Special Election Edition
The Rockbridge Report
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 Serving the Rockbridge area rockbridgereport.wlu.edu
Solid win for Obama
Late victories in Virginia, Ohio make
Democrat nation’s first black president
all results as of 12 a.m. Nov. 5 The Associated Press
Barack Obama was elected the nation’s first
Presidential black president Tuesday night in a historic triumph
Results that overcame racial barriers as old as America it-
self.
“Change has come to America,” said Obama
Wednesday morning.
The son of a black father from Kenya and a white
mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator from
Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican
Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought
battleground states -- Ohio, Florida, Virginia and
Iowa.
Cheering, screaming and weeping with joy, an
estimated 50,000 Barack Obama supporters wel-
comed his election Tuesday night in a delirious vic-
tory celebration in the senator’s hometown.
Barack Obama Many crammed into Grant Park to participate in
338 electoral the historic event.
“I want her to be able to tell her children when
votes history was made, she was there,” said Alnita
Tillman, 50, who kept her 16-year-old daughter, Ra-
ven, out of school so they could be at the park by 8
a.m., more than 10 hours before the gates opened.
The crowd went wild with joy as the news that
Obama would be the nation’s first black president
flashed across jumbo TV screens in the park where
Obama was to speak later that night. Many held
both hands high up in the air, waved American flags,
jumped up and down and cheered.
Large crowds also gathered in New York, Los
Angeles and Atlanta.
McCain called his former rival to concede de-
John McCain feat -- and the end of his own 10-year quest for the
White House. “The American people have spoken,
159 electoral and spoken clearly,” McCain told disappointed sup-
votes porters in Arizona.
Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden
of Delaware, will take their oaths of office as presi-
Senate Results dent and vice president on Jan. 20, 2009.
As the 44th president, Obama will move into the
Morry Gash / AP Photo Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost cer-
tainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one
“Change has come to America” in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.
As president-elect, he faces three immediate
see “Results” on page 4
Obama turns Virginia blue
Mark Warner For first time in 44 years, state supports Democrat for president
64 percent
The Associated Press of the state’s Senate seats for the over the top. at Virginia after Democrats won held down the margins McCain
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) -- Vir- first time since 1970. Democrats gained at least one three straight major elections here, would have needed to overcome
see page 3 for more ginia -- the seat of the old Con- The key change this year came spot in Virginia’s 11-member U.S. two for governor and a U.S. Sen- the Democrat’s huge advantages
federacy, yes, but also the state in Northern Virginia, where an House delegation when Gerald ate victory two years ago. He vis- in cities and in the suburbs of
Congress Results that elected the nation’s first black influx of new residents and first- Connolly won the seat of retiring ited the state 11 times since June, Washington and Richmond.
governor -- narrowly voted for time voters in Fairfax, Loudon Republican incumbent Tom Davis outspent McCain by a 3-to-1 ratio Obama benefited from wide-
Barack Obama on Tuesday as and Prince William Counties al- in the Washington suburbs. GOP and opened 50 campaign offices spread dissatisfaction with Presi-
Democrats tightened their grip lowed Obama to overcome Mc- incumbents Thelma Drake and statewide to McCain’s 24. dent Bush, deep concern over the
this former GOP stronghold. Cain’s substantial advantage in Virgil Goode were locked in races Both campaigns took the fight nation’s faltering economy and an
Obama became the first Demo- other parts of the state. that were too close to call. to the countryside, hoping to gain enthusiastic turnout by black and
crat since Lyndon Johnson in 1964 Those counties voted for Bush The state’s 13 electoral votes an edge in rural Virginia, which young, first-time voters.
to carry the state, which also over- in 2000 and 2004, but this year had been considered crucial to can blend gun-rights enthusiasm Even before he entered the
whelmingly picked a Democratic Obama campaigned hard to win John McCain’s chances of win- and Christian conservatism with race, Obama had a rock star’s fol-
former governor over a Repub- over those voters. ning the White House, and Obama strident labor activism in the same lowing among black Virginians,
lican one for U.S. Senate. Mark Record turnout among black shut the door on that with wins areas. about 20 percent of the state’s
Warner’s win over Jim Gilmore voters in Richmond and Hamp- here and in other pivotal states. Those areas went predomi-
see “Virginia” on page 4
gave Democrats control over both ton Roads also helped put Obama Obama decided to make a run nantly for McCain, but Obama
Elrod claims victory in mayor’s race
Bob Goodlatte
63 percent
see page 3 for more Race between two women gives Lexington its first female leader
filled by after she takes office; the
Mayor Results By Jess Ramos
Rockbridge Report other council members will select
with “for mayor.” She changed
her mind about using signs after
Lexington has its first female her successor. Harvey began canvassing and us-
mayor: Mimi Elrod. For Elrod, the race became ing yard signs of her own.
