All eyes on the Sunshine State: Update: CNN, Fox call it for McCain; McCain to Associated Press: “It shows one thing. I’m the conservative leader who can unite the party”
Update 9:49pm Eastern. McCain’s speaking and rejoicing about his win in an all-Republican primary. McCain thanks Charlie Crist, who looks orange. McCain thanks “my dear friend, Mel Martinez.” Crist is doing a lot of double-pointing and mugging to the crowd. McCain “offers my best wishes to Gov. Romney and his supporters…the margin sure isn’t big enough for me to brag enough and for you to despair…McCain thanks Huckabee for his ‘good humor and grace’…and thanks his ‘dear friend Rudy Giuliani’…” McCain is wrapping up his teleprompter stump speech, making obligatory references to Reagan and conservative principles and judges, and promising he’ll win in November.
I said Romney has an uphill battle. It’s Mount Everest-ian.
Update 9:42pm Eastern. Reader Zoso e-mails his reaction to the Florida primary results: “Conservatism is dead.”
Update 9:34pm Eastern. Romney’s speaking. He phoned McCain to congratulate him. “What kind of nation will we leave our children and our grandchildren?…Washington has failed us…We’ve asked them to fix immigration. They haven’t. We asked them to maintain high ethical standards. They haven’t. We asked them to balance our budget, fix Social Security. They haven’t. Washington is fundamentally broken. We’re not going to change Washington by sending the same people back just to sit in different chairs.” He’s pumping up the crowd.
It’s going to be an uphill climb for Romney.
Update 9:22pm Eastern. Rudy’s speaking and channeling McCain’s talking points: “Elections are about fighting for a cause larger than ourselves…we ran a campaign that was uplifting…Americans deserve a return to honor and substance…We are the party of freedom. And we’re a big party. And we’re getting bigger. I’m even in this party! This is a big party.” He’s giving a cheerful stump speech. But he is past tense.
Update 9:14pm Eastern. CNN calls it for McCain with 54 percent of precincts reporting. Fox calls it for McCain.
And now McCain calls himself the conservative who can unite the party. Do you agree?
“It shows one thing. I’m the conservative leader who can unite the party,” the Arizona senator said in a brief interview with The Associated Press.
Allah always finds a way to make me smile even in dark moments. He cracks: “SECOND LOOK AT STAYING HOME!”
Update 9:00pm Eastern. Say hello to McRudy. “Conversations” are underway between the McCain and Giuliani camps for an endorsement sometime tomorrow in California.
Update 8:57pm Eastern. Mike Huckabee’s addressing supporters in Missouri. He had a dismal showing in Florida. I’ll say this: All of those fear-mongers who decried the co-opting of the party by the evangelical Right should be preparing a bit of baked crow right about now. Huckabee will settle for some broiled chicken–no skin.
Also: Ron Paul = 3 percent.
Meanwhile, a number of readers are asking me why the official Florida vote tally is slower and lower than the vote tallies being carried on the cable nets. I don’t know the answer. If you do, let me know.
(A reader e-mails: “Simple…one is being run by government workers.” Heh.)
Update 8:40pm Eastern. Conservatives are still not supporting McCain. So sayeth exit polls: “John McCain has long had trouble courting the most conservative members of his party, and exit polls of Florida Republican primary voters show a sizeable number continue not to support him. According to the exit polls, 62 percent of primary voters identified themselves as conservative and 37 percent of them voted for Mitt Romney, compared to the 27 percent who went for McCain.”
Update 8:32pm Eastern. Wolf Blitzer seems tickled by the possibility of a recount. Lot of TV people appear to want to relive 2000. Tom Brokaw was warbling about it on MSNBC as well.
Update 8:22pm Eastern. McCain has an 18,000-vote lead. CNN reports that Romney’s running in a dead heat with McCain in Orange County, where he needs a big win. Collier County in southwest Florida has 92 percent votes counted and Romney’s winning big there. CNN exit poll data here. In the conservative panhandle, Romney’s running well in several counties. McCain’s counting on Miami-Dade. Only 7 percent reporting in there yet.
