Following the Election Returns [Hour by Hour Guide]

Opinion Journal ^ | November 7, 2006 | John Fund

[RobFromGa]

This year the networks say they are guarding their exit poll results as if they were crown jewels. The results will be delivered to a "quarantine room," access to which will be granted to only two staffers from each network...

Given that the longer election night might not suit everyone's bedtime, I've prepared an hour-by-hour guide to tonight's results...

All times are Eastern. In a bow to tradition, we've listed states that went for George W. Bush two years ago in red and those that went for John Kerry in blue. The letters after state names indicate governor and senate races, with the incumbent party in the appropriate color (independents in black).

6 p.m.

• Indiana S
• Kentucky

Polls close in these two states at 6 p.m. local time, which means the eastern portions will end voting at 6 EST. The key races in both states will be a bevy of close House races featuring GOP incumbents.

In Indiana, three GOP House incumbents have been trailing their Democratic challengers in October polls, albeit with survey samples so small the margin of error is large. Watch Rep. Mike Sodrel in the Ninth District. If he wins, it will mean it's unlikely Republicans will face a huge Democratic wave and lose 30 seats or more. If Rep. Chris Chocola in the Second District should survive, the GOP may wind up losing 20 seats or fewer. If Rep. John Hostettler also comes home to victory in the Eighth District, there is a good chance the GOP will retain its House majority. Indiana's Senate race isn't competitive; Republican Dick Lugar will easily win a sixth term.

Kentucky has two barn burners. Republican Rep. Anne Northup has held Louisville's Third District for five terms...

[Beagle8U]

"He doesn't come off as well as she does. She's a very good debater."

She may be a good deBATer but they are more likely to see her name signed on an unemployment check, and his on a pay check!

[Man50D]

If I lived in CT, I'd vote for Lieberman. So I guess that makes me a RINO, too.

Yep.

[MNJohnnie]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1733973/posts A LETTER TO JOHN KERRY (from a Marine) Yesterday John Kerry said, "You know education, if you make the most of it, you study hard, you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well, and if you don't, you get stuck in Iraq" So I wrote him a letter: I am a Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps. I am currently on my second tour in Iraq, a tour in which I volunteered for. I speak Arabic and Spanish and I plan to tackle Persian Farsi soon. I have a Bachelors and an Associates Degree and between deployments I am pursuing an M.B.A. In college I was a member of several academic honor societies, including the Golden Key Honor Society. I am not unique among the enlisted troops. Many of my enlisted colleagues include lawyers, teachers, mechanics, engineers, musicians and artists just to name a few. You say that your comments were directed towards the President and not us. If we were stupid Senator Kerry, we might have believed you. I am not a victim of President Bush. I proudly serve him because he is my Commander and Chief. If it was you who was President, I would serve you just as faithfully. I serve America Senator Kerry, and I am also providing a service to the good people of Iraq. I have not terrorized them in the middle of the night, raped them or murdered them as you have accused me of before. I am doing my part to help them rebuild. My role is a simple one, but important. You see Senator Kerry, like it or not, we came here and removed a tyrant (who terrorized Iraqis in the middle of the night, and raped them and murdered them). And we have a responsibility to see to it that another one doesn't take his place. The people of Iraq are recovering from an abusive relationship with a terrible government and it's going to take some time to help them recover from that. We can't treat this conflict like a microwave dinner and throw a temper tantrum because we feel like it's taking too long. Senator Kerry, you don't have to agree with this war. who choose to make sacrifices for the rights of every American rather than sit back and simply feel entitled to it. But please Senator Kerry, if you're going to call me a stupid murdering rapist, stick by what you say. Don't tell me that I misunderstood or that you would never insult a veteran because you're one too. Having been there and done that does not give you a free pass to insult me. My suggestion for you, Senator Kerry, is to remember that your speeches are recorded, and broadcast to us simpletons over here. You may want to write down what you want to say before you say it, maybe have somebody look at it before you say it and tell you what others might hear. Remember that we can't read your mind, if there are any misinterpretations in what you say, it's because you didn't communicate clearly. Good luck to you Senator Kerry, if nothing else it's always entertaining to watch you try and climb out of the holes that you constantly dig for yourself. Sincerely, Somebody who is watching his daughter grow up in photographs so that you can have the right to say whatever you want about him.

