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Obama claims 2nd District electoral vote

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BY DON WALTON / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Nov 07, 2008 - 09:25:01 pm CST

Barack Obama may have made a little more history Friday, apparently banking a presidential electoral vote in Nebraska and running up his score.

With the early vote count completed in Douglas County, Obama grabbed a 1,260-vote lead over John McCain in the 2nd Congressional District and his supporters laid claim to one of the state’s five electoral votes.

“Today, Nebraska’s 2nd District voters added an Obamaha-shaped exclamation point to Barack Obama’s historic election,” Sen. Ben Nelson said.

Story Photo
President-elect Barack Obama (AP file)

“It really is a new day in America when he even picks up an electoral vote in Nebraska.”

But the results remained unofficial Friday, with almost 5,300 provisional ballots in Douglas County to be considered next week.

But those ballots, some of which will be ruled invalid, are not expected to vary much from other Douglas County results favoring Obama.

An Obama victory would rack up the first Democratic electoral vote in red-state Nebraska since 1964, when Lyndon Johnson captured the state. 

And it would bump Obama’s electoral vote count to 365, far above the 270 required to win the presidency.

The metropolitan Omaha district is composed of Douglas County and portions of Sarpy County.

Here’s Friday’s unofficial 2nd District count:

Obama, 134,168.

McCain, 132,908.

McCain had led Obama by 569 votes Wednesday. But the additional count of early ballots in Douglas County added these figures to the results:

Obama, 8,434.

McCain, 6,605.

Sarpy County totals already had been completed.

The Obama campaign mounted an unprecedented field operation in Omaha, registering new voters and prompting a record outpouring of early voters.

Nebraska awards one of its five electoral votes to the winner of each of its three congressional districts. The other two votes go to the statewide victor.

It was that split-vote system that generated an exciting presidential race in the 2nd District this year, Nelson said.

“It shouldn’t be tampered with by those with partisan motives,” he said.

Republican leaders have signaled their intention to attempt to repeal the district-vote allocation in the 2009 Legislature, returning to a winner-take-all system of awarding all of Nebraska’s electoral votes to the statewide winner.

Reach Don Walton at 473-7248 or dwalton@journalstar.com.


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Jeff W. wrote on November 7, 2008 5:54 pm:
" Now we don't have to be labeled a blue or red state. We can be unique - just like we Nebraskans should be. I like the system of splitting electoral votes. It reflects the will of the people to a greater degree. I hope we leave it alone and don't monkey with it. "

 nice to see wrote on November 7, 2008 6:05 pm:
" not all red any more "

 Purple wrote on November 7, 2008 6:15 pm:
" So now are we considered a Purple state? I am very proud to be a Nebraskan as well as an American. I hope our system in Nebraska stays the same. I feel that it truly adds value to your vote. I am very proud of all of the Nebraskans that went to vote, you have shown the nation that now is a time for change. Way to lead by example. "

 lincolnite wrote on November 7, 2008 6:19 pm:
" Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! Nebraska is evening out. Too bad Lincoln's votes couldn't have counted also! "

 Debbie wrote on November 7, 2008 6:20 pm:
" Thank God...I no longer live in red state! There is HOPE for this state! "

 Great wrote on November 7, 2008 6:32 pm:
" absolutely amazing. Thanks, Omaha! "

 Anne - Omaha wrote on November 7, 2008 6:41 pm:
" I'm thrilled with this outcome and so grateful that Pres-Elect Obama invested in the Ne 2nd district. It truly reflects the indepence of Nebraska's voters. I will make my voice heard loud and clear should anyone attempt to change the way our electoral votes are counted in Nebraska. It's a true democracy, in my opinion. JOHN BIRGE IS A HERO!!! "

 Eric wrote on November 7, 2008 6:41 pm:
" Hey, all you Republicons in the legislature. LEAVE THE LAW ALONE!!! It is working exactly as it was designed. It gave Nebraska some of the spotlight on the national stage. "

