MSNBC says McCauliffe has the lead, YAY, but

[MoonRiver]

they show numbers that indicate the opposite. In their graphic it's something like McCauliffe 40, Nutjob, 52.

[PoliticAverse]

1. McCauliffe is going to win. n/t

[yeoman6987]

21. Election

I hope we win New Jersey too. How on Earth could voters go just a few weeks ago and do the right thing and then the same voters go today and vote for Christie. Why didn't "we" do a better job at trying to get this Governorship? Basically we are going to have 1 win and the Republicans are going to have one win. Everybody is even. No celebrating for anyone.

[PoliticAverse]

25. Christie will win in New Jersey. n/t

[RBInMaine]

2. The little TeaPuke rural areas come in first. The blue urban areas later. RELAX.

[alp227]

40. The areas in the state with the major universities usually voted for Mac.

http://electionresults.virginia.gov/resultsCTY.aspx?type=SWR&rid=315&osn=4&map=CTY

Charlottesville City (U of Virginia) 82% (!!) for McAuliffe
Chesterfield County (Virginia State U) 49% Cooch
Fairfax County (George Mason U) 57% for Mac
Hampton City (U of Hampton) 68% for Mac
Harrisonburg City (James Madison U) 54% for Mac
Lexington (VMI; Washington and Lee U) 61% for Mac (even where the VA Military Institute is?)
Montgomery County (Virginia Tech) 56% for the Cooch
Norfolk City (Norfolk State U; Old Dominion U) 70% Mac
Radford City (Radford U) 50% Mac
Richmond City (VCU; U of Richmond) 70% for Mac
Williamsburg City (Coll of William & Mary) 63% Mac
Wise County (UVA Wise) 69% Cooch

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. Only the rural counties have reported so far.

It'll change.

[Arugula Latte]

4. It's the early returns from the low-population, rural southern part of the state.

Very Repuke-ian down there.

[onehandle]

5. Early numbers are crap. Wait an hour or so. nt

[Tarheel_Dem]

6. It was reported on another thread that rural areas report first. Takes longer to count the bigger..

city areas, I guess.

[chillfactor]

10. I saw that post as well....

so at this point I am not panicking

[Tarheel_Dem]

22. Agreed!

[mucifer]

7. 11% has been counted.

[JI7]

8. numbers are probably what are coming in first which are often more conservative areas

that have lower population so they get their numbers in earlier . the heavy Dem areas are usually much more populated and tend to come in last because it takes them longer .

this is why you often see places like California showing republicans ahead at first.

[MoonRiver]

9. OK, thanks for the reassurance guys!

Whew, I knew that stuff, but SOOOOOO want Dems to make a clean sweep in VA this year, I kind of freaked.

[Grateful for Hope]

13. I think they will win - and big time. Calm down.

I am in NY, and even early returns in NY have shown conservatives have the lead.

[MoonRiver]

16. Gonna be a good night for the good guys!

[Grateful for Hope]

19. I really do believe this.

[calimary]

78. Yeah, MoonRiver. Me too! I'm still freaking!

I won't calm down til I see a LEAD, and an ever-increasing lead at that. And we need that Attorney General's job filled by one of ours, too!

[JaneyVee]

11. More populated areas get counted later. Hence Romneys lead most of the night last

November. Then BOOM.

[MoonRiver]

14. And how sweet it was!

[msanthrope]

52. And Ann had had her hair done.....

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/07/ann-romney-election-night-red-dress-2012_n_2086090.html

[chillfactor]

12. at this point...13% reporting...

McAuliffe 11% behind

[Grateful for Hope]

15. Polls closed less than an hour ago.

The early returns are usually pretty meaningless.

[Schema Thing]

17. first rodeo I take it?