Update 8:15pm Eastern. The Naples Daily News has local exit poll results putting Romney ahead of McCain, 130-91.
With 29 percent of precincts reporting statewide, it’s McCain 34, Romney 33.
On the Dem side: Hillary takes Florida, as expected. She didn’t “win” anything, though.
Update 7:55pm Eastern. Reader Richard in Tampa e-mails: “We have a property tax ‘reform’ measure on the ballot, which no doubt accounts for the higher than usual voter turnout.” Polls in the Panhandle are still open.
Palm Beach Post commenters share their voting experiences. A sample:
By Barry Liner
January 29, 2008 10:43 AM | Link to this
Those of us who recently began voting in Florida were not aware of the rule that prohibits primary voting unless you declare a party affiliation 30 days prior to the election. As a result thousands of votes wills not be counted. At my polling place alone atleast 4 couples left without voting during a 5 minute period. Most were very upset. We all beleived that we could vote by declaring at the polls and then remain registered that way until we changed our affiliation after the general election. Our stupidity perhaps but a hugh loss of votes to someone.By Joy Lynn Wilson
January 29, 2008 10:53 AM | Link to this
I was 11th in line at H.L. Johnson Elementary School in RPB. Doors opened a few minutes past 7:00am and as I was watching the staff “try” to program the voting cards it was apparent there was a problem. A simple problem…no one turning the machines on. Other than this everything went very smoothly.By E
January 29, 2008 11:28 AM | Link to this
I work at a public library. Early voting ended at my library Sunday. There is no further voting here. Numerous people came here yesterday wanting to vote. Today, Election Day, is half over and already numerous people have come in expecting to vote. What does this say about American Democracy (and mental acumen and, while we’re at it, Palm Beach County) when these people don’t even know when and where to vote?! PALM BEACH COUNTY IS FULL OF IDIOTS and sadly they want their retarded voices to be heard.
Update 7:14pm Eastern. Oy vey. Problems at the polls.
Update 7:10pm Eastern. Megyn Kelly on Fox reports that late-deciders are almost evenly split between McCain and Romney. The Crist endorsement mattered to 43 percent; 53 percent said it didn’t affect their votes.
***
Polls close tonight in Florida at 7pm EST and at 8pm in the 10 westernmost Panhandle counties. The Miami Herald reports that “Anyone still in line when those deadlines arrive will be allowed to vote. Some winners likely will be declared soon after 8 p.m. EST, though a few key outcomes might not be known for hours.” Early exit poll results are trickling out, but take them with a grain of salt. Remember that some one million early and absentee votes were cast in the Florida primary. With that caveat, AP reports:
•Eight in 10 Republican primary voters were white and a little more than one in 10 were Hispanic — about half of whom were of Cuban heritage. There were few blacks on the GOP side. In the Democratic primary, two-thirds were white, about one in five were black and a little more than one in 10 were Hispanic.
• About one in seven voters in each party’s primary described themselves as independents.
• About three in 10 Republican voters called themselves moderates. Slightly more Democrats identified themselves as moderate.
Also: “Given four choices, nearly half of Florida Republican primary voters said the economy is the most important issue facing the country. Terrorism, Iraq and immigration each were picked by fewer than two in 10.” Hmm. Dan Riehl wonders about those results.
Jim Geraghty has leaked exit poll numbers showing McCain 34.3 percent, Romney 32.6 percent, Giuliani 15.3 percent, Huckabee 12 percent.
Allah notes Fox results: “McCain wins among seniors and veterans — but only by a point(!) — and crushes Giuliani among Hispanics, 50-26. Romney wins on immigration, 45-26, but on the key issue, the economy, McCain wins by four.”
