Evening Buzz: The Last Lap
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/03/marquardt.cake.jpg caption="A cake awaiting weary reporters and staff at Joe Biden's Zanesville, Ohio rally, his second of four on Monday.(CNN/Alexander Marquardt)"]
Maureen Miller
AC360° Writer
T-minus 3 hours until election. Go ahead, celebrate. After all, this has been a long 22 months on the campaign trail. But, hey, don't forget to vote (if you haven't already).
Tonight on AC360°, we take you along as the candidates fight for your vote to the last minute. Oh, yes. They'll still be on the trail tomorrow. There's no break for them on election day. This race is so tight the candidates aren't giving up the fight. We'll bring you the latest developments.
We're expecting three rallies tonight on AC360°. Sen. Barack Obama will be speaking with supporters in Manassas Park, Virginia. Sen. John McCain is in Henderson, Nevada. And, his running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin is more than 400 miles north in Reno.
Earlier tonight, Obama spoke about his grandmother's death at a rally in Charlotte, North Carolina.
"She died peacefully in her sleep with my sister at her side. And, so, there's great joy as well as tears," Obama said.
And, Sen. McCain mentioned Obama's loss tonight on the trail in Roswell, New Mexico.
"He is in our thoughts and our prayers. And we mourn his loss, and we are with him and his family today," McCain said.
We'll also take you to the small town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire where voting starts at midnight ET. It won't take long for the votes to be counted. The town only has about 19 registered voters. It's unclear who has the advantage. But over the years the town has been leaning Republican - the last Democrat it picked was Hubert Humphrey over Richard Nixon in 1968. Of course, Nixon won the national election.
All that and more tonight on AC360° starting at 10pm ET.
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Filed under: Maureen Miller • The Buzz |
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McCain's Confusion
John McCain is even confused about his name.
He talks about "Mac" being back, but did anyone notice that he is not a "Mac" but a "Mic"; or is his name really MacCain.
I am so sick of politics and the elections. They are what they are – political forums driven by the media, not by the American public. No matter who wins the election, we are all losers. The very worst of America's underbelly has been exposed as races have been based on the weaknesses of the opposition, not the strengths of a nation that was once brave, honest, credible, and patriotic. No real issues have been addressed. No consensus has been sought and never will be. I have turned off all television and radio, canceled newspaper subscriptions, and retreated to a refuge free of the hypocrisy and blatant egotism rampant in both the politicians and the news analysts. Sick, sick, sick or it all!!!
Obama draws 100,000 people and 80,000 people to his rallys–John Mccain draws 200,500–if Sarah Palin maybe 1,500. The American people have given Obama more money, and you say this is a close race? THIS is not a close race!!! That is a lie. The truth is when people vote for Obama they are taking his votes and changing it to Mccain that is the problem. They are stealing the American people vote. In this election we can tell from the money and the crowds who has won. Now we need to see if this corrupt government will allow Obama to win. I have spoken to many persons and they say if Obama lose they will not vote anymore or move to another country. I would not mind if Mccain won fair–however it does not take a genius to see he has lost from the large crowds and the new registered voters. People are not standing in line to vote for another 4 years of the same Bush Administration!
Senator Obama, our next President, is brilliant. He represents the heart of so many Americans who love him and his family so dearly including myself. His plans will work because there is money out there that is not being properly allocated to the middle class and potential middle class. Proper allocation of wealth through tax cuts and hopefully the realization that drugs do not cost as much for other countries as they do for Americans will free up money to help American Citizens. Every Vote counts and I am confident that if that is the case Senator Obama will be Our next President of the United States of America.
first of all i would like to send my condolences out to obama and his family for the lost of there beloved grandmother. today will indeed be a great day in history therefore, he has alot to be thankful for. even though his grandmother is watching him from above you have senator obama can indeed say that he has done a successful task. its been a tough road but you have been a true leader . with your wife and family by your side it will be all in your favour. i will and my family is going to celebrate this wonderful victory for it will be a day to remember!
i hope ac360 is still "keeping them honest". sarah palin's speech in nevada was full of inaccuracies and she still isn't telling us what her ticket will do for america – just attacking obama/biden. don't they get it, america is ready for real change! and what's up with her father saying "tomorrow she's going to dress a donkey".... kind of violent ! just what we need in washington – more egomaniacs with the do as i say not as i do mentality – my way or the highway is not the future of america. my condolences to the obama family. what a bitter, sweet time for them. as an independent, who has not yet voted, i will be voting for obama/biden ticket because of sarah palin!
Like what Carol said, I, too will have withdrawals from watching all these election campaign coverage. Indeed, CNN has the BEST political team! I feel like I personally know all of you already - Wolf, John King, Anderson,Cindy Crawley, Gloria, Fareed and everybody else in all the different news bureau in the different continents...Jack Cafferty is my favorite of all ; )
On the eve of probably the most historic and most defining moment in American history, I wish that Americans will heed the messages from people from different races and different nations from around the world that the right choice is Barack Obama to lead America to becoming a great country again.
