Election Live Blog

The live blog will refresh every 60 seconds. All times are Eastern Standard.
	00:23—Nothing we can add to what President Elect Barack Obama just said. America has turned the page, which the vast majority of us can agree was necessary. It will soon fall upon those of us in the press to keep Mr. Obama honest. But for tonight we hope you'll forgive us if we celebrate.

	*00:22*—O.K., I suppose I did have one more thing to say before retiring. The defeat of Elizabeth Dole in North Carolina is a bigger deal than many people realize, because according to every analysis that I have seen, she dropped several points precisely because she ran that vicious and dumb "godless" ad against her challenger. This is an assumption-changing fact, given both the candidate and the state and the result. We need not always take it for granted that the religion card is a trump.

	23:56—By the way... decriminalization of marijuana is passing in Massachusetts.

	*23:55*—Here in California, we're still waiting for the outcome of the Mormon-funded Proposition 8 which seeks a Constitutional ban on gay marriage. If it does pass--and I hope it doesn't--it may be the end to ALL marriage in the state. Just try booking a florist, a caterer, or a wedding planner if this one passes.

	23:53—I wonder how many babies are going to be created on this historic night, because it sounds awfully festive out on the Manhattan streets, as if a lot of happy people are going to get busy later to express their joy and perhaps wake up tomorrow morning in a spent daze, one of those Seth Rogen rom-com scenarios.

	*23:52*—If you're someplace right now, with a little peace and quiet... or, actually, not now, but just before you go to bed, perhaps... and you should be so moved, might I suggest "A Change Is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke. It's been a long time coming, indeed.

	23:40—When Barack Obama accepted the Democratic nomination VF's Todd Purdum tipped his hat to Lyndon Johnson, a president mainly reviled in the years since leaving office for leading America into the morass of Vietnam. But it was also LBJ, Todd pointed out, who pushed the Equal Rights Act and the Voting Rights Act through Congress, laying the groundwork for the revolution in electoral politics whose culmination we've seen tonight. And Todd wondered if anyone at the Democratic convention in Denver would give Johnson the credit that was his due. (Answer: not that we heard.) There's another man who figures in this story--like Obama a senator from Illinois, as it happens, and pretty much forgotten by most Americans: Everett McKinley Dirksen, the Senate minority leader when the two bills passed Congress. On civil rights issues, Johnson didn't have the support of the Southern Democrats, who were strong enough to filibuster any bill to death. But in the end Dirksen--on June 10, 1964--delivered enough Republicans to break the stranglehold: "We dare not temporize with the issue which is before us," Dirksen said. "It is essentially moral in character. It must be resolved. It will not go away. It's time has come." Question for Todd, son of Illinois that you are: does Obama hold Dirksen's seat?

	*23:39*—Cryin women at the rnc party in dc. Men who laugh frenetically instead of cry or just shoot me the stink eye . Gotta get out of here. Go hang out with the dems.

	23:32—Classy concession from McCain—hitting the right tones with the right melancholy tone. I think he's going to infuriate movement conservatives all over again with how well he works with (such a nice phrase to be able to write) President Obama.

	*23:24*—John McCain seems more comfortable, poised, and statesmanlike while conceding than he has at any point in the last two months of his campaign.

	23:21—It’s all kicking off in Prospect Heights, Brooklyn.

	*23:19*—Happy New Year! I can the joyful screams all the way from Harlem! Horns! Whistles! Happy 2009!

	23:16—New York Times reveals Largest. Web font. Ever.

	*23:12*—Obama declared president while I'm at the R.N.C. party. Awesome. This is truly the best party I've ever been to.

	23:11—Stormy, husky, brawling. The candidate of big shoulders has won. Tool maker, stacker of wheat, player with railroads, and freigh-handler to the nation. Carl Sandburg, meet the 44th President.

