Whatever television screen you pledge allegiance to for tonight’s election coverage (might I suggest the Bloor Cinema?), you should know what cornerstone moments in the night to look out for as the night unfolds. And here they are:
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1. 7:00 pm, Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia close polls.
What Obama needs: Virginia to be called early because it will be a sign of a possibly big night for the Democrats. If Georgia and South Carolina are too close to get called early tonight, it will indicate that there most likely will be a landslide Obama victory, as those states are typically red through and through.
Also, both Indiana and Virginia have been Republican since 1964, so if Obama takes those states, it will foreshadow a not-so-good night for McCain.
2. 7:30 pm, North Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia close polls.
What McCain needs: West Virginia, but it should be a steal for the Republicans.
Ohio is typically a state that votes neck and neck, so if the results are close, Americans (entertained Canadians) will have to wait a while before results are finalized.
3. 8:00 pm, Florida, Missouri, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania and 11 other states close polls, and the District of Columbia.
What Obama needs: Pennsylvania to be called early. It will be a hit to McCain, and mean that McCain would need to win every state that Bush won in the 2004 election in order to win.
Also, if Obama wins two out of those states (Florida, Missouri, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania), it will become basically impossible for McCain to win 270 electoral seats. What McCain needs: To win Pennsylvania and two of the other states in that lot.
4. 8:30 pm, Arkansas polls close.
What McCain needs: a win, as Arkansas should be an easy one for him.
5. 9:00 pm, Colorado and New Mexico polls close (it’s the earliest possible point in the night when either candidate can win the coveted 270 seats!)
What Obama needs: to win currently conservative Colorado and New Mexio.
6. 10:00 pm, Iowa, Montana and Nevada polls close.
7. 11:00 pm, California polls close
Cali. Could be a huge success for Obama. With the state’s potential 55 electoral votes, California seats could push Obama to 270 seats, aka victory for Obama.
8. 1:00am, Alaska polls close.
And after the challenge of following what is going on with the polls tonight, you’ll have to face yet another challenge, dealing with your campaign news withdrawal.
