Free Republic

RUSH: Ladies and gentlemen, have you thought back to the 2008 election? Have you asked yourself who was responsible for that loss? Have you asked yourself who really should shoulder the blame and the burden for the defeat of Senator McCain? A lot of people have been speculating this, a lot of postmortems on the election. Let's go to the BBC. BBC World Service, host Stephen Sackur spoke with former McCain campaign manager Rick Davis and asked Rick Davis on whose shoulders rests the burden of the McCain defeat. DAVIS: We didn't successfully reach out to them. I mean, but...

"Katie Couric, you are not the center of universe!" With that, the good Governor gives her most uncensored interview of all time, in this brand new 2009 exchange. She also says this: "I would do it again!" In other words: 2012. Video here

Freepers today is the big day. I'm assuming it's going to be on C-SPAN. I did not find a discussion thread so I'm starting one for us.

I didn't vote for Ron Paul in the Republican primary (I was a Mike Huckabee man), nor did I write him in on Election Day (I penciled in farmer-poet Wendell Berry). But no Texan this year did more good for conservatism and his country than the congressman from the coast. Lord knows there was no Republican in the 2008 campaign who talked straighter. Dr. Paul – he's a physician – never had a chance, of course. He is too peculiar in his opinions and doesn't know how to spin like a TV slick. What he had was ideas, integrity and...

(CNSNews.com) – It was widely reported that Barack Obama’s historic presidential win was fueled by an army of small donors, often contributing $5 and $10, at an unheard of rate in American history, but a recent study shows that Obama’s small donor base – and possibly reports of unparalleled youth-voter turnout – was more myth than reality. The Campaign Finance Institute (CFI) study says that 26 percent of donors to Obama’s presidential campaign gave $200 or less, the definition of a small donation. That’s compared to 25 percent for President George W. Bush’s 2004 reelection campaign. Most of the contributions...

People wonder why Mike Huckabee would come out with a book that violates Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment, which is not to criticize another Republican, and trashes the wholly deserving Mitt Romney. Is it that Huckabee wants to get Romney out of the way so that he can emerge pre-emptively as the GOP alternative to Sarah Palin in 2012?

Islamabad: Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is optimistic that after a dialogue with US President-elect Barack Obama's administration, the drone strikes in the country's tribal region will come to an end. "The air strikes by US spy plans will halt with the starting of dialogues as soon as Barack Obama takes charge of his office," Gillani told the media in Karachi. Pakistani Parliament, President, Prime Minister, Opposition leaders, and Armed Forces chiefs have time and again denounced the attacks and condemned violation of its territory terming it "a big hazard" in building a consensus in Pakistani society to join...

Hold on to your hats and get ready to rock with the icon of conservative politics, the Governor of Alaska, the siren of snow, the North Star, the future President of the United States, Sarah Palin. Very catchy song plays as engaging images are shown. Sarah rocks, so only watch if you're prepared to A) sing along and B) ROCK THE HOUSE. Sarah has two modes: rocking and about to rock. So sit back, prepare to be electrified, and push play. The music video can be watched by clicking right here. Awesome one to email out to all of your...

Sarah Palin has more moxy than most star systems. Video here. Cool interview from the Spring of 2008.

President-elect Obama has again made history by splitting traditionally Republican Nebraska's electoral votes, winning one of them in a state that has never split. After all remaining ballots were counted Friday, Obama emerged with a 3,325-vote lead over Republican John McCain in unofficial results in the 2nd Congressional District. The district covers Douglas County, which includes Omaha. Nebraska has five electoral votes. It is the only state besides Maine that split electoral votes. Results in Missouri, with 11 electoral votes, are still not complete so the winner in that state has not been announced. Officials have until Tuesday to complete...

Video here. Great interview with Sarah Palin in her own home kitchen as she prepares dinner and talks about what an awesome father to their kids Todd Palin is and related topics in the best four minutes and twenty eight seconds from the most recent home interview by Greta Van Susteren.

Video here.

Video here.

