Obama was called the winner very early, and there were probably a lot of people in California for whom Prop 8 was significant but not enough to get them to the polls once they knew Obama had won. The kind of people who think equal rights for gays doesn't impact their lives.

Connie, you might have something here. The urgency we felt in the early states must have been blunted for the late voters. Yet another reason people CANNOT take their votes for granted! It always counts!

I had to vote after work yesterday and pretty much knew Obama had CA, so I went in mostly to cast my No on 8 vote.

Obama was called the winner very early

Only in the blogosphere - none of the networks called it until the West Coast polls had closed.

That graphic shows the people that voted more Republican as a band that goes through Appalachia and the Ozarks. Maybe that region of the country is just more racist? It also has Louisiana voting more Republican, but that's because so many people left since 2004.

none of the networks called it until the West Coast polls had closed

None called it officially, due to rules about poll closings, but there were lots of statements on TV about how the McCain camp was admitting they didn't have a way to get enough EVs. Some states were shoo-ins. Utah was called for McCain 5 seconds after our polls closes.

It's hard to feel really good today with the Prop 8 results as they are. But I know that in 4-6 years the tide will certainly turn. At this point the fact that a simple majority can amend the constitution is to our benefit.

Jessica, www.someecards.com has great cards. Don't know if they are dad appropriate.

It's hard to feel really good today with the Prop 8 results as they are. But I know that in 4-6 years the tide will certainly turn. At this point the fact that a simple majority can amend the constitution is to our benefit.

As bummed as I am, THIS is the silver lining. My students were all BUH? Prop 8 is CRAZY. Which is kind of cool. Because it means there is hope for future change.

Here's an interesting look at the possible legal result of Prop. 8 passing, from an LJ link: [link]

Worth reading.

Those Newsweek behind-the-scenes articles about the campaigns are incredible. They made me like Obama even more, feel a little bit sorry for McCain and Clinton, and loathe Palin even more.

McCain also was reluctant to use Obama's incendiary pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, as a campaign issue. The Republican had set firm boundaries: no Jeremiah Wright; no attacking Michelle Obama; no attacking Obama for not serving in the military. McCain balked at an ad using images of children that suggested that Obama might not protect them from terrorism.

and

Palin launched her attack on Obama's association with William Ayers, the former Weather Underground bomber, before the campaign had finalized a plan to raise the issue. McCain's advisers were working on a strategy that they hoped to unveil the following week, but McCain had not signed off on it, and top adviser Mark Salter was resisting.

That graphic shows the people that voted more Republican as a band that goes through Appalachia and the Ozarks. Maybe that region of the country is just more racist? It also has Louisiana voting more Republican, but that's because so many people left since 2004.

Rural, sparsely populated, small towns and less educated people, yeah I think that adds up to more racist.