Speaking of SNL, I heard last night that Palin is going to make an appearance tomorrow. People are wondering if she's going to portray Tina Fey. I mean, Halloween is coming up soon. ;-)

I thought McCain opted out of public funding as well. Oooh! Didn't know the Keating connection.

I think it's disgusting to spend so much money on a campaign when there are so many people dying of hunger in the world, and Americans are suffering too. What's the total so far for Obama? IMO, there should be a cap of 75 million per candidate running for President. (Mari), So you're saying, what? That he became militant? That he became a Muslim? That he "pals around with terrorists? That he's *gasp* an Arab?! I am not going to deny Obama's Islamic past in Indonesia. I am not going to deny that he was a follower of Rev. Wright, who's mentor is Farrakahn from the Nation of Islam. I am not going to deny that he knew Ayers and received money from him. I am not going to deny his many associations with Rezko the crook, which benefited him in underhanded and illegal ways. I am not going to deny the fact that he let the Clintons be branded racists during the primaries, and that he never came to Hillary's defense when the media were blatantly sexist against her. "Bros before hoes" is only one example. I truly think Obama will be a disaster for this country. The only bright light is that he can pick up the phone and ask Hillary what she would do. ;-) No hard feelings, but I won't be posting here any longer. I'm not trying to change anyone's mind and if I want to read more Obama love, all I have to do is read my Wash Post or NYT or turn on the TV. I am happy you are all so convinced by Obama. How I wish we could all be happy together celebrating a Hillary victory. Maybe in 2012. ;-) Arrivederci!

Arriverderci, Moon, but I don't think anyone here has ever pronounced a love for Obama as opposed to being more against McCain/Palin and/or what has presented and represented himself as. Speaking for myself, I just want someone to save my country and I don't see McCain doing it. Of course, when the Democrats took the (very slim) majority in Congress, I was hoping and expecting the same thing which hasn't so much come to pass.

Evidently today both Chicago papers printed their presidential endorsements. Both were for Obama. That may not seem all that significant. However, for the Chicago Tribune, it was historic. First time ever that it came out for a Democrat. [I guess they're not overly concerned about Barry/Barack or his terrorist associates.]

However, for the Chicago Tribune, it was historic. First time ever that it came out for a Democrat. I was fascinated to read that.

As if I needed to be insulted yet again by his campaign . . . http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/19/campaign.wrap/ Asked if Gov. Sarah Palin has become a drag on his ticket, McCain said, "As a cold political calculation, I could not be more pleased. She has excited and energized our base. She is a direct counterpoint to the liberal feminist agenda for America."

Liberal feminist agenda? :-( How totally sad. Am reminded of something I heard recently about the percentage of women in government in European countries. Half of the Netherlands' ministers are women. I never cease to be amazed that Americans *think* they're so progressive when all the numbers show the opposite.

McCain said, "As a cold political calculation, I could not be more pleased. If I hadn't seen it on cnn.com, I'd have truly thought this was a joke. A piece from The Onion even.

"Actions Speak Louder Than Words" A picture of McCain after the debate in New York. He started to go the wrong way and had to turn around. Is this the man we want running our Country? Scary Thought!

I meant to put Scary Thought, IMO. I don't want to insult anyone's political views. But, IMHO if we can't have Hillary, I sure don't want McCain and Palin. Too bad Colin was not born in the old USA or he could be our 3rd presidental candidate. Just picture him on the campaign trail with Mrs. Bumble leading the way. I am so sick of this election. I can't wait until it's over.

(Marlene) Too bad Colin was not born in the old USA or he could be our 3rd presidental candidate. Then you'd really have a socialist. LOL!

Jon Stewart on Palin in his stand-up act. http://www.weeklystandard.com/weblogs/TWSFP/2008/10/jon_stewart_to_sarah_palin_exp.asp

Remember how Al-Qaeda issued a recorded message from Bin Laden right before the 2004 election? I wonder when the shoe will drop this time around. According to this, they're hoping McCain wins; keeps our image abroad more tarnished: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/22/al-qaeda-supporters-endor_n_136779.html

A quite long, but interesting article on the journey of Palin to VP nom. http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/10/27/081027fa_fact_mayer

Must be exhausting to be the Obama some think he is. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/10/22/12551/762/628/638050

(Dorine) Must be exhausting to be the Obama some think he is. LOl! Not to mention that the Democratic machine here must have missed that one as well. Heard on the csr radio this afternoon a confirmed item that Grant Park has been booked for his acceptance rally. I guess there isn't a ballroom big enough to hold all his supporters here. ;-)

What happens if it rains? Not much could be seen under a tent. At least for people there.

IMO, this tells me McCain expects to lose. McCain might skip his own election-night party By BETH FOUHY, Associated Press Writer 2 hrs 26 mins ago NEW YORK � Republican John McCain is not going to make his election night remarks in the traditional style � at a podium standing in front of a sea of campaign workers jammed into a hotel ballroom. Oh, the throng of supporters will hold the usual election night party at the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix on the evening of Nov. 4. But the Republican presidential nominee plans to address another group of supporters and a small group of reporters on the hotel lawn; his remarks will be simultaneously piped electronically to the party inside and other reporters in a media filing center, aides said. Aides said Thursday that the arrangement was the result of space limitations and that McCain might drop by the election watch party at some other point. Only a small press "pool" � mostly those who have traveled regularly with the candidate on his campaign plane, plus a few local Arizona reporters and other guests � will be physically present when McCain speaks. Thomas Patterson, a government professor at Harvard's Shorenstein Center on the Press, Politics and Public Policy, called the arrangement "unusual" but said the campaign may simply be bowing to the reality that the candidate's remarks are geared toward the televised audience rather than those in the hall. "Addressing your supporters election night is one of those traditions in politics, like where you choose to launch your campaign," Patterson said. "Why wouldn't you want the energy of the crowd? And if you're going to lose, you almost need it even more." With just 12 days left in the presidential contest, most polls show the Arizona senator trailing Democrat Barack Obama nationally and in most battleground states, although a new AP-GfK poll showed the race tightening a bit in the last few days. Obama, by contrast, plans to address a giant outdoor celebration election night in Chicago's Grant Park. The event is free and open to the public, but the campaign was charging media organizations a hefty fee for close-in spots on the camera risers and platforms and for cable and wireless Internet at those spots. The Obama campaign was also charging news organizations $935 per person for a spot in its press filing center, as opposed to $695 per person at the McCain gathering. But as Obama spokesman Bill Burton pointed out, "Anyone credentialed for our filing center will also be able to watch the event live and in person, unlike the McCain event." ___

(Dorine) What happens if it rains? Don't northern cities hold outdoor rallies for their Superbowl champs? I seem to remember one of those here over 20 years ago. However, I have also heard rumors of using the United Center, which is where the Bulls play.

Don't northern cities hold outdoor rallies for their Superbowl champs? Yes. They'll continue if it snows I think, but not sure about rain.

I can't get over the number of robocalls I've been getting recently, especially just this morning, from both sides. The Palm Beach Board of Elections must have my NY number in their database for some reason (haven't voted there since 2000) since several of the calls are stating they're calling on behalf of the parties in Florida. Have had both Hillary Clinton and Biden's wife this morning.