Elrod, a Washington and Lee more than what she anticipated Because the mayoral race was
staff member and veteran member when she announced her candi- nonpartisan, the Virginia Board
of City Council, received 1,344 dacy in January. Traditionally, lo- of Elections Web site listed both
votes, or 60 percent, compared to cal races are low-key and without candidates as independents.
her opponent, Mary Harvey, who yard signs and advertisements. Even so, Harvey signs tended
had 912 votes. Forums like the one sponsored by to appear in yards with signs for
“There’s a lot of work in front Lexington’s National Organiza- Republican presidential candidate
of us. We’ve got a lot of issues tion for Women last September John McCain. Elrod signs were
to deal with,” said Elrod, who are ordinarily enough for voters in many yards next to signs for
to hear the candidates’ views. Democratic presidential candi-
Mimi Elrod celebrated her victory with her
But this time, the race be- date Barack Obama and senatorial
friends after the voting result
60 percent came out. “But I’m very excited, came more intense. Elrod did not candidate Mark Warner. Christina Merchant / Rockbridge Report
and very pleased. I’m just beyond originally plan to use yard signs. Harvey, a proud independent, Mimi Elrod defeated Mary Harvey in Lexington’s first contested
thrilled.” Recently, though, she modified said the race was not partisan mayor’s race since the 1980s. Elrod’s victory means her seat on
Elrod’s council seat will be old signs from her previous run, see “Elrod” on page 2 the City Council will need to be filled by an appointment.
replacing “House of Delegates”
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 Page 2
Special Election Edition
Region
Area voters turn out in massive numbers
Lexington: 72 percent Rockbridge County: 75 percent Buena Vista: 64 percent
By Rebecca Bratu He found 32 people al- polling places was another con-
Rockbridge Report ready waiting in line when polls cern for Rockbridge area resi-
opened at 6 a.m. Throughout the dents Tuesday. The Rockbridge
Despite the weather Tuesday,
day, the lines remained long and Area Transportation System took
voters in the Rockbridge area
steady and the voting process ran area residents to and from polling
kept pouring in to cast their bal-
smoothly. Waiting in line took places with carpools, said Execu-
lots throughout the day in record
about 15 minutes at Highland tive Director Tim Root.
numbers.
Belle, and casting the ballot only Polling officials tried to ac-
In Rockbridge County, 74.64
a minute at most. commodate voters as much as
percent of registered voters
“It was pretty quick, easy, I possible. At both the Highland
showed up at the polls. Out of the
guess,” voter Catherine Lindsay Belle and Lexington precincts, of-
13,658 total number of registered
said. Other voters said the process ficials took voting machines out to
voters, 10,195 people cast a bal-
took less time than expected, but the cars of the people who were
lot Tuesday. Rockbridge County,
it was still the longest they had unable to walk into the polling
Buena Vista and Lexington all
ever waited at the precinct. place.
registered more voters than they
Belliveau said about 38 per- Registrars were worried that
did in the 2004 election, which
cent of registered voters, includ- large numbers might increase the
held the previous record for voter
ing absentee voters, had cast their risk for irregularities at the polls.
turnout.
ballots by 10 a.m. He said in past Not only long lines but also vot-
In Lexington, 73.81 percent
election years Highland Belle had ing machine malfunctions had the
of registered voters cast a bal-
a 64 percent turnout. potential to cause voter frustra-
lot. Carolyn Rendleman has been
“I think we could hit 75 per- tion. At the county’s Ben Salem
city registrar for 10 years. She
cent quite easily today,” Belliveau precinct just after 7 a.m., voters
had expected up to 80 percent of
said. were delayed for a few minutes
registered voters to show up at
With such a big turnout, offi- by a glitch in the two electronic
the polls, after a turnout close to
cials were bracing for problems. voting machines.
70 percent in 2004. Rendleman Michael White / Rockbridge Report
Peak voting times were from 6 But registrars said last week
registered 3,346 Lexington resi-
a.m. to 8 a.m., when people were they trusted their equipment. Despite fears that heavy turnout would cause long lines, the process went smoothly at Lexington’s
dents, and 2,470 actually voted
going to work; between 11 a.m. “I am very confident about the
Tuesday. tests to make sure the machines chines, which use a paperless fident.
and 1 p.m., when they had their machines,” Rendleman said.
Scott Belliveau, chief of elec- were working well. touch screen. There is no backup “I think we have one of the
lunch breaks; and from 5:30 p.m. She says the machines are kept
tions at Highland Belle precinct, “We did have some [ma- paper-vote system. According to best systems to catch voter prob-
to 7 p.m., when they went home locked and all the activity per-
has been working as a polling of- chines] that were off a little bit the nonpartisan organization Vot- lems, and the machine problems
from work. Polls closed at 7. formed on them is automatically
ficial for seven years. He said the and we went in and changed it so ersUnite!, documented failures are just negligible,” she said.
Buena Vista had hired two recorded. Access to the voting
turnout was the highest he has that everything winds up good,” of Patriot systems include loss One more factor – a light but
more people this election year to systems was reserved for employ-
ever seen.
assist with the increase in voters. ees of the registrar’s office. she said. of votes, under- and over-count- steady rain – threatened to affect
“We knew it was going to be Polling places in Lexington, ing, and other malfunctions that voter turnout today. Despite the
Registrars worked overtime to en- Rockbridge County Voter Reg-
big this year, but this is quite a Buena Vista, and Rockbridge caused delays at polling places. rain, though, the local lines were
sure a smooth voting process. istrar Marilyn Earhart says that
turnout,” Belliveau said.
Transportation to and from the county registrar’s office ran County used Patriot DRE ma- But Rendleman remained con- long.
