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So Far, Light Traffic at Polling Places in New Hanover County, N.C.
Wilmington, N.C. -- My colleague's first words to me this morning were, "Boy, this was the best election experience ever thanks to early voting! It took me only 3 minutes to get in and out this morning at Parsley Elementary." I am wondering, can this be? Ernie continued, "I was there at 8:00 am. I filled out my ballot and I was out of there."
I had to check it out myself. I stopped at the Obama headquarters a little after 11:00 am. It was not busy since most of the volunteers were congregating at the staging locations closer to their homes. There were a few people already cleaning stuff out of the closets and off shelves. They were positively giddy. "Can you believe it's finally here? We are going to celebrate tonight!" Volunteer Betsy said, "I know he will win, but we want to win in North Carolina."
There was a police car parked outside. Officer Donna Smith was in the car, so I asked her if there had been a threat called in. "No," she said, "We are just keeping an eye on you. Just to keep you safe today." As we were talking, a white Jeep Cherokee drove by. It has a huge sign on top that reads, "NO BAMA! Barack Hussein Obama, Islamic Socialist for President?" Officer Smith said, "See? That guy's been circling around this block." I told her, "I am so glad you are here." I ran inside and get her the biggest muffin that I can find.
Then I drove to a couple of polling stations, one in a very conservative precinct and the other in a mixed precinct. The first was virtually empty. The schools were closed today, so the schools were even emptier than I imagined. I found a couple of Obama volunteers holding up signs at Alderman Elementary. They were very excited just like those at the headquarters. A gentleman came out and said, "I have tickets for the inauguration." He had plastered himself with stickers of Kay Hagan, the Democratic candidate for Senate, Julia Boseman, NC Senate candidate, and Jonathan Barfield, the only Democratic candidate for New Hanover County Commissioner. This was one guy that was really sure.
Then I went to the Arab Shrine Club. It too was empty. There were cars parked outside, but the parking lot was far from being full. There were more people holding signs outside then were there voters visible from outside. I talked to James Gallagher, a volunteer for Mike Lee, who is running for N.C. Senate against Julia Boseman. He said that there was a long line at the beginning of the day, but after about 8:30 am, everybody cleared out. He estimated that the longest wait was maybe one hour. As I was about to leave, Kristen Luikens, president of Democratic Women of New Hanover County, drove up. She said, "There were about 700 people that went through here so far."
The huge lines that were anticipated have not yet materialized. The polls will remain open until 7:30 pm, so it is likely that there will be a wave of voters who will vote after work. But until then, the polling places are, I would say, pretty empty. Early voting has definitely worked in getting people to the polls even before election day. 66.2% of total number of voters reached in 2004 voted during early voting in North Carolina.
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They don't know what socialist means
Due to the huge early voting turnout, I'm thinking the Republicans will probably try to ban that next...
A rainy day in NC. As a free-lance photographer I was hoping for pix of long lines in the rain. I drove all around High Point and Greensboro and didn't get a single good shot. I shouldn't be surprised; I voted early myself in order to have the day free to take pictures. Ah well...
It isn"t over until the polls close. It bothers me to hear how some are cleaning up the offices instead of getting every last voter they can to the polls. Even if you think he"s going to win in a landslide, why not make it bigger.
Also, I hope every single Obama staff member and volunteer voted already.
The days of hate and demagoguery and the republic party are over.
The New American Renaissance begins NOW.
Didn't 40% of North Carolinians vote early? Wasn't that to avoid long lines on election day?
True but that means 60% didn"t vote early. Don"t do a victory dance until we win, not before.
Like Congressman Murtha from PA. said, they are NOT RACIST they're just IGNORANT.
Didn't happen to get the license plate number on that vehicle, did you?
I'm looking around at my neighbors, what signs are posted where and such.
Already decided which businesses to patronize and which ones I will never walk into again.
Decided a whole town was worth boycotting : Scotts Valley, Ca.
There ARE material consequences for ideological choices.
I actually like this sign of Barack Obama because it is just giving me more reason why we should try to rage against hate and bigotry. So The more people they try to influence with hate, the more people will respond to love... Remember, many people wanted to keep slavery alive and separation but still lost that fight. This one is no different. After Barack has won the presidency... They will still have that same sign driving around saying to impeach him. After BO's 1st, 2nd, 3rd, term as president and the country is in a way better shape, they will still have those signs in there basement or garages for the end of his term.
We all have to fight our own fight. Most of us fight for peace while others fight for war... We should feel sorry for the ignorant because if they (RNC) were truly confident, upstanding, they would not have to resort to this type of scheme. Can someone say Desperation!!!!! They need to do this. They have no other choice but to. Let them fight there fight and we fight ours. May the Best man win... We all know who that is...
Not that there's anything wrong with being Muslim, but if Obama were a Muslim, he wouldn't be smoking!
please, I'm "Muslim" and i like a cigarette once in a while, particularly when stressed, with a drink and occasionally after having some premarital gay sex. don't
don't fight a stereotype with another. they are all bull!
lmao...
I guess "Christian Socialist" (tm) was already taken by a German political party.
There is REALITY.
And then there is the imaginary world of people with small minds and large fears.
Guess which one created that sign?
The republicans are beyond disgusting! We need to purge ourselves of the unpleasant meal we have had to partake of over these last 8 years!
The greatest thing would be is forr Obama to go down as the best United States President ever...THEN as he's leaving the White House, say to the reporters, "oh and by the way, I AM a muslim." THAT would be priceless.
Oh, puhleeze. The only thing wrong with that picture of the Big O on that car is he needs to quit smoking. We want him healthy for the next 8 years. ReTHUGS: get over it. We want our country and our constitution back and we're taking it!
He supposedly quit smoking several months ago.
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