Live Election Day Coverage, Continuously Updated – Watch News Live
Brad Sylvester is piece of a group of Drawl Producers who will be writing about the election from early Tuesday morning through late Wednesday evening. Check back with AC over the next 36 hours for up-to-the-minute election news and information.
Brad Sylvester resumes live coverage Wednesday morning with detailed analysis of the election results here.
Connie Wilson takes the overnight shift here.
The results are coming in! Read about it here as Ryan Christopher DeVault takes over the live coverage for Associated Content.
Andrea Francese takes over at 5:00 p.m. as the networks prepare to start releasing exit polling data. Read Andrea’s election day updates here.
Carol Bengle Gilbert is now at the helm from 2:00 p.m to 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Read her updates here.
Chris Dilks is taking over Associated Content’s Live Election Day Coverage from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. Click here to read his continuing updates.
My Own Voting Experience in New Hampshire, 11:20 a.m., Tuesday
I just returned from voting in my own small town in Unique Hampshire. As I arrived at the polling station, I saw cars lined up along the road, including one tremendous 4×4 pick-up truck with a hand-made designate wired to the radiator grille that read “Democracy not Marxism.” These were most likely the vehicles of the campaign volunteers that lined the walkway to the entrance of the polling station. Someone had the fantastic sense to place the Republicans on one side of the walkway and the Democrats on the opposite side. I did not see where they place the Marxists. Once I had navigated this gauntlet of placards and campaigners, there was only one person ahead of me in line, since I am at the end of the alphabet. Had my last name started with a letter in the middle of the alphabet, I would have been in the longest of three lines and would have had a 1-2 minute wait to be checked in. I penciled in my selections on the simple paper ballot, and gave my name a second time as I handed in my ballot.
At the ballot collection station there was a small handwritten note asking for volunteers to help count ballots this evening, so I added my name to the five already on the list. I’ll add a brief update here about that experience as well. In all, voting took me less than five minutes.
The Presidential Election’s Effect on the Stock Market, 9:57 a.m., Tuesday
As expected, based on the futures, the stock market opened today with the Dow Industrials up 163 points . The Chicago Sun-Times reports that the market has already “priced in” a victory for Barack Obama, so no mountainous movements are expected if the election turns out the way polls predict. The winner’s choice of a Treasury head, on the other hand may be the next vital event to drive a necessary swing one way or the other in market sentiment. The market likes a stable political environment, once the election is over and relevant appointments are announced, the market will once again be driven by conventional market forces including earnings and job losses. In the week before the election, terrible economic news has been mounting as auto sales plummet, job losses mount from numerous companies including the latest announcement from retail giant Circuit City. But, the market has been largely positive for the last week, as this news was seemingly overshadowed by the presidential campaign.
36 Hours of Continuing Live Coverage of Election Results at Associated Content
Remember to stay tuned to Associated Content for continuing live coverage of the election and the results. I will post links to continuing coverage articles here throughout the day so feel free to bookmark this page for simple access. You can find the latest update on the Associated Content home page. I’ll be heading to the polls in Strafford, New Hampshire this morning, and I’ll add a report of the experience here as well. Regardless of your party affiliation or preference in the presidential race, I rush you to get to the polls and gain your vote count today.
Are the Presidential Polls Accurate? 9:34 a.m., Tuesday
Mark Blumenthal, Editor & Publisher at Pollster.com, stated on C-SPAN Tuesday morning, that presidential polls taken within 48 hours of the presidential race have been extremely accurate over the years and there is no reason to reckon that this year is any different, although he did note that 1980 was an exception as a “late shift” toward Ronald Reagan gave him more support than the polls had indicated. In 2000, the polls gave a very slight edge to Al Gore, although it was so very close that the real results were within the margin of error.
If that holds right, then McCain will need a very strong tedious shift to have a chance at victory. His poll numbers have gotten slightly stronger within the last few days, but have not shown that Obama’s lead either nationally or in key states has been erased. Early results in the key states of Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and particularly Virginia will likely be the first reliable indicator of how the election will turn out. Watch those states closely tonight as results are announced.
Source:
Washington Journal on C-SPAN Television
Presidential Candidates’ Plans to Jump Open the Economy, 9:20 a.m., Tuesday
Economic Analyst, Jean Chatzky, appearing on the Today Show, outlined both presidential candidates’ plans to jump start the economy. McCain she said wants to cut capital gains taxes on stocks held more than 1 year to 7.5% and increase deductible stock losses (those outside of 401k or ERA funds) from $3000 to $15000. Obviously both of these measures have a greater affect on those individuals who have the financial resources to invent larger stock market investments.
Obama’s economic stimulus plot, said Chatzky, features a $1000 emergency energy cash rebate per family ($500 per individual) and elimination of the 10% tax penalty on the first $10,000 withdrawn from tax deferred ERA and 401k retirement accounts for 2008 and 2009 under the assumption that families shouldn’t be penalized for having to dip into their retirement accounts during the current economic difficulties. Obama’s plot is likely to have a more direct impact upon more families.