Three challengers sweep out Page and Smith
Lexington ousts council incumbents
By Caroline Davis percent. on the Lexington Planning Com- at Lexington, was also looking for Mayoral and City Council ty affiliations on the ballot. Voters
Rockbridge Report “These are people that have mission. Cox is also retired and a second term. elections are held in every even- could select up to three candi-
Bob Lera, David Cox and served with great distinction,” had made two unsuccessful bids Two other council members, numbered year. Elected Council dates, but the voting machine pre-
Marylin Alexander won the three said Cox of the incumbents. “But for the Virginia General Assem- Jim Gianniny and Frank Fried- members take office Jan. 1 and vented them from selecting more.
available seats on the Lexington they have been on the quiet side. bly. Alexander is a longtime Lex- man, will not be up for re-election serve a four-year term. Selecting only one name gave that
City Council Tuesday evening, I hope that their contributions to ington resident and member of the until their terms expire in 2010. “My intent over the next four candidate a greater chance of win-
defeating two incumbents. Lexington will be appreciated.” Lexington School Board. In this year’s election, many years,” said Lera, “is to ask ques- ning a seat on the council.
“I am just thrilled,” said Cox For Page and Smith, there is Page is a professor of civil en- of the local candidates relied on tions and listen when people talk In the past, elections have
of the victory. “Things have just still hope for a seat on the Coun- gineering at Virginia Military In- word-of-mouth methods to drive to me.” lacked the element of excitement
gone wonderfully [tonight].” cil. stitute and was seeking his second their campaigns. Voters took to The City Council election is present in this year’s race.
Lera secured the highest Mimi Elrod’s win for mayor term on the Council. Smith, direc- their own initiative to learn about nonpartisan and at-large, which In 2006, candidates Elrod, Gi-
amount of votes at 27 percent. Cox means a fourth Council seat will tor of facilities services at Kendal each candidate. means voters did not see any par- anniny and Friedman handily beat
and Alexander were close behind now be available. Her city council out two competitors.
with 25 percent and 21 percent of seat will be vacated at the start of For the 2004 Lexington City
the votes, respectively. the next council term in January. Council race, election results were
“This was not a one man The council will look to ap- even more anticlimactic. Candi-
show,” said Lera. “There were a point a Lexington resident to the dates Golden, Page and Smith ran
whole lot of people that got in- open position. That resident could uncontested.
volved in helping me work out the well be one of the losers from to- Meanwhile, results are still
details of this campaign.” night’s results. pending for the Glasgow Town
Lera, Alexander, and Cox Council elections. Tracy Shafer
Both Cox and Lera spent the
were looking to win a first term Marylin David Cox Bob Lera Jack Page Ron Smith and Roger Funkhouser challenged
drizzly, grey Tuesday morning at
on the council. The other two can- Alexander incumbents Mike Turner and Ro-
the polls greeting voters.
Cox said this may have helped didates, Page and Smith, hoped to 21 percent 25 percent 27 percent 15 percent 11 percent berta Lyle in the race for three
him in edging out the two incum- retain their seats. A third incum- open seats. Funkhouser, Lyle and
bents, Jack Page and Ron Smith. bent, Tim Golden, was not seek- Turner are currently leading.
Page received only 14 percent ing re-election. 1,023 votes 1,231 votes 1,319 votes 701 votes 527 votes
of the vote and Smith received 11 Lera is retired and had served
The three candidates with the most votes won seats on Council
Elrod elected as new mayor Local voters talk about their choices
continued from page 1 me,” said Harvey. Harvey said it By Christina Merchant the county voted Democratic in a
from her point of view. had been a journey of self-discov- Rockbridge Report
Harvey had an interview with ery. Her most memorable moment
Chelsea Riordan and Andy
“I’m glad it’s over, and I hope presidential election was in 1976,
when Jimmy Carter was elected.
Dutch National Television in came while reading a letter writ- Wayne Johnston also predicted
October for a special report on ten by someone endorsing her. As Painter are two young Rockbridge
County residents who were able
McCain gets it, because we do that Rockbridge County would go
local elections in America. She she read the letter, for a second she
to vote for the first time Tuesday. Republican, though he was less
said the Dutch network chose to
interview her because she had no
could not believe the traits and ac-
complishments written matched Painter was hoping to see a not need Obama in there.” certain about whether Virginia as
Republican victory, although he a whole would support McCain.
ties to any political party. the person holding the letter.
was concerned that Virginia was
Emogene Goodbar, Rockbridge resident But Johnston was trying to do
With no opinion polls in Lex- “Is that me? Is he talking about his part.
me?” asked Harvey. “It was a considered a swing state going
ington, signs became one way to will be okay,” Lindsay said. best.” “I never vote for a Democrat,”
strange feeling to have someone into Election Day.
predict the outcome. According to Another voter, Mary Ellen Goodbar thought Rockbridge he said.
encapsulate you.” “I’m hoping to see McCain
Elrod, people view the signs and Kline, said she was tense awaiting County would go Republican as
For Elrod, the race was an and Palin, but I guess it is kind of
automatically assume that party Tuesday’s results. it has in the past. The last time
opportunity to meet with others up in the air,” Painter said.
lines are already drawn.
