Extra Innings

Ohio has tightened up, perhaps enough that the provisional and disputed ballots will come into play. MsNBC has called Ohio for Bush, the other networks haven't. Kerry has not conceded Ohio or the election.

So what is the issue that dominates---is it Iraq? Is it the economy? Is it terrorism? Early in the evening, exit polls showed the economy and Iraq. But by now in the states going to Bush the prevailing issue was something called Moral Values.

Kerry is still leading in the other states he needs. Kerry is at 211 electoral votes and Bush at 249. 270 needed for the presidency. If Kerry does win these states, and Bush doesn't get to 270, then it is highly likely that Ohio will hinge on the provisional ballots, which will not be counted for 11 days.

Bush may declare victory tonight. But it's unlikely that Kerry will concede tonight, so this may be the last blog entry of the night.