Cuban-American conservative voter George Moneo at Babalu Blog casts his ballot for Mitt Romney and has a message for Democrats:
The day has arrived where Republicans in Florida get to select their nominee for the office of President of the United States. This election season seems to have started years ago, or so it seems since it’s been non-stop politics since the mid-terms elections of 2006. I have been very wary of who would run. I wrote then that I was not happy with the direction of the Republican Party, away from its core principles of conservatism, and I’m still not. But, we have made our bed and we are sleeping in it, tossing and turning uncomfortably.
I don’t have a candidate that excites me and gives me hope for our party. I am involved because I fear that the alternative is so much worse than I can imagine, that not getting involved would be suicidal. I am sorry Fred dropped out of the race, and I am sorry that Rudy has faded. Despite my misgivings about Rudy’s liberal positions, I like him. And I “liked” Fred, too. And “like” is an important factor, that warm and fuzzy that a candidate gives you in addition to the positions you have in common. I don’t think I “like” any of the remaining candidates.
With that thought in mind I will go to polls in about ninety minutes and cast my vote for Mitt Romney. Of the remaining candidates he seems to be the one that echoes my core conservative principles the best. He’s not an ideal conservative by a long stretch, and he’s far from being an ideal candidate for me, but he’s the one that I feel will do the best job considering the alternative(s). His curriculum vitae, businessman (read: capitalist) and governor, at least tells me that he can manage large, complex organizations. The others don’t have this “real world in the trenches” experience, they are professional politicians. I am tempted to write in a vote for someone I would truly want to lead this country, but I swore to myself that I would never waste a vote again.
So there you have it. I am not happy about it but we make the best of what we have. If you are in Florida go out and vote. If you’re a Democrat, well I’m sorry to say your party doesn’t give a s**t about you since the Dem delegates in Florida don’t count. But vote anyway. It’s your civic duty and the least we can do in this great country we live in.
Worried about the intra-party spats among Republicans? Ralph Reed isn’t:
The conservative political activist, best known as the first executive director of the Christian Coalition, showed up at the Tampa event for Romney. (Although he hasn’t endorsed anyone officially.)
“Don’t over-interpret the healthy intra-family, back-and-forth in a party,” said Reed. “I’m a big believer that competitive, hard fought primaries as long as you can get back together again afterward are healthy they’re good for the party. What’s wrong with having a nice vigorous, competitive primary? It’s good.”
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- Stop The ACLU » Blog Archive » McCain Sings Streisand: Rush Limbaugh Parody on McCain
- The Jawa Report
- Blatant Reality » Blog Archive » Live Blogging Florida Primary Results
- CNN, Fox call it for McCain; : BigMouthFrog
- McCain Wins Florida - Giuliani Rumored to Endorse Him « An Angeleno’s View of the World
- Right Voices » Blog Archive » UPDATES ADDED: Florida ..Who Will It Be? Looks Like Hillary and….CNN Projects McCain W/ 62% Reporting?
- Right Wing Rebel
- Neocon News » Barring divine ballot intervention McCain wins Florida.
- Webloggin - Blog Archive » Update - McCain Declared the Winner in Florida, Left is Upset With Hillary Clinton AGAIN!
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I too, was a “Fred” supporter early on. His delay in “jumping in” dismayed me as well as many other voters. And now that he is gone I have made the decision to support and vote for Mitt Romney. Should Mcammensty pull it out in Florida there really must be a concerted effort to push Romney over the top in delegates. Mcammensty together with Juan or Jorge Hernandez must be stopped. Are there any seconds on this (e) motion?
McCain is better on the economy?
Go Mitt…
simon77047 #1 Second!!
simon77047,
You are exactly right. Now is the time for conservatives to rally behind Mitt Romney!
Bye-bye, Rudy!
I too, am a FredHead that will vote for Romney. I am not happy with the list of
candidates this election season but will have to make do unless there is a big
surprise at the convention ( not that I expect one ). I agree that we need to get
behind Romney if McCain wins in Florida and work hard, hard, hard to push him
to the forefront.
It would make me so happy to see McCain lose Florida tonight. His arrogance is starting to irritate me to no end.
I suspect Giuliani is toast, after tonight. I don’t think the absentee ballots will help him that much. I could be surprised but I doubt it.
