oh goody – just got slammed with hail – supposedly the worst is yet to come – possibly tornado’s and all sorts of mean, nasty stuff…

so if I go off the air suddenl…

probably not near a zed. I picked Romney to win Fla. and the nomination with Rudy gone after Fla.

Bye bye roodi

“not yet closed“..?

Hallo Jane!…

So much for the brilliant Giuliani strategy. Oh, yeah. This is FDL, so–Jane!

Does anyone have any take on whether or not the early voting in Florida may have changed the results? I’m thinking of folks who may have early voted for Hillary (I know it’s just a beauty pageant, but using an example here) before the Bill dust-ups and the Kennedy endorsement of Obama. I wonder how many of those early voters might have wanted to change…

What State?

Where are you?—I’m in Central Coast California and we’ve been hit hard with some impressive rain storms recently, clear today, thank gawd….

just kidding – I’m fine – but there *is* some serious shit on the way.

It’s ok – I’m meaner than I look – please keep the liveblog going – gotta watch the local stations here for a while…

This is the point at which I would have fallen off the wagon. And the mattress would already be standing by in the hallway outside the bathroom. Tornado phobia.

I thought that numbers were not supposed to be released before the polls closed.

Florida is a third world state. It bungles along.

The Cubans in FL are probably hoping McCain will invade Cuba in one of the new and improved wars he’s planning.

so, I’ve been watching the msnbc for at least a half an hour… I’d think, from watching the coverage, that the Dems are NOT voting today… ‘cept I know they are… in spite of the delegate situation.

is this how they dis Clinton on this go around? completely ignore her?

Couldn’t Florida’s Secretary of State posted the results this morning? Wouldn’t that have been a lot more convenient for the news “media”?

Martinez= dolt

QG, there are a great many of us here in FL that have worked tirelessly to defeat many of the atrocities of the last 7 years…your generalization is neither accurate or fair.

oh nooooo killer is on

central Indiana – downtown Indy specifically.

In a highrise, which I normally find to be a plus…

screw it – after all I’ve been through, to get taken out by a storm would be too karmic-ly funny…

FL is NOT Miami.

marginalize!!!

Crap. McCain just pulled ahead by a good bit.

Yes.

And no one’s going to Hillary’s “victory” party tonite either. We’re all staying home to wash our hair.

why does Killerjoe have a forum?

The good thing is that high rises don’t get hit too often!! Tornadoes are scary though…

This is the point at which I would have fallen off the wagon.

“As your attorney, I advise you to begin drinking heavily.” heh.

Well, that just answered my question at #6!

Why the heck is Lou Dobbs so happy ?!!

I heard Chuck Todd say earlier today that Mitt *had to* win tonight, but McCain could, of course, survive if he came in second. At least I think that’s what Chuck said. It was hard to understand him with his mouth full of McCain’s old d*ck.

i;m liking this line-up on misnbc ;o}…. rachel is the shiznit

Just another 10 or twenty years and all the old guard will be gone. /s I’ve read Anna Louise Bardach’s(sp) book, Cuba Confidential. Its enlightening and a good read. Some JEB stuff in it. Bardach maintains that younger, American-born Cubans are more liberal than their parents/grandparents. I haven’t seen that. But, I’m in Daytona, not Miami. All the Cuban-Americans (40ish) I know are Republican. I only know a few.

Yep. Rachel rocks.

MSNBC is the only cable news outlet NOT showing Democratic numbers in Florida.

Anyone questioning their misogynistic tendencies can put their questions to rest.

The thing I always think about is if Cuban-Americans return to Cuba at some point and try to reclaim their houses, etc., that will be one big disaster…

I say the same thing about Louisiana where I come from. I’m referring to the politics there. I’m also aware there are some dedicated progressives there working their butts off to make change. I did not mean to offend you personally.

they own ALL the freakin realestate in S. Fla ,so whats the big woop?

oh yeahhhh – smart – forceful and dynamic… she needs a slot on misnbc of her own! jus sayin…..

boy Tweets has toned down….med adjustment?