 Magenta wrote on November 7, 2008 6:49 pm:
" We live in Magenta America! Go Big Magenta! "

 Unique wrote on November 7, 2008 6:51 pm:
" We Nebraskan's unique? In what way? This incessant drive to pat yourselves on the back for being different all the time, sometimes in spite of better sense, must really be exhausting. "

 This is Great wrote on November 7, 2008 6:51 pm:
" I congratulate Omaha. This is a step in the right....I mean left direction!!! "

 I Love Nebraska wrote on November 7, 2008 6:55 pm:
" Yay! We're a purple state, not all red anymore. I think we should keep the ability to split our electoral votes. It goes along with the ideal of fairness that us Nebraskans value. "

 Interesting wrote on November 7, 2008 7:01 pm:
" McCain was leading Obama but when they counted the early ballots Obama jumps ahead. Even though they haven't counted the provisional ballots they're suggesting some of these will be invalid and the rest will go to Obama. Sure I believe you, wink wink you betcha. Never thought I'd see election fraud in Nebraska, could this be the year. "

 BicycleMike wrote on November 7, 2008 7:04 pm:
" "Republican leaders have signaled their intention to attempt to repeal the district-vote allocation in the 2009 Legislature, returning to a winner-take-all system of awarding all of Nebraska’s electoral votes to the statewide winner."

Well imagine that, everything was just fine until the Republicans realized they were going to get taken to the cleaners in their home state. What a bunch of sore losers, just leave it well enough alone. "

 MarkyMark wrote on November 7, 2008 7:11 pm:
" Wow! Those unpredictably wacky Liberal Omahans..... "

 JB wrote on November 7, 2008 7:13 pm:
" Great news. Now Nebraska is Red & Blue striped! "

 Still red wrote on November 7, 2008 7:16 pm:
" Hey. I'm all for splitting the votes or pants of the electoral system in Nebraska. But we're about as red as red can be if we allowed ourselves to be manipulated into becoming the test case for that anti-affirmative action legislation. Gullible... that's what Red is. "

 Voice of Reason wrote on November 7, 2008 7:16 pm:
" I don't want to live in a "red" state OR a "blue" state. I want to live in an AMERICAN state where EVERYONE's vote counts. Repeal the electoral college! "

 bob wrote on November 7, 2008 7:29 pm:
" Leave the system to split the electoral votes alone! If for no other reason than it made both parties pay attention to NE (which means $$ spent in NE). "

 Proud mom wrote on November 7, 2008 7:33 pm:
" I'm happy..too bad Lincoln's vote was not included....However, I'm proud of my city who voted in the majority for Obama. Hopefully, when he runs in 4 years...he will return to our state. "

 Yeah Right wrote on November 7, 2008 7:43 pm:
" So Jeff W. wouldn't have a problem with California and New York amending their constitutions so that they'd split their electoral votes also? Be careful, that'd put 30 or 40 reliable Dem electoral votes in the repubs hands. "

 Laurie wrote on November 7, 2008 7:49 pm:
" Thank you Omaha for restoring some of my faith in Nebraska. "

 Peter van der Wilt wrote on November 7, 2008 7:54 pm:
" Congratulations from the Netherlands! Here we are all thrilled and exited by Obama's win, and I personally find it very hopeful that the Cornhusker state turns purple! Jeff W., I used your comment in a comment of mine on a Dutch blog (http://bonebakker.punt.nl/?id=421925&r=1&tbl_archief=&) on the election. I posted a riddle about how Obama would, eventually, get 365 electoral votes instead of 364. "

 bill wrote on November 7, 2008 8:30 pm:
" Shame Senator Chambers won't be around to obstruct this obvious partisan move in Nebraska. The Republicans should realize it makes their state more competitive and boosts the economy. Other solid states should consider this. "

 Re Yeah Right wrote on November 7, 2008 9:05 pm:
" Yes, "yeah right," liberals like myself would be perfectly fine if every state split its electoral votes the way that Nebraska does. It's by far the most representative way to actually elect a president. Better yet, eliminate the electoral college so my vote in Lincoln counts the same as yours, or as someone in New York or California.

