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Record vote as Obama and McCain wait to hear fate
Joe Murphy, Political Editor, in Chicago04.11.08
AMERICA was gripped with Obama-mania as voters went to the polls in record numbers.
There were queues outside polling stations across the US as 130 million citizens made their choice in the biggest turnout since 1960 — the year of John F Kennedy's victory.
* The final polls put Barack Obama seven points ahead of Republican rival John McCain and on top in five of the eight key states. The margin led to hopes among Democrats of a landslide but Republicans insisted they could catch up.
* Stock markets experienced an “Obama bounce” with the Dow Jones up 137.8 to 9457.7 and the FTSE-100 up 90.1 to 4533.4.
* In Chicago a security clampdown was ordered amid police fears that one million people would swamp a planned victory party for Mr Obama.
* The Democrat, bidding to be the country's first black president, voted with his wife and daughters, saying: “The journey ends.”
* Mr McCain ended at his home in Phoenix, Arizona. He said: “Look, I know I'm still the underdog, I understand that,” adding: “I think these battleground states have now closed up, almost all of them.”
* The Democrats also appeared poised to gain a massive majority in the Congress, ending years of Republican dominance of Washington.
* Almost 31 million voters were estimated to have cast ballots before election day, taking advantage of early voting options in 34 of the 50 states.
* in 21 months of campaigning Mr Obama has spent a total of $600 million to Mr McCain's $324 million.
People were warned they would have to queue for several hours in many districts just to cast their ballot.
But there were also fears that the allegations of stolen votes that marred the 2000 and 2004 contests would be repeated, especially if the result is closer than the polls suggest.
Widespread claims have been made in the past few days that electronic voting machines have "flipped" people's choices, so that votes cast for Barack Obama have ended up being counted as John McCain votes.
Similar claims have been widely reported in the past week of early voting, in which a record 27million Americans have made their choice.
Jim Harrington, of the Texas Civil Rights Project, said: "Voters reported, for example, that when they tried to vote a straight-party Democratic ticket, the machine flipped their choices to Republican candidates instead."
Local elections administrator Javier Chacon claimed that "the intensity of the election may be spurring conspiracy suspicions in some voters".
Shortages of voting machines and strict identity checks mean long queues in some areas.
Protesters in Virginia are alleging that black voters are deliberately being disenfranchised by long queues. New laws demanding photo ID in Indiana, Arizona and Florida are also said to discriminate against poor, elderly and minority voters
Huge teams of lawyers have been drafted in to mount legal challenges at a local level. Some have tried to obtain lists of people whose homes were repossessed so that they can be disqualified on the grounds that their address is not up to date.
Resentment is still strong over the 2000 election when, after bitterly contested recounts, a Supreme Court ruling gave the presidency to George Bush. It hinged on whether so-called hanging, dimpled and pregnant chads - terms to describe card ballot papers that had not been punched through properly - should have been counted.
In 2004 there were eight-hour queues in some areas, which critics said effectively blocked some people from voting. The hope among election officials is that the result will be so clear cut that there will be no need for a prolonged dispute when, inevitably, some machines break down.
Reader views (21)
It is too bad that so many English people are so nasty and negative about Americans. They have all sorts of opinions without ever having set foot in the country. I grew up in London and have lived over here for 30 years. I can't wait to get rid of Bush like many of my fellow countrymen. The last good president we had was Clinton, and actually it does make a difference who is in the White House. He vetoed many bills that were anti-labor and anti-conservation.
- Jenny, san francisco USA
This has been the grandest illusion in America's recent history. Obama has managed to swindle his way to the top of the heap, and wiggled his way into the hearts of many. He can lie, cheat, steal, and keep whomever he desires as company because the media has decided he is "the one". His followers could care less who Obama pals with, what he voted on, or what his history is. They want change. Never mind that most of the "atrocities" Americans have endured under the Bush administrations have been media generated illusions as well. Bush did just enough wrong to allow the media to be his judge and jury in a shot gun trial, using fabricated or skewed documentation to pronounce the Republican party dead, and conservatives guilty of conspiracy. Most Americans who don't know how government works, or don't investigate actual records just like to hear Obama speak, promising them they will be taken care of, and rocked to sleep like babies in their beds. God help us.
- Rhonda Blair, Manawa, Wisconsin
If Obama wins I will likely soon leave the Divided States of Socialist America. Australia is looking better all the time.
- Ian, new orleans, usa
I'm just glad it's almost over. I'm tired of the never ending lies from these two candidates. Neither is qualified to be President.
- Bob Blabla, Seattle, WA, USA
Despite all the hype, no matter who wins. The United States will continue its Imperialist policies.
Both candidates have sold their souls to AIPAC and the Israeli lobby, so we will see little change towards the Middle East.
Israel will not be brought to heel, and will be allowed to flout international law, and to continue its human rights abuses of the Palestinian people.
Countries which threaten Israel like Iran and Syria will continue to be seen as enemy States.
The next administration will continue to pursue the Al-Qaida bogeymen, whether in Afghanistan, Iraq, or Pakistan.
Despite all the electoral propaganda, the next President of United States whether black, white or green will continue to dominate economically, militarily and politically the weaker regions of the world.
- Quest, London, UK
Where would Europe, Asia, and Africa be if America decided to not start "...bombing and killing their way around the world" during the rise of fascism?
