Live Blog: The Not-Quite-Final State of Play

Only slight change in the final read-out for President: McCain takes Montana, Obama is called victor in Indiana (by Fox but not CNN). Missouri and North Carolina still open --- McCain leads in former, Obama in latter. And a possible footnote: 1 of Nebraska's 5 electoral votes (it is the only state to allocate electoral votes at-large and by district) is still in play.

In the Senate, consolation news for the Republicans, a bit of a letdown for me. Looks like Al Franken loses Minnesota by about 4,000 votes and --- incredibly --- Alaska is returning Felon Ted Stevens to Washington. Gordon Smith also clings on to a small lead, and thus his seat, in Oregon. Georgia should have been called for the Republicans --- Saxby Chambliss is up 50-46 --- but there seems to be a query as to why the overall vote is much lower than expected.

When the Honeymoon is Over (Part 2)

Over a cup of tea, I finally hear Obama's victory speech. Is it my sleep-deprived imagination or does it sound an awful lot like John F. Kennedy's 1961 Inaugural? And is it out of order to remember that Kennedy's sweeping proclamation ("Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country.") was not a message of international concilation, but a sharp warning to enemies and a commitment that America would lead its allies?

Live Blog: When the Honeymoon is Over (Part 1)

My soundbite from the British-American Business Council this morning: "Amidst talk of a President Obama as a symbol of American unity, I think it's important to remember that a significant minority of Americans are not only sceptical of but hostile to him. A lot of this arises from the polarisation of American politics in outlets like talk radio, certain television stations, and 'pundits'. I expect the sniping to begin within days."

Hours actually. I've just returned from media work and the Business Council to flip on CNN, where they ponder, "Barack Obama talks of a bridge across the aisle. But, as conservatives ponder their defeat, is such a bridge possible?"

Their Exhibit A? A talk show host, Doc Thompson, of WRVA in Richmond, Virginia. "It's not time to talk of a bridge. We have to talk ourselves down from the ledge....Barack Obama is awful, awful for conservatives, John McCain a little less so."

Meanwhile Fox News puts on an African-American pundit to establish that Obama will raises taxes and asks, "How far left will Barack Obama go?"

Footnote: That fella who hosts Fox and Friends adds, "I think we are going to see the rehabilitation of George Bush." Nice dynamic this: talk Dubya up while taking his successor down.

Live Blog: State of Play

6:48 a.m. --- Two media "hits" done and dusted. Ahh, the wonders of soundbite analysis.

So recounts possible in North Carolina, Missouri, and Indiana. Giving each state to the current leader ---- NC and Indiana to Obama and Missouri to McCain as well as Montana --- that's a 364-174 margin. Which in turns looks close to "sweeping" victory, especially in comparison to the toss-ups of 2000 and 2004.

I fear that Al Franken will just fail in Minnesota. Result in Oregon --- surprise of the night to me in the Senate races --- still should edge Democrat. But 2nd surprise of the night could be possible in Alaska, where Felon Ted Stevens holds a 49-46 edge with 37 percent of the vote returned.

In any events, Democrats have at least a 54-44 (with two independents) edge in the new Senate, which again is the healthiest margin for them in the last couple of decades.

Live Blog: And We're Back (Briefly)

I’m going into a series of interviews with BBC WM Radio, Smooth Radio, LBC Radio in London, BRMB Radio in Bimingham, and Kerrang! Radio as well as a chat with the British-American Business Council.

I’m catching up with the developments but apparently four states — Missouri, Indiana, North Carolina, and Montana — are still in play. Incredible. And deeply significant for the outcome of the Canuckistan Electoral College Pool.

It also seems two Senate races, Oregon and Minnesota, are stick neck-and-neck.