Democrats headed toward big gains in House, Senate By DAVID ESPO, AP Special Correspondent David Espo, Ap Special Correspondent – Sat Oct 25, 7:24 am ET WASHINGTON – Democrats are on track for sizable gains in both houses of Congress on Nov. 4, according to strategists in both parties, although only improbable Southern victories can produce the 60-vote Senate majority they covet to help them pass priority legislation. A poor economy, President Bush's unpopularity, a lopsided advantage in fundraising and Barack Obama's robust organizational effort in key states are all aiding Democrats in the final days of the congressional campaign. "I don't think anybody realized it was going to be this tough" for Republicans, Sen. John Ensign, chairman of the party's senatorial campaign committee said recently. "We're dealing with an unpopular president (and) we have a financial crisis," he added. "You've got Republican incumbent members of the Congress" trying to run away from Bush's economic policies, said Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, who chairs the House Democratic campaign committee. "And they can't run fast enough. I think it will catch up with many of them." Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California predicted recently that Democrats would win at least 14 House seats in Republican hands. But numerous strategists in both parties agreed a gain of at least 20 seems likely and a dozen or more GOP-held seats are in doubt. Only a handful of Democratic House seats appear in any sort of jeopardy. They spoke only on condition of anonymity, saying they were relying on confidential polling data. In the Senate, as in the House, only the magnitude of the Democratic gains is in doubt. New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, head of the Democratic committee, said his party would have to win seats in "deeply red states" to amass a 60-seat majority, but added, "We're close." Obama's methodical voter registration efforts in the primary season and his current get-out-the-vote efforts are aiding Democratic candidates in several Southern races. They start with North Carolina, where GOP Sen. Elizabeth Dole trails in the polls, and include Georgia and Mississippi, where Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Roger Wicker respectively are in unexpectedly close races. "Overall, I think Obama will help us in the South because, first, his economic message resonates with Southerners, both white and black, and obviously there will be an increased African-American turnout," Schumer said. Also in a close race is the Republican leader, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, although that is not a state where Obama has made much of an effort. Compounding Republican woes, the same economy that has soured voters on their candidates is causing some of the nation's wealthiest conservative donors to stay on the campaign sidelines. Freedom's Watch, a conservative group that once looked poised to spend tens of millions of dollars to help elect Republicans, had spent roughly $3 million as of midweek. Its largest single contributor is Sheldon Adelson, a billionaire with gambling interests in the United States and China. Democrats hold a 51-49 majority in the current Senate, counting two independents who vote with them. In the House, Democrats have 235 seats to 199 for Republicans, with one vacancy. It has long been apparent that Democrats would retain control of both houses of Congress, and in recent weeks, the party's leaders have mounted a concerted drive to push their Senate majority to 60. That's the number needed to overcome a filibuster, the technique of killing legislation by preventing a final vote. If Obama were to win the White House, it would be the Republicans' last toehold in power. In reality, Ensign noted this week that even if Democrats merely draw close to 60 seats, they will find it easier to pick up a Republican or two on individual bills and move ahead with portions of their agenda that might otherwise be stalled. Democrats are overwhelmingly favored to pick up seats in Virginia, New Mexico and Colorado where Republicans are retiring. Additionally, GOP Sens. John Sununu of New Hampshire, Norm Coleman of Minnesota and Gordon Smith of Oregon are in jeopardy. So, too, Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens, whose fate may rest on the outcome of his corruption trial, now in the hands of a jury in a courthouse a few blocks from the Capitol. Even if they win all four of those races — a tall order — Democrats would be two seats shy of 60 and looking South to get them. In the House, Democrats are so flush with cash that they have spent nearly $1 million to capture a seat centered on Maryland's Eastern Shore that has been in Republican hands for two decades. It is one of 27 races where the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has spent $1 million or more — a total that the counterpart Republican group has yet to match anywhere. "We've had to hold most of our resources for the final two weeks and that's beginning to make a difference," said Rep. Tom Cole of Oklahoma, chairman of the GOP House committee. Cole declined to make an overall prediction. "A lot depends on what happens presidentially in the next 10 days. We're very closely tied with John McCain and we got a lot of open seats and a strong financial disadvantage," he said. He predicted the party's Republican presidential candidate would mount a strong finish and help other candidates on the ballot. Still, the party's campaign committee recently pulled back from plans to advertise on behalf of incumbents in Michigan, Florida, Colorado and Minnesota who face competitive challenges. For its part, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee recently invested in a race in the Lincoln, Neb., area held by Republican Rep. Lee Terry. Obama has a dozen or more paid staff as well as volunteers there hoping to win one electoral vote. Democrats express confidence they will pick up at least two and possibly three Republican-held New York seats where incumbents decided against running again and at least one each in Illinois, Virginia, Ohio, New Mexico and Arizona. There are additional opportunities in at least a half-dozen other states. Republican incumbents in greatest jeopardy include Reps. Don Young in Alaska, Tom Feeney and Ric Keller in Florida, Joe Knollenberg and Tim Walberg in Michigan, Marilyn Musgrave in Colorado, Jon Porter in Nevada and Robin Hayes in North Carolina. Among the few Democrats in close races are Reps. Nick Lampson in Texas, who is in a solidly Republican district; Tim Mahoney in Florida, who recently admitted to having two extramarital affairs; Carol Shea-Porter in New Hampshire and Paul Kanjorski in Pennsylvania. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081025/ap_on_el_ge/congress_stakes;_ylt=AtlOLaZ9jom5DzQLC1yks1Ks0NUE

a lopsided advantage in fundraising That can easily be explained by the projected votes of the electorate. It is not a cause but an effect of all the foregoing.

Yeah, I want these people ruling my country. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/25/palin.tension/index.html

Have you seen this: http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/cc65ed650d

I apparently can't play it at work. I read a reference to it somewhere recently.

Joe the Plumber may get a record deal Move over Sanjaya and tell William Hung the news: Joe the Plumber is being pursued for a major record deal and could come out with a country album as early as Inauguration Day. "Joe" � aka Samuel Wurzelbacher, a Holland, Ohio, pipe-and-toilet man � just signed with a Nashville public relations and management firm to handle interview requests and media appearances, as well create new career opportunities, including a shift out of the plumbing trade into stage and studio performances. http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1008/15072.html

LOL!! [Obama] Transcript: That's why he's spending these last few days calling me every name in the book. Lately, he's called me a socialist for wanting to roll back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans so we can finally give tax relief to the middle class. By the end of the week, he'll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in Kindergarten.

Yeah, I saw that the other night. An even funnier interview was maybe the day before when Jon interviewed the actual Socialist Party candidate and how he gave answers about how absolutely nothing BO is putting forward constitutes real socialism. ;-)

I really should've made it more of a point to watch The Daily Show when I was home. The only time I remember is on Fridays when it's not on. I knew he'd be on a roll with the election.

Ooops! I went looking for the video on the Daily Show website and couldn't find it. Brian Moore was on Colbert. Here it is: http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/189688/october-28-2008/socialist-candidate-for-president---brian-moore But here is one that speaks to one of my favorite issues: http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=189749&title=John-McCain's-Air-Quotes

They were talking about, or rather demonstrating the air quotes when talking about McCain and women's issues on Bill Maher's show last week. It was one of the best shows in a while (with Tim Robbins, Matthew Dowd and Carol Leifer).

