The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO - Politics Presidential

Obama sweeps to victory as first black president
WASHINGTON — Barack Obama swept to victory as the nation’s first black president Tuesday night in an electoral college landslide that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself. “Change has come,” he told to a huge throng of jubilant supporters.
Oklahomans heavily favor all four ballot questions
Oklahoma voters overwhelmingly endorsed all four ballot measures Tuesday.
Dems expand their control of Senate
Democrats fattened their majority control of the Senate on Tuesday, ousting Republican Sens. Elizabeth Dole of North Carolina and John Sununu of New Hampshire and capturing seats held by retiring GOP senators in Virginia, New Mexico and Colorado.
House Democrats gain in northeast and south
House Democrats solidified their control of the northeast and made gains in the South on Tuesday by defeating Republicans from Connecticut to Arizona as they pushed for historic gains in their majority.
10:03 p.m. AP reports Obama elected president
9:56 p.m. Five statewide issues on Missouri ballot
Gamblers, educators and economic development officials were waiting to see whether Missourians wanted to rewrite the state’s unique restrictions on casinos.
9:47 p.m. Jasper, Newton County final election results
9:28 p.m. McCain, Obama race tests Missouri bellwether status
Missouri’s reputation as a presidential bellwether was on the line Tuesday in a close contest between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
8:52 p.m. Roy Blunt re-elected in Missouri's 7th District
Republican Rep. Roy Blunt defeats Democrat Richard Monroe to win re-election in Missouri’s 7th Congressional District.
8:26 a.m. Missouri voters endure long lines to cast ballots
The polls at this small St. Louis suburb were set to close at 7 p.m. Tuesday, but with hundreds of voters in line after waits that for some topped six hours, few were ready to leave.
8:00 p.m. Bush: ’May God bless whoever wins tonight’
Off the ballot but still in voters’ minds, President Bush watched election results like the rest of the country Tuesday night and privately told his friends and advisers, “May God bless whoever wins tonight.”
7:11 p.m. AP reports Nixon wins Missouri governor’s race
The AP reports that Democrat Attorney General Jay Nixon defeats Republican Rep. Kenny Hulshof in Missouri’s race for governor.
7:04 p.m. Obama wins Vermont, McCain Kentucky
John McCain carried Kentucky, and Barack Obama countered with a Vermont victory as he bid to become the first black president Tuesday night, first spoils in the race for the White House. Democrats gained a Senate seat, the first of several they had in their sights in a country at war and anything but prosperous.
12:51 p.m. Close gov races in NC, Wash., among 11 contests
Voters in 11 states were choosing governors Tuesday, deciding close contests in North Carolina and Washington as Republicans tried to chip away at the Democrats’ slim majority of gubernatorial seats.
11:15 a.m. Turnout strong at Neosho precinct
11 a.m. Long lines move quickly at polling place
10:54 a.m. Baxter Springs polling place reports no problems
The polling place at the Baxter Springs Community Center just before 10 a.m. was busy, but there were no lines. Voting booths were mostly full.
9:01 a.m. Globe tracking reports of voting problems
The Joplin Globe and joplinglobe.com are tracking reports of voting problems and irregularities today. To report polling place concerns call 1-417-623-3480.
8:47 a.m. Steady voter traffic reported at Joplin precinct
First time poll worker Della Fraizer said she is excited to help out at the polls during today’s election.
8:18 a.m. Busy day at Missouri polls expected
Secretary of State Robin Carnahan has projected a near-record turnout: 76 percent of the state’s 4.2 million registered voters.
Time, place cited for Obamas’ Springfield rally
Sen. Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, will campaign Saturday night during a rally in Springfield, according to a statement issued by the campaign.
Educators use election to teach voting
It took the better part of a month for Blake Witten and Kasey Ng to research their roles as Barack Obama and John McCain, respectively.
Election officials preparing for record voter turnout
Numbers of early voters are forecasting a record turnout next Tuesday, and local election officials are adding more workers and making other preparations to handle the large number of residents expected to go to the polls.
Jill Biden meets with campaign workers
For an Obama-Biden campaign volunteer like Pat Anderson, getting to see and hear from Jill Biden was a big boost to her and her fellow volunteers.