[lynne]

18. Here's link to results showing what counties are reporting -

- http://electionresults.virginia.gov/resultsCTY.aspx?type=SWR&rid=315&osn=4&map=CTY

[spooky3]

32. Thank you. Maybe you would want to make this a thread of its own?

[NuclearDem]

20. This is a race where we should've run a hardcore progressive.

[Tarheel_Dem]

23. Why? Because Tim Kaine & Mark Warner were so uber-"progressive"?

[lostincalifornia]

24. What is a "hardcore progressive". What comes to mind to me is Dennis Kucinich. Now do you really

believe that Dennis could win in Virginia?

[NuclearDem]

27. This was essentially a given for the Democrat in this race.

All they had to do was go after KC for his anti-woman and fundamentalist views and they would have run away with it.

But if we wanted to get more progressives on the stage for 2016, then running one in such a highly-publicized race would have not only given them a national spotlight but would have given real progressive values a major platform.

[lostincalifornia]

28. I respectfully disagree, especially when we are dealing with southern states, nothing is a given

[NuclearDem]

29. Fair enough. It is a southern state, but I still stand by my thought

That a real progressive could've carried this given KC's ultra-right positions.

[lostincalifornia]

33. Obviously, I think it would be great if your theory is right, but the other problem is the

Democratic power base at this time is mostly moderate, so it would be tough I think for a progressive

By power base, I mean money backing.

[spooky3]

30. I live in VA (maybe you do too) and IMHO there is NO way that a progressive

has a chance as a governor during these "off-year" elections, when turnout is low and tends to be disproportionately right wing.

When was the last time VA elected a progressive governor?

It is a purple state, because the urban areas are growing more rapidly than the rural areas. So the future may be different, but for now, Dem governor candidates have to be moderate and do a ton of fund-raising and retail politicking--hand-shaking, appearances at the mall, etc.

[lostincalifornia]

41. Actually, I am getting very concerned now, and this looks like it is going down to the line

[spooky3]

43. it could--but the big purple and blue counties tend to report results later than

the rural counties. Don't lose hope!

[lostincalifornia]

47. Definitely not, and I really think we will pull this out, but it will be thanks to the women

[spooky3]

53. Also, blue Portsmouth (in the Tidewater area) has reported only 1 of 32 precincts.

[StevieM]

65. I think McAuliffe will win by a decent margin. The AG race should be tight--hopefully we will

pull it out.

[spooky3]

70. I agree with you.

[lostincalifornia]

76. 88% of the vote, and .2% difference, that is not what I call decent margin. Hopefully, the 12% will

say it is for McAuliffe

[StevieM]

83. I see what you are saying, but many Democratic areas really do come in late, so the margin should

grow wider.

The question I have is this: Does McAuliffe win by 2.5 points, or does he win by 3 points? The reason that matters is because the AG race is super tight, and that extra half a point for the Dems will make the difference between victory and defeat. It looks like the winner will come out on top by a margin of less than one quarter of one percentage point.

[Jester Messiah]

26. Damn well agreed.

The only thing McA has going for him is that he's running against a lunatic theo-fascist. He's far too friendly with the big-money types. Serious reservations.

[Beacool]

31. I just walked through the door and saw that.

I'm freaking out. Could all the polls have been wrong and that nut job win the election??????

[Robbins]

34. Nope

The MSM Is doing this to gush over Christie and create rating before norhtern Virginia comes in.

The Democrats have won LT governor In Virginia.And of course nobody Is mentioning it besides on bottom of screen.

NBC will have egg on faces on their exit polls If that happened.

[MoonRiver]

36. So hoping you are correct!

I think you are!

[Beacool]

37. Great about the Lt. governor.

What parts of VA have already reported in, the red areas?

[spooky3]

39. yes, to an extent

[StevieM]

75. Yeah, he's kind of conservative. I would have preferred Aneesh Chopra. Maybe in 2017 (eom)

[spooky3]

79. MSNBC is calling McAuliffe the WINNER!

[Beacool]

88. Thank you for holding my hand tonight, my friend.

I was almost in disbelief that after McAuliffe had been up in the polls since spring that Cuccinelli could still pull it off. Now I can have my salad and my chicken cutlet without getting indigestion.