The United States of America is now in dire need of a true leader who understands that America has changed as much as the world has changed. I hope that Americans will vote for the man who is up to the task of meeting the challenges that these changes in the global landscape pose. In the almost two years of campaigning, the candidates have shown their true colors and their true characters. The manner by which they managed and ran their respective campaigns reflect the kind of leaders that they truly are and the kind of leadership that they will bring with them to the White House.
NO DOUBT, it is Barack Obama who has passed the test of character and leadership with flying colors!
I look forward to being among Americans on January 20, 2009 to celebrate the first step of America towards being the true leader of the free world once again - may not necessarily agreed to all the time but nevertheless respected once again as a leader of other nations and not just a big bully in the now-very small and very much inter-connected global community.
We grieve the loss of the Obama family today of all days. But wherever Grandma Dunham is, she is no doubt very proud of how far Barack has gone and will watch over him as he starts his arduous task of rebuilding and healing America to be a great nation once again.
To Team Obama - CONGRATULATIONS for a job well done! You guys are for the books. May God bless you all : )
Two very small towns voted Obama in New Hampshire, beginning of a trend?? Watch Virginia!!
Condolences to The obama family for the death of TUTU.
I for sure will have PTED ( post traumatic election disorder if McCain were to win.
Regards,
Hodgson.
Best election ever. Best reality tv show ever too probably.
Now that we know both guys have ties to criminals like Tony Rezko and Charles Keating, both will spend more money and dig us into further debt, and the world stage is becoming a mess I think I can say the choice is very clear. It is time to vote third party because either way we're getting trampled on by a donkey or an elephant. Think of it as a vote of no confidence in the two party oligarchy. At least if enough people vote third party to scare the republicans and democrats a little bit they might begin to take care of us as keeping us happy is vital to their ambitions for power.
The Republicans keep trying to defend the way their campaign has been handled, by saying that it's by no means "dirty" – "that's it's just politics". But how can that be true if there is a common knowledge that the reverent Jeremiah Wright was a closed subject and was off limits for campaigning, and then we repeatedly see the infomercials here on CNN (paid by Republicans) that says nothing else but continuously try to tie Barack Obama to the antiAmerican comments of reverent Wright.
That is just straight out wrong and yet another act that proves again and again that the only way the Republicans can win today is by appealing to the lesser intellectual crowd and hope that they are in the greater numbers in America. And that is just an open insult to anybody who still believes in democracy and fair election process.
Here in Oklahoma we have not seen any presidential ads until today. Now Rev. Wright is screaming on all stations with the following comment that Obama is too dangerous to vote for. Typical last minute stuff here.
I've loved every minute of this strange–often bizarre–process that has marked this seemingly neverending presidential campaign and, thanks to endless debates and analyses, I've learned a lot along the way, but, like most Americans, I'll be breathing a sigh of relief (I hope) when the last vote is counted. That said, once the results are in, I hope the pundits and party officials will take time to contemplate something I'm taking away from this election: it's time for our leaders to recognize something that the "Average Joes" of America already know–Joe Six Pack is a fiction and Joe the Plumber seems more like a self-aggrandizing, 15-minute wonder than the sympathetic central character of an American tragedy. I'll take Willy Loman any day, thank you.
Sorry to hear about Obama's grandmother. Hopefully the media (CNN, MSNBC, and others) will respect the family during this unfortunate time and NOT use her passing as a final attempt to get the sympathy vote for Obama. We don't need to hear any more biased reporting on this subject.
Barack is our hope to heal America. thanks to CNN for the excellent coverage of both candidates. Thanks to the Democrats for offering such a rare person as Barack Obama.
Concerning comments from your panel this evening – I have to say on the eve of this election that Sarah Palin is a phenomenal woman. Any one of the events she experienced in the last few months would be devastating in themselves – a baby born with special needs, a teenage daughter expecting a baby, a first born son going to Iraq to support our country, relentless scrutiny on the international stage – and she has remained gracious, strong, and beautiful, inside and out, through it all. She has indeed been an asset to the McCain ticket !! I respect her and am proud of her, and I trust that she will do what she says. And I would like to see anyone who has ruthlessly insulted and ridiculed her during these months try to be the incredible human being she has been under these conditions.
Did I hear Governor Palin's comment correctly, "...let's send him on his last mission..."?
Go Dixville Notch!
Yeah!
Oh, and by the way, this has really – REALLY – been irritating to me. WHERE IS BRIDGET McCAIN? Cindy and Meghan travel with the Senator every second of every day (along with his BFF's, Graham and Lieberman). McCain's other children are older and self-sufficient and make their own decisions, we would presume. Bridget is a minor. She appears to have been without a parent for a very, very long time now, and most disturbingly, on the Eve of her father's biggest night, and when they are rallying in a neighboring state.......WHERE IS BRIDGET? We have not seen her since the convention, when the United Colors of Benetton (aka, the McCain family) were all trotted out. I find it beyond bewildering that no one has mentioned her absence. Note that the presence and absence of Barack Obama's children on the campaign trail are often commented on.
