"The worst, filthiest election"
Michael Cary
CNN Senior Producer
There's a sense of excitement in Clark County, Nevada, this election day, not only because of the historic nature of the contest, but because there's been a real battle for the state's five electoral votes.
We talked to voters outside a polling location at Basic High School in Henderson, a city neighboring Las Vegas, after they cast their votes in the school's gym.
"This is the biggest moment in my life, and I think there's a lot riding on this," said Ryan Moxley, a 31-year-old maintenance manager who said he voted for Obama. "This is a very historic time and I'm glad to be part of it actually."
81-year-old retiree Daniel Schears expressed a far different opinion. "This is the worst, filthiest election I have ever witnessed," he said, adding that he's been voting since he was 21. "They have lied. They have told all sorts of stories that are not true, and to me, I don't care what side they're on, that's terrible."
"I still don't know what Barack stands for, I have no idea what he stands for," Schears said in explaining why he voted for McCain, and he acknowledged Obama's groundswell of support among younger people. "He's very good as far as getting the younger votes because he's charismatic, and they like that sort of thing. The thing that bothers me is they're still wet behind the ears. They don't know what the politics are all about. "
Billie Jean Hayes, a 25-year-old nursing assistant, said she's voted before but casting her vote for Obama felt different today. In fact, she did not join the more than 46-percent of Nevadans who voted at early voting locations over the past two weeks, because she wanted to cast this vote on election day.
"Usually I see voting as choosing the, how should I say, the better of two evils, but this one seemed pretty easy for me," Hayes said, adding that the issues that resonate with her this election are health care and the economy, especially since the foreclosure rates in Clark County are among the highest in the nation. "We were even pretty close to foreclosure and, just, you know, everyone is feeling it right now. We'd all like a little bit of relief," she said.
Her mother Terry Hayes, a housewife who said her husband is working in Iraq, said she's a registered Republican, voted for President George W. Bush twice, but cast her ballot for Obama today. "I need change," she said.
Some Nevada voters expressed excitement that their state seemed to matter this year, especially with the candidates stumping in Clark County in the last couple days– McCain last night and Obama on Saturday.
"It's been fun in Nevada, we usually don't have a lot of publicity here, but all the candidates have been here lately," said Natalie Kephart, a mother who said she voted for McCain. "My kids are even getting into it and excited about it."
"Often Nevada is kind of overlooked, but I still get out and vote anyway," said Nathan Fairbanks, a 31-year-old high school custodian who said he voted for Obama. "But this time I feel like it could actually be a player in the game, so it's pretty cool."
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Filed under: 2008 Election • Michael Cary |
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This is the first election I have voted in and the first campaign I have financially contributed to. I am very proud of our choice and even had he not won, I feel we had two excellent candidates. Obama inspires hope for both personal acheivement and a humanistic approach to domestic and international issues. I am confident he will act with care for the environment, but what most excites me about our president-elect is how he encourages Americans to come together to discuss our concerns and play an active role in America. Far too many young Americans are apathetic feeling they have no voice in a sea of 300 million. I hope we can put aside our biases and take this country in a positive direction for all of us in a responsible manner.
p.s. Racism is very alive in Alabama, I hope Obama's term in office will erode some of these stereotypes and reinforce the fact that we are Americans, not merely Blacks, Whites, or Latinos...Indians too
I am so very happy to know that it is a record turnout to vote in all U.S. states and territories. I am also so very sad by the hateful,hurtful, and still racist comments that I have been seeing in all the blogs.
Regardless of who you personally voted for, it is now time to put aside partisan feelings and work TOGETHER to affect the changes necessary for OUR NATION to once again be a GREAT NATION. People, you can have your feelings, but why be so hateful? You do nothing but tear apart those of us who wanted change.
Please give Mr. Obama a chance to prove himself and his new Congress to us and to the world, that we can work together to make a better nation and a better world.
