For the past two weeks, I've been getting up every morning and checking a handful of websites and polls. It's been amazing watching Barack Obama come from behind or even in states like Minnesota, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin to ahead, and then far ahead. And then from way behind in races in Florida, Ohio, Nevada, Colorado, Virginia, West Virginia and Missouri to ahead by varying amounts. The consensus is that if Obama takes even one of the states that he and McCain are close in, it'll be all over.Here's a list of the sites I check:
The Gallup Poll
The USA Today Poll Tracker
Real Clear Politics
www.electoral-vote.com
270towin.com
Each of these reflect viewpoints from left to middle to right; I've found that by looking at all of them I've gotten a feel for what's going on with this election.
I discovered yesterday that they've started early voting here in Chicago and that you don't have to have any reason-- age, handicap, being out of town, etc. to do it. I realized that my vote is not going to change in the next 20 days. I went over to the fieldhouse in the park where Adam has played baseball for the last six years and voted.
I was surprised how busy it was; early voting is open for a couple of weeks. I suspect voter turnout will be very high because of it.
I voted on a touchscreen. I know there has been a lot of controversy about these. Fear not; there's an option to leave a paper trail-- to run off a printed confirmation of your vote.
As I finished and left, I saw that the woman who was outside electioneering had an Obama-Biden button on. I asked her where I could get one of those and a poster. Down the street at the Democratic Organization's office, next door to our alderman's office.
I walked over there and got some buttons...
...and a poster.Last night, while dropping my mother off in the heart of Dupage County, once one of the most Republican counties in the United States, I saw Obama/Biden signs on peoples' lawns. Party on, Garth! On to November!
12 comments:
OK, you voted early, but are you going to vote often? ;^)
I bought an Obama fridge magnet the other day - it's cool, has a peace sign on it.
I thought about voting early but I like going to the polls on election day and then heading home to watch the results come in. Then again, maybe I should just get it over with.
Yippeee for voting! I voted absentee this year, so it's all squared away, and I just have to kick back on election night and wait for the magic to happen. I hope. If Obama doesn't win I'm moving to Australia.
Check out FiveThirtyEight.com for electoral stats and polls.
Early voting in my red state is going well. Bodes well for Obama, as more than a third of the early voters are African-American. Georgia will still fall for McCain, though.
Yeahdawg!
I want to relish voting in Detroit on election day -- and then staying out all night long no matter what happens.
Let's go for a Democratic landslide!
glad U said something-- I just realized my voter registration hasn't arrived in th' mail... Hmmm... republican plot??
I'm going to early vote here in Johnson City this week!
Early voting begins on the 17th here in Texas and I plan on taking advantage of it even if my vote's swallowed up in a sea of red. Though, I guess the popular vote margins will give some kind of credence to a mandate, if any, Obama might have.
I've taken no chances this year. My husband (Independent) got mail early pertaining to the election, I didn't. We've been voting absentee for about ten years, and this is the first time I haven't received voter info. I double checked my registration, and will go down to the early voting place tomorrow and exchange my absentee ballot for a paper ballot.
Good job! MizBubs is voting early this year. Me, I have a thing where I have to vote on election day.
Here's a site to add to your list of places to visit:
www.fivethirtyeight.com
It's excellent polling information with good statistical analysis of how the polls are weighted. I think you'll like it.
Skyler's Dad-
This being Chicago, of course!
Kristi-
Good for you!
I love the Obama "logo." The guy is brilliant; he understands that a modern campaign includes branding. If he wins, it'll be nice to have a really smart guy in office.
Natalie-
Part of me felt the same way. However, I've spent so much of the past year behind on everything-- school, bills, house projects, etc., I wanted at least one thing I was caught up on.
Andi-
Cool!
Things are looking good, but if McCain wins, I'll be fine; I dealt with eight years of Reagan and eight years of Bush Lite. I can take four years of McCain. I just hope he lasts his four years if he wins. Otherwise Moosehead wins.
Beth-
I did check it out, and it is good.
Yes, it's looking like Georgia is going to be a red state in the election, but looking at the polling, it must be nice to know that about 44% of Georgians have good sense.
Erik-
I'm keeping my fingers crossed. I've got plans to hang out with my old friend Dan that night. Hopefully it'll be a good night.
Cap'n-
I smell a big fat Republican rat!
Dr. Monkerstein-
It's the only way to fly!
Today, going into class, I saw that they have an early voting station set up in the lobby of my school building. It was pretty busy. I suspect that turnout will be good in Illinois this year.
Macguffin-
Good way to think of it!
If Obama can pull this off, and can then make things better in this country, I wonder what the response of the hardcore idiots will be. Eventually a lot of them finally saw the light with Clinton. Could the same happen with Obama?
Kirby-
Better safe than sorry.
Bubs-
I felt a little that way too, but as I mentioned above, I felt like there had to be at least one thing I was ahead of the game on.
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