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April 2009
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11:34 p.m.: We are wrapping up here. But the blogosphere, of course, never sleeps. See you in a little while on bojack.org. Thanks again to KGW for having me. I can't think of a more exciting atmosphere in which to follow an election. 11:22 p.m.: Al Franken comeback! He trails by less than 4,700 votes with more than 2.2 million counted. 11:11 p.m.: It looks as though the Democrats may get their supermajorities in the Oregon Legislature. This tally shows as many as 39 blue seats out of 60 in the House, and 18 out of 30 in the Senate. 11:03 p.m.: Smith is giving a "see you in the morning" speech. No winner in that race tonight. 10:59 p.m.: Smith is way ahead in Marion County. If I had to bet, I'd say he's going to win the state. 10:50 p.m.: Merkley-Smith has closed to less than 3,400 votes. 10:26 p.m.: While we await more complete numbers on some hot races, a pop quiz: What were the greatest and worst moments in the Obama-McCain contest? 10:24 p.m.: I just overheard that convicted U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens may get himself re-elected in Alaska despite his troubles. That one may not be decided tonight. 9:57 p.m.: Maybe not a shut-out for Sizemore, after all: Measure 64, the government employee union dues iniitiative, is currently ahead by 19,000 votes out of roughly 782,000. 9:55 p.m.: Congratulations to Amanda Fritz, the newest member of the Portland City Council. As expected, an easy win over Charles Lewis. 9:54 p.m.: Al Franken is starting to fade. 9:50 p.m.: Looks like Gregoire is the winnah in Washington. Death with Dignity/Assisted Suicide also passing, handily. 9:45 p.m.: Merkley-Smith -- still wayyyyy close. 9:40 p.m.: The blue tsunami is spilling over into the state and local races, and even the ballot measures. That voters in the Portland area can dig into their wallets so willingly for the zoo and the kids in such hard times is a bit of a surprise. Even $370 million plus for PCC expansion may pass. Lots of blue votes in there, for sure. 9:22 p.m.: Sizemore's been completely shut out (although 64 is still close). The top-two primary is also dead. 9:12 p.m.: PCC bonds are 13 votes behind -- not a typo. Out of 185,000. 9:07 p.m.: It's gotten pretty quiet in here. Even seasoned political reporters and producers are lending an ear to the President-elect. 8:59 p.m.: Here's Obama. What a moment. 8:57 p.m.: Franken and Coleman are 250 votes apart in Minnesota. Not a typo. 8:56 p.m.: Schrader wins. Merkley-Smith gets a little tighter. 8:44 p.m.: Merkley-Smith continues to tighten: 49-46%. 8:38 p.m.: Kahl ahead of Nelsen in Karen Minnis's old district; VanOrman stomping Lindland out Hood River way. 8:35 p.m.: Schrader's stomping Erickson; Wu won, of course. 8:30 p.m.: Merkley's lead over Smith is now down to 50-44%, with Brownlow spoiling at 6%. 8:28 p.m.: Zoo bonds are ahead; PCC construction bonds have a razor-thin margin. 8:24 p.m.: Senator McCain has his gracious hat on. Nice speech. 8:22 p.m.: Merkley 53% to Smith 42% now, with 17% of precincts counted (240,000 votes or so). 8:20 p.m.: Double majority repeal (Measure 56) is way ahead in early returns -- likely Multnomah County. 8:18 p.m.: Al Franken in a virtual dead heat in Minnesota. 8:14 p.m.: The top-two primary is going down hard so far, 61-39%. 8:12 p.m.: In the battle of the duelling crime ballot measures, the more mellow Measure 57 leads Measure 61 by 64-57% with around 200,000 votes total so far. 8:08 p.m.: Quite a crowd for the celebration in Chicago. Hope it stays safe and peaceful for the tens of thousands out on those streets. 8:05 p.m.: Merkley down to a 60-36% lead, with a little over 200,000 votes counted. 8:01 p.m.: Merkley 69% to Smith 28% -- probably Multnomah County. 8:00 p.m.: Here come the first Oregon numbers! 7:56 p.m. Big topic in the newsroom: How much weather coverage for Matt Zaffino on Channel 8 tonight? It's snowing up top... 7:53 p.m.: Interesting phrase heard on the airwaves earlier this evening: "Barack-olypse Now." 7:44 p.m.: Mark it down -- the first call for impeaching Obama has already come in in the comments. Things happen quick in the blogosphere! 7:35 p.m.: It's generally not a good night to be a Republican. But can moderate members of the GOP survive the blue tsunami? 7:17 p.m.: Lots of action to unfold in the next few hours. Merkley or Smith? Does the Obama-Smith voter exist? Will the Democrats make it to 60 seats in the U.S. Senate? To 36 seats in the Oregon House? Will Oregon revamp its election system to a top-two primary system, essentially making every election nonpartisan? Do money measures have a prayer in this economy? 7:14 p.m.: I'm here at KGW, where the election night activity has ramped up to a roar. It's already over for McCain, but the fun for Oregonians has just begun with 45 minutes remaining until the polls close. 28 CommentsLeave a comment |
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I'm kind of hoping the Dems fall a few short of 60. It would give them impetus to boot Lieberman once and for all.
Didn't he boot himself?
I feel like I may be able to trust the democratic process again. I almost forgot what it was like to have a President that we can be excited about instead of embarrassed of.
