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Capitol View: November 4, 2008 Archive

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The Daily Digest: Election Day

Posted at 6:30 AM on November 4, 2008 by Tom Scheck (3 Comments)
Filed under: Daily Digest

Election Day is here. Here's a handy dandy guide that answers all of your voting questions.

The Secretary of State says his office is ready for 80% turnout.

There are plenty of Election judges this year.

Here's a viewer guide that details when the polls close in each state that matters.

2008 Race for Senate

The candidates make their final pitch. AP, The Star Tribune, MPR and Forum Communications.

Democrat Al Franken makes phone calls from his St. Paul headquarters.

GOP Sen. Coleman pulled an all nighter.

A judge tosses one claim but sets a hearing for another in the Coleman/Franken ad dispute.

2008 Race for President

The New York Times says the race changed politics as we know it.

Barack Obama's grandmother dies one day before Election Day.

Obama talks with Don Shelby.

McCain makes a final, emotional stop in Arizona.

A second Alaska panel finds Sarah Palin didn't violate ethics rules.

The McCain campaign releases Palin's medical records.

Obama's biggest supporter lives in Rochester, Minnesota. No, really, he's Obama's BIGGEST supporter.

Race for Congress

The candidates in the 3rd make their final push. MPR and the Wall Street Journal have looks.

Congress

Vice-President Dick Cheney is in South Dakota to hunt.

Lawmakers ponder a stimulus bill that includes infrastructure. DFL Rep. Jim Oberstar is mentioned.

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Big turnout, no problems

Posted at 2:40 PM on November 4, 2008 by Tom Scheck

There is a surge at polling places across the state. There aren't any major problems to report. Tune in to MPR News at 8 o'clock tonight for special election coverage.

While you are waiting...

Posted at 3:48 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom

The campaign that would not end is nearing to a close. And for many of us, these last few hours of waiting feel longer than the campaign itself. So it's tempting to turn to the exit polls for any hint of an outcome.

But guys who know about this stuff, like Mark Blumenthal at pollster.com and Nate Silver at FiveThirtyEight have some words of caution for us: ignore the exit polls.

Results come trickling in

Posted at 5:31 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008

The first round of east coast polls are closing and two New Hampshire towns are the first to have tallied all their votes.

Since 1948, Dixville Notch and Hart's Location have opened their polls at midnight on Election Day. With a combined population of 115, they generally get every eligible voter to the polls. This year, the two towns cast a total of 32 votes for Barack Obama, 16 for John McCain and two write-in votes for Ron Paul.

And if you haven't seen it yet, check out MPR's election results page. You can see results in every state, track U.S. House and Senate Races, as well as see the breakdowns by county.

Another round of poll closings

Posted at 5:59 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008

Polls are now closed in Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia. And the rest of the polls in Indiana and Kentucky close, after some closing an hour ago.

A tight race in Kentucky

Posted at 6:56 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008

Even though Kentucky was called for John McCain shortly after the polls closed, the Senate race there remains tight.

Incumbent Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell has a slight lead over Democratic challenger Bruce Lunsford, with 21% of precincts reporting. Meanwhile, McCain is beating Barack Obama 57% - 42%. This race will be an interesting one to keep an eye on.

Wild about Sarah

Posted at 7:22 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008

Tom Scheck is at the Minnesota Republican Party headquarters at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington. He reports that not many people are there yet but there are plenty of foam Sarah Palin hockey pucks available. The self-described hockey mom talked about how proud she was to accept the VP nomination at the home of the Minnesota Wild.

wild about sarah.jpg

Polls close in Minnesota

Posted at 7:58 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008

Polls are now closing across the state after a day of significant, maybe even record, voter turnout. We've been collecting stories from voters all day and we'd like to hear yours, too.

Share your voting story with MPR News.

AP calls Minnesota for Obama

Posted at 8:19 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008

AP called Minnesota for Obama within minutes of polls closing. Check out the results as they come in.

Upset in North Carolina

Posted at 8:22 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008

The AP is projecting that Kay Hagan will defeat incumbent Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole.

Politico has more.

Watching the returns

Posted at 8:50 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008

Reporter Tom Weber is stationed at the Capitol building in St. Paul tonight. He sends along this shot from the DFL "war room." He writes:

"Staffers for the DFL House caucus pour over computer election results at the State Office Building in St. Paul. The DFL staffers are two floors above where GOP staffers are doing the same."

UPDATE: I should note that they're waiting for legislative results. Tom Weber reports that the DFL is expected to maintain a majority in the state house. We're now waiting to see whether or not they'll win 90 seats, which would give the DFL a veto-proof supermajority.

dfl war room.jpg

Ellison and McCollum re-elected

Posted at 9:07 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008, Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD4, Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD5

The AP has called the races in Minnesota's 4th and 5th Congressional Districts. DFL Reps. Betty McCollum and Keith Ellison are projected to retain their seats.

MN House race update

Posted at 9:35 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008, Campaign 2008: MN Legislature

Each party manages to flip an open seat.

DFL candidate Jerry Newton defeats Jake Cimenski in district 49B. This was Kathy Tinglestad's district, one of the "override six."

In district 51A, Republican Tim Sanders defeats DFLer Shawn Hamilton. DFL incumbent Rep. Scott Kranz did not seek re-election.

Studying the parties on election night

Posted at 9:52 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2008

MPR reporter Toni Randolph sends along this report from the MN GOP's party in Bloomington:

One of the people at the Republican's election night headquarters at the Sheraton Hotel in Bloomington was 18-year-old Brendan Grant. He voted in his first election today -- and he voted for Democrat Barack Obama. Grant admitted he felt a little awkward on GOP turf, but he was there by invitation -- the GOP invited his political science class at Carelton College to its election night festivities. He and some of his Democratic-leaning classmates said the visit was enlightening and it will help with their education.

The class is visiting GOP headquarters for about an hour before moving on to the Democratic headquarters. But while the students were there, they picked up some swag -- fake hockey pucks with Sarah Palin's picture and the words "Minnesota's WILD about Sarah." Grant smiled as he stuffed one in his pocket. "To be completely honest, I don't really like Sarah Palin as a politician, but I think she has been absolutely fantastic as entertainment." Grant suggested that Republicans add collars for pit bulls and lipstick to its grab bag.

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Obama wins

Posted at 10:03 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2008, Campaign 2008: President

Barack Obama will be the 44th president of the United States of America. The AP, CNN and others have called the election for Sen. Barack Obama.

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Another DFL pickup in the MN House

Posted at 10:26 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom
Filed under: Campaign 2008, Campaign 2008: MN Legislature

Reporter Tom Weber tells us that DFLer Kory Kath has defeated Republican Owatonna Mayor Tom Kuntz. This was Republican Rep. Connie Ruth's seat.

John Kline's victory speech

Posted at 10:31 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom (1 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2008, Campaign 2008: U.S. MN CD2

Tonight, Republican Rep. John Kline defeated DFL challenger Steve Sarvi.

You can listen to his victory speech here:

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One of the "override six" defeated

Posted at 11:22 PM on November 4, 2008 by Molly Bloom (2 Comments)
Filed under: Campaign 2008, Campaign 2008: MN Legislature

Tom Weber reports that Ron Erhardt, one of the "override six" now running as an independent, has been defeated in district 41A.

Republican Keith Downey is projected to defeat Erhardt and DFL challenger Kevin Staunton.

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The feature examines statements made by Minnesota politicians and checks them for accuracy. Based on data analysis, document reviews and interviews with non-partisan analysts, statements are rated either true, false or inconclusive. PoliGraph is a collaboration between Minnesota Public Radio News and the Humphrey School of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota. More

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