	*23:10—I've have had two conversations worth mentioning with The New Yorker'*s Hendrik Hertzberg in my life. The first was in 2000, where he scolded me for supporting Ralph Nader. He gave it to me good, but I gave it back, spouting a generational anger with Clintonian triangulation, etc. The second was early last year, when Rick was the first person to tell me that Barack Obama was a legitimate contender for the presidency. I didn't believe it at first. At that time, Hillary seemed unstoppable. But he convinced me. I consider myself hugely privileged to be in contact with people like Rick, and all of our contributors tonight. For an Irish-Catholic guy from New Jersey, it's heady indeed. I'm proud to be American all the time, but especially tonight. This is really exciting.

	23:06—CNN has called it for Obama. Relatively quiet here in VF HQ as we absorb the impact.

	*23:05*—California and other states about to go blue. At a pivotal time like this, on such a momentous night, we miss Tim Russert all the more.

	23:02—Yes he did.

	*22:58*—Although it's been expected, the reality of this is just starting to sink in. I don't think anyone who participated in this blog tonight will ever forget where they were when history was made. I know I won't. I need to go find a party and share this feeling with my fellow New Yorkers.

	22:57—I'm outside Obama's HQ on Michigan Avenue on the way to Grant Park. The cars are starting to beep and it's sinking in here now that Obama will be the next president.

	*22:56*—R.N.C. party. Hilton. Got a press pass. Trying to find a crying Republican. Trying to make one cry.

	22:55—Obama's not the only one who's happy tonight. My good friend Little Obama is a big winner, too. And don't think he's not going to enjoy it to da max.

	*22:53*—More proof, should we need it, how fast everything changes in politics. A mere 10 months ago, the prediction was that Rudy Guiliani would be the Republican candidate and would race Hilary Clinton to the White House. Hit reset. And where was Guiliani, many have asked this evening? Here is where he was this morning, 10:30 a.m. Standing on the corner of 66th and Park as NYU junior Isaac Brest biked by. "Getting scared yet?," Brest demanded as he pedaled up Park. "The look on his face was priceless. I will never forget it ever," Brest said.

	22:49—CNN’s projection? Will.i.am.

	*22:47*—No more press passes being handed out here at the rnc party. Apparently grieving is a private thing amongst the GOP. Hilarious.

	22:46—A dispatch from 84th Street. I paraphrase John Lewis, on ABC just now on what this race is about: If you could have told me 50 years ago that this was possible, I would not have believed it. And there, a photo of Lewis with Martin Luther King, 1965. Seven Americans, four Brits, suddenly in tears.

	*22:45*—Michele Bachmann is up 47 to 42 percent with 8 percent of the precincts reporting in her MInnesota House bid. If she retains her seat, she can investigate herself for anti-American views.

	22:41—Now spinning "Brothers Gonna Work It Out" by Public Enemy at VF HQ.

	*22:37*—It's starting to sink in: Obama might really be the next president. I live and work abroad much of the time, and it has been incredible how concerned and informed my friends in the rest of the world have been about US politics. I am hoping I can face them now with the redeeming news that the USA has not screwed up a third time. Hurrah!

	22:37—At the RNC party at the DC hilton. Sad angry gathering. Fake acceptance of the inevitable abounds. People are bailing. Going to drink i assume. Someone just walked by saying, "romney and jindal in 2012" i guess the only optimistic angle on that vision was that it wasnt Palin and jindal. They're washing their hands of the Palin already. Sweet.

	*22:35*—Interesting observation, Julian. Wonder if Colbert's character will go the way of Vaughn Meader (remember him?). Then again, not sure why he shouldn't be able to keep doing his O'Reilly schtick …

	22:27—Now that there's no doubt Obama will be the next president--a prospect obvious earlier today, when Indiana, stronghold of the Ku Klux Klan, was running so close--I'm heading down to Grant Park for the festivities. More soon.

	*22:24*—Intel from Minnesota: Al Franken is ahead, but it's mostly urban areas reporting so far.

	22:23—Watching now my wife, on CBS, with peeps who love her, and admiring her honest assessment of how hard it may be for Obama to lead the country with an all Dem show in Congress. I was there in 94-95. She is right. But, somehow, I think that Obama -- having come this far -- is savvy and cool enough not to fall into the trap of over-confidence. Go, Deeds!

