Squeakers: Franken/Coleman, Rossi/Gregoire, Merkley/Smith, Stevens/Begich, Prop. 8, Colorado’s Amendment 46, Chambliss/Martin
Some late-night election updates for you:
*The Minnesota Senate race pitting the nation’s unfunniest comedian against Norm Coleman is a dead heat at 42-42. There’s talk of a recount.
*In a reprise of 2004, the Washington state gubernatorial race is a squeaker. Democrat incumbent Christine Gregoire is holding a premature celebration; GOP challenger upstart Dino Rossi, who lost by 133 votes last time, is not conceding.
*California’s gay marriage ban, Prop. 8, is too close to call:
A measure to once again ban gay marriage in California led Tuesday, throwing into doubt the unions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months.
As the measure, the most divisive and emotionally fraught on the state ballot this year, took a lead in early returns, supporters gathered at a hotel ballroom in Sacramento and cheered.
“We caused Californians to rethink this issue,” Proposition 8 strategist Jeff Flint said.
Early in the campaign, he noted, polls showed the measure trailing by 17 points.
“I think the voters were thinking, well, if it makes them happy, why shouldn’t we let gay couples get married. And I think we made them realize that there are broader implications to society and particularly the children when you make that fundamental change that’s at the core of how society is organized, which is marriage,” he said.
But in San Francisco at the packed headquarters of the No on 8 campaign party in the Westin St. Francis Hotel, supporters of same-sex marriage refused to despair, saying that they were holding out hope for victory.
“You decided to live your life out loud. You fell in love and you said ‘I do.’ Tonight, we await a verdict,” San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom said, speaking to a roaring crowd. “I’m crossing my fingers.”
Elsewhere in the country, two other gay marriage bans, in Florida and Arizona, were well ahead. In both states, laws already defined marriage as a heterosexual institution. But backers pushed to amend the state constitutions, saying that doing so would protect the institution from legal challenges.
Proposition 8 was the most expensive proposition on any ballot in the nation this year, with more than $74 million spent by both sides.
*Amendment 46 in Colorado, Ward Connerly’s ballot measure to eliminate racial preferences in government, is also too close to call.
*Voters in several states rejected abortion restriction measures.
*Unbelievably, pork-stuffed corruptocrat criminal GOP Sen. Ted Stevens is locked in a dead heat with his Democrat challenger. Make Uncle Ted go away, already. Geez.
Oregon’s Senate race is also up in the air:
In Oregon and Alaska, the races are equally close, but with just over 50 percent of the precincts reporting in the two states.
In Oregon, with 53 percent of precincts reporting, state Speaker Jeff Merkley (D) had 457,132 votes, for 47 percent, and Sen. Gordon Smith (R) had 451,276 votes, also for 47 percent. Dave Brownlow, the Constitution Party candidate, had 6 percent. Oregon is the only state where voters cast votes exclusively by mail.
Meanwhile, in Alaska, convicted Sen. Ted Stevens (R) had a 48 percent to 47 percent lead over Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich (D). Stevens was convicted last week in a federal corruption trial, and Begich was thought to be ahead since the Senator’s conviction.
Democrats will fall short of the filibuster-proof 60-seat majority they were seeking, and the three uncalled races will determine just how large their majority will be. So far, Democrats have picked up five seats, knocking off GOP Sens. Elizabeth Dole (N.C.) and John Sununu (N.H.) and capturing open seats in Colorado, New Mexico and Virginia. Including two Independents who caucus with the Democrats, that puts the party at 56 Senate seats, pending the results of the Alaska, Oregon and Minnesota races.
***
One more for you: It’s tight in Georgia. Chambliss/Martin…
Sen. Saxby Chambliss led the Senate race in Georgia, but with hundreds of thousands of early voting ballots still being counted in key counties, it wasn’t clear late Tuesday whether he had escaped a runoff.
To avoid a runoff, Mr. Chambliss needs more than 50 percent of the vote. With 97 percent of precincts reporting, he led with 51 percent, followed by Democrat Jim Martin at 46 percent and Libertarian Allen Buckley at 3 percent.
State elections officials said late Tuesday that early voting from Fulton and Gwinnett counties had yet to be counted. Early voting in those two counties alone totaled more than 275,000 votes.
The campaign started with most observers expecting Mr. Chambliss to win with little trouble. Polls showed him comfortably ahead until the financial crisis captured voters’ attention about four weeks ago, and his lead quickly eroded.
