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.

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

Huh. That can't be right. For this to be true, the people behind Prop 8 would have to be idiots.

Wait, I think I see a flaw in my above logic....

Oh, it would so serve the asshats right if route 2 went into effect.

Oh, it would so serve the asshats right if route 2 went into effect.

Yeah. Plus it'd be funny as fuck.

Those Newsweek behind-the-scenes articles about the campaigns are incredible.

I'm quoting this directly from an LJ on my friends' friends list (so if it's one of y'all and I didn't know your LJ name, sorry that I just co-opted you): Newsweek has started releasing tidbits from their traditional Special Election Project. They spin a dedicated unit off for a year that has no contact with the magazine and works under the promise they won't release any information until the day after the election, and they write a book about the presidential election with unusual access.

An excerpt, re: Palin:

NEWSWEEK has also learned that Palin's shopping spree at high-end department stores was more extensive than previously reported. While publicly supporting Palin, McCain's top advisers privately fumed at what they regarded as her outrageous profligacy. One senior aide said that Nicolle Wallace had told Palin to buy three suits for the convention and hire a stylist. But instead, the vice presidential nominee began buying for herself and her family—clothes and accessories from top stores such as Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. According to two knowledgeable sources, a vast majority of the clothes were bought by a wealthy donor, who was shocked when he got the bill. Palin also used low-level staffers to buy some of the clothes on their credit cards. The McCain campaign found out last week when the aides sought reimbursement. One aide estimated that she spent "tens of thousands" more than the reported $150,000, and that $20,000 to $40,000 went to buy clothes for her husband. Some articles of clothing have apparently been lost. An angry aide characterized the shopping spree as "Wasilla hillbillies looting Neiman Marcus from coast to coast," and said the truth will eventually come out when the Republican Party audits its books.

The first 2 chapters and an intro are up: [link]