People need to let the Governor know that this is one area where his bullying tactics won't be tolerated. "

 Flavour wrote on November 7, 2008 9:38 pm:
" I agree we are a unique state with this. We should keep it this way for sure. To be quite honest, I have wondered why other states don't do the same. With the split voting like this everyone is a part of the system. "

 Proudy wrote on November 7, 2008 9:40 pm:
" I am so proud to be a native Nebraskan at this moment. Other states should follow our lead in allowing votes to be designated in this way. "

 whatever wrote on November 7, 2008 9:46 pm:
" In the long run the Republicans will shoot themselves in the foot as Nebraska is likely to trend to the Democrats over the next 3 elections. Having the split electoral vote might give Nebraska an island of Red in a sea of Blue. You can call me wrong but nothing in the changing demographics of Nebraska shows a strengthening Democratic Party. Hey Republicans, the Democrats made and effort to get this Republicans vote with local Democrat leaders calling and visiting. Where was the Republican Party in my formerly Republican Dominated rural precinct? That makes two elections in a row and nary a Republican activist at my door or on my phone. "

 jo wrote on November 7, 2008 9:49 pm:
" whats next, Bruning changing back to the Democrat party? "

 Ha wrote on November 7, 2008 9:56 pm:
" Oh no, something more for the rest of the U.S. to laugh at Nebraska
about!! "

 Tbone wrote on November 7, 2008 10:35 pm:
" Who cares the election is over. "

 JB wrote on November 7, 2008 10:44 pm:
" Without the split electoral votes Obama and Clinton would never have come to Nebraska to campaign. I think all states should do like Nebraska and Maine. "

 SarahP wrote on November 7, 2008 11:25 pm:
" Now we know: Nebraska is NOT part of 'Real America.' You betcha... ;-) "

 Jacks Big Music Show wrote on November 7, 2008 11:29 pm:
" How laughable. Those who want to restore our electoral votes in Nebraska to a winner take-all system are called "partisans," but Senator DiAnna Schimek and the other Democrats like Ben Nelson (who, it should be noted, vetoed a bill that would have restored winner take-all when it was on his desk as governor) aren't partisans when they vehemently fought to have the split electoral votes. Holy, double standards, Batman! All the leftists here clamoring to keep this joke of an allocation formula would be the first to cry foul if California and other deep blue states would adopt Nebraska's current system, thus allowing the GOP to peel off some electoral votes. "

 Late ODay wrote on November 7, 2008 11:48 pm:
" Ok, now when these slimy toads in the GOP try to change this law by claiming it dilutes our collective voice and would doom Nebraska to permanent fly-over status -- just REMIND THEM that that McCain would not have bothered to send Sarah Palin here under the old rule. "

 Tender wrote on November 8, 2008 12:02 am:
" This is just the beginning of what the Lincoln City Council is going to look like in a few months. "

 What You Can Do wrote on November 8, 2008 12:05 am:
" TO THOSE WHO WANT TO RETAIN THE SPLIT ELECTORAL VOTE SYSTEM:
Find out who your state senator is and lobby him/her long and loud on this issue. The only way the malodorous intentions of the Nebraska GOP will be overridden is by citizens who raise their voices in opposition. Get all your friends and relations involved, too.