	*22:21—The party photographer just hit on me and gave me his card, which describes him as "photographer, actor, poet, singer." Do you think he likes me or does he just want a part in Castaway 2: Back to the Island? Meanwhile, James Lipton is either here because he reads Glamour* or he knows a Weinstein. Hmmm..Someone tells me I should know that that girl over there is Jenny from Gossip Girl Daphne guiness is here too.

	22:16—Colbert's nailing it on the Comedy Central election special. This is either his crowning moment or his swan song as a faux–wingnut anchor. Probably swan song.

	*22:14*—It amazes me how commentators, especially conservative commentators, can argue that (a) Obama is a socialistic avatar and a radical redistributionist and yet (b) that his election doesn't mean that the voters have been pulled to the left or bestowed a liberal mandate—that the U.S. is still (this week's reigning buzzphrase) "a center-right country." Praise to James Carville for pissing on this notion even as I type ...

	22:13—An historic election, certainly. For the first time, we are frantically texting one another while blogging while watching television while cell-phoning friends while dribbling champagne into the laptop keyboard.

	*22:06*—He is from Iowa! That's where the tall corn grows. Barack Obama seems now firmly poised to be the next president of the United States. In the words of the Iowa Corn Song: He is from I-o-way I-o-way State of all the land! Joy on every hand! He is from I-o-way! THAT'S where the tall corn grows! O.K., so he's from Illinois. So am I. But Macomb, Illinois, is about 38 miles east of Keokuk, Iowa. And Barack Obama is a Midwesterner, through and through.

	22:10—I think Anderson Cooper got a haircut at the commercial break.

	*22:06*—The young Republicans around me think their candidate has no chance of winning. They've been making jokes about how the Republican party could have done a better job buying votes and preventing underprivileged voters from casting ballots. Young Democrats appear to be celebrating quietly. I hear a crowd has gathered outside La Esquina in Manhattan. Someone in that part of town is projecting election coverage on the facade of a building.

	22:05—Feels like a President Obama world now. Heading over to Republican headquarters to hopefully rub it in in a mildly condescending way.

	*22:04*—O.M.G. the suspense is killing me! When are we going to know when Obama is giving his victory speech?

	22:03—A defining moment in this election was at the end of the first debate, when Barack Obama shook John McCain's hand and uttered an audible "Good job, John." In that instant, Obama showed how he controlled the narrative. The junior senator was reassuring the elder statesman. It was a subtle but brilliant maneuver. And it wasn't lost on McCain. At the end of the second debate, McCain tried to steal the gesture. He pumped Obama's hand and uttered, "Good job, good job." But McCain's version was rushed and insincere and fell flat. Later tonight, watch for Obama to be gracious toward McCain in his acceptance speech. He'll honor McCain's service to this country and find the way to say one more time, "Good job, John."

	*21:59*—I'm at a TV-watching party on the Upper East Side. Heard this just now: "I have a friend in the McCain campaign and she says the Republicans already have 38 election lawsuits ready to go."

	21:58—Watching the numbers roll in, and not many surprises as of yet ... except perhaps in the size of the margins state-by-state (still too early to know). Some of the county tallies from Republican areas show a pretty consistent pattern of McCain running not quite as well as Bush did in 2004, and Obama (obviously) running better than Kerry did. If the night ends up for Obama the way it now seems to be trending, we can look forward to much chin-wagging over the question: how much does the result represent a repudiation (of the present administration) and how much an affirmation (of Obama's alternative)? It's actually an important question—maybe one that can never be answered definitively but that will be fought over for months.

	*21:56*—Dear John McCain 2008 Press Office, I haven't gotten an email from you since 4:06 PM. Did I do something?

	21:50—It's such a relief to know that Florida can't screw this one up, no matter what CNN pretends to think now.