(Karen) But here is one that speaks to one of my favorite issues: Which one? The sophomoric, unpresidential use of air quotes or the belittling of women's health issues by a prick? Thanks for the link, I had missed that Daily Show but had seen McPain's air quotes several times. My first reaction being, WTF does he think he's doing, surely that won't work when dealing with world leaders nor terrorists! Spot on with the sarcasm concerning the man's "health issue" upon finding himself raped and impregnated!

Since we were talking about evolution as theory (or not ;-)) vs. creationism, I thought this view from the Catholic Church was quite an interesting way to look at it. I'm not as up on my Catholic Church doctrine as I used to be. ;-) Pope sees physicist Hawking at evolution gathering 1 hr 58 mins ago VATICAN CITY (Reuters) � Pope Benedict told a gathering of scientists including the British cosmologist Stephen Hawking on Friday that there was no contradiction between believing in God and empirical science. Benedict, who briefly met the wheelchair-bound physicist at an event hosted by the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, described science as the pursuit of knowledge about God's creation. "There is no opposition between faith's understanding of creation and the evidence of the empirical sciences," the pontiff said. "Galileo saw nature as a book whose author is God." The Catholic Church found the 17th-century astronomer Galileo guilty of heresy for insisting the earth revolved around the sun. It did not rehabilitate him until 1992. Hawking is a guest at the week-long event, which will explore the theme: "Scientific Insights into the Evolution of the Universe and of Life." In an interview with Reuters last year, Hawking said he was "not religious in the normal sense." "I believe the universe is governed by the laws of science," he said. "The laws may have been decreed by God, but God does not intervene to break the laws." The Catholic Church teaches "theistic evolution," which accepts evolution as scientific theory. Proponents see no reason why God could not have used an evolutionary process in forming the human species. The Pontiff admired the technology that allows Hawking to speak through a voice synthesizer. Hawking is crippled by a muscle disease and has lost the use of his natural voice. Hawking, author of the best-selling "A Brief History of Time," will speak about the origin of the universe at the closed-door event. (Writing by Phil Stewart; Editing by Catherine Bosley)

Eagleburger Blisters Palin: "Of Course" She's Not Ready October 31, 2008 12:39 AM A former Republican Secretary of State and one of John McCain's most prominent supporters offered a stunningly frank and remarkably bleak assessment of Sarah Palin's capacity to handle the presidency should such a scenario arise. Lawrence Eagleburger, who served as Secretary of State under George H.W. Bush and whose endorsement is often trumpeted by McCain, said on Thursday that the Alaska governor is not only unprepared to take over the job on a moment's notice but, even after some time in office, would only amount to an "adequate" commander in chief. "And I devoutly hope that [she] would never be tested," he added for good measure -- referring both to Palin's policy dexterity and the idea of McCain not making it through his time in office. (Listen to audio below.) The remarks took place during an interview on National Public Radio that was, ironically, billed as "making the case" for a McCain presidency. Asked by the host whether Palin could step in during a time of crisis, Eagleburger reverted to sarcasm before leveling the harsh blow. "It is a very good question," he said, pausing a few seconds, then adding with a chuckle: "I'm being facetious here. Look, of course not." Eagleburger explained: "I don't think at the moment she is prepared to take over the reins of the presidency. I can name for you any number of other vice presidents who were not particularly up to it either. So the question, I think, is can she learn and would she be tough enough under the circumstances if she were asked to become president, heaven forbid that that ever takes place? "Give her some time in the office and I think the answer would be, she will be [pause] adequate. I can't say that she would be a genius in the job. But I think she would be enough to get us through a four year... well I hope not... get us through whatever period of time was necessary. And I devoutly hope that it would never be tested." The indictment of Palin was all the more biting because both she and McCain have held Eagleburger up repeatedly during the past several weeks as evidence that the Republican ticket has firm standing and support within foreign policy circles. (In fact, McCain conferred with Eagleburger by phone just this week, on matters pertaining to national security.) http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/31/eagleburger-blisters-pali_n_139524.html

Your request is being processed... Seth Colter Walls Seth Colter Walls walls@huffingtonpost.com | HuffPost Reporting From DC Become a Fan Get Email Alerts from this Reporter Eagleburger Tries To Walk Back "Stupid" Palin Criticism October 31, 2008 05:42 PM Appearing on Fox News on Friday, former Secretary of State Lawrence Eagleburger awkwardly fell on his sword, entirely taking back his previously critical assessment of Sarah Palin's readiness to serve as president, which was given to NPR on Thursday night. As the Huffington Post noted earlier, Eagleburger's endorsement of McCain is frequently cited by the Republican nominee. But clearly, the opinions of President George H.W. Bush's Secretary of State were less welcome on the subject of Palin, whom Eagleburger had said was "of course" not "prepared to take over the reins of the presidency." Later, in his NPR interview, Eagleburger said, "Give her some time in the office and I think the answer would be, she will be [pause] adequate." By Friday afternoon, however, Eagleburger was more eager to chastise himself than Palin. "You are witnessing something quite unique: a man who is about to talk to you while he has his foot in his mouth," Eagleburger said when asked if his NPR quotes had been taken out of context. "I made a serious mistake yesterday. I was quoted correctly," Eagleburger said. "I wasn't thinking when i said it -- in fact, I was discussing foreign policy, and this was in that context, and I was just plain stupid, and if I had given the flim-flam artist Barack Obama some success with this I am deeply apologetic." It was a fine performance, but the Fox News host proceeded to take Eagleburger's retraction too far, resulting in another moment in which Eagleburger belittled Palin. Host Stuart Varney asked, "You do feel that she's a quick learner and would be good as vice president given a few days?" To which Eagleburger paused and said, "A few days? No." Later, however, he did argue that Palin has "made it clear she's a quick learner," despite the fact that "she didn't know anything about foreign affairs, nor should she have on the basis of what she had done." Winding up his extended apology, Eagleburger made clear, "I have done my best and I apologized to the McCain people." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/31/eagleburger-tries-to-walk_n_139842.html

Was discussing these exact sentiments in this article at work and on facebook this week. I've lost count of the people who are contemplating moving elsewhere in the world should McCain win. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/01/us/politics/01angst.html?ex=1383278400&en=cf2b998dcbec9fba&ei=5124&partner=facebook&exprod=facebook

Great article, Dorine! It makes me feel better that I'm not the only one obsessed over this election. DH spoke to some people at work who are racist (it's hard to believe these people still exist)but anyway they say they are voting for Obama. It still makes you think though. And then we have those undecided voters. I'm getting nervious, too.