TO THOSE WHO WISH LINCOLN'S OBAMA VOTE HAD COUNTED: Help eliminate the GOP gerrymander of the 1st Congressional District! When redistricting rolls around again in 2011, lobby your state senators in order to eliminate the longstanding political gerrymander of the 1st Congressional District. Lincoln's blue-leaning vote is snuffed by the GOP strategy of putting Lincoln in with very conservative counties in northeast Nebraska. It's a time-honored strategy that works because people aren't paying attention. Lincoln Obama supporters, get busy!!!! "

 Wow wrote on November 8, 2008 12:48 am:
" A lot of people have a very skewed view here. What happened to the old Nebraskans with good judgment. Obama is just going to be another Carter. "

 David in Boston wrote on November 8, 2008 2:15 am:
" Wouldn't the fact that this is unique in the history of the electoral college be more important than almost all the other points this article makes? Has this EVER happened before? I don't recall it happening up in Maine (where it is also law). Brilliant lack of perspective, JournalStar.com. "

 Douglas wrote on November 8, 2008 4:29 am:
" I am a Democrat and I think now is the time to return to winner takes all for electoral votes. Whats wrong with adding North Platte and Kearney and Grand Island as targets for a Democratic majority that would make this a Blue state? The Republicasn have lost control in the two largest cities so why not more? Our State Democratic leadership failed in 2000 when Saline County was pushed into the 3rd District. That Democratic vote could have added to Obama's total in the Lincoln area. "

 Jake wrote on November 8, 2008 7:31 am:
" BTW... you can thank me and thousands of other Out of State (or in state college students doing absentee ballots) for this push in Omaha. Sometimes it pays to still be a Nebraska resident even though you're doing studies at UT. GO HORNS!!!! "

 Chuck wrote on November 8, 2008 7:40 am:
" Looks like Nebraska is showing it's true colors. We all suspected it anyhow. Party on Garth! "

 God wrote on November 8, 2008 7:40 am:
" I pray for everyone that voted for Obama. I hope I am wrong about him. I hope all the college age people that voted for him will actually have a job to look forward to during his tenure as President. "

 Chris wrote on November 8, 2008 7:56 am:
" It's laughable that Sen. Nelson would call the repeal of the split-vote system "partisan," since the law was introduced into the Unicameral by a Democrat (Shimek), signed into law by a Democrat (Nelson), and benefits an area with more Dems than Republicans (the 2nd District). If you ask me, the law was passed with partisan intent, so we need to junk it immediately. It's merely the Dems' way of bypassing the will of an overwhelmingly Republican state. "

 Jim in CT wrote on November 8, 2008 8:48 am:
" I am from Lincoln but live in blue state Connecticut. I just want to say that I’m even prouder to be from Nebraska today. No longer will I have to say I’m from a red state, because thanks to you Omaha, Nebraska is no longer 100 percent red. (Except on Husker game days, of course.) Go Big Red and beat the Jayhawks! And Go Big Blue…Omaha’s that’s you. Thank you. "

 Ted wrote on November 8, 2008 9:12 am:
" Hey Voice of Reason, do you know that we live in a Federal Republic. That means that the States elect the president. It makes the President accountable to a geographically diverse nation. Its a system that is not broke and should not be changed. Its also short-sighted to be so proud that we're one of the only states that apportion our electoral votes the way we do. I've got no problem with it, except that all of the states should do it the same way. The State Republican party should attempt to change back to winner take all because its not fair. You don't see Democrats pushing this change in California. Why? because California is a Blue as Nebraska is Red. They would lose electoral votes if they had our system. "

 St Skeptic wrote on November 8, 2008 10:08 am:
" Ummmm..... SUPER GLOAT!
MAN the next 8 years are gonna be FUN! "

 nope wrote on November 8, 2008 12:15 pm:
" The law will be changed, a bill will be introduced next year, and you know the Gov. will not veto it. This remains a red state, and the will of the majority should rule. All's fair in love and politics people! "