In her first presidential elec- “I don’t know if I can divulge
Elrod may be an active Demo-
crat, but she claimed her political
who would not necessarily share
her views. She recently visited tion, Riordan voted for Barack
Obama, an experience she de-
[who I voted for] because if I get
started I will be sorry I said any-
The Rockbridge Report
beliefs do not interfere with her the Barger quarry in Rockbridge thing,” Kline said.
scribed as exciting and liberating.
duties on City Council. County and met with the owner,
“I’ve heard a lot of different Several voters said they were Layout Editors: Jacob Geiger and Alexandra Scaggs
In fact, Elrod said she could Chuck Barger. glad finally to see Nov. 4.
not distinguish the political lean- “It did make an impression on things, so I have no clue what’s Wire Editor: Colleen Evans
“I think it’s time to get on to
ings of her fellow council mem- me,” she said. “It was the kind of really going to happen,” she said.
doing what needs to be done with Art and Graphics Editor: Dana Statton
“I just hope that everyone votes
bers. thing that led me to see the impor-
for Barack.” this country,” Susan Dunlap said. Copy Editor: Jamie Kim
“You don’t act like a Democrat tance of sitting down with people Emogene Goodbar agreed.
that you won’t necessarily have Other voters found themselves
or a Republican [on City Coun- “I’m glad it’s over, and I hope
the same opinion as.” confused about whom to vote for.
cil],” Elrod said. “You just need to McCain gets it because we do not
County resident Catherine Lind-
get the job done and take a practi- Harvey said she will remain on
say was more confused when she need Obama in there,” Goodbar Advised by Professor Pamela Luecke
cal approach.” the city Planning Commission.
For both candidates, the race
left the polls than when she went said. “I think the ones that are Special thanks to W&L’s election night team.
going to vote for Obama are the
was a memorable and learning
in.
ones that need the welfare help. Produced by the Washington & Lee Journalism Dept.
“ I didn’t vote for who I thought
experience. We need a change, a new change,
I was going to vote for. I think it
“It’s been a real education for and I think that this will be for the
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 Page 3
Special Election Edition
State
How Rockbridge voted
PRESIDENT CONGRESS SENATE
John McCain Barack Obama Bob Goodlatte Sam Rasoul Jim Gilmore Mark Warner
County: 56 percent County: 42 percent County: 63 percent County: 36 percent County: 38 percent County: 61 percent
Lexington: 37 percent Lexington: 62 percent Lexington: 42 percent Lexington: 55 percent Lexington: 42 percent Lexington: 42 percent
Buena Vista: 53 percent Buena Vista: 46 percent Buena Vista: 62 percent Buena Vista: 37 percent Buena Vista: 32 percent Buena Vista: 67 percent
Warner clinches easy victory Republicans fall
in strongholds
By Claudia Vincenti ner nearly three-to-one.
Rockbridge Report Warner ran unsuccessfully for
the Senate in 1996 but was elected
Democrat Mark Warner deci- governor in 2001. He served until
sively won Tuesday’s election to 2006 and surprised many in Vir- By The Associated Press Mitch McConnell, who had been
become Virginia’s newest United ginia and nationally when he an- House Democrats solidified a target of national Democrats,
States Senator. nounced in October of that year their control of the Northeast and won re-election against two-time
Warner’s 63 to 37 percent win that he was not seeking the Demo- made gains in the South on Tues- Democratic gubernatorial candi-
over Republican Jim Gilmore cratic presidential nomination. day by defeating Republicans date Bruce Lunsford in a conten-
gives Virginia two Democrats in His statewide popularity as from Connecticut to Arizona as tious race.
the U.S. Senate and helps bolster governor carried over into his bid they pushed for historic gains in With Mark Warner’s victory in
the party’s position in Congress. for the Senate seat. Warner was their majority. Virginia, Democrats now control
With two-thirds of the precincts favored to win the Senate race “It’s the night we have been both Senate seats and the gover-
reporting, Warner had 1.28 million from the start. waiting for,” said House Speaker nor’s mansion.
votes and Gilmore had 731,630. Gilmore served as governor Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Reaching their goal of 60
Warner easily carried both Rock- from 1998 to 2002 and briefly Ousting 22-year veteran Rep. seats was a stretch. But having
bridge County and Lexington with campaigned last year for the Re- Chris Shays in Connecticut gave a majority in the high 50s would
similar margins. publican presidential nomination. Democrats every House seat from enable Democrats to exercise far
The two former Virginia gover- Prior to his term as governor, New England. And their victory in more control than they have now,
nors ran for the seat being vacated Gilmore was attorney general of an open seat on New York’s Stat- since some Republicans probably
by the retirement of longtime Re- Steve Helber / AP Photo
Virginia from 1994-1997 and was en Island would join them in efforts to break
publican Senator and Washington the commonwealth’s attorney of Sen. Mark Warner won by more than 25 percentage points. gave them Senate logjams on many bills and
and Lee University alumnus John Henrico County from 1988-1993. having introduced a bipartisan, rescue plan. control of judicial appointments.