Of course, as soon as ya mention it, tho… ;-)

The thing I always think about is if Cuban-Americans return to Cuba at some point and try to reclaim their houses, etc., that will be one big disaster…

i agree, I lived down there for a while (So FLA) and they delude themselves if they think they can waltz back in there.

ok – teevee says downtown Indy is cool for now – maybe some more ugly stuff later – I figure I’ll just not watch that channel any more.

that oughta do it…

Well, as KO said, it’s the “Democratic whatever-it-is.” Beauty pageant? I’m sure that whoever wins will probably fight like hell to get those delegates seated at the convention, though…

I’m sure Faux has had the graphics prepared for days if not weeks.

They may do you like our TV does us during hurricane season. “RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!!!” And then it doesn’t rain… Hope your weather stays calm.

pooooooooooooooooooor rootie (gets out small violin)

You know, TSF, it’s a wonder they bother with the elections at all in FL. I guess teh elections are a good front for the folly.

I’ve never seen RD pissed off before! Hugs. QG is a good one, she really is.

Icebergs reported in Miami Bay. Capt Ghouliani orders full speed ahead.

In Delray Beach, voting was delayed about an hour and a half at a precinct after a poll worker turned off electronic machines, which deprogrammed them, said Kathy Adams, spokeswoman for Palm Beach County’s elections supervisor. The seven machines were replaced and working by 8:45 a.m. She said she didn’t know how many people were turned away before that, but there were no complaints.–no link, sorry.

I’m sure you’re right – that the Democrat that wins the nomination will ask all the delegates to be seated. They’ll need Michigan and Florida in the general.

Obama and Edwards should have thought of that – but I heard that Obama bought air time on CNN and MSNBC that airs in Florida, so I guess he did.

Me, I’ll play the kazoo for him. Seems somehow appropriate, but I’m not quite sure why. Maybe because you can make a sound like a Bronx cheer on one…

Are you saying that all the absentee ballots were NOT for Rootie?

central Indiana – downtown Indy specifically.

In a highrise, which I normally find to be a plus…

screw it – after all I’ve been through, to get taken out by a storm would be too karmic-ly funny…

Is Valerie there with you yet?

When Florida moved up its primary, the DNC reacted by stripping the state of its delegates. Many voters are crying foul.

DEMOCRATS SHUT OUT OF FLORIDA

http://fieldnotes.msnbc.msn.co…..17700.aspx

Why am I not surprised?

oh it rained all right – then started hailing like a bitch while I was talking to a sobbing mother on the phone – couldn’t hear, had to hang up. Bad weather, but good timing…

k, sorry to go off-topic, kids, this is not a florida post, but word on the streets of hollywood is that the writers strike is nearing its end. details at skippy.

That has been the dream of the old guard. Their kids and grandkids don’t really care about that so much. The thing with Cubans is – they are promised (as political asylum seekers) carte blanche with the Republicans. Medicaid, Social Security, Food Stamp benefits, Housing allowance, education allowance – the whole deal for low income people. And they can and do expedite the paperwork for themselves. They love to bring relatives into Miami from Cuba.

When Democrats talk about opening up Cuba – they hate that idea. They don’t want anything to change.

If you are Cuban, you’ve got it made. if you are Haitian or Mexican or anything else – you are illegal and screwed.

CNN projecting Clinton is the winner.

Is Valerie there with you yet?

Do you mean Mrs. Wilson? I have no idea what you’re talking about. Hi, Joe!!

AP – The Bush administration is sending strong signals that U.S. troop reductions in Iraq will slow or stop altogether this summer, a move that would jeopardize hopes of relieving strain on the Army and Marine Corps and revive debate over an open-ended U.S. commitment in Iraq.

snippette:

Cheryl McLanahan, 64, a Jacksonville real estate agent and Republican, voted for Mitt Romney, because “he has experience, he’s conservative, pro-life, for lower taxes and conservative values. I think he will be strong on immigration.”

She also voted for the property tax amendment.

“I was torn on that, but since I’m a Realtor and they recommended a yes vote, I’ve voted yes,” she said. “I’m not convinced it is the best thing.”