 STF wrote on November 8, 2008 2:15 pm:
" So democrats have always complained that republicans voted party. Sounds like you want Nebraska democrat regardless of the person running. Thinking like that will get you a subpar candidate like the republicans had 4 years ago. You want to know how Bush won another term, he ran against John Kerry, and before that you ran Al Gore. Obama was more palatable to many republicans (myself not included) and picked up votes. I would have voted for Hillary if you had chosen her. You need to give people credit, we still vote for a candidate, not a party. "

 no matter wrote on November 8, 2008 7:37 pm:
" Barry won by lots more than 2 votes so it doesn't matter. It really surprises me that he did so well with the bunch of people that complain the most about taxes. All he is going to do is take more of your taxes and ban guns. You'll be regretting your vote in a few months. "

 nemo wrote on November 8, 2008 9:16 pm:
" Ha Liberals are so funny, Omaha being blue delights them to no end when no one else is really surprised, they are ashamed to admit they are from a" red state", yet they preach unity and call conservs hate mongers. Hilarious. Especially when you remember how they have all hated on Pres. Bush for 8 years. "

 Rxwoman wrote on November 8, 2008 9:29 pm:
" Hey, No Matter: Your right about one thing, Nebraskans complain about their taxes being too high. But, hey, aren't Republicans supposed to be the party of low taxes? And isn't Nebraska a big Republican state? So if it's true Republicans keep taxes low, shouldn't our taxes be low here? Unless....maybe...could it be? Is it possible that this is just another GOP lie? That Democrats are going to raise your taxes, and take your guns, and blah, blah, blah and grow government bigger( like it could get any bigger than dubyah's already grown it) and yadda, yadda, yadda. Please, what a bunch of talking point ditto heads you right wing-nuts are. Haven't you been paying attention? Can't you see what 8 years of neo-con rule has wrought? Do they have to leave the county a smoking, charred, ruin before you get it?
Fortunately enough of the country DID get it, and they said so, loud and clear.
It's just too bad that no matter how well Obama does, there are some who will never give him any credit, the way they will never give Clinton credit for those 8 years of peace and prosperity.
And notice when conservatives bring up past Democratic presidents, they gloss right over the booming Clinton economy, and bring up Carter. Well, how about Clintons' economy? He raised taxes on the wealthy, and raised the minimum wage, twice, and the economy soared!
How about going back further, to another democratic president? How about FDR? Another democrat who had to fix the mess republicans made of the economy, with their deregulation, and laizzes-fair economic policys.
So, here we go again, another fine mess the neo-cons have gotten us into, and even if Obama manages to put things right again, ditto-heads won't give him any credit anyway. "

 Lincolnite wrote on November 8, 2008 10:55 pm:
" Leave our option to split our electoral votes alone!!!

We actually are so much closer to a real vote here because of it. What is everyone afraid of? Let the people vote and let the votes count! "

 John Raybourn wrote on November 9, 2008 9:31 am:
" I, too am excited by Obama's extra EV from Omaha and by Nebraska's (and Maine's) unique way of allocating EVs. However, I would caution those who would like to see every state convert to this system. In most states, the state legislature is responsible for drawing the boundaries of congressional districts after the census every ten years (Iowa being an exception, where a nonpartisan commission has this responsibility). One of the two major parties controls each of the 50 state legislatures; this means that, not only would the state legislatures be able to gerrymander (draw the lines to the advantage of a party) the lines so that their party would be able to win all or most of the state's congressional districts, but they would also get to determine the winner of their state's electoral college vote, regardless of which party more of the state's citizens belong to or vote for. For example, after the 2000 election, Florida's legislature was heavily Republican. They got to draw the lines after the 2000 Census. Therefore, they created many "safe" Republican seats for the US House of Reps in spite of the fact that Dems outnumber Reps in the state by a healthy margin. Using Nebraska's method of allocating EVs by congressional district, McCain may well have taken the majority of EVs from FL in spite of the popular vote, just because of who got to draw the lines after the last census. See "How to rig an election" in The Economist, April 25, 2002, for a more detailed explanation of gerrymandering. Be careful what you wish for... John in Arkansas "

