Author: Buck Banks

Just when you thought that Len Berman’s halftime interviews during Monday Night Football last night was the last time we’d see the candidates before the election, the Obama campaign managed a little public relations bump this morning, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s TV blog:

Barack Obama has won the first minor battle of Election Day.

In a masterful stroke of media manipulation, Obama hijacked the final half hour of the morning news programs–Today, Good Morning America, even Fox & Friends — by showing up at his polling place at about 8:30, then taking more than 20 minutes to vote, with every second covered around the dial.

Even better it was a touching family scene as his two daughters were allowed to look on as Obama and his wife Michelle cast their ballots. Actually, a lot of the time he was just standing soaking up the free TV face time.

When the Democratic presidential candidate finally finished, as perfectly timed as synchronized swimming, runningmate Joe Biden emerged from his car to vote in Delaware, grabbing a few more minutes of TV time.

Meanwhile, John McCain and Sarah Palin were nowhere to be seen. He was supposed to vote later in the morning — when most of America would be at work or school and nowhere near a TV.

Early score: Obama-Biden 2, McCain-Palin 0.

Political Wire offers this hour-by-hour breakdown of the election returns and what they might mean:

7 p.m. — Polls close in Georgia, Indiana, South Carolina, Virginia and Kentucky.

If Virginia is called quickly for Obama, it means he likely wins the presidential race and Democrats across the country will have a huge night. If it’s not called early, it’s could be an indication that white undecided voters are breaking to McCain. Prepare for an hour long discussion of the “Bradley effect.” If Georgia or Indiana are called early for Obama, it’s a leading indicator for a landslide.

In Kentucky, all eyes are on the fate of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

7:30 p.m. — Polls close in North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia.

Obama victories in North Carolina or Ohio likely seal the deal for him. An Obama win in West Virginia means start looking for Obama coattails in close House and Senate races.

8 p.m. — Polls close in Florida, Missouri, New Hampshire and Pennsylvania.

If Pennsylvania is called early for Obama, McCain cannot win. His only real path to the presidency at this point requires he win the Keystone State. An Obama win in Missouri once again means a likely landslide in the electoral college.

9 p.m. — Polls close in Colorado and New Mexico.

Polls indicate both of these swing states should go to Obama. Early calls in each state will have Obama racking up electoral votes quickly.

10 p.m. — Polls close in Iowa, Montana, and Nevada.

If Obama wins in Montana and Nevada, we’re looking at a possible political realignment of the Mountain West of the United States.

11 p.m. — Polls close in California and North Dakota.

California is the biggest state of them all with 55 electoral votes and may put Obama over the top. If the election hasn’t been decided by now, it’s probably become an interesting night for the McCain campaign and Republicans. However, an Obama win in North Dakota means we’re witnessing a landslide.

It’s a blue world.

The Canadian newspaper Globe & Mail is reporting the results of a worldwide poll of 70 countries that was conducted between May and September that found that most of the world supports a Barack Obama presidency:

Around the world, respondents favoured Mr. Obama 4 to 1 over Republican John McCain.

In Canada, 67 per cent chose Mr. Obama and 22 per cent Mr. McCain. And 75 per cent of Canadian respondents said the presidential election would make a difference for their own country.

The Democratic nominee also enjoyed levels of support higher than 60 per cent in Australia, Germany, England and Japan, where the U.S. election was viewed as having a global impact.

Around the world, only Georgia, Cambodia, Laos and the Philippines backed the Republican candidate.