Spend six minutes with Sarah: video here. Wolf Blitzer never had a chance.

The Republican Party will file federal lawsuits Thursday seeking to overthrow the McCain-Feingold federal campaign finance regulations, Republican National Committee Chairman Robert M. "Mike" Duncan revealed Wednesday night at a private dinner with the nation's Republican governors. The move is considered a slap in the face of the Republican Party's failed 2008 presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain of Arizona, who was dramatically outspent by Democrat Barack Obama, and of President Bush, who signed McCain-Feingold into law in 2002. "We will bring two federal suits tomorrow to strengthen the Republican Party," Mr. Duncan told The Washington Times. Mr. Duncan said one...

Here is video of Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal talking with NBC's David Schuster about what the Republican Party needs to do to win again in 2012. Jindal is a very impressive person. He needs to continue to raise his profile nationally with appearances like this and policy speeches over the next two years if he wants to run for the GOP nomination. . . . . (Watch Video)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The chair once used by President-elect Barack Obama when he served in the Illinois Senate could be destined for a museum. The swiveling, high-backed leather chair is among items from Obama’s Springfield days that are being inventoried with an eye on saving them for the sake of history. The Chicago Democrat served in the Illinois Senate from 1997 to 2004 before heading to the U.S. Senate. During his time in Springfield, the Senate chambers underwent a massive restoration, which resulted in the destruction of all the desks on the floor — including Obama’s. The chairs from that...

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has emerged as one of the hottest names in national Republican circles since John McCain's defeat last week, was never vetted as a vice presidential pick, according to sources close to the Pelican State chief executive. Jindal was approached by McCain forces to gauge his interest in the vice presidency and told them he was not interested in being vetted due to his desire to continue on with his current job, to which he was elected just one year ago. While the official reason that Jindal took his name out of contention was his lack...

Video here. Sarah talks about sexism and double standards. She says, "Alaskan women are pretty tough!" If she is any example, Alaskan women are pretty and tough. Sarah calls for an end to sexism and advocates for equal opportunity. Interview date: 11/7/08.

Video here: Sarah lets loose in an interview from her office on November 7, 2008, three days after the election. She deals with the clothes issue and then deals with the biased media coverage too!

Newsweek has published a deep, multi-chapter account of the entire 2008 presidential campaign, with a lot of inside perspective. Somewhere in the middle, it deals with Sen. John McCain's friendship with Sen. Joe Lieberman. McCain had apparently pitched Lieberman's name for the No. 2 spot on the ticket, but the idea was quickly shot down by his advisers.

Republicans are consoling themselves by telling anyone who will listen that we still live in a "center-right country." They're right. That's the good news. The bad news is that they've lost the center. According to exit polls, Barack Obama won moderates by a whopping 21 points on Tuesday, 60-39 percent. That more than doubled John Kerry's nine-point margin over George W. Bush among moderates in 2004. The ideological composition of the electorate was remarkably unchanged from 2004. The percentage of self-identified conservatives and moderates -- the center-right -- held steady. Conservatives were 34 percent of voters and moderates 44 percent,...

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said Friday the GOP lost the White House because the party was tainted by corruption, overspending and "sometimes came across as a bunch of grumpy old men." . . . . . "All we have to do is go back to the basics of fiscal conservatism, with a smile and come up with new ways to communicate with the younger voter," said Graham, who captured 58 percent of the vote in winning re-election against a little-known opponent.

Indiana is still updating its website and it appears that McCain's lead is growing.

<p>Declaring Indiana for obama might be premature per the Indiana Sec of States website. This was just updated...</p>

The total war begins. Stop the "Country First" crap. Conservatives should claim, immediately, that Obama is "not their president". Obama has nothing to do with America or American values. The country he wasn't born in has not been built for people like him. No founding father would have allowed such fanatic to lead the USA. He is an alien far-leftie who built his success on cult of personnality and demagogy. He claimed US armed forces raid villages of civilians. He refused to war a flag pin on his chest ... He speaks openly about "typical Whites". His wife hates America....