National Democrats had put few resources into the race. But after Mr. Chambliss voted for the $700 billion financial bailout, Democrats from across the country and the national party pumped money in, allowing Mr. Martin to increase TV advertising.
Mr. Chambliss acknowledged that people had been upset with him over the bailout vote but they were coming to understand he had to do something.
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Thanks for the late updates Michelle.
Frankly I hope Franken wins, he’s likely to create many a juicy soundbite for years to come that can be fodder for future campaigns.
Coleman.must.win.
I suggest the GOP use the Franken race to expose the Democrats tactics in this race.
A look at who voted should expose voter fraud.
What is needed too is that vote fraud should be taken seriously with serious punishments applied.
Thanks for staying up, Michelle.
If Stevens wins then after he is forced to step down Governor Palin can appoint herself to the 6 year term. Alaskans are smart to keep Stevens in office.
Michelle, I know you might be down…
Just know that you are a true conservative fighter. You are lovely and have a heart for this country that rivals any other. I know you love the truth and, even when deceit swirls around us, that truth will still be there…and will overcome. These are not mere platitudes, either. (I’ll leave that to the One.) Even if we are marginalized by a nation which, inexplicably, is not remembering the lessons of the past nor warnings of the future, we will still be a refuge for those looking for answers.
Thank you for using your platform to fight for us.
***
In other news…
I really think that Obama and Michelle aren’t happy, even know. I saw their faces and they are just…cold. I think they know that they used fraud to win and that can never be a sweet victory for anyone, know what I mean? We can be 100% that the nearly 50% Mac/Sarah got were legit. Wonder what that says for them…they know they really lost. Now they have to destroy the opposition…too much influence.
Meant to say, “aren’t happy, even now.”
LA County has 4.3 million registered voters.
Only 77% counted from LA so far.
Prop 8 is only leading by 300k right now.
As those LA votes get counted that margin will continue to fall.
kudos to California for fighting to uphold traditional marriage. If they succeed it’s a small victory for America on this dark day.
Even if states uphold traditional marriage, look to the liberal courts to overturn it. That will be the next step for the left. Their “win” in the national elections, will only drive them to be totally arrogant.
That’s why they’re consitutional amendments instead of legislation.
Since when did “constitutional amendments” ever stop the Left? If anything you can count on, it’s their indifference to unfavorable public opinion and their counting on special interests to find a loophole. They care less about any Constitution. It’s a “living breathing” document. On the way to work. At least I work in a conservative workplace. Some respite.
I’m calling Prop 8 a win.
LA county is 97% counted and they split down the middle on it.
Hey, Cavin Newsom, looks like Prop 8 is going to win, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT!
Oops, Gavin Newsom, damn typo
Early Voting is of the Debil.
The early morning analysis on Fox News Channel was that Republic Alaskans voted Stevens so that they can vote for another Republican in a special election when Stevens is expelled from the Senate.
Over at postsecret.com, a website which allows anonymous confessions, someone fesses up to stealing ballots that voted YES ON 8.
With the vote so close, it may well matter.
99% precincts reporting Coleman ahead by 762
Coleman the winner.
Long night so even one more is nice.
FoxNews and WSJ call race for Coleman, FWIW.
you can be sure these recounts will go to the Dems
The L.A. Slimes sez:
Franken is calling for a recount. I’m sure he’ll “find” a way to make up the difference. Democrats, ahem, Liars always do.
Prop 8 nearly done deal.
If you look at the interactive map on LATimes you see the only precincts left uncounted are some in San Diego and Santa Clara Counties.
The Santa Clara County votes will swing it back a little to the NO but I believe the numbers are too high for yes to be overcome.
YES!
Everyone, please take note. Out of the ashes of the 2008 presidential campaign there is a new rising star in congress, republican State Senator Tom McClintock. http://www.tommcclintock.com/about/. I have followed his career in California. He is a true principled conservative. He currently serves in the California State Senate and is the leading voice for fiscal responsibility. He ran for Governor in the recall election of Grey Davis but lost to Arnold Schwarzenegger. I believe McClintock to be the cleanest political figure there is. He is utterly without guile and has no scandals. Look for him to become a powerful voice in Congress in the mould of Newt Gingrich. His new district is on the north east corner of California facing Nevada and runs from Lake Tahoe to the Oregon border. Pelosi considers him to be an especial danger and poured huge sums of money into the contest to try to defeat him. He won narrowly beating democrat Charlie Brown 155,771 to 155,320. Another squeaker.
