Election Night notes pt 1

6:10 PM - The first blood tonight is a Dem pick-up in the U.S. House.

Vermont Dem Patrick Welch is projected as easily defeating incumbent Republican Martha Rainville in Vermont's 1st District.

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From CNN:

A sheepish Gov. Mark Sanford was turned away from a South Carolina polling place Tuesday because he forgot his voter registration card.

The casting of ballots in front of the news media is a well-worn tradition for politicians, but it was no Kodak moment when Sanford discovered he had left his card behind.

Off camera, South Carolina first lady Jenny Sanford could be heard telling her husband that she had reminded him to bring it. (Watch his wife's stunned reaction -- 2:09)

Eventually, the poll manager at Sullivan's Island Elementary School politely told the governor that he couldn't vote unless he had a registration card.

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7:21 PM - Dems up 2 in the house

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Could this be the Democratic "wave" that some predicted? It's looking good.... but too early. Dems knock off the corrupt Blackwell for Ohio Gov... you may remember Blackwell as the Sec. of State who blatantly twisted rules to allow Bush a win in '04

Dems also picked up another governorship in Massechusetts with Duval Patrick projected to win there.

Just in, Casey projected to beat Rick "man on dog" Santorum in Pennsylvania, not unexpected, but good to hear.

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7:34 PM

CNN projects Menendez in New Jersey. This was a VERY tight race and many felt the Republican Kean was coming on strong. This bodes well for Dems.

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8:00 p.m.

Nothing up on the RI clerks results page yet, but with 1% of the vote in, CNN shows Hare leading Zinga 58% to 42%, Blago over Topinka 46% to 43%

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As expected, Smokin' Joe Lieberman is projected to win his race.

The exit poll numbers are telling. Among Dems, the vote was 68 to 30 in favor of Lamont, while 70% of Republicans voted for their guy Joe! They gave 21% to the Republican candidate and 10% to Lamont.

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8:17 P.M.

CNN has it Hare 48, Zinga 52% with 3% precincts in.

They also have Blago at a whopping 66 to 25% vs. Topinka with 15% in.

Still nothing on the Rock Island county results page.

The ultra tight, ultra unpredictable race in Maryland between Michael Steele and Ben Cardin has been called for Cardin..... this is a very good thing. The race was incredibly tight and could have gone either way.

Dems now up 1 in Senate (1 Independent as well), 3 in the House and 3 governorships

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Whitehouse win over Chafee in Rhode Island makes a 3 seat pickup for Dems in Senate... three more to taking the Senate.

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