Posted on 11/05/2008 6:24:38 PM PST by Chet 99
Democrat Jeff Merkley has ousted Republican Gordon Smith from his U.S. Senate seat, The Oregonian projects.
Merkley, a five-term state lawmaker and former Habitat for Humanity director, took advantage of a surge of Democratic support to win a close, bitterly fought battle with Smith, who has served 12 years in Washington.
Despite the closeness of the count, expert number crunchers said they expect Merkley to win. Portland pollster Tim Hibbitts, appearing as an analyst on Fox News(12), outright called the race for Merkley, based primarily on how many votes remain uncounted in Democrat-rich Multnomah County. He stuck by that call this morning.
Neither candidate, however was willing to rule the race over until more votes are tallied.
"More good news," said Matt Canter, spokesman for Merkley, "but we'll just continue to watch the ballots come in and wait to claim victory."
Smith's campaign argued vigorously that the race isn't over. The projection is based on a mathematical analysis of the remaining 340,000 votes still being counted out of a total 1.8 million vote cast statewide.
The Constitution Party candidate cost us this race... he took 6% of the vote.
??????
Yikes. I really thought this one was heading our way.
No. We didn’t have a candidate in the race.
The Constitution Party candidate was the only one who didn’t endorse 0bama.
Votes Percent
Gordon H Smith (Republican) 686,681 47.21%
Jeff Merkley (Democrat) 685,408 47.12%
Dave Brownlow (Constitution) 78,350 5.39%
Write-in Votes 4,102 0.28%
_ _________________ Totals: 1,454,541 100%
A leftist won this race either way between a Democrat and a RINO, with a Constitution Party candidate acting as a spoiler against the RINO.
Meaningless... hundreds of thousands of votes left to be counted... from Portland. Done.
Oregon is a liberal state and would never election a real conservative. They will election RINOs, and even RINOs may stand up and say “NO!” to some of the more outrageous Dem proposals, like card check.
HOW do we allow the Dems to “report late” by a day from a county that simply manufactures the votes they need? If Repubs won’t fight, they deserve to become extinct.
are you serious .
have you lost it ?
we need filibuster protection!
So the Oregon Sec of state election site, showing 100 percent of the vote counted, is not to be trusted?
Just asking.
I just checked the Oregonian newspaper and this is a “projection”.
Is this confirmed or are people running around this site with their hair on fire?
Bumper. Its up to Saxby, Coleman, and Stevens to hold the filibuster.
Stevens I think is safe. Begich would have to take 10% more of the estimated 40,000 remaining votes, mostly absentees... and most of those were probably cast before his conviction..
Chambliss will be in a high risk runoff. Obama’s ascension is upon us, watch is popularity numbers soar, and he’ll be going to Georgia to campaign.
Coleman is also in a dangerous situation. Dems are expert at cheating slim losses into wins with endless recounts and court challenges.
End of the day, we have at least 41, and probably 42 with Lieberman.. we were able to stop Hillarycare with just 43.
Anyone still upset with the Gang of 12 for saving the filibuster?
Good luck in seriously seeing that actually happen! Unfortunately, RINO’s are more often than not very wussy politicians when Democrats are in the majority, and past history proves this statement to be correct over and over again!
Ping///
we need to regroup not trash our own !
If the Devil is coming to Georgia, then we should send our stars (Palin, Fred, Mitt, Jindal) over there too. Plus, the GOP Governor, Sonny Perdue, has decent approval ratings.
The Peach state was closer than usual because blacks were pumped about the One and the GOP blew the state off. With Obama’s victory, the cult worshippers won’t be as pumped up.
Back in 1992, Fowler, the Dem Senator, was in a similiar situation. Bill Clinton did carry GA by 1 pt. During the run-off, Clinton campaigned with Fowler, but Paul Coverdall, the GOP challenger, won - 51/49. I think Saxby should hold it, unless the MSM discovers a scandal that we don’t know about.
Another brave soldier has fallen.
With GA back into a runoff, 60 is possible.
But notice something: Almost EVERY VERY CLOSELY contested Senate election since 1992 has gone (by a few hundred votes each time) to democrats.
Slow and steady.
Chambliss would easily win the runoff. The BO souffle won’t rise twice. Same thing happened in 92 after Clinton was elected. The Republican won the runoff. That said, would rather avoid it.
Coleman has expert legal talent.
Alaska votes still to be counted include thousands of military absentees. Stevens should be safe.
And I am expecting Lieberman to remain I but caucus with the GOP.
Still praying Smith can pull this off. If anyone has more conclusive info - either way - please advise.
The decision to allow that dead indian vote fraud to stand in 2002 was atrocious. Now Johnson is senator for life.
You are very wrong about party support for procedural votes within your caucus, such as a cloture vote to kill a filibuster.
Your ignorance of the legislative realities and procedure is absolutely stunning.
And that would be the final kick in the nuts for Pacifist Northwest Republicans...
The filibuster is “saved” until 51 Democrats decide to get rid of it.
Leftists don’t really care about either rules, laws, the U.S. Constitution, or the Bill of Rights, especially after they officially become the long-term dominant force in politics.
katu is still not calling the race. Has the SOS called it yet?
| UPDATE | Nov-05-2008 10:04 PM Pacific Standard Time |
|
 |
U.S. Senator Oregon |
| Winner | Candidate | Incumbent | Votes | Vote % |
| Jeff Merkley | 714,597 | 48% | ||
| Gordon Smith | X | 710,216 | 47% | |
| Dave Brownlow | 81,187 | 5% |
 |
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no. lots of votes to count.. but they all from Portland.
True, but you're not going to have anywhere near the AA turnout for the runoff that you did yesterday.
As of 5:55am this morning Merkley has a 23K vote lead.
The only remaining votes to be counted are in Multinomah County, a liberal stronghold. Smith is gone.
BLOAT
Thank you Constipation party.
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