone banking the past few weeks...
a nod in Obama's direction frequently did not mean
a Gregoire vote...mostly due to those Rossi
"she destroyed the economy" ads.

[Shine]

14. Yeah, we're on the west central CA coast . I'm hosting a huge potluck party!

with 100 of my best friends as we watch the election night returns come it! :toast: Time to celebrate!

[PearliePoo2]

19. Central Coast California...stunningly beautiful

Rode my motorcycle several times from Washington to Mexico down 101 and 1.
I'll want to stay up also...counting to 60 in the Senate.
Party on!

[WCGreen]

29. I'd love to be there.....

[Hekate]

42. Greetings from Goleta!

:hi:

Hekate

[Shine]

48. Goleta is very nice, indeed. I grew up in Ojai!

Now we live in the Santa Cruz mountains, in Scotts Valley! :hi:

[treestar]

10. "Face?" Like it is some kind of a difficulty?

:rofl:

For the media, maybe.

[LynzM]

15. I know, right? Bring out the pity party for the media...

Maybe they could focus on the newly-elected, first African American President-Elect? That'd be terrible :P

[LSK]

11. if they want a story, focus on 60 Senate Seats

[MissMillie]

21. good idea!

:thumbsup:

[Bake]

13. I'm stayin' up all night, and I don't CARE!!!!

I'm going to enjoy every minute of it!!

Bake

[neverforget]

17. I'm staying up for the drinking AND the schadenfreude. I want to see

them suffer like we did in 2000 and 2004.

[JBTO26]

18. Sorry, but this thread sucks !

Just like the politico story BTW . It's still 18 days to go and this clearly is not the time to start planning your election night's party.

[Shine]

23. What a party pooper!

:eyes:

Who said anything about complacency? We'll keep working hard and we'll get the results.

I remain extremely optimistic and want to be with friends and community when Obama wins!

Do the work, hold the vision, keep the faith. :toast:

[leftist.]

22. Nation WILL face a short election night.

Fixed :)

[Roxy66]

24. Oregon voter here....I don't care if they call it in the 1st 10 mins!!

I'll be so f*cking excited no matter when they call it!!

[SKKY]

25. I'm all for not calling the race until CAL, ORE, and WASH polls have closed...

...We need to make sure everyone votes!

[loyalsister]

37. Relish every state!

:)

[Pattib]

26. Let it be true...I would love a short night, more time for champagne. Yoo-Hoo!!!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

27. I'm with you, my dear Shine!

Lookin' good, and taking no chances!

:toast:

[damntexdem]

30. I really, really hope that they have such a problem.

And I promise to keep watching -- what happens in congressional elections in the west is as important as in the rest of the country.

[ObamaKerryDem]

32. GAWD, I hope this is the case! :D

The last time I've experienced such an election night was back in '96 when Clinton, of course, beat the hell out of Dole...I was all of ten years old, lol. And my family and I were still eating dinner when the winner was projected. :D I mean, I'm willing to wait as long as it takes, just so long as we WIN, but it sure would be nice not to have to stay up until like 3 in the morning and STILL not know the outcome (though I'm sure I'll be watching the coverage over and over again regardless, in between/all the while gloating)..haha ;)

*crosses fingers.....*

[Shine]

34. LOL! " I was all of ten years old"

you sweet young thing! :hug: I was 32 back then. Damn.

Here's to a short election night and President Obama!

[ObamaKerryDem]

36. Aww, thanks! :) LOL. Yeah, I was in the 4th grade...haha

Would've loved to have voted in that election had I been old enough, though Bill didn't really seem to need my help..he even won my state that time! :D (the last time it's gone blue, btw..:( Hoping we can change that this time, though McSame has homestate advantage here..bleh. We're sure trying, though! ;)).

[chappydog26]

38. Awesome!

Another young political enthusiast like me! My first prez election was 2000. I'm always being told in my classes at college to "get a life" because I'm into politics. Ha! When Obama wins, I'll probably get taken out of class the next day in a straight jacket :crazy:

[maui9002]

39. I'll still be watching, because I want to see

how we do in the House and the Senate. It will also be interesting to see if Senator Obama can win states have traditionally voted Republican. It's the mandate thing I'm interested in.

[Frumious B]

40. If it looks like Obama is cruising to a win then the networks can just play up the history angle.

Surely they won't have to worry about ratings when it gets to the point that Obama is ready to come out and claim a win.

[Erin Elizabeth]

41. I hope so because

A) it would mean Obama won, so yay!

B) I've about had it with election nights that go on and on and on and on and on

[Hekate]

43. I have to be careful.The last time I did my Schadenfreude Dance I fell into the planter on the lanai

Two years ago I got so excited when we won back Congress I danced all over the house. My mistake was going outside where I was night-blind -- really got banged up in that fall. :blush: I didn't even get a chance to make a toast.

I'll try to find a party within walking distance this time, because my celebration will require a certain amount of :toast:

Hekate

[Doughboy71]

47. Election Day / Night

I've volunteered with the Obama campaign in Minnesota to be a Minnesota Election Day Designated Challenger. Here is what http://my.barackobama.com/page/s/mnchallenger">BarackObama.com describes it as:

"A critical part of our victory plan is our Voter Protection Program, which is designed to ensure fairness on Election Day. The campaign is currently seeking volunteers to serve as Designated Challengers inside polling locations throughout Minnesota on Election Day. These Challengers will work to advocate for the voting process, address problems that arise in polling places, and clarify voting rules if necessary."

I call it beating a republican away from the poll with a stick.

Could be an interesting day.