Presidential Race Revs Up Voter Turnout

Registration, Early Voting At Unprecedented Levels Forecasting Record Numbers At The Polls

(CBS/AP)  Even in reliably Republican states where Barack Obama has little chance of winning the presidential vote on Tuesday, unprecedented numbers of registrations and early votes have been tallied, and elections officials are predicting a record turnout in places where neither candidate even bothered to campaign.

An aggressive and well-financed get-out-the-vote campaign helped Obama's campaign mobilize unprecedented numbers of African-American and new voters who could help decide the presidential election by swinging states like North Carolina and Virginia to the Democrat.

But even in so-called "red" states like Alabama, Utah, Nebraska and Oklahoma, Republican strongholds where McCain could post double-digit wins, Obama's candidacy helped boost registration numbers, particularly in urban areas. Republicans countered by mobilizing their own base, a process aided by John McCain's vice presidential pick, Sarah Palin, who's popular among conservatives.

"It may not shift Alabama from red to blue, or shift Tennessee from red to blue," Ferrel Guillory, an expert in Southern politics at the University of North Carolina, said of the turnout projections. "But it could have an effect over the long term."

And while these states have been comfortably in McCain's column for months, a record turnout could benefit candidates further down the ballot. As in swing states, the consensus among experts is that the trend favors Democrats.

Roughly 9 percent of the electorate still claim to be undecided or likely to change their minds, CBS News director of surveys Kathy Frankovic reports.

These voters, Frankovic notes, are mostly conflicted over the economy.

In Alabama, a state that has gone consistently Republican in presidential elections since picking Ronald Reagan in 1980, Obama's army of volunteers conducted voter registration drives that helped push the state's voter rolls past 3 million for the first time, and they registered blacks at a faster rate than whites.

"Obama realized there was no way to wrestle Alabama away from McCain," but a higher African-American turnout is likely to benefit Democrats running for the state Supreme Court and other offices, said D'Linell Finley, a political scientist at Auburn University Montgomery.

The story is similar in Tennessee, which saw many more early voters than in 2004, especially in Democratic-leaning counties; and in South Carolina, where records fell for both registration and absentee voting.

"There are going to be some tight races that normally were not going to be tight," said South Carolina's Republican Party chairman, Katon Dawson, who has no doubts about a McCain victory there but is worried about down-the-ballot contests.

"I think we have very good prospects to pick up a congressional seat or two," said his Democratic counterpart, Carol Fowler.

In Utah, Kentucky, Louisiana - all solidly Republican states - this election has inspired intense interest.

Nebraska, which has given all five of its electoral votes to Republicans in every election since 1964, fell just 3,000 short of a record for voter registration, but Secretary of State John Gale was forecasting record turnout anyway.

And even there "Republicans are not gaining to the same degree as Democrats and independents," he said. "You definitely have to attribute it to the Obama campaign."

Nebraska is one of two states that can split its electoral votes, and Obama opened three offices in Omaha to try to shave off one of those votes.

But even as Obama managed to inspire Democrats in decidedly Republican states, Republicans had a secret weapon of their own in rallying conservative voters.

McCain's selection of Palin was critical to building enthusiasm among the party's traditional base, said Merle Black, a political scientist at Emory University in Atlanta.

"She is giving a voice to a lot of conservative voters - particularly evangelicals - in a way McCain never could do on his own," he said. "She's a heroine in the religious community."

Early voting in Oklahoma set an all-time high, and a record turnout on Election Day appeared likely, according to Mike Clingman, election board secretary. Polls there have shown Obama getting about a third of the vote, about the same as John Kerry four years ago.

State Democratic Party Chairman Ivan Holmes is expecting a strong Obama turnout in urban areas, but he anticipates a backlash in some conservative areas where the candidate's race may be a factor - "especially among older voters." Obama is aiming to become America's first black president.

Texas saw its voter registration hit a record 13.5 million this year. But neither presidential candidate spent much time in a state that has gone Republican in every election since 1980.

Randall Dillard, spokesman for the secretary of state, said both sides were driving the registration boom.

"History can be made," he said, "no matter how this race goes."

Obama already came up a big winner in the presidential race in Dixville Notch and Hart's Location, N.H., where tradition of having the first Election Day ballots tallied lives on.

Obama defeated McCain by a count of 15-to-6 in Dixville Notch, where a loud whoop accompanied the announcement. The town of Hart's Location reported 17 votes for Obama, 10 for McCain and two for write-in Ron Paul. Independent Ralph Nader was on both towns' ballots but got no votes.

Both towns had favored George W. Bush in the last two elections.

Dixville Notch's first voter, following tradition, was picked ahead of the midnight voting and the rest of the town's 21 registered voters followed suit in Tuesday's first minutes.

