All Blog Posts from Horserace

Nielsen has released ratings for last night’s election coverage, and the company reports that from 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 Eastern Time last night, the average audience was 78.5 million viewers.

By comparison, 59.2 million watched during this period in 2004, and 61.6 million did so in 2000.

The average ratings for the period between 8:00 p.m. and 12:30 a.m., which included John McCain's concession and Barack Obama's victory speeches, were similar.

John McCain will not appear in front of crowds of supporters inside the Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix on Election Night, the Associated Press reports. Instead, he is planning on delivering his election night remarks to a small group of supporters, reporters and guests on the lawn outside. McCain aides say he that’s because of space issues inside the hotel and that he may drop into the party at some time during the evening. McCain’s remarks will be shown inside the party, according to the report.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune reports that Barack Obama’s outdoor election night party in Chicago will cost about $2 million, paid for by the campaign. The event will be held in and around the city’s Grant Park.

Update: CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder reports that the McCain campaign is disputing this report: "He'll speak outdoors on the lawn in front of backlit Camelback mountains -- it will be beautiful -- and 2000 plus people will be out there with him. The rest of the guests will be in ballrooms and overflow tents with widescreen TV's."

Will election night bring civil unrest?

Police departments countrywide think it's a possibility, and they're preparing for riots or other violent reactions to a McCain or Obama victory, The Hill reports.

There is particular concern that a loss by Obama, who has built a big lead in the polls, could prompt significant problems.

"Some worry that if Barack Obama loses and there is suspicion of foul play in the election, violence could ensue in cities with large black populations," The Hill writes. Detroit, Chicago, Oakland and Philadelphia are among the cities that plan to have extra police deployed.

“Are we anticipating it will be a riot situation? No. But will we be prepared if it goes awry? Yes,” Oakland Police Department spokesman Jeff Thomason said.

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Will election night bring civil unrest?

Police departments countrywide think it's a possibility, and they're preparing for riots or other violent reactions to a McCain or Obama victory, The Hill reports.

There is particular concern that a loss by Obama, who has built a big lead in the polls, could prompt significant problems.

"Some worry that if Barack Obama loses and there is suspicion of foul play in the election, violence could ensue in cities with large black populations," The Hill writes. Detroit, Chicago, Oakland and Philadelphia are among the cities that plan to have extra police deployed.

“Are we anticipating it will be a riot situation? No. But will we be prepared if it goes awry? Yes,” Oakland Police Department spokesman Jeff Thomason said.

Read full post…