I have pretty much resigned myself to Mitt Romney. I didn’t get to early vote today. If I don’t do it soon, I will have to go to the polls on Super Tuesday to cast my ballot.
I’m convinced we would not be where we are at today if the early states in the primaries would only allow registered Republicans to vote. Why should Democrats and Independents be allowed to chose our candidate? This makes no sense at any level. Fred may have done better and Rudy’s strategy may have changed. We would have had a clearer picture as to who Republican voters would have favored.
These polls can’t be right. How on EARTH can McCan’t win over Romney on the economy?
Go Mitt win one for the Gipper.
Indeed. McCain is stronger FOR shamnesty than any Democrat.
I have contributed, in order, to Tancredo (to keep the issue alive), Hunter (BIG disappointment with endorsing Huck), and then Fred. Mitt is the last candidate, either side, who isn’t guaranteed to sign Shamnesty ‘09.
I’m afraid to contribute to Romney with my record. Good news – he doesn’t need my money, just my vote. And I’m a delegate.
BlameAmericaLast#9 Lots of seniors are going for McCain. After all he is senior. And a lot of them think it’s his turn.
Why is McCain and Democrats getting so many votes? Americans are stupid! God help our Country.
These are early exits and are within the margin of error. That said I think we all must prepare for McCain win tonight. Go Mitt
McCain may win Florida but, he is now getting the attention that he deserves… I doubt he will be standing after Super Tuesday no matter the spin.
Vote Romney!
Does Hispanic America TRULY Believe In The Law?
A hot potato question that MUST be asked if candidates feel like they’re walking on eggs talking about illegal immigration. Why feel that way if it’s against the law — unless you feel MOST Hispanic Americans are in FAVOR of people performing illegal acts to get their votes?
James Greenidge
Queens NY
I would love to believe that but if McCain wins he will get a huge boost going into super tuesday. People are pay attention They are just ignoring what there being told and still are voting McCain.
Jacob, that boost comes at a high price, McCain has already needed to lie about his opponent to get this far. He is already being exposed for this & it will be an issue by Tuesday. He has peaked too early. (Oooh, I can just see the jokes coming)
Also as Hillary is learning, age matters… Florida is for better or worse, a retirement state.
Exit polls have, of course, been shown to be as accurate as what I’m having for lunch tomorrow.
I don’t even know yet what I’m having for dinner tonight.
When all the votes are tabulated, I’ll believe it.
Probably.
Every time I see McCain put his two thumb’s up and smiling and laughing, I think what he’s actually mumbling is, up yours.
Exit polls gave us President John Kerry.
I pray the exit polls are wrong again.
Rudy Guiliani is our best shot at winning, and all I can do at this point is pray.
Respectfully,
eric aka the Tygrrrr Express
problems, voting, FLORIDA? No way.
As I see the exit polls I am going through the first two signs of Grief.
Denial and Anger. I think Bargaining and Depression will set in after 6th or 7th beer.
It is difficult not to notice that the one group that has the most trouble voting are the democraps. What’s up with that? Are they just flat out stupid or what?
That kind of thinking in ‘96 got us Dole. We all know how well that worked out.
I was for Tancredo, Hunter, Fred! and on Super Tuesday I will vote for Romney.
I’ll only vote for McCain if he makes it to November. He’s still better than Obama/Clinton.
Democrat-judge-appointing, gun-banning, fee-raising, spending-raising, Gore-bull-Warming-believing, RomnestyCare?
Surely you jest.
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/16/romney-on-meet-the-press-gun-rightsimmigration-positions-under-fire/
http://michellemalkin.com/2007/12/13/digging-deeper-the-enviro-nitwit-ization-of-the-gop/
zorro–Yeah they are stupid–just as stupid as the republicans who are voting for McCain.In fact,I’m beginning to belive that the overwhelming majority of Americans are flat out stupid,except of course most of those who read this blog.
Maverick’s turn?
Hillary’s turn?
Get off that now please!