Looks like tomorrow for a little while I might be going to work a phone bank for GOTV calls for Obama. The things I have to do to returning a favor for asking to use someone's extra guest spot for the new Bond film screening. ;-)

*continues to pray for edit function* ;-)

Record number of voters expected to deluge polls By DEBORAH HASTINGS, AP National Writer � 26 mins ago AP � Voting problems surfaced in several areas early Tuesday when people turned out in droves as balloting commenced along the Eastern Seaboard and in mid-Atlantic states. Voters needed to use paper ballots because of problems with electronic voting machines in some New Jersey precincts. And in New York, Board of Elections spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez-Rivera said many people began lining up as early as 4 a.m. at some polling places to avoid long lines, leading to erroneous reports that some sites were not opening on time. Poll worker John Ritch in Chappaqua, N.Y., said: "By 7:30 this morning, we had as many as we had at noon in 2004." Gov. Ed Rendell urged voters in Pennsylvania to "hang in there" as state and country officials braced for a huge turnout. More than 160 people were lined up to vote by the time polls opened at First Presbyterian Church in Allentown. "I could stay an hour and a half at the front end or three hours at the back end," joked Ronald Marshall, a black Democrat. In several counties surrounding Virginia's capital city of Richmond, voters and elections officials reported paper jams on some machines and balky touch-screen machines in some localities had local registrars considering paper ballots. At one precinct in Richmond, hundreds of people encircled a branch library by 6 a.m., the scheduled opening of the polls. But the line grew for another 25 minutes before the poll workers opened the doors. They said the librarian who had a key to the polling place had overslept. Despite the delay under a steady drizzle, voters cheered as the doors opened at 6:25 a.m. In Chesapeake, approximately 1,000 voters stood in line to vote, and some people reported malfunctioning machines. Independent election monitors reported problems at two dozen polling places throughout the state. The State Board of Elections scheduled a briefing for midmorning. In Ohio, a state which has had voting problems in the past, Franklin County Board of Elections spokesman Ben Piscitelli said officials again were dealing with typical glitches, like jammed backup paper tapes on voting machines. "We're taking care of things like that," Piscitelli said. "But there's nothing major or systemic." Lawsuits alleging voter suppression already had surfaced in Virginia, a hotly contested state. A judge refused late Monday to extend poll hours or add voting machines to black precincts in some areas. The NAACP, in a federal lawsuit, demanded those changes, saying minority neighborhoods would experience overwhelming turnout and there weren't enough electronic machines. U.S. District Judge Richard Williams denied the motion for a preliminary injunction, but ordered election officials to publicize that people in line by 7 p.m., the polls' closing time, would be allowed to cast ballots. Republican John McCain's campaign sued the Virginia electoral board hours before polls opened, trying to force the state to count late-arriving military ballots from overseas. McCain, a former POW from the Vietnam War, asked a federal judge to order state election officials to count absentee ballots mailed from abroad that arrive as late as Nov. 14. Lawsuits have become common fodder in election battles. The 2000 recount meltdown in Florida was ultimately decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. What is uncommon about Tuesday's contest is the sheer number of voters expected to descend on more than 7,000 election jurisdictions across the country. Voter registration numbers are up 7.3 percent from the last presidential election. "We have a system that is traditionally set up for low turnout," said Tova Wang of the government watchdog group Common Cause. "We're going to have all these new voters, but not a lot of new resources. The election directors just have very little to work with." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081104/ap_on_el_pr/voting_problems

I think that article also adds to the answer to Allison. Alliteration!

World hopes for a 'less arrogant America' By WILLIAM J. KOLE and MATT MOORE, Associated Press Writers � Tue Nov 4, 7:21 am ETBERLIN � A world weary of eight years of George W. Bush was riveted Tuesday by the drama unfolding in the United States. Many were inspired by Barack Obama's focus on hope, or simply relieved that � whoever wins � the current administration is coming to an end. From Berlin's Brandenburg Gate to the small town of Obama, Japan, the world gears up to celebrate a fresh start for America. In Germany, where more than 200,000 flocked to see Obama this summer as he moved to burnish his foreign policy credentials during a trip to the Middle East and Europe, the election dominated television ticker crawls, newspaper headlines and Web sites. Hundreds of thousands prepared to party through the night to watch the outcome of an election having an impact far beyond America's shores. Among the more irreverent festivities planned in Paris: a "Goodbye George" party to bid farewell to Bush. "Like many French people, I would like Obama to win because it would really be a sign of change," said Vanessa Doubine, shopping Tuesday on the Champs-Elysees. "I deeply hope for America's image that it will be Obama." Obama-mania was evident not only across Europe, where millions geared up for all-night vigils, but even in much of the Islamic world, where Muslims expressed hope that the Democrat would seek compromise rather than confrontation. The Bush administration alienated Muslims by mistreating prisoners at its detention center for terrorism suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and inmates at Iraq's Abu Ghraib prison � human rights violations also condemned worldwide. "I hope Obama wins (because) of the need of the world to see the U.S. represent a more cosmopolitan or universal political attitude," said Rais Yatim, the foreign minister of mostly Muslim Malaysia. "The new president will have an impact on the economic and political situation in my country," said Muhammad al-Thaheri, 48, a civil servant in Saudi Arabia. Like so many around the world, he was rooting for Obama "because he will change the path the U.S. is on under Bush." Nizar al-Kortas, a columnist for Kuwait's Al-Anbaa newspaper, saw an Obama victory as "a historic step to change the image of the arrogant American administration to one that is more acceptable in the world." Yet John McCain was backed by some in countries such as Israel, where he is perceived as tougher on Iran. Israeli leaders, who consider the U.S. their closest and most important ally, have not openly declared a preference. But privately, they have expressed concern about Obama, who has alarmed some by saying he would be ready to hold a dialogue with Tehran. Taking a cigarette break on a Jerusalem street corner, bank employee Leah Nizri, 53, said Obama represented potentially frightening change and voiced concern about his Muslim ancestry. "I think he'll be pleasant to Israel, but he will make changes," she said. "He's too young. I think that especially in a situation of a world recession, where things are so unclear in the world, McCain would be better than Obama." Even in Europe, McCain got some grudging respect: Germany's mass-circulation daily Bild lionized the Republican as "the War Hero" and running mate Sarah Palin as "the Beautiful Unknown." In Berlin, Republicans Abroad organized a "November Surprise Election Party" to watch live "how the Republican ticket McCain/Palin comes from behind and leaves the 'liberal elite media' in Europe and the United States puzzled." British Prime Minister Gordon Brown clung to convention by refusing to say which candidate he wants to see win. Regardless of the outcome, he told Al-Arabiya television while on a tour of the Gulf, "history has been made in this campaign." In Baghdad, a jaded Mohammed al-Tamimi said he didn't think U.S. policy on Iraq would change. Even so, "we hope that the new American president will open a new page with our country." Kenyans made their allegiance clear: Scores packed churches on Tuesday to pray for Obama, whose late father was born in the East African nation, and hailed the candidate � himself born in Hawaii � as a "son of the soil." "Tonight we are not going to sleep," said Valentine Wambi, 23, a student at the University of Nairobi. "It will be celebrations throughout." Kenyans believe an Obama victory would not change their lives much but that hasn't stopped them from splashing his picture on minibuses and selling T-shirts with his name and likeness. Kenyans were planning to gather around radios and TV sets starting Tuesday night as the results come in. "We will feast if Obama wins," said Robert Rutaro, a university president in neighboring Uganda. "We will celebrate by marching on the streets of Kampala and hold a big party later on." In the sleepy Japanese coastal town of Obama � which translates as "little beach" � images of him adorned banners along a main shopping street, and preparations for an election day victory party were in full swing. Election fever also ran high in Vietnam, where McCain was held as a prisoner of war for more than five years after being shot down in Hanoi during a 1967 bombing run. "He's patriotic," said Le Lan Anh, a Vietnamese novelist and real estate tycoon. "As a soldier, he came here to destroy my country, but I admire his dignity." ___ Kole reported from Vienna, Austria. AP correspondents worldwide contributed. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081104/ap_on_re_eu/eu_us_elections_world_view

At one precinct in Richmond, hundreds of people encircled a branch library by 6 a.m., the scheduled opening of the polls. But the line grew for another 25 minutes before the poll workers opened the doors. They said the librarian who had a key to the polling place had overslept. Allison, any more questions?;-) I voted before going to work this morning, and although crowded, there were no long lines and I was in and out in 10 minutes. I think it all depends on how well organized your polling site is and more importantly, how many voters there are assigned to each polling place. I read this morning that in PA, they recommend no more than 1,200 voters to be assigned to each site; if that were actually carried out across the country, you wouldn't see these lines. I don't get it. Are the resources not allocated properly? On a very positive note, people are keenly interested and are voting in droves.