So the answer to my question turned out to be yes, America really was going to do this. A historic moment indeed. The hyperbole for once is not exaggerated: this is a watershed election which changes the fate of the world. The fear however is that the world now becomes very much less safe for all of us as a result. Those of us who have looked on appalled during this most frightening of presidential elections – at the suspension of reason and its replacement by thuggery -- can only hope that the way this man governs will be very...

Early reports are indicating that the youngest members of the country's electorate voted Tuesday in higher numbers than in the last presidential election — and they voted more Democratic. Youth turnout appears to be exceeding 2004 levels, which was itself a year with a big surge in voters ages 18 to 29. “We expected record turnout, and that is what we’re seeing right now,” says Heather Smith, a spokeswoman for Rock the Vote, an organization that works to encourage young people to register and vote in every election. What’s more, young voters may prove to have been the key to...

US President George W. Bush late Tuesday telephoned his apparent successor, Democrat Barack Obama, to congratulate him on his "awesome night," according to White House spokeswoman Dana Perino. "Mr President-elect, congratulations to you. What an awesome night for you, your family and your supporters. Laura and I called to congratulate you and your good bride," she quoted Bush as telling Obama. "I promise to make this a smooth transition. You are about to go on one of the great journeys of life. Congratulations and go enjoy yourself," Bush told Obama, she said. The president also invited Obama and his family...

NewsMax Electoral Vote count >>> 200 (O), 81 (Mc)

According to the popular vote so far, out of 25,907,049 votes counted, McCain has 12,904,704 (49.82%) and Obama has 13,002,345 (50.18%), which is an Obama lead of (.36%). Meanwhile, the Zogby/Reuters/C-Span poll shows Obama 54.1, McCain 42.7, which is an Obama lead of (11.4%) Does anyone believe the polls are accurate? Does anyone believe that the liberal media, liberal interest groups, and activists are not intentionally misstating polling data? "Scientific" Polls (Obama +11.4%) Actual vote (Obama +0.36%)

As of 9:20 est. with almost 65% of precincts it is a dead heat. McCain 49.77% and Obama 49.16%

I'll be posting results and analysis on this thread as the Ohio returns come in. There are a couple of wild cards in play this year. First, our new early voting period means that some early results will be skewed, as it appears that a significant proportion of Democrats, especially African Americans, voted early. This will give an advantage to Democrats in the early numbers. Secondly, a significant number of ACORN registrations were determined to be invalid (like 1/3) and so many of those registratnts, if the vote, will be give provisional ballots. These ballots will only be counted if...

Someone on Fox News (Jim Engle, I think) was just on saying that they are seeing a large amount of "WPE" (Within Precinct Error) in the exit polling, meaning that the actual results reported by the precincts are much lower for Obama than the results that the exit pollsters gathered. In Pennsylvania, I think he said that this number was 10.4%, meaning that Obama was exit polling 10.4% better than the actual results being reported. In Florida, they reported that it was a difference of 3.4 or 3.9%. Also significant in NC, VA, and other places.

I talked to one of my McCain guys a little while ago. He didn't have any data, but he said, "based just on the anecdotal evidence, we feel good about who is showing up to vote and in what numbers." Yup, strictly on anexdotal evidence, it seems like the Republican base is turning out. That doesn't mean McCain is going to win, or even that it will be close. But if the Democrats turn out (a safe bet) and the split among independents is reasonably close, it would be tough for it to be a blowout. But then again, maybe...

Los Angeles: Barack Obama has promised to increase taxes if he becomes president of the United States. But the really rich want change and many of them have said they are voting for the senator from Illinois. Despite the tradition that says the country's wealthy tend to favour the Republican Party, there has been an unexpected swing ahead of Tuesday's election that favours the black Democratic candidate. For starters, the country's two richest men, Warren Buffett and Bill Gates, have already said they will vote for Obama. According to Forbes magazine, Gates - worth an estimated $55.5 billion - contributed...

