Gallup final estimate puts Obama at 55%, McCain 44%

Gallup Poll Daily tracking has Obama up by 11 for the final poll before tomorrows election. STORY

After all of this years votes have been cast, I just wanted to say how grateful I am to be able to see this contest. It has been an historic fight, from before the first primaries to today. It has been plain exciting to watch, and we have even gotten to see policy debate creep into the Presidential race. Yes, there was personal political usual-ness, but over all I would rate this election as the best I've ever seen. Of course the end result is what matters, and I am confident that my guy will win, but I don't want to put the cart before the horse, I just wanted to take a moment to reflect on how engaging this contest has been.

Of course not everyone agrees with me. Fred Barnes of the Weekly Standard writes a story that to me sounds like a downcast kid kicking a rock in the road. Maybe that's what it's like to lose an election, but I don't really remember being that involved in an election with a clear victory. The 2000 election was my first real entry into involvement in politics. When that election didn't end, there wasn't a way to feel one way or the other, besides cheated. The thing that I look forward to this year most of all is a landslide, an uncontestable outcome, a clear answer. In this post-modern world that seems to be the hardest thing to find.

One thing in particular that I am especially enjoying are the people that I talk to who normally have no interest in politics who are engaged and excited, some of whom had never voted before and are looking forward to casting their ballots on Tuesday. I think of my friend who could have voted in the last 2 elections, but didn't, who this week sent her son to school in an Obama t-shirt. This will be her first voting experience. I'm proud of her.

Now as far as voting goes. Don't wear t-shirts or buttons from any campaign, bring your wallet (depending on where you're voting you may need id), and read the instructions carefully before casting your ballot. If you make a mistake, tell the poll worker, as usually they will allow you to fix the mistake in some way. Good luck!



On election night there are some key things to consider. The first polls close at 6 p.m. EST in Indiana, and though I predict Indy to go for McCain, it is tight enough that Obama could squeak out a victory. McCain is only up by a point in polling, so anything could happen. If Obama wins Indiana, you don't even need to watch the rest.

The real anchor of this election will be Virginia. I have been saying this for weeks, but watch Virginia. The beautiful thing being that polls close in Virginia at 7 p.m. EST. If Obama takes Virginia, McCain MUST win PA, OH, IN, WV, MO, NC, and FL, to take 268 electoral votes, which still is not enough for a win. The good thing (or bad thing by pov) is of course that in many of those states Obama leads by a wide margin.

So go, vote early, vote often, and be proud of yourselves. You've all done very well.