This is not the “kissing booth” at a County Fair! There is more at risk and McCain is not the guy that I would vote for. He has swapped too much spit with Juan Hernandez and Ted Kennedy.
Osama Obama is quite frankly bent too far toward Socialism.
Romney…I could hold my nose and vote for him since Fred dropped out.
O.K., exit numbers hold just as Drudge has them listed. Romney above McCant. Let’s end amnesty right here today.
Thank you John for pointing me to drudge. You have just raised my hopes Thank you.
I guess one of the biggest liberals being on the GOP ticket had the poll worker confused. *sigh*
Don’t go back Jacob. Lets wait a little bit longer. Shows them dead tied now.
Raise your hand if you expect Florida to be an example of an intelligent election… Bueller? Bueller? For those of you with your hands raised… both of you… Did you happen to see Denny K while you’ve been abducted by aliens for the past 8 years?
Well Khyris #34, If they pick Obama on the non election election, I’ll forgive them if they pick McCant. But only for a nanosecond.
Won’t happen. Myth will not end amnesty. Big business depends on cheap labor and that’s where Mitt made his bones.
We are living in strange days when Conservatives are hoping for a RINO to defeat a CINO. I’m sure the more we learn out McCrap, the more we can’t stomach him. One thing I don’t understand is why are people giving Mitt the “Slick” label?
Anyway
MCCAIN 33.9%
ROMNEY 33.2%
GIULIANI 14.0%
HUCKABEE 13.9%
Rumor just in: Gore has flashback- flies to Florida- demanding recount: Aj with the full story later.
Huck just passed Julie Annie. Nighty Night Mayor.
Maybe it’s because he embodies the stereotype of the slick politician who will tell you whatever you want to hear and will take whatever position he needs to at whatever given moment.
I’m still waiting for the day that the American voter returns to selecting representatives at all levels of government based on candidates giving us truthful and principled stands on the issues and a demonstrated integrity from those candidates that they will actually do what they say when elected …
I for one have had it with the beauty contests, the ridiculous impact of money on the elections, and the constant changing of what candidates say based on who they are standing in front of …
If you don’t have the gumballs to tell a hispanic group that you are going to secure the Mexican border you don’t have the guts I want in my President …
If you can’t face the Muslim community and tell them it’s time to either become Americans and assimilate or else go back to their Islamic Dictatorships you are not what I want in a President …
If you aren’t principled enough to stop the Congress from frivolous spending and wasting of the people’s money because you can’t find a veto pen then you do not deserve to be my President …
If you aren’t willing to go kick some butt when that is what is called for you are not cut out to be my President …
If you can’t do these basic things then you sure aren’t the person I want talking to other governments and setting American foreign policy …
Obviously this is only the tip of the proverbial iceberg … so I’ll let others add their thoughts from this point forward …
Mitt only down by 1000 votes acording to Florida Department of State
Division of Elections
Wait Mitt ahead. 34.2%
33.4%
I saw that too…McShamnesty can’t even spell economy
All of my conservative buddies in the Panhandle (except one) voted for Mitt. The other, former Navy, voted McCain.
And how is this any difference from what any of the other candidates done? Even Ronald Reagan (the Greatest President that ever lived) changed his position. If anyone should be be called slick it should be McClown. Keatings 5 anyone?
Why isn’t Fox using the FL Division of Elections numbers they keep updating on their website? Fox is showing McCain ahead by 1 percentage point, when FL shows Romney ahead like Jacob noted.
How many candidates do a complete 180 on moral absolutes within ten years of running for president?
I had to laugh at this one, I’m imagining a hot saucy librarian, dont ruin my fantasy.
Desert Lover #41, You don’t know how bad I felt the day that Newt dropped out. I’m hoping for a miracle of a brokered convention where he can be selected.
So Lieberman says he’s not going to be McCain’s running mate for VP. I’m betting Ted Kennedy is his second choice.
a crapweasel #51, not so fast, if Obamanation knocks out Hillary he’ll pick her. Bill said they are very close friends.
a crapweasel #51, not so fast, if Obamanation knocks out Hillary he’ll pick her. Bill said they are very close friends.