Mandatory attitude adjustment.

so true…if you are a white citizen,you have VERY little chance of getting ANY assistance

I grieve for the troops and their families. We have so many here and so many have died… So of course BushCo will just continue to make it worse.

AP – More than 40 years after it barred the iconic British band from playing there, Israel said it wants the surviving members of the Beatles to participate in a concert celebrating the country’s 60th birthday.

regulars at FDL do have very long memories, jayt ;)

no words,…nihilsm

The former New York City mayor urged Floridians on Tuesday to “prove the polls wrong.”

Giuliani is holding out hope that he could edge out a win by way of the millions of Florida voters who cast ballots in early voting, which began mid-January, before his drop in the polls.

Snicker.

Have they figured out who let Romney’s dogs out?

Hope it’s true!! TDS and Colbert!

Not unless you have a child or two. Then you can. Although a single person is eligible for food stamps ($140/month, IIRC) if you have a low wage job at Walmart (or elsewhere). See how Walmart is subsidized by taxpayers?

dumbass Timmeh is such a tool

AP – The House voted Tuesday to rush rebates of $600-$1,200 to most taxpayers, but a partisan battle brewed in the Senate over Democrats’ efforts to add jobless aid and help for the poor to the economic stimulus package.

Seriously who let Romney’s dogs out? He had them cooped up on the roof of the family truckster for a reason, you know.

From the Herald Tribune
McCain 34%
Hillary 45%
Rudy .911%

yea…everyone i know in S.Fla who applied for any benefits were turned down…the local government is almost 100% cuban

All polls closed in Florida. McCain has a slight lead as they continue to count the votes.

WASHINGTON — Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who nearly won the vice presidency as a Democrat in 2000, says there’s no way he’ll be Republican Sen. John McCain’s running mate should McCain become the party’s presidential nominee.–the herald

ROFL!

Looks like McCain is beating Mittie in FLA.

Well, I was really pulling for you, jayt.

one must NEVER help the poor…they have bootstraps!

Poor Rudy.

regulars at FDL do have very long memories, jayt ;)

geez, ya proposition one beautiful woman (or two), and all of a sudden there’s this institutional memory… *s*

yea i want them to eat each others lunch

Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent who nearly won the vice presidency as a Democrat in 2000, says there’s no way he’ll be Republican Sen. John McCain’s running mate should McCain become the party’s presidential nominee.

Unless people beg him. Then he’ll just have to agree, yes? For the good of the country? Unity08

Tim Russert is bush league. Olbermann is not.

wretch……….sanctimoniusJoe

MSNBC is showing Democratic numbers and has been discussing the vote all afternoon.

Obama’s “ad buy” in the state was actually a national buy on CNN and MSNBC neither of which have an option that leaves out FLorida apparently.

There were two instances of supposed Clinton campaigning – or surrogate campaigning raised on the news today (a congresswoman I believe who added a “quick pick” for Hillary onto her own robocalls and one other I can’t remember.)

I don’t think either can be accused of campaigning per se in the state but to call for the delegates to be seated if they impact the results at the convention seems problematic to me.

And Marion – there were a lot of votes cast as early voting … 400,000 acc to MSNBC.

I haven’t read all the comments but I’m thinking a McCain victory might be good. The repubs are bashing him constantly. Buchanon, Rush, JoeScar, Santorum…..they hate him. So, maybe it would be good. What will Rush say?

O’Donnell saying Clinton scored more votes than any other candidate!

Noron looks very good…bless her little black heart

Is Romney catching up?

So he would be out there busily campaigning for him because….? Inquiring minds REALLY, REALLY want to know.

yea i dont want Mittens to just purchase us,and then fire all of us

For a minute there it looked like Hollywood Squares but with 4 white guys in the squares.

It was a simple offer, not a full-on proposition. Simply stated, you asked her if she wouldn’t rather live in a cool apartment in Indianapolis than with her family. What’s wrong with asking a simple question?

Timmeh is a traitor. Olbermann is not.

Rudy must have had a lot of early voters to get as much as he got. And the fact that they turned away voters because they claimed it wasn’t a Dem election is just plain criminal. Or, at least it used to be. How could the poll workers not know?

