Join the Election Day live chat

      The Buffalo News is hosting a live chat on Election Day, Nov. 4, to discuss the ongoing elections. The polls don't close until 9 p.m., but there's plenty to talk about before the results start coming in.

     This is a history-making election, with either the first African-American president or the first female vice president.  Not only is the White House up for grabs, large Democratic gains are possible in Congress and control of the New York State Senate is also on the line.

     Locally, major races include Lee-Kryzan for Congress; Mesi-Ranzenhofer, Delano-Stachowski and Konst-Volker for State Senate, and LaVallee-Sedita for district attorney.

     Editorial Writer George Pyle kicks off the event at 10 a.m., followed by Senior Washington Correspondent Douglas Turner and then Staff Reporter Patrick Lakamp. Please join us with your comments and questions.

Comments

[Jerry Zremski]

Hey, it's Jerry Zremski, Washington bureau chief for The Buffalo News, reporting from Chicago -- a city, as it basks in warm autumn sunshine, looks like it's getting ready to celebrate.

I will be covering Barack Obama's election-night event here, but already, it feels as if the World Series of politics has come to town.

Last night, downtown was packed with young Obama campaign workers and volunteers clad in t-shirts bearing the campaign's familiar red, white and blue "O" logo. This morning, an older guy rode past Grant Park -- the site of tonight's rally -- on a bike, pulling behind him a trailer with a giant stuffed bobble-headed John McCain doll.

Of course, that guy probably feels pretty lonely, given that this is Obama's adopted hometown. There are Obama posters in store windows everywhere, and when I walked past a storefront Obama campaign office last night, it was jammed with volunteers of all ages, using cell phones to make calls to voters in swing states. And I saw one woman walking through downtown in a t-shirt that said on the back:

"Barack Runs the Clock
Focus in Range
Time for Change
No drama with Obama."

The Illinois senator may have run a drama-free campaign, but I get the sense that no matter who wins or who loses, there will be plenty of drama here tonight.

[Ron Weekes]

I am proud of my comment that just aired on CNN Live at 11:03 AM 11/4/08:

"Ron Weekes of Buffalo, NY commented 'As one who served six years in the Army and one year in Vietnam, and as a 59 year old gay white male who has been in a same-sex relationship for nearly 25 years it was, for me, an exquisite honor to vote for a Black American for the office of president.'"

[Renee Hill]

I currently live in the University district. The Kensington Prep School(1409 E.Delavan)serves as the polling place for the University district and the Lovejoy district. The University district, which is one of the largest council districts, had 1 voting machine. The wait time to vote approximately 1 hr - 1 1/2 hour. Whereas the Lovejoy district which is somewhat smaller had 3 voting machines. The wait time to vote approximately 45 minutes or less. How does the Board of Elections determine the number of voting machines per polling place?

[Jerry Zremski]

Here in Chicago and across the Midwest, we're enjoying what I call Democratic weather. It's brilliantly sunny and unseasonably warm, just the kind of weather that drives Democrats to the polls in droves.

For years political pros have known that while Republicans are extraordinarily loyal voters, Democrats are not. A rain shower might be enough to keep them home on Election Day. That's why Democrats in the key state of Ohio woke up feeling gloomy four years ago, as a rainstorn drenched the entire state.

This year, though, the Democrats seem to be getting every break you can imagine -- even a break from Mother Nature. The Weather.Com national map shows clouds over Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina -- but no miserable weather in any of the swing states, and warmer weather in most.

And in what might be one of the biggest shocks in this shocking election, it's only supposed to be a few degrees cooler here in Chicago tonight for Democrat Barack Obama's rally than it will be in Phoenix, where Republican John McCain will hold his election night event.

--Jerry Zremski

[Phil]

Jerry, is the bad weather having more of an effect on Democrats because of "loyalty" or because they are more likely to have to rely on public transportation and wait in long lines to vote? (Note: not a rhetorical question, I really wonder if those factors have been examined).

[Lydia Bezou-Hojnacki]

What a wonderful evening to sit out on the front porch until bedtime. Who wants to view election results before they are all in? Doesn't make sense to say, with 1% of the vote, that Joe Blow is now the projected. winner. It's insane to watch election returns now, rather than wait until the Electors meet for the final decision. I am sick of the media meddling with their projected winners and their airing of concession speeches before all the votes are counted.

[HapKlein]

I love to see energy used to human benefit. that is why some aspects of this election are undone by the mechanics of cynical party folk who guarantee results through gerrymandering.
I have had young folk drop off slingers for week about Joe Mesi and I ote the huge energy for Alice Kryzne in a district I don't live in.
But the shabby treatment of democracy by our incumbent politicians just about ensure that the Republicans will win.
Boy won't that be great! Those districts will be represented by minor party representatives in Albany and only the parties will be happy. The citizens just have to wait for the next election for revenge.

[Hank]

Results are rolling in, and of course Barack Obama is far in the lead. Republicans cannot acknowledge how the GOP is a faded, iconclastic, fractured party, more Huckabee'an than McCain-iacs.
Young adults have come out throughout America, for change. Iowa was the Great Predictor, as I said back then. Boston Legal's Denny Crane made Alan Shore happy: "Those last eight years." But I give credit to DNC Chairman Howard Dean, who the media cut down during his own campaign four years ago. Dean showed the real winner is when success is the best revenge. And that will redound through the Senate, the House, and much more sweetly...the next appointments to the Supreme Court. America is changed.

