We went into this evening thinking that the big story would be on the Democratic side of the ledger. And the early signs are looking strong for Barack Obama. But it’s looking like there’s a big story on the Republican side too. Not that John McCain isn’t going to have a big night. But considering that few people give any shot to the remaining candidates Romney and Huckabee, the exit polls suggest an underwhelming showing by McCain. McCain’s folks were dying to have Huckabee stay in and do well. But I suspect at the end of the evening he’ll have done a good deal better than the McCain wanted. And Mitt’s not getting shut out either. Keep watching this.
CNN projecting:
Conn: McCain
Mass: Romney
Ill: McCain and Obama
Okla: Clinton
MSNBC calls New Jersey for McCain.
Fox projects Hillary wins Tennessee.
Delaware goes to McCain.
TPM Reader HR checks in …
My guess is Minnesota results will be really late. Huge turnout at our caucus site in St. Paul. It was parked up for blocks and blocks, with long streams of traffic and people arriving in large groups. The line was around the block when we joined it, farther around it after we voted and left. The ballots were little squares of paper, kind of like what we used back in second grade except the names were pre-printed on them. Ballots went into a box with a slot on it (might have been a borrowed classroom Valentine box). Clearly nobody was going to start counting until after the last votes were cast. Voting began at 6:30 and anyone still in line at 8:00 could vote, no matter how long the line.
The second round exit polls looked very strong for Barack Obama. But the actual results coming in are making this a much closer night. Some of the Hillary’s wins so far were expected. But Massachusetts and New Jersey are big wins. Of course, as we’ve noted a number of times, it’s proportional. So close wins on either side mean more like a tie in delegate terms.
Chris Matthews is actually making a pretty solid point. And one that’s going to be difficult one for McCain to deal with. That is, the states McCain is winning are ones Republican seldom win in general elections. So far our tally has Delaware, Connecticut, Illinois, New Jersey and New York. Basically he’s taking the Democratic base.
Check out the Super Tuesday results thread we have set up at TPMCafe.