"We have a system that is traditionally set up for low turnout," said Tova Wang of the government watchdog group Common Cause. "We're going to have all these new voters, but not a lot of new resources. The election directors just have very little to work with." Perhaps they'll seriously reassess if voter turnout remains high, though I don't see that happening honestly.

This has to be the most unusual election in my memory. It has to be the first year I haven't been inundated by mailings. I haven't received one piece of mail about ANY candidate for ANY elected office. Not a one. Only one robo-call the other day.

One more thing about differences in elections between the US and UK. When they have a General Election, are they only voting for their member in Parliament? In the US, you can be voting for tons of people/things. From soup to nuts. The ballot starts out with the Federal portion: the president and one's congressional reps (i.e., congressman and senator), then it will proceed to State positions (from governor, state treasurer, state congressional seats) onto county/municipal offices (county clerk, water district commissioners, etc.). As I said before, here in Illinois, we also elect judges, but not all states do.

We had judges as well. It has to be the first year I haven't been inundated by mailings. I haven't received one piece of mail about ANY candidate for ANY elected office. Not a one. Only one robo-call the other day. Completely the opposite for me. Though virtually all of the mail/calls were for Florida voters, where I haven't voted since absentee for the 2000 election. Guess I'm still on their rolls. For whatever reason in I hadn't registered here despite not having lived in FL for a year and a half at that point.

(Karen)When they have a General Election, are they only voting for their member in Parliament? The answer to that is usually, yes. I have seen A US ballot paper. A few years back one of my students showed me her ballot paper (she was mailing her vote) - it was huge! However we do not use machines - just paper. I wonder if the machines themselves slow the process?

My friend (who's British and not become a citizen and can't vote) has been doing a lot of work for Obama by canvassing in PA, calling all over the country just said she saw this.... I am watching MSNBC and they are showing lines in some states which are taking hours maybe will take 6 to 8 hour wait. They are saying how broken this system is.

(Allison) I wonder if the machines themselves slow the process? I was thinking in line this morning that paper might be a whole lot quicker. Part of the delays in the last election in some states were the new touchscreen machines that didn't work right, and I think people weren't trained well enough on them. Some had to be taken out of service which would increase lines.

(dorine)"I am watching MSNBC and they are showing lines in some states which are taking hours maybe will take 6 to 8 hour wait. They are saying how broken this system is." That's the part that scares the hell out of me - that not enough people will be willing stand in line that long. This is too important not to stick it out, no matter how long. My husband & I voted early this morning before work - only a couple of people ahead of us.

Just back from voting. It actually took longer because my name wasn't listed in the roll book for my precinct. It has been there for over 10 years and I voted this past primary season. Am disgusted. My vote is considered "provisional." As usual, the desks are staffed with morons, especially this young guy who was arrogance personified. They were pushing people to the paper balloting. No wait either on the touch-screen. I asked to use the touch-screen and the guys were still trying to get me to use paper, showing me how "easy" it now is. Said only a couple of people had used the touch-screen. Bizarre. However, at the end, I did experience some tech difficulty in getting to "cast" my ballot, but I called the techie girl over and she got it to the right point. The two guys there were utterly useless. The women at the desk were more concerned about doing it right, while the guys were "let's do it this way, the only way we know." No lines at my polling place.

Said only a couple of people had used the touch-screen. Maybe people were concerned with their votes getting lost and having to deal with morons, so did paper instead to make it easier.

There's a former Drooleur who teaches at George Mason Univ. Virginia by georgia10 Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 11:00:02 AM PST Florida, Ohio...Virginia? Early reports indicate that Virginia may be the state plagued by voting issues this time around. At one precinct in Richmond's north end, hundreds of people encircled a branch library by 6 a.m., the scheduled opening of the polls. But the line grew for another 25 minutes before the poll workers opened the doors. They said the librarian who had a key to the polling place had overslept. [...] In Chesapeake, approximately 1,000 voters stood in line to vote, and some people reported malfunctioning machines. Pollard said paper ballots were brought into one polling place in Henrico County, in suburban Richmond. In Petersburg, the wrong machines were delivered to a polling place. Pollard said reports of optical scanning machines not recording votes were likely the result of the wet weather. And it gets worse: At George Mason University in Fairfax, Provost Peter N. Stevens wrote in a campus e-mail that a hacker had entered a message into the university system stating the Election Day had been rescheduled. There are also reports that Virginia voters are receiving deceptive phone calls telling them to go to the wrong polling place. Meanwhile, there is already an effort underway to seek to extend voting hours in Virginia by two hours. More on that story as it develops.

Ignore The Exit Polls by DemFromCT Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 09:57:57 AM PST You haven't seen any yet. In fact, you won't see them until after 5 pm EST. The people that run them are in a hermetically sealed environment. But even after they get around and start leaking after 5 pm, ignore them. They do not tell you what you think they tell you (so saith Inigo Montoya). But even when you ignore that and want to look at them, Read This First (http://www.pollster.com/blogs/looking_for_presidential_exit.php). It's from Mark Blumenthal and explains what you will be seeing. You'll learn about how they are done, how they are handling early voters, what to make of what you see on TV... and maybe even a little bit of what exit polls are for (and they are not to call the races.) ;-P Added: Nate Silver's Top 10 reasons To Ignore The Exit Polls, also based on Mark's work.

How Long Are You Willing To Wait In Line To Vote? by BarbinMD Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 06:50:03 AM PST Yesterday, CNN's Jack Cafferty asked viewers how long they'd be willing to wait in line to vote. Here are some of my favorite answers: My whole day is devoted to this one moment in history, i never want to look back and regret that i was not involved in one of the most important moments in United States history. Considering that there are some that wait ....and sometimes fight a lifetime for the opportunity to vote, I will wait happily for as long as it takes to vote for my chosen candidate. I urge everyone to do the same! You take your pick: A few hours, or a few years. I�ll be voting tomorrow. Guaranteed. I�ve already waited 8 years. One day is nothing. Even though I�m 9 and 1/2 months pregnant and Obama will win California with or without my vote, I�ll wait in line as long as it takes. This election is too important to miss, and I don�t care how long and uncomfortable the wait is - I�m voting. It would be a lot more uncomfortable for me to sit by for the next four years knowing that I let my voice go unheard. I think if the veterns can do 3 one year tours of duty in Iraq, I can wait on line 24 hours if it will help get them home. I am prepared and willing to wait all day. I have cleared my calendar to make sure I can spend the whole day. And the time I don�t spend waiting or voting, I will spend poll watching and holding signs. This is far too important not to make a personal sacrifice to make sure my vote counts. And, as an Army wife, one day of work loss is meaningless compared to the days my husband has and will spend on deployment. To all within the sound of your voice: Get out and vote! http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/4/9502/47563/225/651666

Early reports indicate that Virginia may be the state plagued by voting issues this time around. Last time it was Florida. Is anyone else getting the feeling that the common denominator in these "problem" voting states is . . . Moon???!!! ;-)

(Mari) Is anyone else getting the feeling that the common denominator in these "problem" voting states is . . . Moon???!!! ;-) *snort* She has been rather AWOL for the past couple of days. Getting things in (dis)order?