	*21:46*—UCNN's interface is very RPG. It feature a head's up display (HUD) and there's a Life Meter under each state to indicate what percent of the vote is in. When Obama gets enough votes, he levels up to President-Elect!

	21:45—Outside the Glamour party, PR girls are giving me the stink eye. My Obama shirt does not match my Obama button.

	*21:39*—Upon my honor as a former Boy Scout (I wonder if my mother kept my old merit badges), I have to concede that Fox News's election night coverage has been superior to the other channels I've been ricocheting around. Michael Barone may be a Republican hack when he's a member of the Fox All Stars pundit panel, but he's played it straight as an analyst tonight and there's been remarkably little editorializing, though Brit Hume's long face seems to get longer, more John Kerryesque, with each state that turns blue. MSNBC's coverage seems very disjointed, with strange Pinteresque pauses after certain comments as if no one quite knows who to toss the verbal ball to, or is there a sinister subtext, as there is in Pinter? Clustering all of those alpha males—Matthews, Olbermann, David Gregory, Chuck Todd, Pat Buchanan—into one broadcast seems to have produced volatile chemistry barely kept under lid. CNN has some entertaining wizardry with all those flexy maps, but there are too many panelists—it looks like one of those college quiz shows where you have to hit the buzzer before answering.

	21:37—Here in the Apple kitchen, NBC News has just reported that Ohio, Johnny's home state, has gone for Obama. Close on the heels comes New Mexico. Johnny was perhaps the least partisan person I ever knew—and among the least opinionated on topics that did not involve food, wine, or English-language style—and yet I can't shake the feeling that he would be thrilled that Ohio has—once again—played a key part in the race.

	*21:37*—Enjoy socialism, morons.

	21:36—CBS News just called Ohio for Obama, which of course means even a miracle isn't enough. There is simply no path for John McCain to 270 electoral votes. Barack Obama is the next president of the United States.

	*21:35*—Shiloh Baptist Church, D.C. At the mention that Obama would most likely win Ohio, cheers erupted, screams, a women behind me is crying. There is ecstatic dancing. I am choked up. What a ride here. Hope it keeps going the way it is going.

	21:34—All right. That's it. Ohio! I've been saving the Dom, corked, since the Cubs choked...in 2003! Love it! And get a load of those glum mugs on Fox. Brit Hume looks like the jowly love child of Coolidge and Hoover.

	*21:33*—Taking an informal survey here, everyone...which painkiller do you think Cindy will be popping after tonight's results?

	21:30—CBS calls Ohio for Obama. Suddenly Couric does something for me.

	*21:29*—Culture clash of the day? Kamala Harris, the co-chair of Obama's campaign in California and as district attorney of San Francisco one of the first elected officials in the nation to endorse him back when he first announced his candidacy (and nobody gave him much of a chance), came to Chicago for Election Night but spent the day half an hour away in heavily African-American Gary, Indiana, doing legal protection work. When she reached her assigned polling station, she was introduced to one of her Republican counterparts, a local lawyer. "Where are you from?" he asked Harris, who, like Obama, is not only of mixed white-and-African-American heritage but strikingly attractive. "California," she replied. "Whereabouts?" the local Republican asked. "San Francisco," said Harris. "Oh, the land of fruits and nuts, huh?" Harris, an obvious possibility for a high post in a future Obama administration, smiled and said nothing. When the Republican turned back to his group, she explained, "I've learned to save my breath. Some people, you're never going to change their minds."

	21:27—MSNBC calls Ohio for Obama.

	*21:27*—Well, not to brag about my prediction that it'd be an early night (I told the Australians that by the time I could get on their TV screens it would be too late) but I know what I shall tell my descendants about when I "knew" for sure. This would be the moment in the commercial break of the BBC, at about 8:45, when Larry Sabato slid his BlackBerry across the desk toward me. Configured as it was to receive rapid responses from the G.O.P., the device showed a major claim on its message window—that a Republican had a projected near-lock on the governorship of Puerto Rico. In case that doesn't say all or most of it, I might add the experience of sitting through McCain's wretched valediction to the press at the sagging rear-end of the fuselage of his doomed campaign-plane. It was a concession speech even if the poor guy didn't know it, just as the "Weekend Update" segment was a surrender speech last Saturday night. If only he had been able to spare his party and the democratic process by admitting as much several weeks ago. Need more be said? Sleep well, everybody, and be aware that that many Republicans secretly relish this defeat because they don't want to be in power when the full implications hit.