Town Clerk Rick Erwin says the northern New Hampshire town is proud of its tradition, but says "the most important thing is that we exemplify a 100 percent vote."

[eroosevelt08]

Oh I''m so glad! In the last eight years poor leadership has created a big mess. Senator Obama is well aware of the mess. A President needs to know what the issues are, know how to negotiate and find and convince quality people to work with and beside him with the skill sets needed in each particular area. When I look at the candidates, Senator Obama has all of those qualities while Senator McCain does not. Senator McCain talks of fighting while Senator Obama talks about working together. With Senator Obama there seems to be hope again. America needs that.

[human-being-2009]

This is just a begining.....

Signed, sealed and delivered!

Congratulations President Obama!

[newsthought1]

America is fed up with all the scandals from Republican crooks, liars, perverts, lawbreakers, and used-car salesmen hucksters that have trashed this country over the last eight years:

Bill Frist
Randy "Duke" Cunningham
Jack Abramoff
Tom DeLay
Mark Foley
Larry Craig
Ted Haggard
Bob Ney
Trent Lott
Ted Stevens
Alberto Gonzales
Donald Rumsfled
Karl Rove
Scooter Libby
*** Cheney
George Bush

Lying about reasons for going to war with Iraq (Uranium,
false claims about Iraq''s supposed weapons of mass destruction.)
Torture in Abu Ghraib.
The treasonous exposure of a CIA agent by White House officials.(Plamegate)
Letting Osama Bin Laden escape from Tora Bora
Halliburton%u2019s overcharging and outright fraud for services in Iraq
Lack of body armor for troops
Enron
Katrina
Illegal wiretapping
Political influence peddling
S.e.x scandals
Troopergate
Travel fraud
Election tampering
Ballooning federal debt
Economy in a tailspin

And these are just for starters%u2026

Enough is enough, America is ready for change!

[tachoma-2009]

fist bump

[riptide213]

"What the naysayers don''t understand is that this election has never been about me. It''s been about you."

Barack Obama

[jonathanw20]

Sarah Palin''s summary medical report: "Over the past 17 years, Governor Palin is in very good health". Why that line? Why specifically 17 years? Is that what took so long - to try and remove that line? We all know she joined the Assembly of God church around that time and had child births. Was there an abortion before that? And there is no mention of mental health - something that many are concerned given her unusual public performances.

[xrk9854]

Considering these two towns are historically Republican I think this is a good omen for Obama. Elections over, Obama wins!!! p.s. I live in New Hampshire as well.

[janefondu]

News Flash!!! Only 15% of the under 35 voters got out to vote today. It seemed they didnt want to wait in line.

McCain wins by 15!! Hooray!!!

Congratulations President John S. McCain!!!

[spadeisspade]

I am a proud NH voter! I live in Louisiana now, yet due to circumstance am able to vote in NH. It makes me really happy to be able to still vote there because my vote actually matters in that state, as opposed to LA. We''re generally, until last mid term election, a republican leg. and a dem governor, so it''s not the "lock" most New England states are. I''m so excited for this election because for the first time, I had a hard time picking a candidate because they are both good, rather than picking the less bad one.

[tannerbird]

When Cheney said he was for McCain i will vote for Oboma for sure.

[blitzder]

OBAMA''S INAUGARAL SPEECH

" My fellow countrymen, Ladies and Gentlemen,

First and formost I would like to thank GW Bush and despicable D*ick Cheney for all that they did for me to win this election, also I would like thank all those republican voters who put Bush/Cheney duo in to give us 8 long and miserable years. Without them I would not be standing here as your President........"

[blitzder]

Imagine the gall of McCain supporters calling Obama a socialist, when they instigated the largest ever takeover of banks, went hat in hand to beg for bailouts, spent more than trillion taxpayer money on wars for profit.

[sayfud-deen]

obama/biden deserve to win! not because obama is of mixed race. it''s because his ideas are sound and have been used by at least two former presidents! bush and his gang have screwed the people six ways from sunday,and the only people that don''t feel it are the very well off! bush has misused the military for his and cheney''s personal gain. bush told the people to stick it up their collective rear ends,and invaded iraq and afganistan anyway. bush has lied to us too many time to remember. bush has insulted our intelligence too many times to remember! bush has made the u.s a laughing stock around the world! i could on and on! but i don''t need to i think the people have had enough!

[whatithink10]

gunfighter51,

Your ignorance is telling. No wonder you are a McCain supporter.

This town has not voted for a Democrat since 1968.

[earache4]

Who cares what the northeast liberals think.
Posted by gunfighter51 at 06:21 AM

You will in about 14 more hours....

[misha128-2009]

McCain preaches doom and gloom all the way to the finish line and Republicans expect voters to vote for doom and gloom??? Thanks, but no thanks.

