Title: estimated 130 million voters went to the polls
Tags: estimated 130 million voters went to the polls
Blog Entry: Historic vote puts Obama on course for White House TORCUIL CRICHTON and JAMES CUSICK in Manasses, Virginia Barack Obama was on course to make history last night as the 44th president of the United States of America after an estimated 130 million voters went to the polls. A record turnout, estimated to be 65% of the population, saw Americans queue around the block at voting stations to write the next chapter of the country's story. Just after 1am, some networks called Pennsylvania and New Hampshire for the Democratic senator, although votes were still being counted. Both were seen as crucial for John McCain to avoid defeat. Experts were predicting that one more significant win for Mr Obama would put the Democrat into the White House. As expected, Mr Obama captured Vermont, his home state of Illinois, Washington DC, Massachusetts, and Maryland while Mr McCain won Kentucky. But the early exit polls gave the Democrat candidate a seven to eight-point lead in the popular vote. West Virginia and South Carolina were being called for Mr McCain and all eyes were on Ohio, which decided the US election in 2004. The traditionally Republican state of Indiana, usually one of the first to declare, was said to be too close to call. Without the unpopularity of George W Bush's presidency, the biggest crash since the Depression and two intractable wars, it is unlikely that the US would have voted in such large numbers for a black candidate But without Mr Obama, the son of a white Kansas woman and a black Kenyan father, who has become an agent of hope who galvanized previously apathetic sections of the US electorate, the change would not happen. The highest percentage turnout since 1908 was seen as a boost for Mr Obama as the US looked for a president to steer it through the economic crisis, the global catastrophe of climate change and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan that have cost more than 4800 US military casualties. Missouri, another battleground state, reported an "unprecedented turnout" while officials in Ohio were expecting about 80% voter participation. Mr Obama, still grieving the death of his grandmother on the last day of campaigning, voted early in Chicago. His Republican rival John McCain voted later in Arizona. Mr Obama planned to end his campaign late last night at a rally in Chicago where an estimated one million people were expected. In his final rally in Virginia, which has not voted for a Democratic presidential nominee in 44 years, he told almost 100,000 people said: "I'm feeling kind of fired up. I'm feeling like I'm ready to go. At this defining moment in history, Virginia, you can give this country the change it needs." In an indication of interest in the battle for the White House, 40 million had already voted before election day dawned in postal and "early voting" ballots. In Virginia, which Mr Obama was hoping to capture, officials reported a "phenomenal turnout" and estimated that nearly 75% of eligible voters would eventually cast ballots. Most of those who were first to reach Baldwin Primary School on Main Street, Manassas, Virginia had left home at 5am. By 5.30am the queue was stretching out of the car park. An elderly black woman, who had difficulty walking, joined the early Virginia risers. Polling officials had laid on help for her - a portable chair, coffee and an offer of a fast-track route to the front of the queue. She refused them all, saying: "Look, I've waited 80 years for this day, I'm waiting in line like everyone else." There were fears of "the fix" in some black communities of Florida, a reference to 2000 when votes in key Democrat districts were ruled void. In Richmond, Virginia, some precincts were reporting ballot machine "difficulties". In Ohio, the design of ballot papers was causing problems. Teams of lawyers associated with the Democrat party were out in force across both states to ensure that all votes counted. Most opinion polls showed the Democrats poised for a decisive victory in the race to capture 270 of the 538 electoral votes required to take the White House as Americans chose between the inexperienced Mr Obama, with a powerful message of change and hope, and former Vietnam prisoner of war and veteran politician Mr McCain, who, at 72, would be the oldest first-term president. However, Mr Obama was making no predictions last night as he bid farewell to the reporters who have travelled with him for the past 22 months. "OK, guys, let's go home. It will be fun to see how the story ends," Mr Obama told the gathered press. Mr Obama led by almost eight points in the latest average of national polls but Mr McCain remained hopeful of a surprise victory. "I think these battleground states have now closed up, almost all of them, and I believe there's a good scenario where we can win," he said, still revelling in his underdog status. "Look, I know I'm the underdog, I understand that. You can't imagine the excitement of an individual to be this close to the most important position in the world, and I'll enjoy it, enjoy it. I'll never forget it as long as I live."
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