Looking at the Prop 8 numbers for preserving marriage I don’t see from whence they expect the “let’s re-define marriage” votes to materialize. It’s been a steady 52-48 (”Yes”) for preserving marriage since last night – and as of now:
Yes 5,125,752 52%
No 4,725,313 48%
95% precincts reporting
Oops – missed your comment before I made mine, FireB. But, yup, they’d need nearly 400,000 anti-preservation of marriage votes and very few “Yes” on 8 votes to stop it. I just don’t see that happening.
I don’t see it “happening”, but someone “doing” it is possible. Prop 8 supporters need to be watching those counties that have not reported 100% for last minute vote counting fraud.
Yes! I’ve heard Tom McClintock on several radio interviews and he’s the real deal. I got the sense that he really understands how to manage the fiscal aspects of a large government and doesn’t talk bull or gloss over problems. Had our current governor stayed in Hollywood, I’m sure McClintock would have been elected and Sacramento wouldn’t be asking the Feds for a 7 billion dollar bailout so they can pay the bills.
Prop 8 has passed, 52-48 with 97% of the precincts having been counted.
I am sad for some gay friends who got married. It is hard to see people I care about being hurt, no matter what my own position is on the issue.
I dunno, corona, I think even Obama’s fraud-Acorn gang would be hard pressed to explain a last minute rush of half a million votes. Then again, we are talking about a well-oiled Dem vote-fraud machine…
Do you have a news link for that announcement, Vicki? I don’t doubt you – I just haven’t seen it yet.
It will be nice if and when my vote gets counted…
That 52%-48% vote on Prop. 8 in California is what a viable Republican presidential canditate could win the state by. The national Republican party needs to re-examine its’ primary process. No more open primaries where democrats vote, no more treating New Hampshire and Iowa like they are sacrosanct in the primary process. Just a suggestion.
Bravo to Tom McClintock. Go kick some butt in the Potomac swamp!
ITA the GOP needs to revamp its primary process.
I am wearing a black arm band today. Obama, Murtha, Gregoire wins and abortion restrictions are rejected. What is wrong with people?
While I am glad it’s over, I am crying inside for this once great nation of ours.
Yeah, WTG Tom!
He is definitely one of the good guys.
Hmmm…I see an LA Times story says -
“California voters approve Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriages”.
“8:35 AM PST, November 5, 2008
A measure to once again ban gay marriage in California was passed by voters in Tuesday’s election, throwing into doubt the unions of an estimated 18,000 same-sex couples who wed during the last 4 1/2 months.”
LA Times Story
And just in case you’re not disgusted enough, Cold Cash Jefferson handily defeated his opponent in the Democrat primary in New Orleans, and is expected to defeat the little-known Republican he is running against in December’s runoff.
We are officially in the Bizarro world, where intelligence is socially unacceptable.
I know vickysoup posted that she feels sorry for her gay friends who married. I have gay friends, co-workers, and relatives too. But you know something? I’m happy to see the defeat of judicial fiat followed by a bullying campaign that went along the lines of “you’re a bigoted meanie out to steal people’s rights if you vote ‘yes.’” I’m happy to see a big-Hollywood money campaign fail: not even the cast of “Ugly Betty” or other celebrity pitches against Prop 8 worked. Silicon Valley’s money couldn’t buy victory either. For once, the normal people of California win and I have to say it’s probably in part to blacks and Latinos who don’t care any more for Gavin Newsome’s shenanigans than I do.
Just be glad that is the only arm band you have to wear…. for now.
It’s a victory for American society and civilization in general. I don’t mean to sound cruel and I’m sorry some people may feel sad, but preserving civilization trumps their disappointment.
Colorado Amendment 46 – Abolish Affirmative Action
Yes 970,067 (49%)
No 983,546 (51%)
86% Reporting – 2796 of 3215
—————————
Basically across almost all measures, Colorado has become a victim state. With more minorities and too many Californians moving in, Colorado is saying that it is too stupid and lazy to compete mano a mano. They have cut their own throats and business has no incentive to stay/move there now.
But hey! They opened the doors wide-open to the casino industry!
Thank God John Cornyn won.
The Coleman margin is small enough that I am certain Franken supporters can find some magic ballots to put him over the top ala Gregoire…
Tom McClintock, I believe he’s a solid, good conservative, remember seeing him in the recall contest, once again Kallifornia showed their liberal leaning and elected that muscle headed lib, married to a Kennedy, Schwantznigger.
I can’t believe so many voted for Al Frankin. That just blows my mind.
Oh, wait I forgot about Jefferson, Stevens, Murtha…never mind