Source:
The Today Show, NBC Television
Novel Hampshire Senate Candidates Race Away From George Bush, 9:07 a.m., Tuesday
As a voter in New Hampshire, my own mailbox has been inundated in political campaign flyers. In the three to four weeks prior to the election, I have received several large card-stock flyers every single day. On some days I received multiple flyers from the same candidate. In New Hampshire, John Sununu is fighting a desperate campaign to retain his Senate against Jeanne Shaheen, his Democratic challenger. Sununu has been fighting a backlash against the economic policies of George Bush. There are two television commercials being replayed over and over again. In Jeanne Shaheen’s commercial, George Bush is shown declaring that John Sununu “was with me from the very beginning.” Ironically, the Sununu television ad shows Jeanne Shaheen, in the aftermath of 9/11, stating “I will stand with President Bush.” Both candidates seem more intent on chaining their opponent to the highly unpopular president than making any other points in this campaign. The contest is expected to be close although former New Hampshire Governor Shaheen has maintained a lead in pre-election polls.
Florida Highway Workers Find Reams of Voter Information Strewn along Roadway, 8:42 a.m., Tuesday
In Florida, CNN television news reports that “hundreds of thousands of pages of voter information” have been found discarded along the side of the road. The papers contained home addresses and party affiliation of voters and appeared to be related to pre-election surveys. The material was gathered up from the roads and ruined by region employees.
Analysts Expecting Obama Victory
As people head to the polls around the country, only John McCain seems to still reckon he has a excellent chance of winning. Strategist Ed Rollins, as reported in the Nigerian Tribune, is predicting that not only will Obama win the presidency, but that it will be a landslide with 364 electoral votes being cast for the Democratic candidate. If that’s the case then the prospect of a Senatorial super-majority for Democrats becomes a powerful stronger possibility. But, it is likely that we will not know whether the Democrats will control 60 Senate seats until Wednesday since one of the key swing seats belongs to Alaska’s Senator Ted Stevens. Stevens was recently convicted of seven felony corruption charges though he has stated plans for an appeal. CNN reports that the long-time incumbent locked in a tight race with the Democratic candidate, Impress Begich. Begich is the mayor of Anchorage, Alaska’s largest city.
Sources:
CNN Headline News
tribune.com.ng/02112008/general1.html
Voter Turnout Expected to Set Records, 8:15 a.m., Tuesday
When all is said and done today, one thing will be positive. More people will have voted today than in any other US election. That is a obliging thing for democracy, but is also a sign of the contentious nature of this season’s presidential campaign which has been one of the most divisive campaigns in recent history. As polls open across the country, people waited in long lines during the morning hours as many Americans rushed to vote before heading in to work. Along the East Soar some of these lines shortened considerably after the initial rush. In states which allowed early voting, unprecedented numbers of voters took advantage of the option to “mail it in” or go to the polls before November 4th.
Obama to Appear in Indiana Tuesday
Barack Obama, in a last ditch effort to win the traditionally Republican state of Indiana, will travel there one more time for an election day campaign rally. CNN’s Poll of Polls shows a statistical dead heat in Indiana as of yesterday. An Obama victory in Indiana is another scenario that could make it extremely unlikely or even impossible for John McCain to gather enough electoral votes for a victory. While McCain has to walk a narrow tightrope path to achieve victory, Obama has laid out a strategy that gives him many different victory scenarios, any one of which will be enough to secure him the presidency.
Wall Street Upbeat Awaiting Election Results, 7:55 a.m., Tuesday
With the station of the US economy on the minds of many Americans during this election cycle, many polls showed that voters saw Barack Obama as the candidate who would do a better job of handling the economy. The stock market has been flat to positive for several days leading up to Tuesday as traders wait to view what happens today. Today, market futures were higher in the pre-market hours indicating another positive day on Wall Street according to CNN Money reports.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, traders are looking for strong leadership to curb excesses and set to the country’s fiscal policy. The new president’s choices to fill Finance posts will also help to increase market confidence. On the other hand, indications of a protracted period of recession continue to mount as Bloomberg reports that US auto sales fell by 32% in October to their lowest levels since 1991. The question that comes to mind is whether voters in 2012 will blame whoever is elected today for the year or two of economic difficulties that we now face regardless of which candidate takes office. If the economy doesn’t experience a sharp turnaround during the next four years, voter sentiment may whipsaw in the opposite direction for the next election.
Sources:
bloomberg.com/apps/news? pid=newsarchive&sid=agP1z7NTpbhw
money.cnn.com/2008/11/04/markets/stockswatch/index.htm? cnn=yes
Voting Peak Hours and Closing Times, 7:15 a.m., Tuesday
With turnout expected to be very high today, you may do well to try to sneak out to the polls at hours when they are likely to be less busy. Traditionally, before work, lunchtime, and after work hours are the busiest.