Video here.

NEW YORK - Barack Obama and John McCain have switched colour in a poster campaign created by Grey New York in an effort to encourage voters to put the issue of race to one side. The poster depicting the two senators in altered states were created by the agency's chief creative officer Tor Myhren and carry the slogan "Let the issues be the issue". The ads have gone up around Manhattan as Americans today vote to elect their next president with Obama seven points clear in the polls. Myhren said: "This is a non-partisan image. We wanted to address the...

Video here. Listen to the CNN hack say, "That's against the law but it's O.K." WTF?

Yes I went and voted today. For the first time in my life, I voted for a straight republican ticket. On the way to the polls I kept asking myself if I could vote for Obama as I have always been a Democrat. Could I be loyal to the Democrat party. When I sat down and looked at that ballot, I realized that I had no choice but to vote for the republicans. After I turned in my ballot and left the polling place, I got sick at my stomach. I realized that I was no longer a Democrat but...

Video here. The hope of America is 44, Alaskan, and beautiful.

Very, very, very emotional video right here.

Universal Voter Registration Every election cycle, our nation argues about voter fraud and purging voters. Universal voter registration is the solution to both of these problems. It eliminates voter fraud. It makes unlawful purging of voters impossible. It's also more simple to administrate than our current system, therefore costing less and easier to validate. Universal voter registration is very simple: Every eligible voter is registered to vote by default. Voters can "opt-out" if they choose, preserving their first amendment right to free speech. Preventing Voter Fraud My proposal extends our existing statewide voter registration database (VRDB) to record both eligible...

The Latest From Inside McCain HQ November 04, 2008 11:30 AM ET | James Pethokoukis | I just talked to one of my best Team McCain sources who told me that heading into today all the key battleground polls were moving hard and fast in their direction. The source, hardly a perma-optimist, thinks it will be a long night, but that McCain is going to win. So add this with the new Battleground poll (Obama +1.9 only) and the rising stock market...

Don't Expect Final Results From Colorado TonightI have been unable to find a partisan breakdown of the early voters in Colorado in 2004, to see how it compares to this year's numbers — Democrats 33.44 percent  (569,875), Republicans 32.64 percent  (556,241), and Independents 24.71 percent (421,124).I did find the party registration numbers for 2004: · Republican 1,125,374 · Democrat 947,866 · Unaffiliated 1,028,886 · Libertarian 6,078· Green 5,279· Other 1,083TOTAL 3,114,566 That breaks down to a modest 36.1 percent Republican, 30 percent Democrat advantage; this year the party registration numbers break down 33.1 percent Republican, 32.8 percent Democrat. I...

Just reported on Fox. McCain camp filing suit that will go to the judge in 15 minutes. GOP poll watchers are being kept as far away as 40 feet from the new registration tables in that state.

I just talked to one of my best Team McCain sources who told me that heading into today all the key battleground polls were moving hard and fast in their direction. The source, hardly a perma-optimist, thinks it will be a long night, but that McCain is going to win. So add this with the new Battleground poll (Obama +1.9 only) and the rising stock market...

Electoral college in play.

The final Rove & Co. electoral map of the 2008 election cycle points to a 338-200 Barack Obama electoral vote victory over John McCain tomorrow, the largest electoral margin since 1996. All remaining toss-up states have been allocated to the candidate leading in them, with Florida (27 EV) going to Obama, and Indiana (11 EV), Missouri (11 EV), North Carolina (15 EV), and North Dakota (3 EV) going to McCain. The two candidates are in a dead heat in Missouri and North Carolina, but they go to McCain because the most recent polls conducted over this past weekend show him...

Karl Rove Projects Obama Victory @ 11:16 am by Hill Staff Karl Rove, the Republican strategist who engineered two successful elections for George W. Bush, projected Barack Obama would win the Electoral College in his final election analysis. Rove, who has been tracking the race with predictions throughout the cycle, estimated that Obama would win 338 electoral votes, while Republican nominee John McCain would win 200.