[wil]

This is vindication for years of corrupt republican rule...
Our Democracy in action...
Boo-Hoo, Republicans... Go find yourselves and reflect on why you lost so large... Failed ideas, Racist ideology and support for only the wealthiest of Americans... The American people have spoken....

[AdelleX]

Remember back in September when Carl & Floydthebarber/Daphne bragged that the election "wouldn't even be close." Well, they were right about that. It wasn't even close!!! What a great night this is!!! This isn't a mere election; it's the beginning of a whole new era. The hateful politics of smear, race-baiting and Rove-style fear mongering have been roundly defeated tonight. Bravo, PRESIDENT OBAMA!!! Bravo, America!!!

[Neil]

Let the wealth re-distribution begin! I'm going to enjoy being the same sort of loyal opposition that the Looney-Lefties have been for the past eight years. You know, respectful, gracious, insightful, courteous. It's gonna be fun watching the Obamanations totally screw things up. Sorry previous typo.

[Neil]

Jerry Z. said at 2:46 pm...... “This year, though, the Democrats seem to be getting every break you can imagine.” Well said Jerry, especially if you meant from the media!

[cmc]

Neil,

How can he screw things up when we are already at rock bottom thanks to 8 years of the Bush administration. Government expanded its role under Bush please don't forget that.

[Camino Reality]

The American people won because Obama is our next President.

Shut up those who are pushing the falsehoods of this Presidential campaign.

Joe the Plumber pay your fair share of taxes like the rest of us Americans who make less than $200,000.

Opportunity for, by, and of the people is the victory we have achieved. America is inclusive and the rich have to pay their fair share in taxes. Back to tax rates for the ultra rich that were paid during President Clinton term.

The redistribution theory has been rejected by the majority of Americans.

Yes we can!

The United States of America advances with President Obama.

[cmc]

And for those of you that think Obama will be a one term president I ask you this: Who is going to defeat him...Bobby Jindal, Sarah Palin, Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich, or Mike Huckabee. The GOP is a sinking ship thanks to your man GWB.

[Neil]

cmc.....I don't know how old you are, I'm guessing somewhere below 35 or 40 years, am I correct? Every generation has to learn their own lessons or re-learn those of previous generations. Things under Carter and Johnson (LBJ), both Democrats with Democrat Congress', which I lived through, were much worse than they are today. The economy, world affairs were all much graver, it's a fact, although you wouldn't know it from listening to the MSM.

[Neil]

cmc.....your thoughts about how the Republican's screwed their chance up is correct, they acted just like the Democrats had before them (increasing the size of government, spending, etc.). Let's see if the new boss is the same as the old boss...to borrow from The Who.

[Neil]

Camino.....I though President-elect Barry said $250K....no?

[Hank]

Apparently Neil did not listen to Barack Obama. He said this is about "you, America." He understands what confounds the Republicans. The election two years ago sent Democrats to Congress with a mandate to change and get out of Iraq. Those Democrats failed in their mission, but moderate majority Americand for change pushed on and it was not Hillary Clinton or any other Democrat who truly understood. It was Barack Obama, and he emerged the Democrat nominee against the "experienced field." Voters spoke at the primaries. Now he defeated the "experienced" Republican, because Obama understood it is about we, the American voter who demands change. The GOP-types cannot believe the power is of the people, by the people, and for the people. Barack Obama now will be in the White House, with a stronger Congress, to do the will of the people.
The world has watched again at a peaceful transfer of power that astounds them. There will be compromises. But the GOP, as a party, is finished as a major influence. Obama understands what we expect.

[cmc]

Neil,

Actually I'm 26. Obviously I did not live through the Carter or LBJ administrations, but in my lifetime, I really feel our sitting president was the worst of the four administrations I have lived through and come to know. Yes, I am a Democrat so my opinion is inheritantly biased but I do know GWB had a worse approval rating than LBJ and Carter ever had going into the 1968 and 1980 elections, though not my much. If you're a Dem Bush is the worst ever, if you're a Republican its Clinton or Carter.

[cmc]

John McCain is a good man. I fear we may have been blinded by superstar that is Obama and may have passed up on a very good leader, one who I think would have done a much better job than Bush. Do you think Obama will be pushed around by the likes of Reid, Pelosi, Clinton et. al? Or do you think he will try to make his mark early?

[cmc]

I really think the whole socialism thing is overstated!

[Neil]

cmc....I hope you're right for the sake of the country. GWB, and his father for that matter, were less than great. They both managed to blunder us into wars, which we were fortunate to have won. But as I said, each generation apparently has to learn their own lessons. I can tell you from my perspective, the Carter and Johnson years, with their party holding Congress, were the worst of my life time and neither won a second term. So we will see if the current crop of Democrat leaders are any better than the previous group were. Clinton had a Democrat Congress for two years until Hillary proposed socializing the medical system which handed Republicans control of both houses of Congress for the first time in over forty years. If Obama overreaches, as Bush did, he too will suffer a short time in office, I believe. Reagan in my estimation, was the best President of the last century.

[Kate Patterson]

We now will have an African-American president, we have an African-American mayor, we have an African-American governor. It proves that working hard and doing things the legal way is the right way. It proves that African-Americans have "arrived", and that the ones that now have the real power did it the right way.

[MS]

The people have spoken. Finally a majority win.