 Mark J. wrote on November 9, 2008 10:01 am:
" To those who have posted comments advocating repeal of the Electoral College, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Popular_Vote_Interstate_Compact and then contact your State legislators. In true democracy every voter's vote counts the same as every other voter's. "

 SA wrote on November 9, 2008 10:48 am:
" GO Big RED! "

 Sharlin wrote on November 9, 2008 1:02 pm:
" Republicans are the ones that were so gunho for this split ev count. Now that it awarded it to a Democrat they want to repeal it? No wonder the party is in disarray. "

 M.Satterfield wrote on November 9, 2008 2:18 pm:
" If all states did as Nebraska did, then John McCain would be our President Elect--one look at a county by county picture of the vote would show you the USA is mostly "red." Instead of changing Nebraska, the GOP should try to change the other 48 states so that they award their electorial votes in the same manner. That way, California and New York would not be so DEM dominant! "

 to rxwoman wrote on November 9, 2008 3:53 pm:
" I've been paying attention, but you apparently haven't. Taxes in Republican lead Nebraska aren't that bad and there is a surplus.

Barry said he is going to share the wealth. That was a quote from his mouth, not some ditto head scare tactic made up to put fear in liberals and undecided voters. He also has already said he is going to go after guns. Check the facts lady.

I'm assuming from the name rxwoman you are a pharmacist. That's good because you should make lots of money that you can share with us poor people. Hope you enjoy the next four years. "

 BC Bar Harbor ME wrote on November 9, 2008 7:32 pm:
" As a resident of a state that also can have its electoral votes split, I applaud Nebraska for having the courage and wisdom to allow the voters to be more truly represented in the electoral college by allowing each district to have a vote as well as the whole state. Maine had a chance of splitting Purple as well, but didn't this time around. Rather than eliminating the electoral college, I hope more states will follow the lead of NE and ME to update our democracy to be more representative of the will of the people. "

 Sue wrote on November 9, 2008 10:12 pm:
" A very sad day for Nebraska! Shows where all the radicals live!!! "

 Matt P. wrote on November 9, 2008 11:36 pm:
" No, John McCain would NOT be the president if all states split their votes. The whole reason behind a split vote system is so that the electoral votes cast for each state trend more closely to the actual popular vote in that given state. One could easily argue that this is how the framers intended it, and that they did NOT want a winner take all system.

That said, Obama handedly won the popular vote. So, unless serious gerrymandering occurred Obama would also win a split vote electoral college.

For the above poster that thinks the Democrats would be upset with a split vote in CA because it would allow the GOP to peal off votes...ummm, well, you need to realize it goes both ways. The democrats could then peal more votes out of Texas. The whole point is that it wouldn't have changed this election! There more tailored the allocation of votes you have the more closely the electoral vote allocation will trend toward the popular results. I think its a reasonable thing to consider.

However, Nebraskans don't be fooled. If all states did this then Nebraska would once again be entirely irrelevant as more focus would go to pealing votes off in the big states. Nebraska - because of its small size - can only be electorally relevant if it does the opposite of the big states. "

 To Msatterfield wrote on November 10, 2008 12:14 am:
" Fortunately Nebraska or any other state doesnt award electoral votes based on land mass. These massive areas Mccain/Republicans win have no one living in them therefore they would get a proportional electoral vote count. Just look at Nebraska and the size of the districts, the city of Omaha basically gets the same vote as about 83 counties in the rest of the state. "

 jb wrote on November 10, 2008 6:13 am:
" So they want to repeal the feature that will guarantee they are campaigned in, paid attention to by the press, and nationally known? "

 Former Husker wrote on November 10, 2008 6:23 am:
" As a former Lincolner, I'm so glad to see my home state split their EV's this time. Makes me want to come back, and what's going on back home. But I have no idea why the Republicans would want to make a knee-jerk decision like this and change things back to a winner take all.