Warner. Warner is not related to Rep. Tom Davis from North- results-oriented approach to Rich- During his term as gover- all of New Democrats had fewer seats to
the Democratic candidate. ern Virginia, more moderate and mond during his term as gover- nor, Gilmore cut taxes for work- York City’s defend than Republicans. Of the
Mark Warner had gone into with more money than Gilmore, nor, and promised to bring that ing families by $1.5 billion, as delegation 35 races on Tuesday’s ballot, 23
Election Day with a lead of 30 was a Republican challenger for kind of leadership to Washington. he promised when elected. He in Wash- are now held by Republicans, 12
percentage points in some polls. the nomination but dropped out of If elected to the Senate, he told vowed to keep his word as sena- ington for by Democrats.
According to those recent polls, the race when the state party de- voters, he would work to build tor as well and promised to get the the first Another possible pickup for
Gilmore had the support of 78 cided to pick its nominee with a a coalition of moderate senators country back on track and get the time in 35 Democrats: Sen. Ted Stevens, R-
percent of Virginia Republicans, convention rather than a primary. who are willing to fight for results economy moving forward again. years. Alaska. Stevens, at 84, the longest
with Warner backed by nearly one Gilmore defeated Del. Bob Mar- instead of partisan advantage. He For many observers, Gilmore’s Sen. Elizabeth Dole serving Republican in Senate his-
of five GOP voters. Ninety-seven shall of Prince William County at also promised to look out for the defeat showed the decline of the lost in North Carolina. D e m o - tory, sought re-election despite
percent of Democrats said they the convention. taxpayers to make sure their in- traditional conservative right’s crats calls from GOP leaders to resign
supported their party’s candidate. Warner prided himself on terests are protected in a financial control of the state. ousted four Republican incum- after he was convicted last week
Goodlatte thumps Rasoul
Unaffiliated voters favored War- bents and captured five open GOP of seven counts of lying on Senate
seats. Republicans knocked off financial disclosure forms.
two Democratic incumbents. He was locked in a tight con-
With nearly 300 of the 435 test with Democrat Mark Begich,
House races decided, Democrats the mayor of Anchorage. Another
Incumbent wins ninth term by significant margin held leads for more than a dozen
other Republican-held seats.
closely contested race was in Min-
nesota, where Republican incum-
By Cameron Steele Democrats fattened their ma- bent Coleman was challenged by
Rockbridge Report jority control of the Senate, oust- Democrat Al Franken, the former
Republican incumbent Bob Goodlatte eas- ing Republican Sens. Elizabeth “Saturday Night Live” writer and
ily beat out the grassroots campaign of Demo- Dole of North Carolina and John actor.
crat Sam Rasoul to win the battle for Virginia’s Sununu of New Hampshire and Republicans held the Nebraska
6th Congressional District Tuesday. With 80 capturing seats held by retiring seat of retiring Sen. Chuck Hagel,
percent of the district reporting, Goodlatte had GOP senators in Virginia, New with former Gov. Mike Johanns
64 percent of the vote and Rasoul had 34 per- Mexico and Colorado. defeating Democrat Scott Kleeb,
cent. With 29 of 35 Senate races a cattle rancher. Johanns resigned
Goodlatte, from the Roanoke area, has called, Democrats were guaran- as Bush’s agriculture secretary to
cruised to victory in all of his races since he teed at least a 55-45 majority, make the race.
first won election in 1992. including two holdover indepen- Republican incumbent sena-
The 27-year-old Rasoul campaigned for dents who vote with Democrats. tors who cruised to re-election in-
nearly two years straight, starting just after But they were hoping for even cluded Lindsay Graham in South
Goodlatte won 76 percent of the vote in a land- greater gains in a political en- Carolina, Susan Collins of Maine,
slide over two independents in 2006. Rasoul vironment that clearly favored Jeff Sessions in Alabama, James
based much of his campaign on a platform Democrats. Inhofe in Oklahoma, Lamar Al-
of congressional reform, promising to return North Carolina state Sen. exander in Tennessee, Pat Roberts
governmental control to the middle class and Kay Hagan, little known political- in Kansas, Thad Cochran of Mis-
vowing not to take special interest or party ly before her run, defeated Dole sissippi, John Cornyn of Texas
money in the meantime. -- a former Cabinet member in and Michael Enzi in Wyoming.
But as Election Day dawned it was clear two Republican administrations Sen. John Barrasso, appointed af-
it would be a losing battle for the nation’s and 2000 presidential hopeful. ter Wyoming Sen. Craig Thomas
The Roanoke Times, Kyle Green/AP Photo died, was elected to fill the re-
youngest congressional candidate, an entre- Dole had tried to tie Hagan, a for-
preneur and activist from Botetourt County. Bob Goodlatte campaigns in Roanoke on November 4. mer Presbyterian Sunday school maining four years of Thomas’
Even Rasoul’s supporters acknowledged it teacher, to atheists in an ad that term.
Allen raised $10,005 – 95 percent of it self- though those who heard him speak were im- Democratic senators easily
would be tough. appeared to backfire.
financed – and had about $2,000 in cash on pressed by his message, few Rockbridge winning re-election included Jay
With 16 years of experience, Goodlatte is In New Hampshire, former
hand. County citizens showed up for the events. Rockefeller of West Virginia, Dick
comfortable in the halls of the U.S. Capitol. Democratic Gov. Jeanne Shaheen
Even as the heavy favorite, Goodlatte saw Goodlatte, on the other hand, launched a Durbin of Illinois, John Kerry of
And he had a lot of support from the tradition- defeated Sununu in a rematch of
the need to raise money. To distinguish himself campaign that left Rasoul in the dust. He even Massachusetts, Frank Lauten-
ally conservative citizens in his district. their 2002 contest.