Joplin residents: Health care among top issues in election
Health care continues to be among the important issues in the presidential election this year, Joplin-area residents said Thursday.
The Swing Vote ... Debate the Debate
Join The Joplin Globe and a group of undecided voters, Republicans and Democrats on Wednesday night for the last presidential debate. Join the discussion by leaving your thoughts in our comments section at the bottom of this page.
The Swing Vote ... Debate the Debate
Join The Joplin Globe and a group of undecided voters, Republicans and Democrats on Wednesday night for the last presidential debate. Join the discussion by leaving your thoughts in our comments section at the bottom of this page.
Final debate doesn’t sway stances
The final debate between presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama did little to sway the positions of three area residents who were asked to watch the exchange at The Joplin Globe.
Undecided voters say race, gender hold no sway — for them w/ undecided voter video and previous Swing Vote coverage
Some undecided voters say race, gender and age issues aren’t factors for them, but many believe they will figure into the presidential election that is now less than three weeks away.
The Swing Vote: Undecided voters chime in on the presidential election
The Swing Vote: ‘Bradley Effect’ could impact election
When a voter says one thing to an election pollster and then does another thing in the anonymity of the voting booth, it is called a curious flip-flop.
The Swing Vote: A bellwether state w/ undecided voter interview video, audio and poll
Four weeks away from the presidential election, local undecided voters say they are still waiting for candidates to better address economic issues as well as the country’s future in Iraq.
Democrats turn out for Biden appearance in Springfield w/ Sen. Biden campaign slide show
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — U.S. Sen. Joe Biden, the Democratic vice presidential nominee, brought the campaign being waged by Sen. Barack Obama and himself deep into traditionally Republican territory Friday with an appearance in Springfield’s Jordan Valley Park.
Slide Show: Sen. Joe Biden Campaign Stop in Springfield
Sen. Biden to address rally in Springfield
Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden will be in Springfield on Friday as part of a two-day campaign trip to Missouri.
Debate strengthens local voters’ views, but some still undecided w/ link to Swing Vote coverage
Candidates’ responses in the second presidential debate strengthened the support of two local residents already backing John McCain and Barack Obama.
Andy Ostmeyer: Goldman Sachs illustrates corporate ‘capturing’
A few years ago, trying to run down perspective on some Wal-Mart controversy, I called a business professor at the University of Arkansas.
Area voters split down middle on debate w/ links to previous vice-presidential debate transcripts
Vice presidential nominees Sarah Palin and Joe Biden squared off Thursday night at Washington University in St. Louis for their first and only debate in their bids to convince voters that they represent the best choice for the nation.
Presidential candidates outline education plans
For Amanda Schmelzer, mother of Lauren, 7, and Lindy, 5, vouchers are an important election issue.
Schmelzer drives her daughters 30 minutes every day from their home in Columbus, Kan., to Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School in Joplin because she is afraid her gifted children would be lost in a public-education system that has a responsibility to teach every child regardless of his or her learning curve.
Residents: Neither debater scored ‘knockout’ punch
Neither candidate landed the definitive “knockout punch” in the first presidential debate on Friday, according to four Joplin-area residents. Both candidates performed well, said residents contacted after watching the 90-minute exchange that focused on foreign policy and national security.
Donors hoping to sway presidential race w/ link to search for political campaign contributions
Emery Hutson sees the election as a time to be part of something big. “It’s just an exciting project,” says the Joplin campaign volunteer working at the Jasper County Democratic Headquarters.
Andy Ostmeyer: Money trail offers insight into VP candidates
Neither of my parents could be vice president. Having watched Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin try to explain every misstep of a family member — an NPR report Wednesday noted her husband’s citation for fishing without a license — I realized that as saintly as my parents are, their six kids (and one in particular who disgraced the tribe by going into journalism) could drag down an entire party — not to mention political system.
Nick Myers' Republican National Convention blog w/ links to learn more about the convention
Nick Myers is chairman of the Newton County Republican Central Committee, a certified public accountant and a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis, MN.