Hillary done it in less than one. McChowderhead is trying to whitewash his whole entire liberal positions. On top of that I’ve been hearing that he’s not really the Vietnam hero that he’s pretending to be.
Hillary was pro-life and anti-gay before she decided to run for president?
Durbin was Mookie.
And look how far that got him.
For what it’s worth, the Florida Department of State Division of Elections webpage has Romney ahead:
251,352 34.3% Romney
243,189 33.2% McCain
at 8:30 PM
(page keeps updating)
Florida Results
Mookie, once upon a time Hillary was a “Goldwater Girl” & the leader of her “College Republican” chapter…
jus sayin
Michelle, I would have never guessed that you would watch CNN for election coverage!
Why is mccain winning why
He cheats?
She does it so we don’t have to.
John Ansell
I feel your pain … all of the people I had hoped to vote for are out of the race because they let such a small minority of states, population, and delegate counts determine what the rest of us have left ot select from …
This has to change … over 80% of the states and population centers are being short-changed by the way these primaries are run …
We need a national primary day for ALL STATES … with ALL candidates still on the ballot …
Because it’s my personal January from he** (can I complete that phrase, MM?)
That’s going by what source? CNN?
Would CNN’s count be more reliable than the numbers from the State’s page? Or ?
I agree dl, this is a farce.
and it turns into a media driven joke.
Any sorce that has mccain winning is bad
Department of State is running a bit behind the media, but it is reliable.
And I appreciate it! We should take up a collection and pay her for the yeoman’s work she does on our behalf day in and day out.
Buy Hot Air gear
I’m loaded up! Tee shirts, hat, mug…
By the sounds of things here Romney has the lead yet FOX News still has McCain ahead…..
BarryF.
good question…tks for the site.
I’ve emailed FOX, ask em why their not still Fair and Balanced.
Looks like Rudy will endorse McCain tomorrow.
Dang, Huckty Dumpty still in… just go already…
Mitt is ahead here at fl election page but it is running about 200000 votes behind ap vote tally
steveegg,
Fox has had McNasty in the lead from the start Florida Depart. has had Mitt in the lead…the media can’t be that far ahead.
aj … better yet … how about RP gets out of the way as well … right now he is just about the exact difference in percentage of vote that separates Romney and McCain … he has no chance and is becoming the Ross Perot of this primary election process …
(DL puts on his SuperBowl XLII souvenir helmet to protect him from all the sticks and stones the Paul supporters are going to unleash on him)
Now that Fred is gone, I’ll vote against McCain. Go Mitt.
Speaking of Fred, I wonder just how many absentee ballots went to the Fred?
Is that the buzz around the precinct?
I am being told that Fl state election page is running slower because it has to be vertfied and may o may not include early or absentee ballots.
zorro, follow that link from jacob and it will show you….
zorro
I have that same question on Fred voters … wonder if we will get an answer on that …
Thanks aj …
This makes some sense in that one of the talking heads on FNC mentioned that Mitt and McCain personally do not like each other.
Kinda reminds me some food products you buy where the ingredients listing reads: “may or may not contain the following”. Make me wonder – don’t they know what they put in the food?
Thanks jake.
FNC is calling McCain the winner.
Rudy going to speak soon in orlando according to FOX.
McCain pronounced McSham
Should I start drinking heavily? Yes.
Our only hope is the AP and the alphabet soup got it as wrong as they did initially in 2000.
To finish the thought, Rudy’s views are closer to McCain’s than Romney’s.
Thank you, Checker-Pants Republicans! Now that you’ve kicked conservatives in the gonads, enjoy returning to the halcyon days of minority party status.
CNN is probably right. Weep for the country, weep for the Republicans, and most of all weep for your fellow conservatives.
Conservatism in America, RIP.
Assuming Rudy gets out I hope that the Rudy voters ignore any endorsement from Rudy and decide for themselves and vote for Romney on Tuesday in all the other states …