Decision Time! Live blog of results for president, Senate, Georgia races
UPDATE at 11:25 p.m.: And that’s it. Ohio has been called for Obama, and it looks likely that Florida will follow suit. A couple of near-billion-dollar campaigns, and it looks like two states (Indiana and North Carolina) will have flipped, maybe three if Romney ekes out a win in Virginia.
We’ll have plenty of time in the weeks to come to talk about what comes next for the GOP nationally. Tonight is for Obama and his supporters.
The silver lining here in Georgia, for me: The charter schools amendment passed, giving students and parents more choices in the near future.
—
UPDATE at 9:56 p.m.: With Michigan and Pennsylvania being called for Obama, Romney is right where most people thought he would be: needing to sweep Florida, North Carolina, Virginia and Ohio, plus one more smaller state, to win. None of those four has been called yet, and all are within reach. But the hour is getting late, and his margin for error is gone.
Incidentally, and just for the record: Some news outlets have called Wisconsin for Obama even though the votes that have been counted there show Romney leading. Admittedly, the exit poll there doesn’t look good for Romney. But it reminds me of Florida in 2000, when I was looking at the AP feed of votes counted and seeing George W. Bush leading even as the state was called for Al Gore. I’m not saying that’s going to happen this year in the Badger State, but I will wait a bit longer before handing that state to Obama.
—
UPDATE at 8:42 p.m.: Most media outlets are projecting that Georgia’s 16 electoral votes will go to Mitt Romney. This is not surprising, of course, and I wish we were getting exit polls to give us an idea of how the state might have changed since the 2008 election, but there it is for the record.
In other Georgia news, the charter-schools amendment is doing better than expected outside metro Atlanta, which wasn’t necessarily expected to be the case since the issue isn’t as well-known in other parts of the state. With about 800,000 votes counted, the “yes” vote is ahead by more than 50,000 votes, or about 6.5 percentage points.
Nationally, it’s becoming clear — again, not surprising at this point — that Democrats will retain control of the U.S. Senate. Florida’s Bill Nelson is projected to retain his seat, which is one Republicans probably had to flip if they were going to take the Senate.
In the presidential race, I’m seeing some disagreement among Virginia-minded pundits about what’s happening in that state. The exit polls didn’t really bode well for Romney, but you can ask President John Kerry about how much that matters. Obama seems to be holding his edge in certain parts of that state, but not all of them. It will probably be a while longer before we see how that state shakes out. If Romney can’t take it, he will be hard-pressed to string together enough other states to get to 270 electoral votes.
—
UPDATE at 7:08 p.m.: The polls in Georgia closed a few minutes ago. I am going ahead and calling a majority in the state House and Senate for the Georgia GOP. Shocker, I know.
After all, Republicans entered today with 29 guaranteed seats in the Senate to the Democrats’ 15, and 90 in the House to the Dems’ 48. That’s 182 of 236 state legislative seats (77 percent) decided before the polls opened, much less closed, because they weren’t contested in the general election. That lack of competitiveness shouldn’t surprise me at this point, but somehow the magnitude of it always does.
The real Gold Dome drama tonight, of course, centers on whether the GOP can achieve super-majorities of two-thirds in each chamber. That, and what happens with the charter schools amendment.
Also, the AP has called Kentucky for Romney and Vermont for Obama. So, Romney leads 8 electoral votes to 3. LET’S JUST END IT NOW AND GO HOME!!
Kidding. Of course. Sort of. No, really.
—
ORIGINAL POST:
The first polls closed at 6 p.m. in Indiana and Kentucky. Georgia’s polls close at 7 p.m., as do a number of other states. The flood of election results will begin in earnest sometime thereafter.
Follow it all here and on Twitter, as I’ll be posting updates on the charter-schools amendment, the race in Georgia’s 12th Congressional District, the balance of power in the statehouse and the U.S. Senate — oh, and that other election between Mitt Whatshisname and Somebody Obama.
And if Twitter, blogging, and the Google+ Hangout from earlier today — along with the next Hangout we’ll do either tonight or tomorrow morning — aren’t enough, tune into WABE, 90.1 FM, around 9:45 p.m. and 10:45 p.m. to hear me discuss the results during the station’s election coverage.
OK, I think that’s it … join us one way or another.
– By Kyle Wingfield
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492 comments Add your comment
Mary Elizabeth
November 7th, 2012
4:47 am
I have often thought that this election would be pivotal in the direction that our nation, and our world, would move in the 21st century because the choice of President Obama by the American people means that we as a race, a human race, are evolving toward greater consciousness of inclusion and egalitarianism in how we perceive one another.