	21:25—Watching CNN, I assume Hank Williams Jr. can sing the blues.

	*21:18*—The word on the street in Manhattan is that the kids are headed to La Esquina and the Box to celebrate.

	21:19—Shiloh Baptist Church, D.C. I think if Obama gets Ohio and/or Indiana, the pipe organ will start playing spontaneously. It is electric in here with chatter and anticipation.

	*21:18*—CNN might be most careful with projections, but they're sure talking in terms of an Obama win here...

	21:16—I just hope this doesn't mean we've heard the last of Joe the Plumber's views on Israel.

	*21:13*—One of John McCain's very top aides just told CBS News, "At this point, we need a miracle." Indeed. All the networks have called Pennsylvania and New Hampshire for Barack Obama, as well as two dozen less competitive state. And that means that Obama only needs to win one "Lean Obama" state—like Iowa, New Mexico, or Colorado—or one "Toss Up" state—like Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, or Florida. In other words, this isn't going to be a late night.

	21:10—Just back to Chicago after a day spent in neighboring Indiana, a battleground state Democrats haven't won since 1964 but might tonight. In any case, it looks like it will be close. The polls closed in the eastern half of the state an hour ago and will close in the western half in a few minutes. Turnout seems to have been very high across the state, including in the traditionally strongly Republican town of Eckhart, where I was this afternoon and where the Obama campaign mounted a major push. Eckhart is the R.V.-manufacturing capital of the world and so has been slammed economically in recent years, so the Obama campaign targeted it early as a place where they might pick up votes. The investment seems to have paid off: turnout was up 500 percent over 2004 in the precincts I visited in southern Eckhart, according to local volunteer Luke Lefever, a plumber who grew up in Eckhart and introduces himself, of course, as Luke the Plumber (and shows you his plumber's license to prove it). "I'm feeling very good tonight," said Lefever, who dared say the Democrats might take the state when all the votes are counted. "At the very least, we forced McCain to defend it."

	*21:08—North Dakota goes for McCain. Thanks. Thanks* North Dakota. You ALWAYS do this. Every time. I should know better, you know? I really should. I'm never flying over you again, even if I get really drunk. For serious I mean it.

	20:59—CBS ~~has called it for~~ predicts Obama. As predicted.

	*20:58*—It DOES seem difficult to navigate the process here, Alan. My God, there are more organized and less complicated elections in Latin American countries. Or as McCain calls them, "Spain."

	20:57—Hey Obama, you got any Irish in ya? You want some? Hehe. They're already partying in Eire—not that they need an excuse. (I can say that, as a Hogan.) [Link]

	*20:55*—Yes, Obama just took Pennsylvania. But what really counts is Ohio, specifically Lake County, specifically the town of Mentor, population 50,278. It has historically always voted for the winning candidate. And Lake County has done so since 1960, with margins reflecting national results. We interrupted Lake County board of election director Jan Clair on the busiest day of the year for her to find out what the deal was: The demographics of lake county reflect the nation's incomes, the nationalities, the numbers of visas, and registered Republicans and Democrats. It's been a microcosm of national demographics as a whole. Now I really have to go deal with the election results, OK? Does John King's magic map even zoom in that close? Thanks to, weirdly, the French for the Mentor bit.

	20:55—Thanks to the ever resourceful Emil Varda, who rescued me from that confounded crack between the banquette cushions here at the Waverly. Well, I've just gotten my first glimpse of the television. However this election turns out, I think we can all agree that Campbell Scott's hair is the real winner tonight. It's shiny. Swingy. The part is just so. It might be even better than mine.

