BS: Missouri Election Update?

Subject: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 01:08 PM

One of the final state races to settle is evidently Missouri. Here is a link to where things are according to the unofficial State figures: Click here for report

McCain has a lead of about 6000 votes with all precincts reported but it's unclear to me whether all the absentee ballots and provisional ballots are included. Anyone else seen a follow-up report?

The minor parties may have played a crucial role in this race, unlike in other states. Environmental candidate Ralph Nader picked up 17,769 votes while conservative candidate Bob Barr picked up 11,355. I don't know much about the other minor candidates other than the Green Party which appears to have kept a low profile this time around.

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 01:14 PM

"The minor parties may have played a crucial role in this race, unlike in other states. "

What if McCain didn't run? Would Barr and Nader have had a better chance?

The "minor" parties play the same role in each state.   You can't make conclusions based on hypothetical "what if they did not run" scenarios. They are entitled to run and they did, the results speak for themselves.

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 01:24 PM

Ron-

I think it's a fair to discuss the importance of the minor parties in this race. I'm certainly not looking for a quarrel. And, yes, minor parties (once they qualify) have a perfect right to run and the voters can and should decide whether to support one.

And I expect that if Barr didn't run the majority of his votes would have gone to McCain and if Nader didn't run the majority of his votes would have gone to Obama for a net gain with regard to McCain. Seems reasonable to me.

So, does anyone know anything further about the race in Missouri?

Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 01:53 PM

Or the voters in question might have stayed home and not voted.

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: Amos
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 02:00 PM

AMong them, independent or third-party candidates absorbed 1.3% of the votes while the differenc ebetween Dem and Rep presidential votes is 2/10%. So, sure it made a telling difference within the state's results, but those results are of no meaningful impact on the national results.


A

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: Melissa
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 03:34 PM

Wednesday morning is my day to tend the coffee crowd in my hometown. My little town is probably not representative of the state, but from the way conversation was going the day after election, my theory is that at least a portion of the long-shot candidates got votes from folks who would have voted republican but couldn't stand to vote McCain and equally couldn't stand to turn their coat and vote democrat.

It pleases me to live in a purple state.
Last I knew, our county population is around 8,000. I'm proud to see that over 4500 voted..excluding children and felons, I'd say we had a good local turn out. I can't imagine there were many registered voters who opted out entirely here.

Thanks for starting this thread. I've been curious about what's going on with Missouri and will be interested in seeing what others say.

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: pdq
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 03:41 PM

"It pleases me to live in a purple state"

Are you in the home state of Barney the dinosaur?

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: Melissa
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 03:48 PM

I hope not!
That jiggly thing he does with his jaw freaks me out a little bit..

If Barney is here somewhere, it's likely he'll stay in the city.

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 04:29 PM

Amos-

No, I'm not suggesting that the outcome in Missouri is critical, just interesting to political junkies. I also enjoy coloring "red" states "blue" and I'd like to complete my map!

I suppose I could settle for purple.

Cheerily,
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: Melissa
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 04:32 PM

last I heard, NC was also purple at 50% for each?
has that changed?

Subject: RE: BS: Missouri Election Update?
From: Charley Noble
Date: 07 Nov 08 - 04:39 PM

North Carolina has been assigned to Obama as a narrow win.

Evidently election officials have two weeks to sort out 7,085 provisional ballots, the results of which will probably narrow the race but not overturn a McCain win.

Charley Noble