NOTE: This is a rolling post I started at 3 PM Tuesday and I will continue probably until the election is finally called.
THOUGHTS & QUESTIONS as they come in (and in no particular order)
- Voting Machine Issues: Does anyone else share my feelings of irony here? The number one nation that “exports democracy” should not be having these issues… especially after the Florida situation in 2000. One would think that 8 years was a long enough period to fix this.
- Long Lines: After witnessing election cycles in this country for 30 years (with dismal turnouts)… the large turnout this year is encouraging to say the least. Though voting machine issues or the lack of enough of them were probably the the cause of this phenomenon as well.
- Election Result reporting looks a lot like Sports reporting on TV. Enuff said.
- A 24 hour news cycle encourages reaction over thought in reporting the news.
- Am I the only one who gets irritated when pundits “call a state” for a candidate when only 10 percent of the returns are in and the percentage split is only by 3 percentage points? EDIT: They just called a state for a candidate with zero percent of the count in! WTF?
EDIT:5:30 PM
- I want to know the percentage of voters who lied during exit polling.
- “Projected Winner” is really a very popular ass covering phrase used by broadcasters, isn’t it?
- Local stations are reporting that certain polling stations have crowds waiting in lines… mostly those who decided to vote after work. Oh yeah… we are voting for a new mayor too.
EDIT: 6:25 PM
- Pundits are currently obsessed about states flipping colors.
- I’m heading out to the local watering hole with the lovely Joy to see what’s happening there. OK… I’ll bring my camera.
EDIT: 10:00 PM
I just got back from the watering hole and here are my impressions.
7:00 PM ish
- My friend Jay was at the bar and was taking bets for a pool for the electorial vote. I put my bid in.
- There were gay republicans at the bar.
- At 8:30 ish … Obama was proclaimed President elect.
- At 9:00 PM John McCain made his concession speech. There were people who were making snide remarks… I stepped up and said, “Look, I’m a person of color… let him have his say.” … and silenced the bar. I was particularly proud of that moment. Gloating is a personal peeve because it really doesn’t move anything forward… besides I wanted to hear what McCain had to say which I thought was gracious.
- At 10:00 I got home.
I will continue my thoughts on this post in the AM… maybe even with pictures.