[spooky3]

92. Anytime--I know you'll be there for all of us in 2016!

Now, let's share a little virtual champagne!!!

[Beacool]

93. Here you go!!!

Brought enough for everybody.

[spooky3]

94. thanks, honey!

[Beacool]

95. You're welcome.

[lostincalifornia]

42. This is going to go right down to the line. This is going to be a squeaker

[MoonRiver]

35. Now MSNBC and CNN are saying it is Too Close To Call.

[spooky3]

38. Maybe. But Alexandria City, Fairfax Co, Charlottesv., and most of the Tidewater areas

have reported few results. About half of Arl. Co. has reported. These areas have tons of blue voters. Fairfax is huge.

Also Mark Warner was just on MSNBC and I was surprised how confident he was in talking as if McAuliffe has already won. It is not like him to go out on any limb, especially in making statements that could embarrass him if he turns out to be wrong, and that he has no obligation to say. And, the libertarian candidate seems to be getting a pretty high %, which probably hurts Cuccinelli more than McAuliffe.

So not to worry--yet!

The Rs' robo-calls were shameless this week--outright lies and smears. Desperation.

[Beacool]

45. CNN shows that 50% of the returns are in.

The Cooch is up by 3%.

[RBInMaine]

48. This is GOOD news if he's only up by 3 at this point with so much of the northern vote still out.

[spooky3]

50. Anyone who's worried should go to the election link posted above--

Not only is most of Fairfax Co. unreported, only 1/10 Charlottesville precincts' votes are in, and Alexandria City and Arl. Co (bluer than Fairfax) are not fully reported yet. Tidewater (Norfolk, Suffolk) also hasn't fully reported, and VA Beach, which leans red, shows most of its votes are in and the race is pretty tight there.

[NCarolinawoman]

46. I remember when Jim Webb won in that sqeaker, at the end of the evening.

It was after the final votes from a county in N. Virginia. By about 8000 votes, I believe.

Back in 2006. I had sent him some money. We were all energized by Howard Dean. (I had been a Wes Clark supporter.)

[Beacool]

49. Well, let's just hope that history repeats itself.

61% reporting and the Cooch is still 3% ahead. This is a nail biter.

[StevieM]

60. I don't think so. Northern Virginia comes in last and I think McAuliffe will win comfortably

And the 3 point lead was actually 2.3 points and it's now down to 1.93 points. Check that--since I started writing it is down to 0.92 points.

The real contest is in the Attorney General's race. We are down by 3.5 points. That one will be a real nail-biter, but I think we will pull it out.

Also, remember that 1/5 of the precincts left to report does not necessarily mean 1/5 of the vote. 20% of the precincts can mean 40% of the vote, depending on where the outstanding vote is coming from.

[Beacool]

63. OK, I'm sure that you are correct.

It's still a nail biter.

[pinboy3niner]

44. MSNBC caused confusion by using 2 different sets of data that weren't clearly labeled

They were stating "McAuliffe ahead" (based on their exit polling), while at the same time showing onscreen the very early actual precinct results reported to the Board of Elections--which naturally showed McAuliffe behind in those early rural votes.

Chris Matthews mentioned later why there was that discrepancy, but they really need to do a better job of labeling and specifying exactly what data they're talking about or presenting onscreen.

[spooky3]

51. Yay--MSNBC is calling the Lt. Gov. race for the Dems.

The R candidate (Jackson) is even nuttier than Cuccinelli.

[Liberal_in_LA]

54. that's a big win for the dems

[Beacool]

55. Yes, but 75% of the returns are in and Cuccinelli is still 3% ahead.

I can't believe that so many IDIOTS in VA voted for this RW kook. If he does win, they deserve what they get!!!!!

[spooky3]

56. yes, but as I have said several times in this thread, the biggest blue/bluish counties

have not reported even half of their votes (except Arlington Co.). The red areas are mostly fully reported by now. That remaining 25% is in the bluer areas. Don't lose hope!