I mean, it's not like Nebraska's split EV will ever make the difference in an electoral win or lose. By the time that vote ever splits, you're in landslide territory, which is exactly what Obama did. And since the other state to split vote is a blue state, there's a nice balance built into the system as it stands. Basically, splitting the vote brings money and attention into the state that it other wouldn't get. How in the world is this a bad thing?

So you're willing to cut your nose off to silence a few voters? Really? Think of this more as a "Canary in the coal mines" sort of things. I think Republicans need to spend more time addressing their problems as a party than silencing voices. "

 Lindsay wrote on November 10, 2008 10:02 am:
" A great day for Nebraska! It shows where the most progressive people in the state live. "

 Hey RxWoman wrote on November 10, 2008 12:17 pm:
" Quoted: "....they will never give Clinton credit for those 8 years of peace and prosperity."

If those 8 years would've had peace, I'd give him credit for that much, but THERE WASN'T PEACE! Get it? Let's start with all of the Al Qaeda attacks on our interests and embassies during the majority of his years in office. Let's talk Bosnia, Haiti, Somalia, and Iraq. Remember? He lobbed Tomahawk missles at Iraq, especially right after the Monica Lewinsky scandal? What were the other reasons he fired missles at Iraq? Do the research, the findings may surprise you. His years were hardly peaceful. There plenty of bad with the good, take off the blinders. "

 A republicans view wrote on November 10, 2008 12:54 pm:
" I am a republican and I have even given to some republican campains and I say we need to leave this system alone! Instead of changeing how we do it we need to spead this change to the other states! Now this is the kind of "change" i can beleive in! "

 Mike in Omaha wrote on November 10, 2008 2:16 pm:
" I'm really glad this worked out the way it did. The will of the people spoke in Omaha and North Sarpy. The 1st and 3rd districts can be red if they want, but I see no reason to deny the 2nd district the chance to choose who they want. No matter what, McCain still took the state and its 2 bonus votes. This is really the fairest system that we can have. They really need to leave it alone. "

 STF wrote on November 10, 2008 9:58 pm:
" You're right. I do have to admit the Bush/Cheney administration can commit more felonies before 8:00 am, than Clinton could all day. "

 Lynn in AZ now wrote on November 11, 2008 1:23 pm:
" I have never been (more) proud of my home state, Nebraska! Way to go Omahan's! It's so pretty so see a little blue in NE ;-) Against all odds, he won this election. He has the capacity to steer us out of this monster of a mess that Dubya has left us with ... and restore dignity to our great country. No more unjust wars, no more torture, no more Gitmo, no more rich get richer off of the backs of the poor, no more Katrina's, no more lies and deceit. Women will choose their own healthcare, people will actually get healthcare, we will not have to wear masks to go outside, and our taxes will be spent wisely with sound common sense fiscal conservatism. Republicans no longer corner the market on fiscal conservatism, Bush has sold our Country to China -- Clinton balanced a budget. New Dems are the party of the future ...be afraid Rush, be very afraid! ;-) Ciao "

 Barbara in CA wrote on November 18, 2008 10:02 am:
" Thank you Nebraskans who voted for Barack all over the state and especially if you voted Obama knowing it might not put a number on the board. It is dully noted by both campaigns, Obama's with great appreciation, and posted. They love the numbers there in Chicago - proof of reach. Go to this site and click on the box on the left, "voting shifts", and then zoom in to see if your county shifted toward blue. Unless you live in Thomas Co. (what is up with 85% GOP votes?), YES YOU DID. Keep going, keep talking, stay involved and enthusiastic. It's a long road back to stability but we need a challenge. I like Chuck and Lilibet - very good NYorker article (Nov. 3 issue made me like them more). What follows is my post you on my blog. The text is from electoral-vote.com, which they ripped from here (as I just discovered). There is one comment.

http://www.obamabidenusa.org/2008/friends/good-morning-omaha/

http://elections.nytimes.com/2008/results/president/map.html "

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