“I think Goodlatte’s been a wonderful ser-
from the rest of the Republican ticket, GOP gained recognition from observers such as
Democrats now exercise a berg of New Jersey, Carl Levin of
6th District Vice Chairman Scott Sayre said, the men’s magazine Esquire, which endorsed Michigan, Tim Johnson of South
vant for the community,” Mildred Goughner, a slim 51-49 control of the cham-
Goodlatte focused on his history of bipartisan- Goodlatte for his “independent record on com- Dakota, Mark Pryor of Arkansas,
volunteer from the Rockbridge Area Republi- ber. Democrats were reaching for
can Committee, said last week. When asked if
ship. munications and agriculture.”
a coveted 60-seat, filibuster-proof Max Baucus of Montana, Tom
“He’s got a lot of good policies that make Goodlatte and Rasoul debated three times Harkin of Iowa and Jack Reed of
she was concerned with Rasoul’s presence in Senate majority.
common sense and appeal to both Democrats throughout the race, once accompanied by Al- Rhode Island.
the race, Goughner laughed. In pair of western races, Reps.
and Republicans,” Sayre said. len. They avoided attacks on each other almost In the House, GOP Rep. Tom
“Oh, no, I don’t think so,” she said. Tom and Mark Udall took over
But Oxford said despite poll numbers and entirely, although Rasoul didn’t hesitate to Feeney -- under fire for ties to
But Rasoul was able to win the majority Senate seats held by retiring Re-
fundraising amounts, name recognition for point out Goodlatte’s broken pledge to serve disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff
in Lexington, a historically “blue” area in the publicans. Tom Udall, the son of
Rasoul had increased in Rockbridge County only six terms. -- was the first incumbent to fall,
midst of a conservative county. He won just former Interior Secretary Stewart
over the past couple of months. “When you give your word, that means losing to former state Rep. Su-
over 55 percent of the city vote. Udall, defeated Republican Rep.
“He’s worked extremely hard and he’s re- something. And here you have the incumbent zanne Kosmas. To the east, Rep.
Goodlatte had the clear fundraising edge Steve Pearce to succeed Pete Do-
lentless,” he said. who said ‘I’m going to go, do my job, work Ric Keller, R-Fla., lost to Demo-
over Rasoul and independent challenger Jan- menici in New Mexico. Tom’s
Rasoul spent the past 21 months spreading hard for you, then I’m leaving.’ Well, he didn’t cratic attorney Alan Grayson, in
ice Lee Allen. According to the Center for cousin Mark, the son of the late
his name and ideas across the district’s 19 cit- keep his word,” said Rasoul. an increasingly Hispanic district
Responsive Politics, he raised more than $1.3 Rep. Morris Udall of Arizona,
ies and counties. But Goodlatte’s broken promise apparently in Orlando.
million – with equal parts coming from indi- won the Colorado seat held by
Rasoul touted his campaign message in didn’t dissuade voters. His victory over Rasoul
viduals and political action committees – and Republican Wayne Allard, who
Lexington at public and class meetings at marks the beginning of his ninth term.
had $1.1 million in cash on hand. Rasoul did not seek re-election.
Washington and Lee University. But even
raised $285,593 and had $87,000 on hand. Senate Republican leader
Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2008 Page 4
Special Election Edition
National
McCain concedes after losing California
Obama wins
continued from page 1 or ideology but a mandate for
challenges: confronting the worst change,” said Senate Majority
economic conditions since the leader Harry Reid of Nevada. WA
MT ME
ND
Great Depression, determining Said Speaker Nancy Pelosi of OR MN
VT NH
the next steps in two lingering California: “Tonight the Ameri- ID SD WI
MI
NY MA State
wars, and leading his Democrats, can people have called for a new Electoral votes 270 needed to win
WY
IA PA
RI winner
NE CT
Obama 309 NV OH
including liberals expecting that direction. They have called for McCain 120
UT
CO
IL IN
WV
NJ
DE
CA KS MO VA
KY
the change he promises will come change in America.” NC
MD Not called/
instantly. It won’t. Shortly after 11 p.m. in the Nationwide popular vote AZ
NM
OK AR
TN DC no data
SC
Obama 50.9%
With Democrats expanding East, The Associated Press count McCain 47.8% LA
MS AL GA OBAMA MCCAIN
TX
their majorities in both the House showed Obama with 338 electoral Others 1.1%
AK
FL CHANGED PARTY
and Senate, Obama will have to vote, well over the 270 needed HI from 2004 election
State breakdown of electoral votes
figure out how to lead a country for victory. McCain had 127 after OBAMA • BIDEN MCCAIN • PALIN
that’s more conservative than lib- winning states that comprised the
eral while trying to satisfy the left normal Republican base. CA CT DE FL IA IL MA MD MI MN NJ NM NY OH OR PA RI VA VT AK CO GA HI IN MO NC NE SD AL AR KY LA MS OK TN TX UT WY
DC ME NH WI AZ ID MT NV WA KS ND SC WV
wing of his party. The nationwide popular vote
The popular vote was close, was remarkably close. Totals NUMBER OF ELECTORS 270 electoral votes needed
Sorted alphabetically by postal code to win the presidency
but not the count in the Electoral from 58 percent of the nation’s Seattle
College, where it mattered most. precincts showed Obama with 51 WA
Geography of
There, Obama’s audacious de- percent and McCain with 47.9. the popular vote ND COUNTY POPULAR VOTE
ME
Portland MT
cision to contest McCain in states Interviews with voters suggest- 54.7% of precincts reporting
nationwide in presidential race MN VT
that hadn’t gone Democratic in ed that almost six in 10 women OR
NH
LEADER IN ID Minneapolis Boston
years paid rich dividends. were backing Obama nationwide, EACH COUNTY
SD
WI NY MA
Obama has said his first order while men leaned his way by a OBAMA WY
MI CT RI
Detroit
of presidential business will be to narrow margin. Just over half of MCCAIN
IA New York
NE Chicago PA NJ
tackle the economy. He has also whites supported McCain, giving OTHER
Philadelphia
Less than 70% More than 70% San Francisco NV OH MD
pledged to withdraw most U.S. him a slim advantage in a group of precincts reporting UT Denver IL IN DE
combat troops from Iraq within that Bush carried overwhelmingly Not called/no data CA
CO St. Louis
WV Washington, D.C.