I watch all those people in Chicago celebrating over the impending ruination of this country. If Obama is elected it is only because of all the blacks who turned out in record numbers to vote; never mind the issues, the lack of integrity of the candidate, he's BLACK. The hispanics voted for him because they believe he will give them a pass to stay in the US illegally which will continue to undermine our economy. This inexperienced man with no creditials, just a lot of charisma is being handed the Presidency. And, why were we watching the people of Kenya rejoicing? Because he is one of them. I still believe in my heart that there is a story about the legality of Obama's birth certificate (specifically the continuing rumor that he was born in Kenya), but with the media so in love with him, no one has pursued that issue.
What a sad day. This retired Army Officer has absolutely no repect for this man and can only hope that people wise up and get him out of office as soon as possible.
Those faces at Obama's "rock star" celebration represent a foolish flock of sheep. Where were these people in the political process before this man??? Oprah never publicly supported a candidate until the "ONE" appeared. What a load of crap. I hope that everyone will boycott anything to do with her productions; I have totally lost all respect for her. This will be a long 4 years with a President that I refuse to accept and have no respect for.
I am sitting in South Africa and soooo excited about what I see so far on CNN. What a great job CNN on giving us all these details!! The results show that Americans chose "positive and change" above "negative and lets scare everyone" this time around. Great. Obama with majority democrats will have what is needed to make the changes America and the world need right now!! Thank you Americans for giving hope to the rest of the world as well!! I enjoyed taking part in the blogs over the past weeks and reading the blogging gave me the hope to believe what I see now on my screen.
Have to go and get ready for work. Have been up since 3am this morning.
I cannot believe what I am reading....this has been an election for the history books alright with the most biased reporting toward the Dems and Obama I have ever seen in my adult life....I for the life of me cannot understand how intelligent human beings can be so gullible...Spread the Weath? you mean spread the Poverty!
I worry about this country if Obama gets in there. He is about the gov controlling the people. This should never happen. What are people thinking? Obviously they aren't. This is the worse election I have ever witnessed.
My immediate, extended family, and friends have been following this election for what seems like forever, now. Indeed, we feel addicted to CNN and our daily dose of AC360.
Having said that, let me say how horrified we feel watching this election play out with all the dirty political games, misinformation, lack of intellectual discussion, lies and deceit, and racist undercurrents.!
To top it all off, the voter registration fraud, horrendously long waiting lines at the polls, deceptive voting information, equipment malfunctioning, and voter intimidation .... and more!
I can only agree whole heartedly that indeed – it is time for change!
Joanna fron Canada.
In todays society, we are mostly materialistic and care of nobody but ourselves, speaking of 'higher ups'. As long as they get richer, who gives a @*&% about the little man.
We have been on our way to ruin way before these two jokes came into office, so just ride out the wave of hell people. 🙂 Worse things have, can and will happen. Deal with it the best you can and QUITE WHINING!!!!
Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to make the same mistakes. Can a poor man spit in the face of a rich man & think He will be blessed? Can America Spit in the Face of allmighty God & Think He will bless?
Although experts are saying Obama will win I am still a bit concern. Who would think Bush would win a 2nd term and he did. As a voter since I was 18 and I am 55 now this is the most exciting election I have ever been a part of. People that have never voted are voting now and its amazing how many people turned out for the election. Obama/Biden is our furture!! I do not want to bash McCain but at his age he should just retire and live the rest of his life with Cindy.
CNN you do an awesome job and I will be up with you all night.
GO OBAMA!!!!!!
sy vote for both my senators and represntatives. If they were in office during this Congress, I voted for their opponents regardless of party affiliation.
Is the 2% reporting at Florida exclusive of the early votes? Otherwise, over 1,000,000 votes having been counted at 2% means there are 50 million voters in FL?
My father from Nevada is exactly like "81-year-old retiree Daniel Schears". Believe me, I tried to convince him otherwise. Sometimes people just get set to certain views and can not and will not drive out of that tunnel vision to see things in a different light.
Indeed this has been a below-the-belt race in many regions although E. Dole stole the grand prize for sinking the lowest.
Sen. is the change we need.
It is my hope that I will be able to repeat the words of Ronald Reagan.
"It's a new day in America".
The audacity of hope...
George Bush HANDED the White House to McCain and he dropped the ball on the goal line.
Instead of putting his campaign into overdrive to oppose the Bail Out, he suspended his campaign to support the recovery plan.
He would have been 'measuring the curtains' if he had the brains to do the oppose it.