	*20:52*—EAT IT, Elizabeth Dole. Maybe next time you'll manage to not wear fricking loafers to match your Nancy Reagan-Red power suit. We officially have a Bush/Dole free federal government for the first time in way way way too long.

	20:49—Lots of cheering when CNN called Pennsylvania. Almost everyone here is in their 20s.

	*20:48*—Dinner has naturally been dominated by election talk. My wife, who is from Sweden, can't believe how difficult it is to navigate the voting process here. Over there, every eligible citizen automatically is registered, and 80 percent voting participation is normal. We are all wondering how the voting numbers will turn out this year, when it truly feels as if we are at a crucial moment when apathy is not an option.

	20:47—Fox News is fixated on senate results. Seems they've given up on the presidency and are just worried about Harry Reid ruling their lives. In other news:

	John McCain's cries of “Pepe el Plumero!” clearly didn't resonate: Obama is winning handily among Hispanics—and women and blacks. [Link]

	20:40—CNN calls Pennsylvania for Obama! This is big. It would be VERY hard for Obama to lose now.

	20:38—Fox News declares Arkansas and Alabama for John McCain. TCM declares North Carolina for Charles Foster Kane.

	20:34—BBC puts the electoral vote count at 103 Obama, 49 McCain.

	20:33—From the Georgetown kitchen of Betsey Apple (whose late husband, Johnny Apple, was my teacher and friend at The New York Times), I can report that there is general astonishment that this election has turned out to be just as exciting as everyone assumed it would be. Betsey grew up in Richmond, Virginia, in a very traditional Old South family. Johnny was a longtime, close friend of McCain. We're about to eat dinner prepared by Bob Long of Long Vineyards in St. Helena, California, and are glued to the flat-screen TV. A night to remember!

	20:33—Democrat Jeanne Shaheen beats Republican incumbent John Sununu in New Hampshire Senate race. Dems have picked up three seats tonight, Virginia, North Carolina, New Hampshire. That's 54 so far.

	20:32—En route to the Glamour/Weinstein party in New York City, just heard that NPR has called Pennsylvania for Obama. "I feel as though I am magically immune to Chris Matthews," she says. "It's a miracle! A miracle I tell you!"

	20:31—In DC heading for Shiloh Baptist Church to be saved and celebrate. More soon.

	20:25—Given the global implications of this election, it's no surprise the whole world wants a vote. Unfortunately, they have to settle for online polls, most of which show an overwhelming bias towards Obama, both in the questions and the answers. Here's a snapshot of the French press by way of example: From Le Figaro: If you were American, would you vote for McCain or Obama? John McCain: 25.14% Barack Obama: 74.86% From Le Journal Du Dimanche: In your opinion, would the following candidates have a chance of being elected president of the France? A black candidate: 47% An Asian candidate: 38% A North African candidate: 25% From L'Express: To have Barack Obama in the White House would be... A revolution! 20% A source of hope for the entire world: 51% No worse than Bush: 13% The beginning of the end for America: 10% Not the foremost of my concerns: 6% From Le Nouvel Observateur: Obama's coolness under pressure: 38.72% McCain's gaffes: 1.02% Sarah Palin's gaffes: 15.46% All the money spent: 44.8% And then there's the minority voice: www.mccainfrance.fr (there's a hilarious english version, too.)

	20:21—This is the point in a national election, as the electoral map starts to become colored in, where the same thought always pops to mind: we're still fighting the Civil War. The battleground states back then (Missouri) are still the battleground states. Southern Indiana is still Copperhead (and McCain) country. The Blue forces have their eye on northern Virginia--and it looks like this time they'll take Manassas. Meanwhile McCain is hoping to carry the campaign north, as Lee did, into Pennsylvania.

	20:20—Friends inside the Obama campaign confess to a strange combination of relief that it's finally over, satisfaction in a campaign well run, and good old-fashioned anxiety. I feel their pain. But what about the candidates? For them, the mix is even more complicated. More here.