(Karen)I asked to use the touch-screen and the guys were still trying to get me to use paper, showing me how "easy" it now is. You should report that to your local election watchdog, since the touchscreen was in fact available. (Do)I was thinking in line this morning that paper might be a whole lot quicker. Possibly quicker in voting time in problem areas, but how are they going to count all those paper ballots and ensure the integrity of the count? It's gonna be a long night . . .I may leave work early and take a nap so I can stay up. This is always a big night for me.;-) I really think it comes down to the local polling place management, and realistic allocation of polling machines based on the voter registration numbers. My process not only went smoothly but, reading upside down at check-in, I could see that they had received and already logged my son's absentee ballot. Re: lengthy ballots. Yep, in my area, we were voting for president, senator, congress-person, township council members, plus numerous local ballot issues (e.g., funding for local projects). Many areas also have state-wide issues on the ballot (like the California gay marriage thing).

(Mari) but how are they going to count all those paper ballots and ensure the integrity of the count? They get fed right into an OCR type machine and are read on the spot. What I see is probably the delay when the data are batch processed. That type is never a real-time system. We had only two local issues on which to vote: a new constitutional convention and a specific referendum to provide for statewide recall of any elected official, the latter is targeted at our governor.

Long lines greet voters as polls are deluged By DEBORAH HASTINGS, AP National Writer 23 mins ago AP � Voters line up to cast their ballots in Edmond, Okla., during the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 4, Lines stretched around buildings and crossed city blocks as people waited to cast ballots in the historic presidential race between Barack Obama and John McCain. Touchscreen voting machines malfunctioned in some precincts, yet voting Tuesday appeared to go smoothly overall. The biggest trouble was big crowds. But folks seemed to take it in stride. "People are happy and smiling," Sen. Benjamin Cardin said as he voted at a Maryland school. "People are very anxious to be voting. They really think they are part of history, and they are." In the East, electronic machine glitches forced some New Jersey voters to cast paper ballots. In New York, eager voters started lining up before dawn, prompting erroneous reports that some precincts weren't opening on time. In the West, Californians also faced long lines, but voting went smoothly. In Orange County, south of Los Angeles, about 400 people were on hand to treat problems with the county's all-electronic voting system, said Brett Rowley of the registrar's office. "We've got paper ballots as a backup," he said. Heavy rain plunged a handful of Los Angeles polling places into the dark, forcing some to move voting booths outside until electricity was restored. Voting didn't stop. Election officials predicted turnout rates as high as 80 percent in California, the country's most populous state and the highest holder of electoral votes. In Virginia, State Board of Elections executive secretary Nancy Rodrigues said she expected 75 percent of the state's registered voters to cast ballots by Tuesday night. Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell urged voters to "hang in there" as state and country officials braced for a huge turnout in that hotly contested state. More than 160 people were lined up when the polls opened at First Presbyterian Church in Allentown. "I could stay an hour and a half at the front end or three hours at the back end," joked Ronald Marshall, a black Democrat. Hundreds converged on polling precincts in Missouri, another crucial battleground state. Norma Storms, a 78-year-old resident of Raytown, said her driveway was filled with cars left by voters who couldn't get into nearby parking lots. "I have never seen anything like this in all my born days," she said. "I am just astounded." In some places the wait was longer than two hours. "Well, I think I feel somehow strong and energized to stand here even without food and water," said Alexandria, Va., resident Ahmed Bowling, facing a very long line. "What matters is to cast my vote." Some voting advocates worried that � tolerant voters or no � the nation's myriad election systems could stagger later in the day, when people getting off work hit the polls. "We have a system that wasn't ready for huge turnout," said Tova Wang of government watchdog group Common Cause. "People have to wait for hours. Some people can do that. Some people can't. This is not the way to run a democracy." Ohio, which experienced extreme voting delays in the last hours of the 2004 election, had some jammed paper problems in Franklin County. "We're taking care of things like that," said elections spokesman Ben Piscitelli. "But there's nothing major or systemic." Perhaps the most bizarre barrier to voting was a truck that hit a utility pole in St. Paul, Minn.'s Merriam Park neighborhood. The accident knocked power out for about 90 minutes to two polling locations. Joe Mansky, Ramsey County's elections manager, said voting continued at those sites. Election judges said the ballots were kept secure at one of the locations until the power was restored and the ballots could be run through an electronic machine, while a backup generator kicked in at the other site. Late Monday, McCain's campaign sued the Virginia electoral board, trying to force the state to count late-arriving military ballots from overseas. No hearing has been set. McCain, the Republican candidate and a POW during the Vietnam War, asked a federal judge to order state election officials to count absentee ballots mailed from abroad that arrive as late as Nov. 14. Lawsuits have become common fodder in election battles. The 2000 recount meltdown in Florida was ultimately decided by the Supreme Court. What is uncommon about Tuesday's contest is the sheer number of voters expected to descend on more than 7,000 election jurisdictions across the country. Voter registration numbers are up 7.3 percent from the last presidential election. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081104/ap_on_el_pr/voting_problems

Some polls are closing in minutes now in the East. Have the networks called it yet? ;-)

I'm surprised any results yet. Obama wins Vermont, McCain Kentucky [per AP]

"People are very anxious to be voting. They really think they are part of history, and they are." Statements like this drive me nuts. Perhaps if they had voted last time around, things might have been different. :-( On my way to the grocery store, I ran into a middle-aged couple frantically looking for the polling place. Evidently they've never visited the place before.

How the hell can CNN project anything with 1%?!!

Evidently they've never visited the place before. *shakes head* I did say to someone today that maybe somehow this will spur people to be more dilligent in the future about voting by virtue of how important this election has been. Then I dismissed that for a couple of reasons.

Here we go boys and girls!!......several battleground states just closed polls.

I meant to mention earlier an observation.... Someone pointed out at the phone bank yesterday something I did notice, but hadn't really put together articulately.....Obama supporters were quiet pleasant to speak to and the McCain supporters were at the most terse, at the least rude. I was hung up on a number of occasions, but overall I didn't even need to hear them say they were for McCain, I knew when they were extremely short or terse. Says a lot to me about many people who support McCain. If you don't support my candidate, that's ok, but no need to be rude. Wow, voter turnout in VA 80%? I heard it may be the same in CA. Unbelievable and unheard of.

Ok, please explain....PA, 0% in, MSNBC calling Obama. Only 2 counties shaded.

Not so sure why what John King is saying about who wins what counties in PA for example, and their site is showing something different. Hmmmmm.

Anyone see this? It was kind of odd. Funeral in Phoenix by kos Tue Nov 04, 2008 at 06:40:41 PM PST CNN reports that attendees at McCain's "victory rally" have been cut off from the news. So unless they're checking their Blackberries and iPhones, they don't know the race is over. Update by MissLaura: This was emblematic of the McCain-Palin campaign's approach to information: Dana Bash is reporting on CNN from the campaign party. The campaign party where they have turned off the news and are just listening to Hank Williams Jr. as every possible path to a McCain victory is cut off. And then, right at the end of the segment, someone must have noticed CNN was discussing this, and suddenly CNN comes on the screens at the party. Seriously, that's it in a thumbnail: Hide facts until someone catches you, then switch course like nothing's going on.