Interesting, KO is running the Constitution as a shadow behind the results…

I would love to know what percentage of campaign money goes into advertising and I’d like to know the breakdown thereof, how much goes to a network, say like MSNBC?.

They’re all squares to me.

why is Timmeh so ebulient tonite?

Thank you. who’d a thunk that Joe Wilson himself was watching my ass?

I’m working with the operational theory that he knows badder people than do I…

(whispering – V. – call me. *wink*)

So, KO is subliminally campaigning for Ron Paul? :)

fisa?

lol

Probably for FDL!!

When I was at Ft Knox in 66 we used to go to Naptown to see the copman. . .know what I’m sayin?

From the Miami Herald:
Among the affected: Miami Herald Theater Critic Christine Dolen, who voted at precinct T010 on Pine Island Road in Davie — or at least tried.

When she checked into the polling place, Dolen received confirmation of her status as a registered Democrat.

She cast her vote on the property-tax amendment and, then, to her dismay, discovered that the ballot for the Democratic presidential primary never appeared on her machine.

‘I told the woman who had activated the machine for me, and she said, `You already voted — sorry,’ ” Dolen said. ‘Then, I found the polling place supervisor, who said, `I think that’s all Democrats get to vote on, since the presidential vote doesn’t count.’

So much for the Ron Paul Revolution. May it R.I.P.

I think that will do it! ****GGG***

Well, it wouldn’t hurt to remind people what’s really up for grabs this election season. The results go the wrong way and that puppy is in even more serious jeopardy than now.

I’d prefer Romney to win tonight because I want them to keep fighting. If McCain wins, it may bring their primary to an early end. A close finish tonight would help.

Are we prepared to exclaim that the winners in FLA will be the nominees?

`I think that’s all Democrats get to vote on, since the presidential vote doesn’t count.’

Sounds like 2000.

Mofos.

Nope.

With the exception of Olbermann, it’s mute time.

Harry up at the Senate!

So much for the Ron Paul Revolution. May it R.I.P.

I don’t think they are planning on resting in peace anytime soon

In other words, the led Democrat voters to an Independent machine, which only allowed the voter to vote on the property tax amendment.

Not as cute as the butterfly ballot, but it flew like it.

last time i voted in Fl,i know my vote got discarded

Well, the MSM seem to think so … and they’re nevvuh wrong ! /s

I hope Romney wins Florida so he can keep spending more of his fortune. Keeps the economy turning.

Your short answer is, I believe, correct. ;0)

Are we prepared to exclaim that the winners in FLA will be the nominees?

no.

Harry sounds hoarse and/or ill.

Rudy is still hoping. He’s in the votes that haven’t been counted yet.

Yep. ;0)

Poor Rudy, The Duchess of WTC probably has mascara under her eyes about now.

Nobody has mentioned Huck – what happened to him?

roflmao.

I’ve been in and out all night, so forgive me if someone already posted this:

McCain is out of money.

What do you do if your talking heads hate your front runner AND he’s out of money?

I haven’t read all the comments but I’m thinking a McCain victory might be good. The repubs are bashing him constantly. Buchanon, Rush, JoeScar, Santorum…..they hate him. So, maybe it would be good.

Is McCain doing the same as Clinton? i.e., gambling that the party’s base will come along eventually, so it won’t be necessary to coddle them? Except that, in McCain’s case, his voting record this year has turned sharply conservative over previous years, so he’s been *trying* to coddle the base, but those whose memory goes back more than 2 years are having none of it.

Bob in HI

Nobody has mentioned Huck – what happened to him?

the rapture?

Keep the shares of Brylcreem high as well …

Are you kidding!! She was having a helluva good time in Dubai…she’s all about money and prestige. Good riddance.

He’s currently at 13%

Hucks at 13 percent – breathing down Rudy’s 16 pencil neck.

Yes. The answer is no. ;0)

Rudy is still hoping. He’s in the votes that haven’t been counted yet.

Now he knows how Gore felt in 2000.

707

he is such a scab,money gotten by putting thousands out of work…Huckadoodle told me so

Elliott!