[Mccarthyaw]

"If someone wishes to build a new coal fired power plant in America they are welcome to, it''''s just that the new permits I will require will bankrupt them." - Barrack Osama Obama.

Posted by Obama_Dkhed at 07:17 AM : Nov 04, 2008

Hence clean coal....

[bigsk8fan]

from dixville notch to lihue, kauai, obama is poised to set history and restore america for americans. no more fearmongering. no more warmongering. no more name calling. no more republican policies intent upon exporting jobs to china, republican ideals that destroy our middle class jobs, republican dogma that quietly steals from our savings and 401k''s. change is coming. hope over fear. 01/20/09 end of an error.

[gangesdak]

The canaries died for McDoom.

[panhandlpete]

ALL THOSE DAYS OF WAITING.....TOMORROW IS HERE TODAY!

Whatever the results at the end of this day, we can all rejoice for our new leader. We can choose to continue as a divided country going down the toilet, or we can say we are going to make repairs to our damaged image, set future goals to improve life for all citizens, and each do our part with zest.

Go OBAMA/BIDEN supporters to the polls and VOTE!

[olivia4441]

No self-respecting country would elect as president a man who spent 20 years taking spiritual guidance from a pastor who openly hates the country. And no country that loses its self respect can anticipate a bright future.

How many ill-fated stories do we have to hear about Obama%u2019s numerous character flaws or how he conveniently overlooks the most obvious evils in his laundry list of dirty life-long associations before we conclude that this guy is in no way suited for a leadership role even at the lowest levels of society? His selective memory is frightening at best.

Obviously, America has poor judgement if they elect Obama. Shame, really.

[gekejo1]

"SocialismSux" you''re an idiot and no one is buying what you''re selling- loser.

[gekejo1]

Ah, hit a nerve- what a dope! Got exactly what I wanted. LOL!

[gekejo1]

SocialismSux is definitely waiting for Larry Craig. They both are losers that got picked on in school and think others are as stupid as they.

[freckster]

Obviously, America has poor judgement if they elect Obama. Shame, really.

Posted by Olivia4441

Judgment & character are at the heart of this election. While Obama has focused on issues and resolutions and not chosen the attack dog strategies of McCain it may cause people like you to overlook the poor character & judgment McCain that is part of history of John McCain.

Lest you ignore/forget McCain''s transgressions like infidelity (I''m sure this was an issue for you with Clinton), selecting a running mate using less vetting than the McDonalds hiring process, allowing the RNC machine (Carl Rove) to call the shots in his campaign and driving the campaign in a direction that supposedly goes against who McCain is. Poor decision, poor judgment.

Obama is an intelligent yet humble person. He understands that he must surround himself with the smartest and most committed people; not just a bunch of self-serving yes-men/women (or puppetmasters AKA Cheney). He also understands that he cannot give lip service to country unity. He has run as a candidate for all of America not just for those who agree with him. He exemplifies leadership.

Swallow hard, take a few deep breaths then get on board and help get our country going in the right direction.

[gekejo1]

freckster- great post!

[hroams]

I heard Larry Craig was in the Minneapolis airport restroom again telling everyone "I''ll give it up again if you''ll vote for John McCain"

[babooph]

The entire propaganda system will not show exit polls -obvious "CENTRAL CONTROL"!!!!!!Maybe some S. Am. news will show who directed the agreement!!

[gekejo1]

SocialismSux must be one of those GOP hired "volunteers" I''ve been reading about- hopefully, they get their $200-$300 they''re owed??

[whitemale08]

As America enters a new era of CHANGE, I just wanna say to all Americans...."Our national nightmare is finally over".

We''ve done it AMERICA!!!!!

WE''VE FINALLY ACHIEVED CHANGE IN THIS COUNTRY....FINALLY!!!

[olivia4441]

3 types of people voting for Obama!

Super-rich (Hollywood movie stars, George Soros, Franklin Raines etc.)

Super-stupid (the masses who get their "news" from
CNN/ABC/NBC/CBS)

Super-racist (the blacks and whites who will vote
for him because he''''s black

[veteran22]

Conspiracy theories don''t just spring up of their own volition; usually there is some tenuous connection that causes the theorist to take an incredible leap of faith in extrapolating their theory. In 1973 Congress rewrote the health, education and welfare regulations in response to their being made aware of a clinical study where black men were injected with syphillis and prevented from seeking treatment. Wright is not alone in his unproven theories - Palin and McCain have used those same tactics to smear Obama this whole campaign. Because we listen to the theorist, does not make us believers, nor does it render everything the theorist says incredible. We just have to know that the theorist is speaking from their frame of reference which is not always reality. Sigmund Freud said many things that were incredibly wrong, yet he did many things that were inherently valuable. You take the good with the bad and keep it moving.