KS VA
16 months. in 2004. Tie/runoff
MO
KY
Fellow Democrats rode his The results of the AP survey NC
CALLED STATES TN
coattails to larger majorities in were based on a preliminary par- Los AZ OK
NM ELECTORAL
Angeles
both houses of Congress. They tial sample of nearly 10,000 vot- AR SC COLLEGE VOTE
Phoenix Atlanta ALLOCATION:
defeated incumbent Republicans ers in Election Day polls and in AL All states and D.C.
RI Dallas MS GA are winner-takes-all,
and won open seats by turn. telephone interviews over the past DE except for Maine and
Nebraska where two
MD AK
The 47-year-old Illinois sena- week for early voters. DC TX
electoral votes go to
LA the state winner and
tor was little known just four years Democrats also acclaimed HI Houston
one goes to the
winner of each
ago. A widely praised speech at Senate successes by former Gov. FL congressional
district
the Democratic National Con- Unofficial results
Mark Warner in Virginia, Rep. Popular vote by Seattle as of 11:03 p.m. EST
vention, delivered when he was Tom Udall in New Mexico and county population NOTE: Alaska results are statewide only Miami
Portland
merely a candidate for the Senate, Rep. Mark Udall in Colorado. All Leader in counties with more than
70 percent of precincts reporting
changed that. won seats left open by Republican COUNTY POPULATION
Minneapolis Boston
Senate results Darker color indicates
seat changed party
Overnight he became a sought- retirements. 2007 estimates Detroit
50,000 Chicago New York
after surrogate campaigner, and he In New Hampshire, former 100,000 Philadelphia
San
had scarcely settled into his Sen- Gov. Jeanne Shaheen defeated 500,000 Francisco Denver
St. Louis
Washington, D.C.
0 5
MA
ate seat when he began preparing Republican Sen. John Sununu 1 million
RI
NJ
for his run for the White House. in a rematch of their 2002 race, Los Angeles
DE
A survey of voters leaving and Sen. Elizabeth Dole fell to 5 million Phoenix Atlanta
Dallas
polling places on Tuesday showed Democrat Kay Hagan in North 24
12
the economy was by far the top Carolina. Houston
9
10 million SPECIAL ELECTION: WY MS
Election Day issue. Six in 10 vot- Democrats also looked for 6 12 10
Miami
ers said so, and none of the other gains in the House. They found 5 8 7
5
their first in Florida, defeating
4
top issues -- energy, Iraq, terror- House of Representatives breakdown 1 0 3 3 6 5 4 5 4 4 0 10
5 0 1 0 2 2
Voting members only
ism and health care -- was picked Rep. Tom Feeney, and another in DEMOCRATS 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 2
by more than one in 10. Connecticut, where 22-year vet- AK DE MT ND SD VT WY HI ID ME NH RI NE NM NV UT WV AR KS MS CT IA OK OR KY SC AL CO LA AZ MD MN WI IN MO TN WA MA VA GA NC NJ MI OH IL PA FL NY TX CA
“May God bless whoever wins eran Chris Shays was swept away REPUBLICANS 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 0 4 0 4 3 4 0 4 1 1 1 3 4 2 4 0 0 5 7 5 5 2 4 4 4 12 3 17 2
tonight,” President Bush told din- by the Democratic tide. 2006 233 Seats 202 Seats 51.6% of precincts reporting
ner guests at the White House, The resurgent Democrats also 2008 435 total
where his tenure runs out on Jan. elected a governor in one of the 178 Seats 145 Not called 112 Seats
20. nation’s traditional bellwether Senate breakdown 50%
The Democratic leaders of states when Missouri Attorney 2006 49 Seats 2 Seats 49 Seats 62.2% of precincts reporting
Congress celebrated in Washing- General Jay Nixon won his race. 2008 100 total
ton. 53 Seats 2 Seats 7 Not called 38 Seats
“It is not a mandate for a party SOURCES: AP Election Research; USGS; Census Bureau J. Balestrieri, C. Osgood, N. Rapp • AP
ELN RESULTS 6C NOV 4 23-02-EST:
Northern Virginia’s votes
Graphic shows detailed presidential race results by county, population, margin of victory in
each state and overall popular vote; includes Congressional race results by state and
balance of power; 6c x 15 5/8 inches; 295.2 mm x 397 mm; JJB; CO; ETA pending results
EDITORS: Early versions with incomplete results will show county leaders
and called states; detailed margin of victory and leader's percentage
analysis will appear in later versions after enough data becomes available
push Obama over the top
Editors Note: It is mandatory to include all sources that accompany this graphic when repurposing or editing it for publication
continued from page 1 day was hardly safe. since Robert Russa Moton Moton
population of 7 million. In cam- Against the backdrop of Wild- High School’s black student body
paigning for Tim Kaine for gov- er’s win, the mere fact of Obama’s walked out in protest of substan-
ernor in 2005 and Jim Webb for contesting Virginia carried enor- dard conditions 57 years ago and
Senate a year later, he attracted mous emotion for some. Obama winning Prince Edward
large and enthusiastic crowds. In Farmville, Rita Moseley County on Tuesday.
