Obama Wins Nebraska Electoral Vote

OMAHA, Neb. — President-elect Barack Obama won one of Nebraska's electoral votes, the first time in history that the state has split its votes and the first time in 44 years that it had given a vote to a Democrat.

After remaining ballots were counted Friday, Obama had a 3,325-vote lead over Republican John McCain in unofficial results for the 2nd Congressional District. Nebraska and Maine are the two states that divide their electoral votes by congressional districts.

Obama, who won the White House last week, has 365 electoral votes to McCain's 162. Missouri, with 11 electoral votes, is still too close to call. Election officials in that state have until Tuesday to finish counting.

The last Democrat to win Nebraska was Lyndon B. Johnson, who carried the state in 1964.

A 1991 state law allows Nebraska to divide its five electoral votes. Two go to the statewide winner and one is awarded from each of the state's three congressional districts.

McCain comfortably won the electoral votes tied to the 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts. He also won the statewide race with about 57 percent of the vote in preliminary returns.

Obama aggressively sought the one electoral vote. He opened three campaign offices in the district and had 16 paid staff during the campaign.

As of Friday's unofficial results for the district, Obama has a total of 138,892 votes and McCain 135,567 votes. The Obama lead of 3,325 is far higher than the recount threshold of about 1,389, or 1 percent of Obama's total.

Comments

[TheBlackCat]

I like that they bother to count the votes even after a winner has been declared. Every voter matters, and every vote should be counted. Thanks, Nebraska!

[Palmz]

When will the super-super delegates decide?

[Schnitzel]

Are you referring to the Super-Dooper delagates or the Super dooper pooper scooper delegates???

[IslandGyal]

S/he is referring to the "Super dooper pooper scooper delegates???"

[franklin opt]

Does 370+ electoral votes = a numerical mandate?

[lisakaz2]

He needs MO for a landslide. I guess that's the new benchmark of mandate for the rethuggies who asserted 2004 was a "mandate" for King Georgie, even though he got nearly 80 less electoral votes.

[conservativesoncrack]

Well, if we use the same definition as Bush used - "I've earned some political capital and I'm gonna spend it." - then Obama earnd a fortune of political capital (365 EV vs 286 EV so far)...

So yes! A numerical mandate!

[mom2sons]

I agree, start the blue wave. LOL

[iwantpie]

Fantastic, PE Obama.

[StrangeOne]

So why does CNN keep on insisting on giving McCain credit for all five votes? Even being conservative, it should be four with one undecided.

[conservativesoncrack]

Maybe their software can't handle the truth...

[ProudLiberalDan]

I agree. No grand conspiracy. Split electoral votes in Maine and Nebraska has ever happened before. Next time it will be set up properly.

[Quick2822]

So it's official? He is now officially President-elect!

[SCVADem]

Well, "technically" it becomes official on December 15th, when the Meeting of the Electors happens. :)

[reliant1]

We worked hard for that vote and couldn't be more pleased to be making history for PE Obama!!

[KickerBoard]

1 in Nebraska is a good start for the next wave of Blue.

[pir anha]

obamaha!

(yeah, nate silver was on top of it, but that didn't make it official.)

[edwarvir]

That's our President. Making HISTORY I'm lovin it
.

[wegotyourblack]

It just don't stop. we're still celebrating here.

[estevancarlos]

Same here. There's a lot to be excited about.

[teapartydude]

I'm hoping MO will go BHO.

That would be 376; icing on the cake!

[CharlesJ]

Lets assume Obama receives the Missouri vote, even if by a slim margin that will come to a 376 to 162 total. This equals a 2.3209 to 1 margin; better said it equates to a total of 69.888% of the total electorial college vote. Rounded out it is a 70% Obama to a 30% McCain. When you think about it that is a pretty good standing. However if O does not win Missiouri the it will be 67.843% or 68% to 32%. Either way that is still pretty good. I believe Bill received a 70.4% total in 96 so they both won by a pretty darn good margin.

[ensure]

Barack Obama Wins 1 of Nebraska's Electoral Votes: http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/11/barack-obama-wins-1-of-nebraskas-electoral-votes.html

-- http://www.sefermpost.com/sefermpost/2008/11/obama-resigning-senate-seat-effective-sunday.html:: Obama resigning Senate seat, effective Sunday

[holyhandgrenaid]

Nate Silver was on top of this a week ago. Jeez!