Myers agreed to keep Joplin-area residents informed via this blog during convention and is e-mailing his blog entries to The Globe as time allows.
Palin earns praise from GOP members on eve of speech w/ link to Nick Myers' convention blog
Local Republicans on Tuesday praised the selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the running mate for presumptive GOP presidential candidate John McCain even as she came under fire.
For local blacks, Obama nomination signifies change, improvement
At age 82, Harry Givens makes no bones about it when he is asked. “No,” he said promptly. “I didn’t think it was realistic in my lifetime. Whether Obama wins the election or not, there is history being made that I thought I’d never see.”
1:27 p.m. Gov. Blunt touts McCain as Obama RV tours Missouri
Gov. Matt Blunt contends Republican presidential candidate John McCain is a better match for rural Missourians than Democrat Barack Obama.
Obama outlines economic plans w/ link to official campaign Web site
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — He may have been in the middle of a Republican stronghold, but it didn’t sound like it Wednesday when Sen. Barack Obama addressed a cheering crowd in Springfield.
Obama visits GOP territory in Springfield
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama stepped into traditionally Republican territory Thursday on a trek across southern Missouri.
Obama blasts GOP economic policy as ‘reckless’
Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama says he’s offering fundamental change from what he calls “reckless” Republican economic policies that have hammered middle-class families.
Obama field director to address Democrats
Democrats and other Barack Obama supporters from the region can hear from a field director for the presidential campaign at a meeting Monday sponsored by the Jasper County Central Democratic Committee.
McCain calls for energy-efficient government
Republican John McCain said Tuesday the federal government should practice the energy efficiency he preaches, pledging as president to switch official vehicles to green technologies and do the same for office buildings.
Obama shares fundraisers with Clinton
Democratic nominee-in-waiting Barack Obama is sharing one his most valuable assets — his top fundraisers — with former rival Hillary Rodham Clinton to help her pay off her debt, the latest effort to heal the wounds of a bruising primary campaign.
Running mates could come from Missouri or Kansas w/ link to the web site, politico.com
Barack Obama may look at women in politics in Kansas or Missouri as his choice for a running mate. Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and U.S. Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., each have been mentioned as possible running mates for the presumed Democratic presidential nominee.
McCain speech boosts energy independence
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Sen. John McCain said Wednesday that the United States must end a growing dependence on foreign oil that is weakening the country economically and strategically.
John McCain to bring campaign to region
John McCain will bring his presidential campaign to Southwest Missouri next week, for what is being described as a national-issues briefing in Springfield.
Obama leads in Tri-State superdelegates
With three Democratic primaries remaining, it appears that the party’s superdelegates will decide the party’s presidential nominee.
Superdelegates in spotlight in tight Democratic race
Doug Brooks will be involved in determining the next Democratic presidential nominee.
The Joplin psychologist is one of five Missouri members of the Democratic National Committee who have been named as superdelegates in the presidential campaign.
Nomination may fall to superdelegates w/ Missouri Democratic Party's delegate selection timetable and plan
After primary victories Tuesday for Sen. Hillary Clinton in Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas, the race for the Democratic presidential nomination likely will rest with party superdelegates.
Texas, Ohio votes crucial for Democrats w/ story poll question
WASHINGTON — Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton reached for the finish line of contentious Ohio and Texas primary campaigns on Monday as senior Democrats expressed concern the party could suffer this fall if their struggle goes much longer.
Andy Ostmeyer: Obama, Clinton funnel nearly $1 million to superdelegates
Barack Obama is beating Hillary Clinton where it may count the most. Not in Wisconsin and other states where he is collecting delegates to the Democratic National Convention.
Andy Ostmeyer: Political reign doesn’t follow the money plow
There was an old saying among land speculators in the latter half of the 19th Century: Rain follows the plow.
Huckabee wins big in Kansas caucus
PARSONS, Kan. — Republicans in Southeast Kansas joined their counterparts around the state in throwing support Saturday to Mike Huckabee, who cruised to a win in the Sunflower state’s Republican caucus.
1:30 02/07/08 McCain seals GOP nomination as Romney suspends campaign
WASHINGTON (AP) — John McCain effectively sealed the Republican presidential nomination on Thursday as chief rival Mitt Romney suspended his faltering campaign.