Obama also had history on his voted at a polling place near a “I haven’t cried yet. But if that
side in Virginia, where in 1989, former all-black school. Moseley, happens, at that moment ...” she
L. Douglas Wilder was narrowly 62, said she was among the black said, unable to go on.
elected the nation’s first black students who had to leave town Bob Gibson, director of the
governor. Polls before that elec- to attend school elsewhere after Sorenson Institute at the Univer-
tion, however, showed Wilder Prince Edward County closed its sity of Virginia, said the key for
with a double-digit lead, a sure public schools in the late 1950s Obama was compning Bush’s un-
sign that whatever edge Obama rather than integrate them. popularity with the state’s chang-
might have gained before Tues- Moseley pondered the change ing demographics.
Across America, black voters rejoice after historic win
The Associated Press say? We’re going to the mountain- twins, Justin and Jasmine, to vote tion “just a wonderful remem- Obama. water, desperate black families
top? That’s how I feel,” said Delo- for Obama. brance of what America is -- that “People will grow to trust him begging from rooftops for help
WASHINGTON -- Less than
res Oliver, standing in the parking They were in line at Burke people freely have the capacity to -- if they don’t already,” he said. that was too slow to arrive.
five miles from the White House,
lot of the hilltop Washington View High School in Charleston, S.C., progress.” “I think it’s genetic in us, to worry In the Lower 9th Ward, at Mar-
separated by a river and so much
Apartments, with the famous part next to the Citadel military acade- Riley cited the landmark about superficial things.” tin Luther King Jr. Charter School,
history, people spoke of popping
of Washington spread out in the my, whose cadets fired on a Union Brown vs. Board of Education de- Today, America celebrates the voter lines were short Tuesday
champagne, of winning the lot-
distance below. steamer en route to Fort Sumter cision: To be here 54 years later, what began in Topeka. But race in -- not because of a lack of interest
tery. They remembered those who
“Look where black people on Jan. 9, 1861. They were not he said, was “just a wonderful fact America is also about scars, deep -- but because the neighborhood is
died before witnessing this day,
came from,” said Dasmin Hol- far from where slaves had been about America.” and persistent. still a sparse landscape.
and they stored away “I Voted”
laway, a black college student, traded. The Brown decision took its “This election is important,” Josetta White, 39, and her
stickers as if they were precious
not far from where nine students “When I was a kid and my name from Oliver Brown, whose said Jim Armstead, a long-time daughter Clare, 12, showed up
heirlooms.
faced down angry crowds and the mom told me I could be president, daughter had to take a bus to republican who voted in Lexing- with two goals. First, the mother
In the often forgotten neigh-
governor in 1957 to integrate Cen- I didn’t believe it,” said Palmer, segregated Monroe Elementary ton, Va., “maybe one of the most would vote for the man she be-
borhood of Anacostia, people
tral High School in Little Rock. who is black. “But if he wins to- School, kept out of a white school important elections we’ve had lieved gave the New Orleans its
talked about history -- slavery and
“We started off as slaves,” day, when I tell my son, `Hey, you much closer to their home. within the last hundred years.” best shot at revival.
separate water fountains. They
Hollaway said after voting for could be president one day,’ he The building, in Topeka, Kan., There is New Orleans, also an “It can’t get any worse,” the
reached in vain for adjectives
Obama. “Now look.” will believe it.” is now a national historic site. And old slave-trade city. In the Cres- older White said. “I voted for him
that were big enough. Some just
George Palmer, a 41-year-old At another voting precinct in on Tuesday, in what used to be a cent City, only three years ago, a (Obama) not because I think he
leaned out of car windows and
computer analyst, considered the Charleston, the white longtime second-floor classroom, Ralph natural disaster forced Americans can change everything, but be-
shouted: “Obamaaaaaa!”
weight of it as he waited with his mayor, Joseph P. Riley Jr., was Hoover, a white, 68-year-old re- to confront images of impover- cause I think he’ll try. ... Either
“What did Martin Luther King
wife, Joetta, and their 5-year-old waiting in line. He called the elec- tired probation officer, voted for ished black neighborhoods under way it ends, this is history today.”