Wednesday
(0)The night is young and the election is totally in the air. One of the more notable things I see thus far is how far behind BBC is running. At least fifteen minutes I would say. I have read things on the net like the Maine vote split long before the Beeb mentioned it.
There is also the question of the exit polling looking a bit shaky. The fact that so many Eastern states are still up in the air is quite unusual. One wonders if the Amish vote turn out might put Pennsylvania in the Bush column despite the solid Democratic machine controlled areas of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. That would truly be an interesting political event.
We will just have to wait awhile. If the exit polls are as badly off as some are saying, the election could suddenly shift to Bush and end early; if they are not, we could have a very long night ahead of us.
Particularly for those of us in the UK...
0350. Looks like the Beeb is now running real time on the Electoral counts, although they are a bit slow to pick up on some stories like the exit poll problems. As in, they have not brought it up at all. Hours to go no doubt, and here's me with no more munchies...
Is there any coverage on your side of the pond regarding the political vandalism in Milwaukee? The local Republican organization had a fleet of 30 rented vans, to transport election workers and votors; all had their tires slashed overnight.
Once this made the local news, volunteers with SUVs and mini-vans started showing up on their own.
Posted by triticale at November 3, 2004 04:25 AM
No, nothing on the Beeb. I did read it else where though.
All told the Beeb's coverage and selection of guests has been pretty even handed and interesting.
I must also say the do at the US Embassy in London looks like it would be the place to be. But right now I can't afford to go into Belfast let alone fly to London!
Posted by Dale Amon at November 3, 2004 05:07 AM
If Bush takes Ohio New Mexico and Colorado, which seems likely at this point, he wins with some 272 EV.
Cant say I didnt expect that.
Posted by lemuel kolkava at November 3, 2004 06:12 AM
It looks good. Its 1864 all over again, but thank God we didn't have to have an Antitam let alone a Gettysberg.
The Election in Afghanistan was the equivilent of the emancipation proclamation.
Democracy may not be perfect but it is one of the first steps away from barbarism.
Hang in there everybody.
Posted by spacer (New York) at November 3, 2004 06:33 AM
Its generally considered to be over in the States, with Bush at 269 but the British media seem loath to call it. Hesitation at being wrong or early signs of denial?
Posted by cessair at November 3, 2004 06:33 AM
Its generally considered to be over in the States, with Bush at 269 but the British media seem loath to call it. Hesitation at being wrong or early signs of denial?
Even worse than the American networks.
Posted by cessair at November 3, 2004 06:34 AM
Either way I see this as a bad sign. Whoever wins a race this close will deepen the divide between left and right and push people further into their respective ideologys.
Posted by Andrew Robb at November 3, 2004 06:46 AM
Just as an F.Y.I; the Amish don't participate in the electoral process. Also, there are more Amish in Ohio than in Pennsylvania.
Posted by treefroggy at November 3, 2004 04:15 PM