McCain closing in on GOP nomination nod as Romney bows out
WASHINGTON — John McCain is on the brink of securing the Republican Party presidential nomination that eluded him eight years ago and seemed far out of reach last summer.
Caucus-goers overwhelm Franklin Community Center
FRANKLIN, Kan. — “Pandemonium” is how caucus-goer Rick Fulton, of Pittsburg, described conditions Tuesday at the 13th Kansas Senate District Democratic Caucus at the Franklin Community Center.
Area party officials say Clinton’s numbers in cards
Mike Huckabee and Hillary Clinton parlayed their Arkansas ties into regional advantages Tuesday in Southwest Missouri and Northeast Oklahoma, which helped Clinton win in both states but might not have been enough to nudge Huckabee into the winner’s column in either state.
Tri-State voters line up behind Clinton, Huckabee
Clinton vs. Huckabee? That’s the way local voters think it could play out in the race for the White House this fall.
8:20 p.m. Big turnout marks Kansas Democratic caucuses
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Overflow crowds gathered for the Democratic presidential caucuses in Kansas Tuesday, as the intense race nationally between Barack Obama and Hillary Rodham Clinton spread to the Republican-leaning Sunflower State.
7:48 p.m. McCain seeks GOP command on Super Tuesday; Obama, Clinton battle for Democrats
WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. John McCain won a string of primaries along the East Coast and in Illinois Tuesday night, reaching for command of the race for the Republican presidential nomination.
Voters discuss reasons for choices
A steady stream of voters weathered the rain and thunderstorms Tuesday to vote in Missouri and Oklahoma primaries and to attend Kansas caucuses, with no clear favorites surfacing in the Globe’s exit polling.
2:15 p.m. Voters forge ahead in rain to cast ballots
Rain hasn’t dampened election enthusiasm in rural Missouri. Nancy Burks, of rural Anderson, weathered Tuesday’s rain to vote Republican.
Election Day Coverage
Billed as a “chaotic presidential race placed in the hands of voters from coast to coast,” Super Tuesday is shaping up to be a nail biter. Stay with us here at joplinglobe.com for local, state and national coverage. Our reporters will conduct exit polling throughout the day, providing you with comments from local voters. Shortly after the polls close tonight, we’ll bring you up-to-date results as votes are counted.
And how will it all end?
We’ll keep you posted.
6:34 p.m. Analysis: Super Tuesday is the start of a nomination marathon for Clinton and Obama
WASHINGTON (AP) — Consider this the beginning of a long hard slog.
6:29 p.m. Obama wins Georgia for Democrats, McCain seeks GOP supremacy on Super Tuesday
WASHINGTON (AP) — Barack Obama won the Georgia primary Tuesday night, the leading edge of a coast-to-coast struggle with Hillary Rodham Clinton for delegates in the grueling Democratic presidential campaign.
6:14 p.m. So far, so good on St. Louis voting
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Voter turnout in St. Louis was reported as steady Tuesday, with smooth going at the polls.
5:50 p.m. Exit polls offer insight into Missouri primary vote
Some highlights of data from exit polls conducted for The Associated Press and television networks in the Missouri presidential primary Tuesday
5:25 p.m. Voting steady but no clear winner yet
No clear choice has surfaced as a steady number of voters continue to appear at Missouri and Oklahoma polls and prepare for Kansas caucuses.
3:29 p.m. Missouri voting in Democratic, Republican presidential primaries
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Through drizzle and downpours, Missourians rushed from their vehicles to their polling places Tuesday to pick their preferred presidential nominees in a pair of closely contested Democratic and Republican primaries.
3:05 p.m. Democrats in Kansas to caucus tonight
Democrats in Cherokee County, Kan., are preparing to caucus tonight. Veva Jackson, a 68-year-old retired consultant in Galena, said she will go to a caucus at the Franklin Community Center, where Democrats in the 13th Kansas Senate District gather.
1:18 p.m. GOP candidate Romney makes quick campaign stop in Oklahoma
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney made a brief campaign stop in Oklahoma on Monday, the eve of the state’s primary election.