"Does the Obama-Smith voter exist?"
Sure does.
Eventhough I'm only a 16 year old kid, I'm probably on the edge of my seat just as much as everyone there are KGW.
Go Democratic Party!
Go Obama!
It's time for a real change!
Didn't he boot himself?
I believe he's still chair of the Homeland Security Committee. I'm talking about stripping him of everything.
Lacey, the democratic process works both ways.
Impeach Oboma
Yes, there is such a voter as Obama-Smith...I simply was not impressed with Merkley. He refused to answer direct questions about how he would make the changes he was proposing. It appeared to me that he was just riding the wave created by Obama but there was no substance to his personal position.
" ...can moderate members of the GOP survive ?"
Name one.
"Moderate GOP" is the null set; mutually exclusive terms.
There is, however, "confused GOP" such as Liebermann.
It will be quite entertaining to watch Republicans pretend to care about Constitutional rights (other than 2d Ammendment) and seperation of powers over the next 4 years. Unitary Executive, anyone?
Cheers, Jack! Let's hope the Dems steer us away from the rocks, otherwise we'll be back where we started. I'm optimistic on energy, health care, and the deficit, not to mention the Constitution.
I have heard from a few Obama-Smith voters on my blog over the past month or so. There are going to have to be quite a few of them for Gordo to keep his job, however.
The website is already up...
www.obamaimpeachment.org
Weatherman time: None. Zip zero nada.
Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it.
But everybody does do something about elections.
It'll snow again tomorrow, but it won't be elections again tomorrow.
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Maybe the newsroom should be talking about: Where is the RIOTING predicted by the rightwing fearmongers?
McCain is all class.
Got to give McCain credit. He was very gracious and articulate in his concession. It was a great race and the American People have spoken. I hope for and see great change to come.
Is that the last McCain speech I will ever hear? You know Ms. palin will be back.
Also, early on:
Emphasis: EARLY returns. ~ 10%
M57 ahead of M61 -- on criminal punishments.
M59 Deduct federal tax from Oregon taxable gross: NO
M62 Lottery money for police statism: NO.
M64 Public employees union out of politicking: NO
egov.sos.state.or.us/division/elections/results/2008G/index.html
I cant believe it. Where do we buy our guns and ammo to protect our selves? When will my welfare check show up my employer was just put out of business.
What is Michelle wearing?! Did her dinner napkin get stuck to her dress? It's not like she didn't know this moment was coming. Hope it's not something we have to get used to.
On another note, sure McCain's speech was great, he started preparing it long ago, plus it was the only one he had to write.
The m.o.o.n.bats are out in force tonite...
With the elections over, now we do not have to be concerned about all of those candidates attack ads.
All I can snes that Mr. Obama is going to be a great leader. I even say this when I am a hard core republican.
Coffeetrader: It will indeed be a great relief not to have the negative ads pounding us night after night. They did get tiresome quick, and then they went on for a long time after that.
Tensk - Read your words. You are the fear monger.
You will most likely find that the GOP graciously handles defeat, unlike the Dem's the last 8 years. I hear just as much hate speech coming from the left as the right. And don't blame Bush, the ends do not justify the means!
The only real upside I can see to this election is that we will no longer have gridlock in the Fed govt. We have spent the last 8 years with partisan politics. Bush never had a chance. Every piece of legislation that was presented by the GOP was shot or watered down by the left, and visa versa. Look at the records. There have been many good bills, measures and people destroyed as a result of which party they were affiliated with.
Both parties are at fault for leading us to the place where we are at as a nation. Just as many poor republican's have lost their houses and savings, and just as many greedy democrat investors thought they could make a killing in Real Estate, thereby driving up home prices. If not, why are blue states suffering some of the worst home depreciation rates? Greed and ignorance are not relegated to one party.
I am involved in the lending industry and have watched this closely for the last 5 years. My clients are a good reflection of Oregon, and both parties have their share of wise and foolish borrowers.
Corporate America is not owned by the GOP, nor the GOP owned by corporate America. Both parties receive substantial support and direction from Wall Street and Corporate America. Don't believe me, just watch how much money flows through the Dems over the next few years, let alone what already has. Blame can and should be passed around to both sides.
I've seen the pandering and politicking, as well as the grandstanding. Good legislation has been killed, and bad passed, at the whim of Congress. A lack of a majority AND the unwillingness to work together has nearly ruined this country. Our elected officials (both parties) are insulated and isolated from us. They will weather this mess that they have created and life will go on. For them, this was a little experiment in sabatoge.
I for one have renounced my party affiliation as I am tired of being a part of the problem. I have voted the party line for 8 years and am accepting my responsibility in propagating this mess. I hope that other Republicans AND Democrats will do so as well.
If you have voted the party line for the last 8 years, you are also responsible for the state of our nation and economy. Wake up, stop criticizing the other side and start working towards a solution. After all, in 2 years, the pendulum starts swinging again...
Multnomah County 31% counted
Lane County 21%
There is still a huge number of predominantly Dem votes to be counted that may tilt the vote back to blue territory. Sizemore will be o-blue-terated while he sleeps.
Latest Alaska numbers.
counted 125,000 of 500,000
Stevens up by 5000.
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The best was Obama holding with ideals.
The worst was McCain's exploitative choice of insulting VP.
As a registered Dem from eastern Oregon who voted for Smith...I say do not count him out just yet.