I think you should be able to see their expenditures on Open Secrets, etc but the specific media buys may be hard since they are often made via their communications consultants – I’ll have to take a look and see if they break them out.

I’ve never bought national media runs but when I used to buy radio and cable for a citywide race, there were all sorts of special deals and breaks for candidates (though offered to all, not special deals for one versus the other). That said, most advertising buys are heavily negotiated and rate cards are not written in permanent ink … ever!

They’re shilling for Willard because his company OWNS Clear Channel. Period.

What do you do if your talking heads hate your front runner AND he’s out of money?

Um… Drop back 10 and punt?

Well… he could ask Mittie for a loan. He’s loaded.

Rommel Romney has his own private army, Blackwater.

All the more propaganda to eat you with…

Amazing. I thought Huck would do much better than Rudy with all those values voters in Fla. /s

i keep forgettin…he would be a homerun for the oligarchs

Hello, from Bowie, TX.

Everybody thought 9ui11iani was running for President. He wasn’t…he was running from the voters. They caught up with him in Florida and promptly ignored him.

How in the hell does Duncan Hunter pull in over 800 votes?

i might bake oatmeal cookies

Chuck Todd talking about counties late in reporting—Miami-Dade, Broward, etc. Sound familiar?

They are waiting to see what numbers they need to manufacture.

I wonder if Perry is jumping ship…he’s in there, and he’s gunning for Repuke VP…

The Huckster isn’t going to play well with cranky old retired folks from New York and New Jersey. (Neither is Rudi… [snort]}

That pix at the top of McCain and Mittie yucking it up. Might just be McCain/Mitt for ‘08.

What do you do if your talking heads hate your front runner AND he’s out of money?

punt?

Romney’s Proud To Be An AmeriCAN where at leat he knows he’s free, and he won’t forget the men whose jobs – he shipped them overseas.

Alzheimer’s?

hurrah!

Nobody has mentioned Huck – what happened to him?

Huck is destined for 4th. Ghouli has 3rd locked up, if for no other reason than that a *lot* of Floridians voted, absentee, before the Ghouli boat had obviously sunk. I figure that about 50% of the Ghouli vote is now entirely irrelevant, and would be taken back it such a thing were possible…

OFG, you funny.

ooo
thanks Siun!

They are saying that Rudy will win when the absentee ballots are counted on some florida blogs. Are they counted last?

People began voting in FL in December …. lots of them. This skews the vote in many ways. Watch for analysis that gives a breakdown of live today voters versus early/absentee votes since late December voters in either party may not be quite on target.

John Bolton,to the courtesy phone

Diebold doesn’t like Huck, it loves really wealthy, war-mongering Bushevics.

Won’t that drive the Evangelicals nuts …

Ding!

Let me see if I get this straight. John McCain, the Bush ass kisser is a maverick.

Showing a victory party for Hill with Hastings, Nelson and Wasserman-Schultz.

Bah humbug.

“Hi John….how do you feel about a VP position?”….

hahahahahaha
yup court of Versailles pukes

Did anyone have a drinking game for “Maverick” ?!!

The talking heads love McCain. It is the mighty right-wing wurlitzer that hates him. McCain Feingold, McCain Kennedy, McCain Lieberman, all bills where his name is attached to the enemy, (well, except for the “blond banshees” favorite dem, before we tossed him over). He lost the christianist vote when he stomped his baby wingtips in a tirade for the way Dubya used them as a cudgel.

After all these years, McCain is still a prisoner of war, and that will be his downfall in the general election.

i got won for ya
Liarman/Bolton 08….Israel counts too

Senator Clinton. I was voting Democratic while you were still a Goldwater Girl. Give me a break.

its so confusing …too much testosterone

huffpo has pics of her wildly clapping WHEN CHIMPIE mentioned the surge last evening

From TPM Florida Primary Night Scoreboard with 30% of the votes counted.

Giuliani 133,247 15%
Huckabee 117,365 14%
McCain 293,780 34%
Paul 27,053 3%
Romney 284,177 33%

Clinton 346,827 49%
Edwards 107,025 15%
Obama 209,938 29%