	20:16—CNN projects Sen. Barack Obama will win Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Vermont, and Washington; Sen. John McCain will win Oklahoma, South Carolina and Tennessee, and Kentucky. Indiana is too close to call. [Link]

	20:15—From Simon Stock, Londoner in New York for his first election: “Let's paint the electoral map as blue and mesmerizing as an Yves Klein...”

	20:11—Three people I have talked to say it's in the bag for Obama, four said they aren't going to say because they don't want to jinx it, one said he is worried, and one said we won't know until well into December. The excitement here is overwhelming. I'm generally pretty cranky, but the decibels and the force of the applause when they show a state for Obama is actually vibrating me into excitement.

	20:10—Good point, Nell. But at McCain's age, surprises are always a big risk.

	20:09—Fox News is keeping track of voting irregularities. Guess they're getting ready for the appeals process. [Link]

	20:04—No October surprise...that WAS the October surprise!

	20:03—Pls help me Srsly guys I'm stuck btwn the cushions in a Waverly banquette and I'd sorta like to know what's going on in this &%#@in' election! --- Sent from my Tiny BlackBerry

	20:02—Overheard at a cocktail party where young Republicans are gathered to watch the election returns: "Of course i believe in charity, I pay taxes." Also, "God, there'll be riot if Obama ends up losing. I'm not walking home in this suit."

	19:57—Still at Busboys and Poets. I'm with Mitzi, who is at a computer here reading my blog posts as i blog this. Mitzi says she is not concerned, because Obama won Florida. I told her they've only counted like 15 votes there. She remains undeterred in her excitement.

	19:55—On CBS, there's Dee Dee Myers, a Vanity Fair contributor. There's Doug Brinkley, a Vanity Fair contributor. There's Bob Scheiffer, whose daughter worked at Vanity Fair for years. What the VF...?

	19:54—They're complaining on Fox News that there was no October Surprise.

	19:49—John McCain says, "The Mac is back." Damn straight. VF.com live blog headquarters, right now.

	19:46—I'm unhappy hearing about complications involving "Touch Screen" voting. I MOVE that we develop a system for guaranteeing that each Citizen will be issued an Official Ballot to be marked in ink, collected, and later counted in a manner that is beyond any doubt that every vote cast stayed correctly recorded and accounted-for. I want everyone's Vote to count!—Richard E. Massey

	19:39—Before the night really gets started, a word about the bells and whistles to which I've become mildly addicted since this campaign began two years ago. Mostly I've found myself watching CNN, in part because of their vast team of commentators, each with a personal laptop, giving the set something of the look of a college dining hall (which itself resonates with the fact that Bill Bennett has seemed to widen with each successive election night). John King's magic electoral map has been terrific from the beginning. I remember watching some of the February primary coverage (in the morning) during a trip to Australia, and jaws dropped among my Australian friends as they saw what the map could do. But now I've just seen something new on CNN: "Jessica Yellin via Hologram." There "she" was, beamed in from Chicago and talking with Wolf Blitzer. BuI confess that no matter what she said, it sounded like "Help me Obi-wan Kenobi, you're my only hope."

	19:38—Assuming all goes well, we're going to be snapping these laptops shut at 11 and partying our arses off. Here's an iTunes-ready mix for your living-room victory dance party. [iTunes Link]

	19:36—Keep an eye on Jeffrey Toobin's screen to see how unrelated it is. [Link]

	19:35—It looks like Kay Hagan will beat Liddy Dole in North Carolina. Does that mean there is a god...or there isn't?

	19:30—Love the "Wolf," Hamish. I just hope someone tells Sarah Palin that Wolf Blitzer is actually a person.

	19:27—Busboy and Poets, D.C. The women next me said, "I woke up hoping the Democrats have good lawyers. I hope it will be O.K. " Very anxious, excited feeling here.

	19:22—I wouldn't be surprised if Hillary manages to win this thing tonight.

