Countdown to 60
Kari Chisholm
So, as the polls close across the country, the main thing I'll be watching is the march to a filibuster-proof U.S. Senate majority for the Democrats -- a full 60 seats.
Can we get there? It's highly unlikely. The latest analysis from FiveThirtyEight.com puts the odds at just 15% or so, while the odds of landing at 59 seats are up around 45% or so. And even that counts barely-Dem Joe Lieberman.
Here's the rundown of the races I'll be watching. Jeff Alworth and I will update this post as the races get called.
Virginia Mark Warner (D) vs. Jim Gilmore (R)
4:00 Polls closed.
4:10 Well, that's a no-brainer. The entire planet called this one for Warner mere moments after the polls closed. 52 seats.
New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen (D) vs. John Sununu (R)
4:00 First polls closed, still waiting for another batch at 5.
5:16 NBC just called this one for Shaheen. 53 seats.
6:05 Took nearly an hour longer for CNN to call this one.
North Carolina Kay Hagan (D) vs. Liddy Dole (R)
4:30 Polls closed.
5:20 Fox News just called this one for Kay Hagan. We're really on our way. 54 seats.
Maine Tom Allen (D) vs. Susan Collins (R)
5:00 Polls closed.
5:35 Called for Susan Collins. Oh well. This one never quite got going.
New Mexico Tom Udall (D) vs. Steve Pearce (R)
6:00 Polls closed.
6:04 CNN calls it for Tom Udall. 55 seats.
Oklahoma Andrew Rice (D) vs. James Inhofe (R)
5:00 Polls closed.
6:15 This was called for Inhofe a while ago, but I just noticed. Not a surprise.
Kentucky Bruce Lunsford (D) vs. Mitch McConnell (R)
4:00 Polls closed.
4:50 With 21% reporting, Mitch has a slight lead. Man oh man, if we win this one, things will be looking very good.
6:20 CNN projects that McConnell hung on to win. Dammit.
Georgia Jim Martin (D) vs. Saxby Chambliss (R)
4:00 Polls closed.
Mississippi Ronnie Musgrove (D) vs. Roger Wicker (R)
5:00 Polls closed.
5:17 NBC is calling this one too close to call. Wow.
Texas Rick Noriega (D) vs. John Cornyn (R)
5:00 First polls closed, still waiting for another batch at 6.
Colorado Mark Udall (D) vs. Bob Schaeffer (R)
7:00 Polls closed.
Minnesota Al Franken (D) vs. Norm Coleman (R)
7:00 Polls closed.
Nebraska Scott Kleeb (D) vs. Mike Johanns (R)
7:00 Polls closed.
Idaho Larry LaRocco (D) vs. Jim Risch (R)
Oregon Jeff Merkley (D) vs. Gordon Smith (R)
Obviously, we'll have a bunch more coverage of this race - but we'll include it here as part of the countdown.
Alaska Mark Begich (D) vs. Ted Stevens (R)
Here's the Daily Kos live-results map. Enjoy!
 |
More Recent Posts | |
Albert Kaufman |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
Kari Chisholm |
Final pre-census estimate: Oregon's getting a sixth congressional seat |
Albert Kaufman |
Polluted by Money - How corporate cash corrupted one of the greenest states in America |
Guest Column |
|
Albert Kaufman |
Our Democrat Representatives in Action - What's on your wish list? |
Kari Chisholm |
|
Guest Column |
|
Kari Chisholm |
|
connect with blueoregon
5:10 p.m.
Nov 4, '08
NBC just called NH for Shaheen. Chambliss looks safe, but McConnell's still in a nailbiter.
5:14 p.m.
Nov 4, '08
Keep in mind that Chambliss needs to get 50% of the vote to avoid a Georgia runoff.
5:25 p.m.
Nov 4, '08
Could be--the McCain total is WAY high for the votes counted...and it's higher than Chambliss's. Never good when the dud presidential candidate is outperforming an incumbent senator.
5:37 p.m.
Nov 4, '08
Dole is in serious trouble--no surprise there. McConnell still eking out a lead.
Nov 4, '08
The Dems will win in Colorado and New Mexico. The polls are just about to close. These should be safely tucked away by 6:15.
Fox called Kentucky for McConnell, but that margin looks awfully thin. But then again, that's Fox.
My great hope is that Saxby Chambliss will not get to 50% and end up in a runoff against Martin. Nobody deserves to lose a seat more than Chambliss, after the reprehensible campaign he ran against Max Cleland in 2002. Martin has been gaining, and given another month -- along with the powerful Obama machine -- he might win in December.
6:00 p.m.
Nov 4, '08
Dole has been declared toast...
6:17 p.m.
Nov 4, '08
On the off chance folks would like to check in with a live broadcast from our Media students at Sabin-Schellenberg Center in North Clackamas feel free to follow this link. We are covering national, state, and local races.
<h2>Link to streaming broadcast begins at 8pm</h2>