The NAACP had sought to bring suit asking to extend polling hours in Virginia to accommodate heavy turnout. According to the Washington Post, the assume declined to hear their plea, but did grant a McCain campaign request to allow 10 extra days for overseas ballots to arrive. Despite the judge’s choice, the fresh law not only in Virginia, but also across the country requires polling stations to remain open for any voter already standing in line to vote at the posted closing time. In previous years this has meant some of the busiest polling stations have had to remain in operation for hours beyond the scheduled closing time.
Source: washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/11/03/AR2008110301184.html? hpid%3Dartslot&sub=new
West Virginia and Ohio Key for McCain Victory Prospects, 7:00 a.m., Tuesday
CNN News television has projected that John McCain cannot win enough electoral votes to claim the presidency unless he wins both West Virginia and Ohio. Furthermore, CNN’s latest poll of polls gives Obama a slight lead in both states. Other polls place McCain in the lead by a slight margin. But, the results not only in those states, but other key swing states revolve around the effectiveness of get out the vote actions by both campaigns. Republican congressional candidates are also relying on strong procure out the vote actions. If Republican voters stay home, viewing the presidential election as a foregone conclusion because of the size of Obama’s lead in many pre-election polls, then many Republican local and state offices may find themselves in distress. Currently, it looks like the Democrats will just miss a super-majority in the Senate, with 56 or 57 Seats plus two Independents.
Exit Polling Accuracy?
Exit polling may be complicated this year due to the high rate of early voting. If early voting skews differently than election day voting, then polls of today’s voters may not reflect the overall result for any given state or voting district. This could lead to some election night surprises as the genuine votes are counted. In any case it will certainly make for fascinating analysis this evening.
McCain Stops in Seven States on Last Day before Vote, 6:00 a.m., Tuesday
John McCain, still trailing in national and key battleground state polling, travelled to seven different states on Monday in a last minute effort to rally his supporters and convince undecided voters that he should be the next president of the United States. His Monday schedule included the following states
· Florida
· Tennessee
· Pennsylvania
· Indiana
· New Mexico
· Nevada
· Arizona
McCain trotted out audio clips of Obama saying that under his plot, any new conventional coal plant would be taxed so heavily that it would not be economically viable. McCain chose to ignore the fact the opinion really supports development of clean coal technology in an concern to convince voters in coal rich states that Obama would tax coal out of existence.
Obama’s Monday Campaign Stops
Barack Obama spent his final day making the case for his presidency in Florida, North Carolina, and Virginia. The campaign was muted by the news that Barack Obama’s maternal grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, had died. Obama issued a statement expressing his gratitude to his grandmother call her “a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility.” John McCain issued a statement offering his condolences.
Poll Shows Large Percentage of Voters Using Early Voting Option
An MSNBC/ WSJ poll released on Monday showed Obama with an 8 point lead nationally. Perhaps even more fascinating, but, was that 30 percent of those polled had take advantage of early voting and had already cast their vote for the presidency. Given that early voting is not offered in every state, that number was fantastic higher than I would have expected.
Obama Wins Dixville Notch, 1:00 a.m., Monday
The earliest precinct in the nation to report full voting results was Dixville Notch, New Hampshire. 21 votes were cast in total, and 15 of them were for Barack Obama. Prior to this election, Dixville Notch has voted Republican in every presidential election since 1968.
Sources:
CNN Headline News
msnbc.msn.com/id/27488250/
cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/03/campaign.wrap/index.html
cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/03/obama.grandma/index.html? iref=mpstoryview
cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/04/dixville.notch/index.html
Presidential Campaign End Line
If you’re like me, you’ve had it up to HERE with the 2008 political campaign season. Things were getting so nasty that I would not have been surprised to see Triumph the Insult Comic Dog running somebody’s campaign, at least at the state level. Finally, November 4th has arrived and it’s time to go vote and then see the final results of the election. Despite what you may have heard in a last miniature robocall, everybody, regardless of political party, votes on November 4. If you voted in a valuable election, you still need to vote in the general election. If your candidate is leading the polls by a wide margin, or trailing in the polls by a large margin, you still need to go out and vote.
Live Election Day Coverage
I’ll be updating this Live Election Day coverage article in blog-like fashion throughout the morning from 7:00 AM to at least 10:00 AM. After that, another Associated Swear featured writer will take over the home page with a new continuously updated article. I will add links to the later coverage articles at the top of this article as each new writer starts their shift, so feel free to bookmark this page as your lead-in to live, continuous election coverage from Associated Content running from 7:00 AM Tuesday, November 4th and continuing right through to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, November 5th with a complete recap of election results, and just about everything you want to know about the 2008 election. Check help often for the latest election update.
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