How He Did It

The Results (So Far): 364 for Obama, 173 for McCain
Andrew Romano

Obama, 364: Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, New Mexico, Rhode Island, Iowa, California, Oregon, Washington, Virginia, Florida, Colorado, Nevada, Hawaii, Washington, D.C., Indiana, North Carolina


McCain, 173: Kentucky, Tennessee, South Carolina, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Wyoming, North Dakota, West Virginia, Kansas, Utah, Louisiana, Nebraska, South Dakota, Idaho, Arizona, Alaska, Montana, Missouri


Popular Vote: 52 percent Obama, 46 percent McCain


Senate: Democrats 56, Republicans 40

House: Democrats 258, Republicans 177

Turnout : The Diversed Demographic an how obama brought them all Together.

by DemFromCT

Wed Nov 05, 2008 at 05:13:54 PM PST

The kids really are alright. And not just the kids showed up.

First Read links to the voter-eligible population expert, Michael McDonald from George Mason University, who notes that the turnout percentage is awesome:

Provided the number stands, the turnout rate for yesterday's election was the highest in 100 years, according to the estimate from turnout guru Dr. Michael McDonald at George Mason University. Almost 137 million (136,631,825) went to the polls -- 64.1% of the voting-eligible population. 1960 saw 63.7% of the populace go out to vote; In 1908, 65.7% voted. It was, of course, the most people ever to go to the polls topping 2004's 122 million. That's 12% increase from 2004.

For those wondering why the current total vote in the presidential adds up to approximately 117 million, note that it's going to climb. There is still a ton of vote missing on the West coast.

However, it's not clear how big the total will be.

Curtis Gans, director of the nonpartisan Committee for the Study of the American Electorate at American University and dean of turnout experts, said his early numbers show 2008 to be about equal to or better than 1964, but not higher than 1960. He said it looks like total votes, once absentees are tallied (which could take a day or so), will be "somewhere between 134 and 135 million."

That's still the highest turnout in 40 years percentage wise (it was 60.1 of the voter-eligible population in 2004, and you have to go back to 1968 to get a figure that's at least 60%.)

From Prof. McDonald (more complete data here):

1960 63.8
1964 62.8
1968 62.5
1972 56.2
1976 54.8
1980 54.2
1984 55.2
1988 52.8
1992 58.1
1996 51.7
2000 54.2
2004 60.1

We commented this morning on the changing demographics ( less fewer whites.) In 2000, the exit polls put whites at 81%.



Maybe McCain's campaign would have worked better in 2000. Maybe what thwarted it was this:

There is a chance that American turnout will match or surpass the 1960 turnout, and if it does, that will mean approximately 136 million people voted. That raw number will be the most people who have ever voted in an American election.

Welcome to the 21st Century.

Mr. Obama's election demonstrates that Americans remain a vigorous, dynamic, and decent people.

Congratulations to President-Elect Barack. You have quite a deal to deal with. It is a shame that some people can' see past your color, to some you are African American to some you are Half Caucasion/Half African American. To me you are someone who I voted in who I think can help the nation the best. I understand you don't have a lot of political experience, but I think you are intelligent enough to have plenty of people around you who can guide you to make a informed decision (something I know you will do for the American people, no matter what race or religion you are.) I hope that you can help break down the racial barriers, not only with the Caucasion race but with the African American race. I admire the fact that even though you were raised by mostly caucasians, you are true to your African American heritage. Let's hope that everyone else that see that way also. I wish you much luck President-Elect Barack - you will need it based on some of these comments.

Campaigns are interesting seasons, they come and go with all the noise, rallies, attacks and counter attacks.
If alll the effort put into the campaigns are put into running the country, we would not be in the mess we are in.
GOD bless AMERICA

I have followed the campaign since January 2008. I had no doubt in mind that Obama was the man for the moment. No doubt the campaign is long, gruelling and sometimes laced with various traps. I pray that GOD will always bless America wih leaders who will arise to the occasion, people who accept that they are human and not infallible. . GOD bless America

I hope that Republicans such as dwardtx below realize that it is a two-way street and that demanding Obama change his positions doesn't eliminate them from doing the same. The time is now to stop doing so much for the wealthy, and to start to do a little, just a little, to help ALL of us. But, if history gives us any clue, the right-wing hardliners will do anything to stop the success of the Obama administration regardless of the effect of their actions upon our country. I fear a return of the in-fighting that went on during the Clinton presidency intended to simply stop any legislation that did not come from the Republican playbook, and pray that Congress and the media will demonstrate the intelligence that the voting public did, and realize that the failed policy and behavior of the past must go, and that it is time for America to make a change for the better.

Fascinating! Extraordinary reporting, writing, and editing...can't wait to read more.

Go Obama!!!
If you are truly unhappy with our new President you are more then welcome to move to another country. Oh, good luck with that one, because after 8 years of Bush we are hated by all!

I wish President-Elect Obama well in his upcoming administration. I did not vote for him, but I hope that he will follow his commitment to reach across the aisle to work with Republicans. If he does, he will have to gravitate to a more centrist position. His cabinet choices will probably tell us a lot about his intent to live up to this promise.
I am afraid that he will use the Democratic power position to bring about his more liberal agenda. If this is the case, we'll be ready to take the White House away from him in 2012.

I wish President-Elect Obama well in his upcoming administration. I did not vote for him, but I hope that he will follow his commitment to reach across the aisle to work with Republicans. If he does, he will have to gravitate to a more centrist position. His cabinet choices will probably tell us a lot about his intent to live up to this promise.
I am afraid that he will use the Democratic power position to bring about his more liberal agenda. If this is the case, we'll be ready to take the White House away from him in 2012.

This was an election to test the power of the Media - and the candidate pre-ordained by the Media - starting in the Democratic Primaries against Hillary Clinton - won.

Who lost? The American people.

John McCain ran an honorable campaign, but when the playing field of media coverage and ill-gotten money is so far tilted that even Dan Rather - DAN RATHER OF ALL PEOPLE - feels that it is disgraceful, then that is pretty much all there is to say.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MNmswO7AFs