That Grant Park gathering is unfreakinbelievable. What a contrast to the McCain gathering.

January 20th can't come fast enough.

You like the view of Grant Park? David Gregory initially identified it as on the South Side. Ummm, it's downtown.

*snort* I heard him admit he was wrong about where it is.

Joe brought his mom out! How awesome! She's too adorable.

I didn't hear it, as I changed back to CNN. Was that Oprah in the crowd? The camera kept going to this blonde woman, who kind of looked familiar, who wasn't really looking in the same direction as the man next to her. Eventually, I changed my focus to the person behind and in between them and thought it looked like Oprah. There were different sections at Grant Park, one of which required a ticket of admission.

I'm surprised the city didn't set off fireworks. They do it at the drop of a hat.

So the smart money is on Rahm Emmanuel to be his Chief of Staff. That would be Josh from West Wing. ;-) I saw that Rahm won his seat again today.

Yes, Oprah and Steadman. Jesse Jackson, too. And I read Brad Pitt was there, though not sure if true. Linda's daughter on her Facebook page said "rioting" (happy rioting!) happening up at her school (she's one of my friends on Facebook...surprise Linda!). Someone else in East Village I know said lots of cheering and firecrackers in the streets. And the people in Harlem!....it's like New Year's in Times Square. Noticed David Gregory seemed nonplussed by the large cheering crowd at the White House.

That would be Josh from West Wing. ;-) Ha. I read a piece a week ago about how the last episodes of West Wing seemed to foretell the type of race that we ended up happening. Can't remember where I read it, but will post if I can find it. Almost a bit eerie how prescient it was.

I didn't notice Steadman. Saw Jesse but didn't think it necessary to mention him. ;-)

*snort* I almost didn't, but color me Patron Saint of Mentioning the Obvious. ;-)

Hey Evelyn! Your honey Bill R lost the goatee. I kinda liked it myself. Welcome back! *assumes you're lurking* ;-)

No, I don't think she does. She could go blind if she does. ;-)

Well, what an exciting day. An electric buzz all day around town.

Worldwide newpaper front pages... http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/11/5/04621/2283/311/653622

Absolutely pissed here - four sheets to the wind. Have had drinks with various and sundry in celebrations. President-elect Barach Hussein Obama - how good does that sound? This is the first time in about 8 years that I have been proud of my country-of-birth!

I was texting a bunch of people last night myself that I'm finally proud again to call myself an American.

Hello American girls!!! Kumbaya my Lord! Praise be to Allah! (Mari) Is anyone else getting the feeling that the common denominator in these "problem" voting states is . . . Moon???!!! ;-) (Karen), *snort* She has been rather AWOL for the past couple of days. Getting things in (dis)order? LOL! Hell yes! Everything is back in order. I'm into the happy vibe, I smell it in the air. I'm looking forward to all the great things to come. I trust everything will be righted with the House and Senate in tow. I'm done feeling blue about Hillary and I'm ready to be happy again. Kumbaya my Lord! When Farrakan said that Obama was the Messiah, I admit it, I was skeptical, but now? I can no longer be blind to all the love. Love is all around us today ladies, I can smell it. It's a happy feeling. And I am truly into it. Kumbaya my Lord! I look forward to peace and prosperity. :-D

Oh, Moon. ;-)

Can you believe this? From the AP: California voters approve gay-marriage ban By LISA LEFF, Associated Press Writer Lisa Leff, Associated Press Writer 9 mins ago LOS ANGELES � Voters put a stop to same-sex marriage in California, dealing a crushing defeat to gay-rights activists in a state they hoped would be a vanguard, and putting in doubt as many as 18,000 same-sex marriages conducted since a court ruling made them legal this year. The gay-rights movement had a rough election elsewhere as well Tuesday. Ban-gay-marriage amendments were approved in Arizona and Florida, and Arkansas voters approved a measure banning unmarried couples from serving as adoptive or foster parents. Supporters made clear that gays and lesbians were their main target. But California, the nation's most populous state, had been the big prize. Spending for and against Proposition 8 reached $74 million, the most expensive social-issues campaign in U.S. history and the most expensive campaign this year outside the race for the White House. Activists on both sides of the issue saw the measure as critical to building momentum for their causes. "People believe in the institution of marriage," Frank Schubert, co-manager of the Yes on 8 campaign said after declaring victory early Wednesday. "It's one institution that crosses ethnic divides, that crosses partisan divides. ... People have stood up because they care about marriage and they care a great deal." With almost all precincts reporting, election returns showed the measure winning with 52 percent. Some provisional and absentee ballots remained to be tallied, but based on trends and the locations of the votes still outstanding, the margin of support in favor of the initiative was secure. Californians overwhelmingly passed a same-sex marriage ban in 2000, but gay-rights supporters had hoped public opinion on the issue had shifted enough for this year's measure to be rejected. "We pick ourselves up and trudge on," said Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights. "There has been enormous movement in favor of full equality in eight short years. That is the direction this is heading, and if it's not today or it's not tomorrow, it will be soon." The constitutional amendment limits marriage to heterosexual couples, nullifying the California Supreme Court decision that had made same-sex marriages legal in the state since June. Similar bans had prevailed in 27 states before Tuesday's elections, but none were in California's situation � with about 18,000 gay couples already married. The state attorney general, Jerry Brown, has said those marriages will remain valid, although legal challenges are possible. Elsewhere, voters in Colorado and South Dakota rejected measures that could have led to sweeping bans of abortion, and Washington became only the second state � after Oregon � to offer terminally ill people the option of physician-assisted suicide. A first-of-its-kind measure in Colorado, which was defeated soundly, would have defined life as beginning at conception. Its opponents said the proposal could lead to the outlawing of some types of birth control as well as abortion. The South Dakota measure would have banned abortions except in cases of rape, incest and serious health threat to the mother. A tougher version, without the rape and incest exceptions, lost in 2006. Anti-abortion activists thought the modifications would win approval, but the margin of defeat was similar, about 55 percent to 45 percent of the vote. "The lesson here is that Americans, in states across the country, clearly support women's ability to access abortion care without government interference," said Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation. In Washington, voters gave solid approval to an initiative modeled after Oregon's "Death with Dignity" law, which allows a terminally ill person to be prescribed lethal medication they can administer to themselves. Since Oregon's law took effect in 1997, more than 340 people � mostly ailing with cancer � have used it to end their lives. The marijuana reform movement won two prized victories, with Massachusetts voters decriminalizing possession of small amounts of the drug and Michigan joining 12 other states in allowing use of pot for medical purposes. Henceforth, people caught in Massachusetts with an ounce or less of pot will no longer face criminal penalties. Instead, they'll forfeit the marijuana and pay a $100 civil fine. The Michigan measure will allow severely ill patients to register with the state and legally buy, grow and use small amounts of marijuana to relieve pain, nausea, appetite loss and other symptoms. Nebraska voters, meanwhile, approved a ban on race- and gender-based affirmative action, similar to measures previously approved in California, Michigan and Washington. Returns in Colorado on a similar measure were too close to call. Ward Connerly, the California activist-businessman who has led the crusade against affirmative action, said Obama's victory proved his point. "We have overcome the scourge of race," Connerly said. Energy measures met a mixed fate. In Missouri, voters approved a measure requiring the state's three investor-owned electric utilities to get 15 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2021. But California voters defeated an even more ambitious measure that would have required the state's utilities to generate half their electricity from windmills, solar systems, geothermal reserves and other renewable sources by 2025. Two animal-welfare measures passed � a ban on dog racing in Massachusetts, and a proposition in California that outlaws cramped cages for egg-laying chickens. Amid deep economic uncertainty, proposals to cut state income taxes were defeated decisively in North Dakota and Massachusetts. In San Francisco, an eye-catching local measure � to bar arrests for prostitution � was soundly rejected. Police and political leaders said it would hamper the fight against sex trafficking. And in San Diego, voters decided to make permanent a ban on alcohol consumption on city beaches.