People in Iraq and Afghanistan chose their leaders through free and democratic elections for the first time in history because America sacraficed its sons and daughters for the liberty of others. America understands that when freedom spreads, the world will become safer. As the world becomes safer, bombing and killing may not be required in the future. Imagine what could be achieved if Europe contributed more robustly to advancing democracy throughout the world? Not talk at the UN or EU, but actually contributing with military support. A dictator in Africa does not care if he is sanctioned at the UN. However, he will care if a European multi-national force with airplanes, tanks, and troops descended on his country and demanded a stop to genocide, free elections, and government transparency.
A chance for peace? At what cost? The cost is repression and anguish for millions of people in other countries. Please do not get duped by liberal newspapers and Hollywood drivel that cite America and the Republican party as a bunch of war mongering, baby killing despots. On the contrary, we love our country, love our freedom and will give our life to make someone else free if it could help keep our grandchildren safe in the future.
- Sb, Chesapeake, US
I don't agree with many of the things Obama stands for but after the manipulation and outright idiocy of 8 years of W., the pendulum has to swing the other way. America is going to take a huge swing to the left which will provoke its own slew of problems not least of which is a much bigger and more intrusive government. Words that will come back to haunt people who vote for O: "share the wealth".
- Chris, New York, USA
I wonder what 'Bad News' the UK government is busy burying while the media attention is off the ball this time?
- Bob Salloway, London, England
I voted about one hour ago for Obama. It felt great! I will be so glad to get the Republicans out of office. Bush & Company ave ruined our reputation in the world and tampered with our civil liberties! Glad to kick them out of the door
- Denise, Louisville, USA
The Republicans don't stand a chance with McCain as their candidate. No doubt he'd make an outstanding president, but he's up against the charm and charisma of Obama. They should have picked a candidate 25 years younger with the equal personal appeal of Obama. The Americans have always liked a star in the White House - like the Kennedy brothers, and Reagan for example! It's a foregone conclusion that Obama will win because not only is he a convincing and charming speaker, he has that feel good factor to go with it.
- Wooram, Alicante, Spain
Please ignore Delphine and Neil - they are clearly stupid and think that ridiculing people who hope for something better is somehow clever. Not all Brits are like that.
- Lauren, London
I'll just be glad to see the back of all this. We all knew who was going to win from the start. It wouldn't have mattered who the republicans had put up, they'd have lost against the 'cool' vote anyway. Barack (or Buuurack as they like to call him) IS the better candidate of the two, but it doesn't mean he's the right candidate. He has the Hollywood vote and I can bet your bottom dollar that when questioned on global issues, the majority of these 'stars' would have no idea what was going on in world politics or the global economy. I personally, am extremely unnerved that the fate of the world's most powerful country is put in the hands of Hollywood. Apparently Oprah has never commented on any candidate in 25 years but all of a sudden she's out there banging on about Obama. And what the hell have Jay-Z, Will Smith and Stevie Wonder got to with world politics? This smacks of when Blair was voted in, so many people with no idea of politics coming out and voting just because he hung out with Oasis and attempted to play a guitar. Blair might have been the right candidate at the time, just as Barack is now. But the trend of campaigning for the cool vote is frightening. Mark my words for the future. Its a sign of things to come, and next time the 'cool' candidate might not necessarily be the right one.
- Jc, London
I'm not over the moon about Obama but as I see it America might just stop bombing and killing their way around world, in other words - a chance for some sort of peace. America might then start to earn some respect instead of being the most hated nation on earth.
- Kathy Doyle, Pimlico UK
As someone posted yesterday, whoever wins, America will have a President who will be capable of stringing two sentences together, which will be a refreshing change.
- Brian, London
You have a point on how it doesn't make a diffrence of who's in the Oval office, but I'm glad after 8 years of questionable actions, a political war and many other problems that the president Bush has made that we are finally kicking him out and electing a NEW president... Oh and by the way not all Americans are fat, naive, and stupid. But I will not deny that some are...
- Michael Clark, Boothbay Harbor Maine, US
I just want to have some hope, to feel better about my country again. Without hope, we don't live, we exist. We have been trapped under the weight of our own stupidity for 8 years, most of us just want to not be ashamed of ourselves any longer.
- Linda, Minnesota, USA
It matters not a jot which of these two muppets get elected as President of the USA and so-called 'leader of the free world'. The New World Order agenda will continue apace as determined by the Council on Foreign Relations, Bilderbergers etc with the globalist financiers, bankers and industrialists pulling all the strings as per usual. Early to bed I think.
- David Moon, Seaford, UK
"Change... for what? Yes we can...what?"
After 8 years of being subjected to one of the most corrupt destructive Republican administrations, Americans are desperate for a change - for the better. Is it hard to understand that? We certainly have no illusions that it's going to be perfect, but the change will absolutely be better than what we've had. Is that naive?
- Dean, TX, USA
This election means a lot to the Americans who have been ignored the past eight years. It DOES make a difference who occupies the white house, as we have all seen the negative impacts of the bush administration.
Obama-Biden08
- Amanda, Miami, Usa
I just hope they know what they are doing. Their naive ways just won't take the time after the election into proper consideration. Change... for what? Yes we can...what?
- Delphine, Oxford
It's very sad that the Americans believe it makes the faintest difference who occupies the White House. They will be treated just the same either way.
- Neil, london uk, Airstrip ONE .