No one lost this election because we are all moving in the direction that Providence would have us move, in my opinion. We are simply arriving sooner than later toward a kinder, more humanitarian world. There can be no losers when that has happened, and no one should proclaim victory over any other human being for to do that would not be in keeping with the beauty, and the grace, of this undertaking and its conclusion. The collective voice of the American people has spoken, and the now the America that I so love, and have always believed in, will be better able to lead the world, a grateful world, to its higher destination. Thanks be to God.
marko
November 7th, 2012
6:02 am
With all the polls showing Obama with leads in the key swing states, Kyle lead with his guts. As it stands now, Its Arithmetic 303 and guts 206. The GOP seems to have problem. It looks too much like Karl Rove. It’s too old, Too White, too angry and most of all too few. Go back to the drawing board and see if you can come up with a game plan that includes women , minorities and people with a preference for rational thought processes. I know it’s hard, but trust me you can do it. I’ve got confidence in you guys. As a young man, when asked my political affiliation, I’d respond that I considered myself a democrat on social issues and a republican on fiscal matters. That only ceased when the GOP became divorced from fiscal reality. Unfunded programs and wars. Yes you really did that and tried to blame the predictable results on some poor black guy. Count the votes, You didn’t get away with it.
Bottom line. We need two healthy competitive political parties, or we live in a totalitarian state. I’m sorry that the GOP doesn’t seem to be feeling so good. I sincerely hope that you guys get well soon. At any rate, I’m confident that we’ve all witnessed the last charge of the white brigade.
Thomas Heyward Jr
November 7th, 2012
6:11 am
No worries mates.
Karl Rove and crew are already grooming the severly conservative Mike Bloomberg AND Scott Brown to run for president in 2016.( they’re both Northeast , gungrabbing,warmist, Federal Medical care, Progs…just like Romney).
.
.
Afterall,……..they’ll be less evil than Hillary…Should be a lock.
.
lol
Rightwing Troll
November 7th, 2012
6:28 am
A “lock” eh Tommy??? Heh… is that anything like the lock and landslide you wingnuts and teatards have been predicting here for the last month?
You all were right about the landslide…
Thomas Heyward Jr
November 7th, 2012
6:36 am
Rightwing Troll
November 7th, 2012
6:28 am
A “lock” eh Tommy??? Heh… is that anything like the lock and landslide you wingnuts and teatards have been predicting here for the last month?
You all were right about the landslide…
——————————————————————————————————————————
.
You never heard me predict a landslide for the Designated loser Romney.
I knew all along………the GOP will NEVER out-prog the Party of Progs.
.
They should just go ahead and join the DNC.
Us Freedom-Lovers are taking our bidness elsewhere.
Ernest T Bass
November 7th, 2012
6:52 am
Us Freedom-Lovers are taking our bidness elsewhere.
Us Americans wish a lot of you would just leave.
Uncle Billy
November 7th, 2012
6:56 am
The word sore losers comes to mind. And it seems that “real American” means angry white men.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
7:08 am
There won’t be anything left in 2016.
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:08 am
MHS
It is ok, little buddy
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:09 am
I report
Great predictions on the election. As usual, you nailed it.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
7:09 am
Who will be the president of Amexico in 2016, wow, what a great 4 year blog topic.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
7:10 am
You preserved your blighted and worthless future, Black Label, a hearty congratulations all around.
Now go tend to the barbarians at your gate.
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:12 am
I report
It is on, little buddy
Did you see Rove’s meltdown when they called OH?
Classic
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:15 am
I report
The fact that you were not intelligent enough not to gloat, as you did, before the election is your problem.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
7:15 am
What’s Karl Rove got to do with it? Is the Me-Me-Me generation too enraptured with it self to see the ruin it just brought on? Little puppet show to keep you occupied, Black Label?
Aquagirl
November 7th, 2012
7:16 am
Did you see Rove’s meltdown when they called OH?
Watching his own Fox colleagues try (and fail) to talk him off the crazy ledge of denial was incredible.
I went to bed, did they end up having to taze him?
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:17 am
I report
You will be ok, buddy. I know the fall is much further and harder after gloating for weeks about a Romney win.
Your bruises and ego will heal.
iggy
November 7th, 2012
7:17 am
I just hope the stock market can get its momentum back. I want to get a house and a New Porsche within the next 2 years.
As Bob Barker would say so often on The Price is Right…”A NEW CAR!!!!”
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:18 am
I report
At least try to have a great day
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
7:18 am
I didn’t think America could be this stupid, Black Label, and I was heartened by what I perceived as a return to sanity.
You are correct, I was wrong.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
7:19 am
I do not mourn for myself, Black Label.
I am not your kind.
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
7:22 am
The stock market is a zombie, pumped full of BernakeBucks, and China will soon be calling their margin.
You think Sandy wiped out New York?
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:23 am
What you perceived or what the right wing media sold you as reality?
It was never reality.
Closed the enthusiasm gap: hype
Closed the gender gap: hype
Better ground game: hype
Early voting: hype
We might win MI and PA: hype – that was a ruse to make people like you think they had a a chance. Appeared to show strength, but in reality, they knew OH was close but leaning away from Romney. It was a desperate Hail Marry. Nothing more, nothing less
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:25 am
I report
I’m sure you are not my kind. My education and income zoomed past your level, years ago.
Thanks for the acknowledgment.