12:44 p.m. Jasper County clerk discovers some names missing from roster
Jasper County Clerk Bonnie Earl said election judges are finding some registered voter’s names have been left off the latest roster provided by the Missouri secretary of state’s office.
12:38 p.m. Across the nation, an unprecedented day of coast-to-coast primaries and caucuses
Gina Nunez has never missed an election, primary or general, and found herself in the fellowship hall of a Methodist church in Phoenix on Tuesday to vote before anyone else in her precinct. Before the sun came up, for that matter.
12:12 p.m. Carthage voters talk about their choices
Donna Evans stopped outside the polling place at the Church of the Nazarene, 2000 Grand, in Carthage and said that she voted for Hillary Clinton.
Slide show: Election day, Feb. '08
10:55 a.m. Two votes turned away from polls in Joplin
Two Joplin men, both carrying Jasper County-issued voter registration cards, were asked for photo IDs, and were not allowed to vote when they would not produce them.
11:01 a.m. Early voter turnout steady today w/ exit poll interview audio
Election workers at Peace Lutheran Church clapped when they got their 100th voter before 9 a.m. today. “We try to make it fun,” said Diana Fleischaker, an election worker at Precinct No. 24, 2002 Wisconsin Ave. “We even had three first-time voters.”
9:12 a.m. Missourians to vote Tuesday in presidential primaries
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — With phone calls and TV ads and surrogate campaigners, supporters of the leading presidential candidates are making a final, frenzied push to get Missourians to the polls on Super Tuesday.
9:05 a.m. Key Clinton supporter predicts Obama win in Kansas caucuses
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The co-chairman of Hillary Rodham Clinton’s presidential campaign in Kansas predicted Monday that she wouldn’t win its Democratic caucuses because of the resources put into the state by rival candidate Barack Obama.
Primary created to give rank-and-file a say in nomination
Believe it or not there was a time in this country when presidential candidates didn’t “run” for the office. The idea of actually campaigning for political office was considered sort of tacky.
Former President Clinton swings through state
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Former President Bill Clinton, in a campaign stop Saturday night in Springfield, laid out his case for Democratic presidential hopeful, and his wife, New York Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, focusing on her ability to restore the country’s economy and standing in the world.
Kansas caucuses to sort out presidential hopefuls
Kansas Democrats will caucus Tuesday and Kansas Republicans on Saturday to select their choices among those running for president.
Missouri, Oklahoma gear up primaries
So what will happen at your polling place Tuesday? In Missouri, you will be asked to choose one ballot from three that are available for the Republican, Democrat and Libertarian parties.
Local GOP backing several candidates
John McCain may be leading Republican presidential candidates in the national polls, but in Republican-rich Southwest Missouri, there isn’t an organization working on behalf of the Arizona lawmaker.
Local Democrats expect good turnout
Despite the immediate Joplin area’s history as a Republican stronghold, local Democrats have still built ad hoc campaigns for Sens. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, and expect a good turnout at the polls Tuesday.
Will Missouri's primary make an impact?
With 20 other states holding primaries or caucuses Tuesday, it’s difficult to see how the presidential preferences of Missourians and Oklahomans will matter all that much in the nominating process of either major party.
Huckabee claims mantle as true GOP conservative w/ link to Mike Huckabee's campaign Web site
HIGHFILL, Ark. — Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee returned to home turf on Friday as part of a campaign swing leading up to the Super Tuesday primary.
Former U.S. Sen. John Danforth endorses McCain
ST. LOUIS (AP) — With Missouri’s Super Tuesday primary fast approaching, Republican presidential hopeful John McCain on Thursday picked up the endorsement of longtime Sen. John Danforth.
Candidates, surrogates schedule stops in area
Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee has scheduled two campaign stops today in the Joplin region. Huckabee is to speak at rallies at 4 p.m. at Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport and at 7 p.m. at Springfield-Branson National Airport.
Huckabee slates stop in region
A stop in Southwest Missouri by Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney does not appear likely, but volunteers have confirmed plans by Mike Huckabee to make a campaign stop Friday in Springfield.

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