[gekejo1]

Olivia4441- so, it''s FOX or nothing? Unbelievable. There are some really ignorant people in this country....

[nothappyatall]

WE''''VE FINALLY ACHIEVED CHANGE IN THIS COUNTRY....FINALLY!!!

Posted by whitemale08

Hope so! unfortunately the rising up didnt include a demand Bush/ Cheney be IMPEACHED a year ago and jailed.

[frenchsoiree]

What a wonderful day!!!!! I walked to work this morning (NYC)and it was just wonderful to see the smiling faces of people who had done their civic duty! People looking forward to doing their civic duty! People proudly wearing their buttons and signs fo either Mr.Obama or Mr. McCain. People who are participating in our election process. All the newspapers with headlines reminding everyone to vote and reminding us that it is up to us! It genuinely brought tears to my eyes! What a wonderful day! What a wonderful country!!!!!

[whitemale08]

America looks back, we always look forward to CHANGE!!!

CONGRATULATIONS PRESIDENT ELECT BARRACK OBAMA!!!

[gekejo1]

frenchsoiree- I like your attitude, positive and spot on.

[cutiep1111]

You people just face it. Whatever happens, it''s in the hands of God. He won''t let anything happens if it''s not in his will. This world won''t ever get over prejudice. It''s a shame. Because someone''s skin color the white people think that there are superior. God created everyone equally. One day they are going to pay for treating Blacks and any one else they treated wrong the way that they did. Vote Barack Obama.

[fredrey-2009]

Yup, gonna be a party in Chicago tonight! (And for the next eight years!). PRESIDENT OBAMA IS IN THE HOUSE!!!

[Confidential416]

Independent Voter in PA - Proudly voted Obama today!

[whatithink10]

msa123,

America will COLLECTIVELY say NO TO THE GOP and their lies and distortions.

Obama''s tax plan gives MORE to those groups than McCain''s. Your numbers are FALSE!

Why do you GOP people have to lie so much?

[gekejo1]

msa123- needs some education past gradeschool

[whatithink10]

jamesm12341,

This CPA who owns her own business would beg to differ with you.

GO OBAMA!

[antoniof123]

McCain''s selection of Palin was critical to building enthusiasm among the party''s traditional base, said Merle Black, a political scientist at Emory University in Atlanta.

Looks like it may have stimulated the base but turned away the independent and Democratic voters to a point that even many Republicans are not going to vote for McCain.

But really did any one think that the GOP had a chance in this election after 6 years of GOP congress with Bush and then 2 more total of 8 years with Bush.

Please, the American swing voter is not that stupid.

[gekejo1]

First, one would need "honesty and integrity" to lose it.

[dinkydog1]

jamesm12341 is super mega rich!
Didn''''t you know? He''''s got the life.
He''''s got it ALL figured out. He needs no one.


Posted by jh6379again at 09:17 AM : Nov 04, 2008

.................................

Poor James, he''ll be right back, fries were burning. I sure miss his one liners.

[pensacola98]

Joe Biden is a Hot Resource!! His part of the Obama ticket is the pathway towards better foreign policy and wiser usage of our military forces.

If you don''t believe it, go to YOUTUBE and enter the following - Joe Biden Rips GOP - and watch an academy award performance.

[hatesthecolt]

Some nonprofit group put together a really effective ad.n ad that played here in Colorado and I am wondering if anyone else saw it. It''s about 40 second montage of scenes of everyday people seeing their houses go into foreclosure, losing their jobs, factories shutting down, waiting in the hospital with no health insurance, etc. The music is sweet and sad. At the very end, there''s a picture of Bush and McCain. It was very powerful.

[whitemale08]

As President Obama takes the nation and puts our economy back on track to the prosperity of the pre-Bush years, a call of REJECTION will be made to the junkyard dogs on talk radio...Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh.

May these junkyard dogs forever be silenced and never be allowed to lead this nation down another path of darkness, death and economic malaise.

May all Americans REJECT Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity!!!

[riptide213]

New US political eponyms for 2008.

Historians take note.

Obamaism refers to inspirational political energy of Barack Obama, as well as the promising era of his presidency in the United States. Obamaism led a rekindling of America%u2019s amity consciousness, despite years of abuse and neglect.

Obamaites voted loud and clear for Obamaism; which now stands for authentic altruistic hope and meaningful change of a national political ethos, personal empowerment from genuine grassroots growth to encourage fair share opportunities for all; for a bottom up and top down all encompassing societal and government responsibility and partnership; for tangible equality in all public deeds, not just words; for preventing double standards in America and rewarding earnest decency; and for bona fide elected government integrity and far reaching good sense policies worthy of shared successes in the 21st century. A true realization of one secure, safe, and healthy nation for all.


See also or define Obamaesque or The Obamanator.