Harrysworldnews Becomes First Media Organization To Call States in 2008

In some states, considerable early voting has taken place, and polls have sampled the early voting. These exit polls in some cases give enough information that media organizations would call the race-- if the polls were already closed.

Because I am a bastard who doesn't care about demoralizing late voters, I'm going to scoop the mainstream media. Democrats have picked up three Republican Senate seats in Oregon, Colorado, and New Mexico. In the presidential race, Obama has won two 2004 Bush states, Colorado and New Mexico, with a total of 12 electoral votes,, and one Kerry state, Oregon (12). In North Carolina, Democrats strongly lead for president, Senate, governor, and in one congressional race with a Republican incumbent, but not quite by enough to call.

In Oregon, with 59% of the likely vote reporting, Sen. Barack Obama has won 7 electoral votes, which were won by John Kerry in 2004 by five points:

Obama: 64%
McCain: 35%

In an additional Oregon result, Jeff Merkley (D) has defeated incumbent Sen. Gordon Smith (R):

Merkley: 59%
Smith: 37%

In Colorado, with 65% of the likely vote reporting, Sen. Barack Obama has won 8 electoral votes, which were won by George W. Bush in 2004 by five points:

Obama: 58%
McCain: 41%

In an additional Colorado result, Rep. Mark Udall (D) has defeated Bob Schaffer (R) in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Wayne Allard (R):

M. Udall: 56%
Schaffer: 41%

In New Mexico, with 56% of the likely vote reporting, Sen. Barack Obama has won 5 electoral votes, which were won by George W. Bush by less than 1% in 2004:

Obama: 64%
McCain: 36%

In an additional New Mexico result, Rep. Tom Udall (D) has defeated Rep. Steve Pearce (R) in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Pete Domenici (R):

T. Udall: 64%
Pearce: 34%

Races in North Carolina are strongly leaning, but are in my opinion not quite ready to call:

In North Carolina, with 33% reporting:

Obama: 63%
McCain: 36%

In additional North Carolina results, Kay Hagan (D) leads Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R):

Hagan: 61%
Dole: 35%

And for governor, Lt. Gov. Bev Perdue (D) leads Pat McCrory (R) and leads 60% to 36% and Larry Kissell (D) leads Rep. Robin Hayes (R) in the 8th Congressional district by a vote of 60% to 39%. (Links)

In other states:

In Michigan, 23% has voted. Obama has a lead of 60% to 40% and Sen. Carl Levin (D) leads Jack Hoogendyk 63% to 35%.

In West Virginia, 18% has voted and Obama leads 50% to 49%. Incumbent Democrats Sen. Jay Rockefeller and Gov. Joe Manchin have comfortable leads, 61%-39% and 69%-27%.

In Minnesota, only 9% has voted. Obama leads 59% to 39% and Al Franken (D) leads incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman (R) by a vote of 47% to 39% with 12% for Dean Barkley.