No, I actually didn't believe it. Supporters made clear that gays and lesbians were their main target. As opposed to who else they'd be targeting? Californians overwhelmingly passed a same-sex marriage ban in 2000, Wonder what the margin was. The state attorney general, Jerry Brown, has said those marriages will remain valid, although legal challenges are possible. Grandfathered in?

Wow! I'm having a hard time believing it too. Good, it's done. Now if only they spent some time and money to try to legalize pot. I hate the double standards with Alcohol. Oh, no, am I taking about double standards again? LOL! Kumbaya my Lord!

Our despised governor is going to have a field day appointing successors. There's a strong rumor that he'll appoint himself or maybe even his wife to Obama's senate seat. Now he also gets to handpick one for Rahm, who must lives somewhere in the Lakeview area. Obama picks Clinton alum Emanuel chief of WH staff Associated Press Writers David Espo And Nedra Pickler, Associated Press Writers � 10 mins ago WASHINGTON � President-elect Barack Obama pivoted quickly to begin filling out his new administration on Wednesday, selecting hard-charging Illinois Rep. Rahm Emanuel as White House chief of staff while aides stepped up the pace of transition work that had been cloaked in pre-election secrecy. Several Democrats confirmed that Emanuel had been offered the job. While it was not clear he had accepted, a rejection would amount to an unlikely public snub of the new president-elect within hours of an electoral college landslide. With hundreds of jobs to fill and only 10 weeks until Inauguration Day, Obama and his transition team confronted a formidable task complicated by his anti-lobbyist campaign rhetoric. The official campaign Web Site said no political appointees would be permitted to work on "regulations or contracts directly and substantially related to their prior employer for two years. And no political appointee will be able to lobby the executive branch after leaving government service during the remainder of the administration." But almost exactly one year ago, on Nov. 3, 2007, candidate Obama went considerably further than that while campaigning in South Carolina. "I don't take a dime of their money, and when I am president, they won't find a job in my White House," he said of lobbyists at the time. Because they often have prior experience in government or politics, lobbyists figure as potential appointees for presidents of both parties. On the morning after making history, the man elected the first black president had breakfast with his wife and two daughters at their Chicago home, went to a nearby gym and visited his downtown offices. Aides said he planned no public appearances until later in the week, when he has promised to hold a news conference. As president-elect, he begins receiving highly classified briefings from top intelligence officials Thursday. In offering the post of White House chief of staff to Emanuel, Obama turned to a fellow Chicago politician with a far different style from his own, a man known for his bluntness as well as his single-minded determination. Emanuel, he was a political and policy aide in Bill Clinton's White House. Leaving that, he turned to investment banking, then won a Chicago-area House seat six years ago. In Congress, he moved quickly into the leadership. As chairman of the Democratic campaign committee in 2006, he played an instrumental role in restoring his party to power after 12 years in the minority. Emanuel maintained neutrality during the long primary battle between Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, not surprising given his long-standing ties to the former first lady and his Illinois connections with Obama. The day after the election there already was jockeying for Cabinet appointments. Several Democrats said Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, who won a new six-year term on Tuesday, was angling for secretary of state. They spoke on condition of anonymity, saying they were not authorized to discuss any private conversations. Kerry's spokeswoman, Brigid O'Rourke, disputed the reports. "It's not true. It's ridiculous," she said in an interview. Announcement of the transition team came in a written statement from the Obama camp. The group is headed by John Podesta, who served as chief of staff under former President Clinton; Pete Rouse, who has been Obama's chief of staff in the Senate, and Valerie Jarrett, a friend of the president-elect and campaign adviser. Several Democrats described a sprawling operation well under way. Officials had kept deliberations under wraps to avoid the appearance of overconfidence in the weeks leading to Tuesday's election. They said the group was stocked with longtime associates of Obama, as well as veterans of Clinton's White House. Quite apart from transition issues, Obama's status as an incumbent member of Congress presents issues unseen since 1960, when John F. Kennedy moved from the Senate to the White House. The Senate is scheduled to hold a postelection session in two weeks, and Speaker Nancy Pelosi held a news conference Wednesday to reinforce her call for quick action on a bill to stimulate the economy. That places Obama in uncharted territory � a president-elect, presumably first among equals among congressional Democrats. Yet his and their ability to enact legislation depends almost entirely until Inauguration Day on President Bush's willingness to sign it. Obama's running mate, Sen. Joe Biden, was elected to a new six-year term from Delaware on Tuesday and he must resign before he can be sworn in as vice president. Democrats are certain to hold his seat, following Jack Markell's election as governor. There has been intense speculation that Biden's son, Beau Biden, is interested in ascending to the seat. But he is serving a one-year stint in Iraq as a member of the National Guard. In the interim, outgoing Gov. Ruth Ann Minner is seen among many Democrats as a likely appointee to hold the office until an election in 2010. Obama also must resign his Senate seat before he can be sworn in as the 44th president. Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich will pick a replacement.

Our despised governor is going to have a field day appointing successors. There's a strong rumor that he'll appoint himself or maybe even his wife to Obama's senate seat. Did you hear that scenario come up on CNN last night with regards to Stevens dropping/getting kicked out on votes or by Senate and saying Palin could pick herself to replace him?

I especially enjoyed the last line. Sarah Palin, freeloader. Also. by Kagro X Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 01:30:05 PM PST Dansac has already introduced you to today's version of the story, but I feel compelled to revisit an earlier call on this in order to restate a now obvious theme: Sarah Palin is The Chiseler Supreme. What a really, truly unpleasant experience has been our exposure to the two insta-celebrities created by the McCain campaign. These two grubbers, Joe the Plumber and Sarah Palin, became the perfect symbol for everything that was wrong with and ingenuine about modern Republicanism. Joe griped endlessly about taxes even as it turned out he was ducking them, and groused that Obama's "socialism" would mean there was no incentive to work hard and succeed in earning more than $250,000 a year, even as he shopped around for an agent and a Nashville recording contract. (And excuse me -- what?! A recording contract? Based on what, Mr. Hard Work?) Meanwhile, there was Sarah griping about pork and wasteful spending even as she tried to rip off the Feds for the Bridge to Nowhere, rip off the state for her per diem, and rip off the campaign for her clothes (and her husband's, and her family's). Yes, in the few short weeks we knew her, Sarah Palin turned out to have more hands in more pockets than we could keep track of. She and Joe were the perfect pair. Instantly famous but for no good reason, pushy, greedy, and all the while cheating behind the scenes, and cheating on the very issues about which each of them complained that regular Americans were getting a raw deal from the elite. Good riddance. I get enough of that crap from Reality TV as it is. It's like a whole election nearly went down the wrong pipe. Thank God the country coughed them back up. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/5/13299/2125/387/654555