[Coop]

Only one problem, Einstein. I'm not a Pubbie.

But keep on spewing your nonsense.

[thingumbob]

I voted at 7:45 am as well in Ohio in Northern Summit county......where did you vote?

My polling place was rainy and full of voters too.....just curious. I voted straight Repub.

[Txsleuth]

That does sound like a good turnout..

I will be heading out in about an hour...will let you guys know how busy here...but really, my area is one of the LEAST important and least competitive.

[MamaB]

Just voted and I was 430 which I think is a high number for this early in the day. A lot of people must have voted on the way to work. Had to use an ID. Will be watching the returns tonight. It was pouring down rain and people are not staying home.

[Txsleuth]

VERY GOOD letter...unfortunately, I am sure that jon carry will never read it.

[acw011]

Does anyone have a link or email that I can send to my fence sitting friends? Something of a humerous nature

A young woman was about to finish her first year of college. Like so many others her age, she considered herself to be a very liberal Democrat, and was very much in favor of the redistribution of wealth.

She was deeply ashamed that her father was a rather staunch Republican, a feeling she openly expressed. Based on the lectures that she had participated in, and the occasional chat with a professor, she felt that her father had for years harbored an evil, selfish desire to keep what he thought should be his.

One day she was challenging her father on his opposition to higher taxes on the rich and the addition of more government welfare programs. The self-professed objectivity proclaimed by her professors had to be the truth and she indicated so to her father. He responded by asking how she was doing in school.

Taken aback, she answered rather haughtily that she had a 4.0 GPA, and let him know that it was tough to maintain, insisting that she was taking a very difficult course load and was constantly studying, which left her no time to go out and party like other people she knew. She didn't even have time for a boyfriend, and didn't really have many college friends because she spent all her time studying.

Her father listened and then asked, "How is you friend Audrey doing?"

She replied, "Audrey is barely getting by. All she takes are easy classes, she never studies, and she barely has a 2.0 GPA. She is so popular on campus; college for her is a blast. She's always invited to all the parties, and lots of times she doesn't even show up for classes because she's too hung over."

Her wise father asked his daughter, "Why don't you go to the Dean's office and ask him to deduct a 1.0 off your GPA and give it to your friend who only has a 2.0. That Way you will both have a 3.0 GPA and certainly that would be a fair and equal distribution of GPA."

The daughter, visibly shocked by her father's suggestion, angrily fired back, "That wouldn't be fair! I have worked really hard for my grades! I've invested a lot of time, and a lot of hard work! Audrey has done next to nothing toward her degree. She played while I worked my tail off!"

The father slowly smiled, winked and said gently, "Welcome to the Republican party."

[Man50D]

Only one problem, Einstein. I'm not a Pubbie.

But keep on spewing your nonsense.

The only problem is you outsmarted yourself. My reply to you was premised on post #46 that referred to Republicans. The fact that you would vote for someone who is still a registered Democrat, has publicly stated he hopes Democrats take control of Congress and will caucus with the Democrats even though you are not a Republican doesn't change the fact voting for Lieberman is a vote for his fellow Socialist Democrats to take control of Congress.

[Larry Lucido]

I just voted. I live in a heavy dem precint, mostly lower middle to middle class. Heavy turnout. Apparently dems don't melt in the rain after all. Get out and vote, folks!

[Coop]

No it ain't, Einstein.

[RightWhale]

I am getting ready to go to my new polling place at the other church gymnasium. Yes, local church gymnasii are very common. I plugged in the Toyota since it was -10 last night and started it to be sure it would run.

This post now enters the historical record.

[TheRake]

Just made several calls on GOP behalf. Real easy to do.
http://www.gop.com/default.aspx

[not-alone]

thanks for this thread, I will be following

[bmwcyle]

This just in-------Libertarians are loosing.

[BelegStrongbow]

That's simply brilliant.

[Man50D]

No it ain't, Einstein.

Very clever. It's sad to see your in such a state of denial that you can't accept the fact Lieberman wants the Democrats to take control of Congress and reply only with insults instead of facts so you keep replying with derogatory remarks if it makes you feel better.

[Matchett-PI]

bttt

[travelagent]

Toledo...Of course....