Witness Disputes Report of Black Panther Intimidation

Northeast, Midwest would lose seats if today's census was used

(NEWSER) - The South is gaining population and power at the expense of the Northeast and Midwest, according to Census Bureau estimates released yesterday. If House seats were distributed based on the estimates, which are believed to be a strong predictor of the 2010 census results, Texas would be the big winner, gaining three seats, with Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Utah, and Washington each adding one. More»

Many pundits ruled out Obama victory early

(NEWSER) - With the election over, what's more fun than calling out all those whose predictions were off—way off. Der Spiegel lists some highlights:

• "He cannot win, Bill. He cannot win." Hillary Clinton, on Barack Obama
• "We'll win Florida." Rudy Giuliani
• "Virginians are really getting fired up for this ticket of McCain and Palin." George Allen
• "Romney for the Republicans, Hillary for the Democrats." Ann Coulter, on the nominees

Early results likely to set tone

(NEWSER) - Barack Obama won the crucial battleground states of Florida, Virginia, Ohio, and Pennsylvania to clinch victory over John McCain and secure his place in history, MSNBC reports. The 47-year-old Illinois senator will become the nation's first black president when he succeeds George W. Bush in January. Obama reached the 270 electoral votes needed at 11pm ET when he won the states of California, Washington, and Oregon. More»

(NEWSER) - The economy is the top issue for voters, today's exit polling confirmed, with 62% of those interviewed saying it was their No. 1 priority. Iraq was most important to 10%, and terrorism and health care were each named by 9%. For those most concerned with the economy, CNN said, more supported Barack Obama than John McCain. Nine out of 10 of voters interviewed said economic conditions in the country are “not so good” or “poor," MSNBC reports More»

GOP contests provisional-ballot issues in Ohio; judge sides with party on observers in NH

(NEWSER) - The Ohio GOP is suing the state over rules concerning provisional ballots, the Toledo Blade reports, in an atmosphere tense enough that Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner has been assigned extra security following death threats. The GOP amended an extant suit to challenge instructions that county boards of election could review ballots. It alleges that such counts “will inevitably result in disparate, county-by-county rules.” More»