so you will see states look like are going GOP which will correct when the urban centers are included

Fairfax County seems to come in late in Virginia; SF and LA counties come in late in California; St. Louis and St. Louis County tend to come in late in Missouri. On the other hand, I distinctly remember in 2004 that Philadelphia's votes came in first in Pennsylvania that year.

Or were Philadelphia's votes the first ones changed? Or did they come in while others were being tampered with? That night, at midnight, the tallies became erratic. Remember? Blue states in close races suddenly turned to red by refreshing the browser.

Also, keep in mind that less densely populated areas ( which tend to be more conservative) often come in quicker.

One more thing: unless it's a source you really know and trust, pretty much ignore all rumors and "reports" that flow in throughout the day. It'll be far better for your nerves and blood pressure.

CNN was rattling off one red state after another so it was a bit unnerving watching the electoral votes pile up for McCain. But after the Blue states started coming in, it added up quickly for Obama.

That's how I remember it.

I remember in 2008 it seemed like forever before we knew whether mark Begich had beaten Ted Stevens. Or who can forget Al Franken. Patience is the name of the game.

he'll have 192 EV's even without Florida and Virginia. California, Oregon, and Washington alone would give him 270 (no real need for Nevada.) So if he wins those east and midwest states, it's over.

lots of Xanax.....

That won't think you're nuts if you start cussing at the computer or tv. If you're fortunate to have people in your life who get it, count your self blessed.

I like beer.

Including DU, will be crazy busy, probably slow, and will possibly crash at some point. And DU may get to high-traffic level five, so if you can spare a few bucks for a star membership, it's a good time to do it.

Just watch as the swing states are called. In the east, if we lose PA, we're in trouble; if we pick up FL, VA, or NC, it's great, but not necessary. When you get to the central time zone, we need MN and Wi. Obviously, all eyes will be on OH, but we might be able to put together a winning combination without it as long as we hold on to the states above plus IA. As we hit the mountain states, watch CO and NV -- whether we need these or not will depend on the results from further east.

So, I'd just concentrate on those states, and not care what the total nationwide vote, or even the running EV total is at any given time. Do well in those states, and we'll win, period.

I'm concerned about VA, FL, and OH
I'm afraid they're going to be too close to call until late at night.

IOW, this nightmare of an election wouldn't be over on Nov. 7th.
It's gonna give me an ulcer, I swear. A lot of lives of people I know will be strongly affected. This is no disagreement on how to govern this year. This is it, and I've seen a lot of elections but what's gone on in the last 10+ years shows these guys are close to taking over everything.

Are a HUGE concern. And yes, the Republicans are trying to game the system any way they can, but... there's still reason to be hopeful. At this point, I'm convinced they can only get away with shaving a little here, a little there. We need turnout, we need to overwhelm them.

The second thing that gives me hope? Obama's not Kerry. He's not gonna let them steal this without a fight. And he's the incumbent, a plus that neither Gore nor Kerry had. The DoJ's watching.

I also think they're fighting for paths to 270 that don't necessarilly include Ohio or Florida, the two states the GOP seems to be playing dirtiest in.

See this very good post: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251203369

Last time (2008) they couldn't call it until 11:00 pm EST (I think it was) because they don't want to call it while people are still voting on the west coast. At one second past 11:00 they swung the camera to a grinning Keith Olbermann who called it for Obama (assuming by exit polls Cal., Wash., Ore., Hawaii all going for Obama by big margins).

Note: I guess for some reason they don't care that people are still voting in Alaska and Hawaii when they call it. At some point, ratings trump fairness, seems like.

I may not even watch at all until we close our voting here on the west coast. I have enough stress in my life.

The first election results I ever watched were in 1960. I was nine. My dad had graph paper and a couple of excellent maps he'd drawn (he was an artist), that he filled in as the results were announced on our flickering B&W TV.

I made it until about two or three AM before I crashed.

That night I had one of the two most vivid dreams I ever had: I dreamed a classic nuclear bomb had been dropped and crashed through the bedroom wall of our loft. It had the same box-shaped fins as the one we dropped on Hiroshima (Little Boy), and the three-ringed atomic/nuclear symbol painted on the nose. Just as it exploded I woke up to JFK's presidency.

The changing of the guard...

...maybe when I was demonstrating against the Vietnam War in 1960, I got that they were gonna draft my ass.

I predict its called by midnight eastern.

Are we both cockeyed optimists?

probably won't happen but it would be nice.

Most here are confident of a landslide. Im not.

I think it's going to be sort of like 2004 except Ohio going our way this time.

I think it's going to be close.

My first election and right at the beginning it was 8-3 McCain and I panicked LOL. Good times.

Not 1 MSM station will call the race in ANY controversial state. To EARLY to call, to CLOSE to call. They will call all the stuff thats easy. I wouldnt be surprised if they call FLorida, Ohio, even New Hampshire until after we close on the West Coast.

Call the election before the polls close on the West Coast?? Seems like that happens every year for Presidential Elections.

But that's just me.
I'm often wrong.

I remember it well.

Obama then only needs one of: NV, FL, VA, CO

Kind of shows the mood of the electorate.

He doesn't even need anything else.

http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/2012/custom-presidential-election-map#nladvnjanwsujense

but my point was a larger one about the mood of the country to re-elect him in general.

...until the polls close in CA. The MSM hates the 2000 debacle where they called it early so they keep the numbers to themselves.

I expect, like 2008, as soon as the CA polls close they call it for Obama.

Ever since 2000, my nerves just can't handle it. My stomach is already doing flips, and it's only freaking Saturday. Screw it.

Cause we really can use all the "survival" tips we can get I also recommend chocolate. Chocolate makes everything better.

for tuesday: I've already got the solid states in there, so, Obama starts the night with 183, not 0.

Then, I tinker as they come in. Much better on my blood pressure.

I'm willing to share: Just email me.

Now that it is actually election day. Any other tips and/or survival strategies?