	19:17—Wait, everyone look at CNN! Wolf Blitzer has a Star Wars hologram in the effing studio! “Help me, Wolf, you're our only hope!”

	19:13—What would Sarah Palin be like as a Vice President? Have you seen the end of Dr. Strangelove? This is what happens when a maverick goes rogue.

	19:11—Walking to dinner near Lincoln Center--the streets are definitely less crowded than on a normal Tuesday night. Am I projecting in sensing an air of optimism here in NYC?

	19:10—Tonight America makes perhaps the most important decision so far in this new century. I voted. I hope I get the result I want. I try not to take any of this stuff personally but I must say, this time around, for me, it's emotional and personal.

	19:08—Obama takes Vermont. John McCain should enjoy this 8-3 lead in the electoral vote while it lasts.

	19:07—The election in metaphors: MSNBC says “Democrats are using Bush as the albatross around McCain’s neck.

	18:59—I'm a Mets fan. So I know it's not a good idea to celebrate early. Sarah Hussein Obama feels the same way. The Standard, the online edition of Kenya's East African Standard, just posted this money quote from Obama's Kenyan grandmother: "No early celebrations please! Let's keep on praying until it's all over!" Read the whole thing here.

	18:53—McCain takes Kentucky.

	18:51—Douglas Brinkley challenged his colleagues to sum up the election in five words. Here's my suggestion: Economy, Iraq, Energy...Better Hope

	18:44—Help me. Help! Guys? Can you hear me? This isn't funny OK? ---- Sent from my Tiny Blackberry

	18:40—I'm in a rental Landrover in D.C. I was just rear-ended, exchanged papers, and made it to a cigar store to purchase a large, strong cigar. I am heading to Busboys and Poets to celebrate an Obama victory. If that does not happen for any reason I am driving this truck through the front of the RNC, cigar clenched in my teeth, screaming, "You bastards stole it again!"

	18:30—I don't know why everyone calls Palin so divisive. Look at her record in Alaska—clearly, she's a bridge builder.

	18:23—From Mark McKinnon, poolside, at Camp McCain at the Arizona Biltmore.

	18:16—Click here for my opening salvo.

	18:15—I thought this was going to be an easy night. Maybe not, though. At least I'm prepared: I took four DayQuil capsules a couple hours ago, and they've kicked in nicely. Maybe too nicely. Time to open that bottle of Primitivo I ordered from FreshDirect. removes cork fills glass My son filled an entire trash bag with candy on Halloween night. I've got it on my lap now. Remote in hand, I turn on the TV. I'm starting with PBS. But, eventually, CNN, with its pundit army, will suck me in. It's inevitable. I'm now eating my first "fun size" Hershey's Krackel bar of the night. The wine is pretty smooth for a FreshDirect bottle. Let's hope it enhances, rather than fights with, the DayQuil. Here we go.

	18:10—Earlier when I voted my first reaction was to be alarmed at the sight of a long line that snaked around the block at 13th and 7th Ave., but then I was like, "Are you crazy? It's FANTASTIC that so many New Yorkers are politically engaged." The mood was warm and positive except for an amusing incident when I was leaving the polling place. An agitated man was complaining: "Look at those people trying to cut the line," he said. "They must be straight people." Only in New York.

	18:05—Over dinner last evening at the Waverly Inn my Vanity Fair editor—David Friend—convinced me to log six blogs during the hours of 6:00pm to midnight on Election Day. Stuffed with steak, I proceeded to walk from Bank Street in the Village to the Flatotel near Times Square. To kill time I played a game with myself: sum up the 2008 election in five words or less. Essentially, I was pretending to be editor of the New York Post. Somehow I needed to morph the economic meltdown of September 22 to 29 with the godawful historical choice of Sarah Palin as GOP vice-presidential nominee. Here's what I came up with: "It's the Economy You Betcha!" This phrase should now replace James Carville's shopworn 1992 quip. If McCain wins—which is still possible—the headline should read "Big Mac Attack Humiliates Pundits." I challenge my Vanity Fair compatriots to come up with two better ones.