[Beacool]

59. I'm trying, I'm just nervous.

Right now Cooch is up only by 1% with 80% of the votes counted.

[spooky3]

64. Take heart! Chuck Todd was practically in tears when he had to say

that FFX Co.'s votes were mostly still not counted, etc. It pained him so much that he had to lie and say that it's NoVA versus the rest of the state, when his OWN MAP shows all the urban areas are blue, not just NoVA.

[Beacool]

85. He,he, he..........

[spooky3]

58. http://electionresults.virginia.gov/resultsCTY.aspx?type=SWR&rid=315&osn=4&map=CTY

check them out for yourself if you like

[Beacool]

66. The link didn't work.

But thanks anyway.

[spooky3]

67. see if this does

http://electionresults.virginia.gov/resultsCTY.aspx?type=SWR&rid=315&osn=4&map=CTY

[Beacool]

84. Thanks, now it works.

I couldn't take the pressure. I had to get up and make myself a salad (I haven't had dinner yet).

[Roland99]

57. Lead down to 1.3%

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

61. Cooch's lead less than a percentage point now

[spooky3]

62. dopey Chuck Todd just claimed that it was No VA versus the rest of the state - FALSE

his OWN map shows that all of the urban areas are blue throughout the state, and rural/exurban areas are red.

No surprise there.

[ChiciB1]

68. Weeeelllll To Me, Right Now...

I'm REALLY, REALLY worried! I can't believe the numbers I'm seeing. McAuliffe has polled ahead all along, so WHAT'S going on? Anyone think "funny business?" I know Cooch purged voters, could more have been done. Am I into conspiracy thoughts right now?

Someone, please HELP me, I need reassurance because I have a huge pit in my gut! I told my husband some time ago that McAullife could very well lose, but I began to think otherwise lately.

Are the people in VA really going to give it to Cooch? OMG. I'm freaking!

[WorseBeforeBetter]

69. McAuliffe trailing by 1.2% with 82% precincts reporting...

NYT map:

http://www.nytimes.com/projects/elections/2013/general/virginia/map.html

[spooky3]

71. thanks -- Fairfax (huge purply blue co.) still is mostly unreported

as are two very blue Tidewater Counties

[WorseBeforeBetter]

73. .4% with 85%. I can't believe it's this close, what with...

the government shutdown lunacy. And Cooch in general lunacy.

[spooky3]

72. per that map, lead is now down to 0.4 percentage points, 85% of precincts reporting

[WorseBeforeBetter]

74. Ha, we posted at the same time!

LOL I cannot believe it's this close...

[spooky3]

77. VA bd of elections site says .03 percentage point difference with 87.64% of the vote in

Still 50+ precincts in FFX Co, plus many in Portsmouth and Suffolk, all blue, to be counted. Also, it appears from my county's results that they have NOT counted the absentee and provisional ballots. WaPo said that these tend blue.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

86. + .5 McAuliffe with 93% reporting.

Crazy.

NYT has called it.

[spanone]

80. fairfax coming in....!!!!!! msnbc projecting mcaulife

[Rosco T.]

81. MSNBC just called it...

McCauliffe

[Beacool]

87. It looks like Fox called it too.

They are still wondering what the margin will be.

[Beacool]

90. CNN just called it too!!!!

They are at McAuliffe's headquarters now. Thank you Northern VA for pulling it off for the Democrat!!!!!

[ChiciB1]

82. WHEW!!! Sure Was Worried!

Called For McAuliffe FINALLY! I give mucho thanks to somebody!
and from Florida...

[Beacool]

89. I'm thrilled!!!!

And relieved............

[ChiciB1]

91. Meeeeee Tooooooo!

Democrats in Congress should NOW start pushing back on Repukes and make their voices heard!

We NEED the wimpy ones to start standing up for "we the people" with some fire in their belly! Bang the drums and kick some ass!

It's way past time!