Again, try to have a great day.
disgusted
November 7th, 2012
7:25 am
The Election is over…….Republikkkans got their collective asses whipped…….Deal with it!!!!
It feels good to be a college educated, working, democrat African American female this fine morning!!!!
Thomas Heyward Jr
November 7th, 2012
7:30 am
…may your chains set lightly upon you…Obama/Romney supporters
iggy
November 7th, 2012
7:33 am
“The Election is over…….Republikkkans got their collective asses whipped…….Deal with it!!!!”
Feel better now?
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
7:34 am
Black Label – You do not even know me. But yet you make gloating, pretentious, self absorbed assumptions about me that have no basis in any facts. You really are a democrat/ animal.
Is this the education you boast of?
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:36 am
It is ok, little buddy. You will be ok.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 7th, 2012
7:37 am
Is the thumpin’ over with? 19 point gender gap?
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:37 am
“But yet you make gloating, pretentious, self absorbed assumptions”
Look in the mirror for a change. You do this on a regular basis, but is ok, little buddy.
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 7th, 2012
7:39 am
I want to get a house and a New Porsche within the next 2 years.
I’m sure Obama will give you won.
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:43 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W5D07c0dJuQ
iggy
November 7th, 2012
7:45 am
Give me one? Well Im not gonna count on that but I will give Michelle a ride in my Porsche.
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:47 am
iggy
Panamera?
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 7th, 2012
7:48 am
Cons, let the soul searching begin….
curious
November 7th, 2012
7:52 am
Has FNC had Dick Morris on yet?
iggy
November 7th, 2012
7:52 am
Panamera? Beautiful Auto, but really dont need a family ride. But again, it is stunning !!
More along the lines of the Carrera. Gonna be, hopefully my last automobile purchase and plan to be buried in it, so gotta make it count!
JamVet
November 7th, 2012
7:53 am
Wow,
That is what I call an old fashioned ass whuppin’.
The unstoppable GOP electoral juggernaut comes to an end with an impressive one game winning streak. And by my count, that makes it three out of four, big time smack downs since the (W)orst ever was re-elected.
Stay stupid, my friends…
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
7:54 am
iggy
Good luck and much success.
Have a great day!!!!!!!!!!!
Finn McCool (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
November 7th, 2012
7:55 am
President Elizabeth Warren in 2016. You heard it here first.
independent thinker
November 7th, 2012
7:55 am
The SS Romney /Ryan slipped below the waves around 1 a.m. last night after suffering a nonstop barrage from the destroyers USS Bill Clinton and USS Barack Obama over the last few weeks. The Romney/ Ryan began taking on water in August after being hit by a torpedo launched by the USS Carter which contained a tape of the builders of the ship saying they intend to throw the passengers in steerage overboard.
.Tne Romney family all made it safely into lifeboats and clutching numerous valuable papers including voluminous tax returns and share certificates for offshore companies and bank accounts
Captains Romney and Ryan were last seen being rescued by a Yacht with a Cayman Island Flag which turned out to be pirates who were members of the 1% looking for money stolen by Romney for the SS Romney/Ryan . Big wigs like Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Anne Coulter, Bill O’Reilly, Neil Boortz, Herman Cain, Laura Ingram and Donald Trump were all safe in a heated lifeboat after pushing tourist class passengers in the water. The USS Obama and the USS Clinton picked up survivors and headed back to port.
JDW
November 7th, 2012
7:57 am
Well after all the hype and blathering reality and math win the day…ball is now in the Republicans court. Will they be part of the solution or remain a large part of the problem?
iggy
November 7th, 2012
7:59 am
You too Black Label…!
iggy
November 7th, 2012
8:00 am
401st…YEAH BABY!!
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
8:00 am
President Elizabeth Warren in 2016. You heard it here first.
That’s exactly what I was thinking.
Anything is possible now.
Why not Christine Aguilera, Finn?
disgusted
November 7th, 2012
8:04 am
@Iggy :
Twice elected African American President 372 years after my Ancestors came to these shores in chains………You’re damn skippy I feel better…….I Feel Great!!!!!!
Black Label
November 7th, 2012
8:04 am
Romney spotted at a coffee house in Des Moines.
Overheard saying, ” The 3rd time will be a charm. Let the quest continue”
JamVet
November 7th, 2012
8:06 am
Elizabeth Warren is a corproate sycophant’s WORST nightmare. Perhaps her election signals a new direction in the fight for we the people and our sacred duty to reclaim OUR sovereignty.
Stand tall, ma’am and b*tch slap a few of those heretofore imperious, untouchable banksters and other white collar criminals on Wall Street and in corproate board rooms across the land!
And……… the two worst reps in the US House – Walsh and West – both are one and done. Exactly, as I predicted. (Did I miss any predictions at all?! LOL!)
They will definitely not be missed…
I Report (-: You Whine )-: mmm, mmmm, mmmmm! Just sayin...
November 7th, 2012
8:09 am
Yeah! We have no use for business! Evil money makers!
Begone, you wretched employers of the people!
We got free contraception, duh!