The news of the last 72 hours ginned up a lot of expectation that Obama would crush Hillary tonight. But the polls have just closed and the nets are calling it too close to call.

MSNBC and Fox both calling it for McCain. And ABC.

Late Update: Where to for Mitt? Not pretty.

Whatever the final results are tonight it seems clear the final polls missed some late movement in Hillary’s direction — to put it mildly.

TPM Reader JS chimes in …

I almost wonder if more Dems didn’t vote for Hillary to counter the BS media narrative about rejecting the Clintons once and for all. I say this as someone who has given 1500 bucks to Obama, gone to several of his events out here in CA, met him, and plan to vote for him. Part of me, however, was so pissed about this media narrative about Hillary and the Clintons in general that I had in the back of my mind that I would consider voting for her just to piss the media off. That’s not going to happen now as it appears we have a real race, but still . . . do you see what I am saying? I mean this whole weekend we see people like Andrea Mitchell and Chris Matthews salivating over how the Democrats “rejected the Clintons” and want to puke. I am for Obama not because I am against Clinton (either one), but because I am for Obama. That’s it. I think he is the best of the big 3 dem candidates. Would I be happy to vote for Hillary or Edwards in the general? Hell yeah. Did I think Bill Clinton was a great President? Yes. And I think Hillary would probably be pretty good too. This whole media narrative sickened me.

TPM Reader DB too …

I have been an Obama supporter since 04, gave money to him this year, own the t-shirt, etc., etc. But the sexist bullsh-t these past days (I am a woman) from the media is making me root for her to win this tonight. The only thing I dread if she wins tonight is the inevitable story from the media that this proves that white america really won’t vote for a black man, the resulting made-up defection of Obama’s made-up new found black support, etc., etc.

TPM Reader AL pipes up …

I’m a woman (Obama supporter) who has no particular issues with Hillary — liked the Clinton administration, think she’s competent, etc. I’d vote for her in the general. But the idea that people would vote for her simply because they’re “outraged” over media coverage these last few days is incomprehensible to me. I live in DC and follow politics VERY closely, but even I don’t watch that idiot Matthews or any of the cable talking heads; I tune them out completely. So, first, it’s hard for me to imagine that people in NH who are already bombarded with candidates, ads, etc., are spending their free time watching that crap and getting outraged about it. Second, if they are, and that’s how they’re making their voting decisions, then they’re idiots. Voting to disprove a media narrative has to be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard. Truly.

This has be one of funniest, truest and most brutal blind quotes I’ve seen in some time (from ABC) …

When asked what made the difference in Romney’s projected loss to Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., one Romney advisor simply said, “Authenticity.” Romney called to congratulate McCain at 8:20 p.m.

I thought it would be fair to give a run down of the fringe candidates on the GOP side.

At the moment, it’s Rudy about 300 votes ahead of Ron Paul.

TPM Reader MS …

I have always had somewhat lukewarm feelings about Hillary Clinton. It took me years to forgive her for her “baking cookies” comment. At the time I had just given birth to my first child and decided to leave my job as an attorney to stay home and take care of my baby. I have been on the fence throughout this campaign, liking John Edwards more than
the others. The media coverage of Sen. Clinton has caused my blood to boil. I can not bear to witness blatant misogyny. Gloria Steinheim’s article in the NYT this morning was so on the mark. If I lived in New Hampshire, I would have voted for Sen. Clinton today. I would not allow the talking heads to tell me who to vote for or declare this race
over. And I certainly was not going to participate in the sexist bs that has been spewing out the mouths of the likes of Chris Matthews.

I’m not above liking John McCain. I liked him in 2000. But that speech was lame. Stiff. Long. And maybe just really self-serving? “I came to you not as a dickhead like Mitt Romney but to tell you the truth … I am glad you allowed me to say the truth …”

We’ve got a special post all set up for your New Hampshire primary comments.