McCain is caught between Barack and a hard place!
Great coverage! Bravo!
Yes, I WILL celebrate, because if the polls are correct then Obama will be elected with an overwhelming mandate, and he will reach across the aisle to Republicans, and start the process of healing this divided country needs so desperately. Finally! An end to the Bush/Rove divide and conquer mentality. Finally! A reasonable, peace-loving foreign policy that will be a beacon of hope for our citizens and for other nations around the world. Finally! An end to waste in Iraq and the preemptive war strategy of the Bush regime. Congratulations, Barack Obama. We wish you well with the healing of America.
This has been the most amazing election of my life. Thank you AC360 for all of your work that is leading to this historic day!
hallaluya, but i think i will have withdrawls.. love cnn and all the people there... thank you all for your great coverage... i will be glued to my tv set all day tomorrow !!!!! go obama&biden !!!!!!!
My wife, Louise and I sit in bed, looking at AC 360 on a 40" LCD screen while we tap away on a lap top, visiting a polotical Blog. This is quite a change from my recollection of an earler election as a boy chanting, " ...a horses tail is nice and silky, lift it up and you'll see Wilkey." (Louise just looke over my shoulder and rolled her eyes. Two old fogies trying to edge our way back in time while enjoyoing the joys of 2008.)
We just saw thousands and thousands awaiting Obama to show up in Virginia. We loved the America of our youth and of today. What Obama signifies to us it the wonder of tomorrow and the opportunities open to our grandchildren.
Tom and Louise.
I personaly belive that Barack has this election won however we can't allow ourselves to jump the gun. This election is still far from over because we as a people still need to get out and vote. I won't belive it until I see him with his feet on the desk of the white house. America is not going to change over night and Barack cannot make this change alone. We as a people need to stand together to better America. "United we stand, devided we fall"
I'm watching AC360 and contemplating getting a few hours sleep–I'm getting up in a few hours and making the four hour drive from Stillwater, OK to Springfield, MO to help get out the vote for Obama when the polls open. I want to help, but I also figure I wouldn't be able to focus on anything else anyway, so I might as well be doing something for the campaign. I feel like the entire future of the nation is hanging on the events of the next 36 hours. I haven't felt this since 1968.
I'm a 60 year old Republican voting Democratic for the first time. I think Obama will win because he offers what the country needs right now- a sure hand, an intelligent mind and a calm authority. I worried that McCain was good at war, but was he any good at peace? I've had enough of losing and maiming our young people. McCain's speeches were all loaded with the word "fight".
Even though the elections is tomorrow, the CNN coverage won't end untill probably the end of the year. It's been most ruff for the CNN-family because they've been going for more than 2years on the persidentcial news, I hope you guys dont go crazy! because i wouldn't be able to do what you guys do.
America rediscovered!!
This is what this election is all about. We all know that both candidates are fully qualifed to lead this nation and whoever gets the job, well, we can all be assured that they will do their best to lead this country for the next 4 years.
However, we have all ignored the most important factor in this 2008 presidential race. Its not about whose policies are better, or who is going to get a better tax break or whose health plan will benefit more people.
No. This race is what nobody wants to admit. That this race is about RACE. And what it boils down to is that if the people of the United States of America can elect a black President, this country will have taken a giant leap from its bigorty and racial tendencies and a whole new generation of non-racial Amercians will arise and the world will show a new respect.
There was a lot of talk of a Bradley Effect, but I think there will be a reverse Bradley Effect. I have had two very Republican friends tell me today that they were closet voting for Obama.
Why? Because of McCain's non-stop attack ads in Indiana. To quote my very GOP friend, "He never says what he wants to do, he just attacks Obama."
We shall see, it will be a close one in the Hoosier State.
Is it really almost over? Thank God ! I hope it is a clean Super Tues. so the counting does not go on past wed. morning. To tell you the truth I think the media, and 35% of Americans(including me) could end up having ( PTED) " Post Traumatic Election Disorder" Come to think of it could maybe be worse than that "Restless Leg Syndrome" thing. Therapists, and drug companies get ready for another bump in clients. I should invest in Pfizer. Just pray the election is un-contested....:)
So if the NH poll in Dixville Notch opens at midnight and there are only 19 votes will CNN report their results as soon as they are done or wait for the rest of the state?
Such a long campaign - 22 months. You can have 2 children in that time span! I guess to "birth" a President it takes a lot longer! Lets hope that after THIS election our government will actually do something rather than just talk about it.
Annie Kate
Birmingham AL
Such sad news to hear about Obamas grandmother. He and his family will be in my prayers.