Filed at 8:17 p.m.
Enthusiastic applauding and jubilation here at the Democratic Victory Party every time CNN shows Obama with a 20-point lead in North Carolina, with 4 percent of the precincts reporting. In the national poll, Obama is up 52 percent to 47 percent.
The Hockey Moms for Obama with their sign held high and glued to a hockey stick confess they’ve probably had a little too much to drink after a long, hard campaign and cannot take their eyes off the screen.
Sassily the say, “Sarah Palin DOES NOT represent us.”
In the meantime, an all-girl bluegrass band croons, “Bev Perdue, she’s loyal and she’s true, Bev Perdue for ‘08.”
Filed at 8:11 p.m.
Fox News has projected that Democratic State Sen. Kay Hagan will defeat Republican Sen. Elizabeth Dole in the race for North Carolina’s U.S. Senate seat.
Many here have said that Sen. Dole’s attacks on Kay Hagan in the last weeks were too little, too late. “I think her campaign didn’t react fast enough,” said Republican voter Jeff Nicholson. “Like Sen. McCain, she waited too long to go on the attack. When her campaign was out in front with a big lead, she should have been on the attack.”
Many also believe that Hagan was a creation of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee and the Washington establishment, decrying “the national influence in local elections.”
Filed at 8:01 p.m.
Not to be outdone by the Zach, Will and Julius, photographer Maya, reporter Jared and I (the other Local/National Editor) are here in the Marriot City Center to partake in the N.C. Dems Election Night Watch Party.
The mood can only be described as festive laced with some anxiety as the booze and hors d’oeuvres flow freely and the room fills up with both party insiders and campaign volunteers at the open event. The press is also out in full force occupying a wide stage in the center of the ballroom.
Spotted: A woman with a beer in hand and a over-sized “Hockey Moms for Palin” sign in the other.
“I’m going to tear something up,” says Obama supporter Shannon Davis, at the prospect of a McCain victory. “Virginia is making me really nervous right now.”
The only states that have been called thus far are Kentucky and South Carolina for McCain and Vermont for Obama. North Carolina has not been called yet.
Filed at 7:53 p.m.
At The North Carolina Republican Party election celebration, those who have come early are hopeful that Sen. John McCain can pull out a victory tonight.
“I’ve been feeling a bit pestimistic,” said Aloma Crenshaw, a McCain supporter. “It’s going to be a tight race and hopefully we can pull out a victory tonight.”
Regardless of the outcome, this American will support our new president. “I’m still hopeful for McCain and I have worked hard for him,” she said recalling her work at the Republican National Convention earlier this year. “But Obama will be my president and I will support him.”
David and Faith Michael - Zachary Tracer/The Chronicle
Standing off to the side, watching FOX News, David and Faith Michael said they think the election is going to be very close. The Michaels, of Wilmington, N.C. , said they voted early for McCain after waiting in a 45 minute line.
