Today will likely reveal the outcome of Georgia’s marathon U.S. Senate race. Voters return to the polls for a special runoff election.

Georgia is the only state requiring a runoff if the leading candidate in a general election fails to exceed 50 percent of the vote.

In last month’s general election, Republican Saxby Chambliss, the incumbent, fell just short of that, receiving 49.8 percent of the vote in a three-way race. Democratic challenger Jim Martin scored 46.8 percent with Libertarian Allen Buckley trailing at 3.4 percent.

Conventional wisdom (and recent polls) would suggest Chambliss has the advantage in this “red” state. However, Martin has inherited a high-tech and well-organized “get out the vote” system from the Obama campaign, which has been actively using its vast email database to rally likely supporters.

When I arrived at my own precinct this morning, the flow of voters was steady, but light. Compared to the massive turnout in the general election, it’s expected that relatively few voters will determine the outcome of the runoff.

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It’s still unclear whether President-elect Barack Obama will campaign in Georgia for Jim Martin, the Democrat challenging Republican U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss. But the Obama campaign has been emailing supporters to attend a Wednesday afternoon Get Out The Vote Rally at Clark Atlanta University featuring former President Bill Clinton.

Chambliss, who faces Martin in a Dec. 2 runoff, was joined at recent campaign stops by former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee and GOP nominee John McCain.

After a long and contentious presidential race, it’s uncertain how many Georgia voters will have the motivation to return to the polls one more time. Equally uncertain is who’s more likely to vote: Someone euphoric over Obama’s victory? Or someone lamenting McCain’s defeat?

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As conservative evangelicals assess the outcome of the 2008 election, a leading spokesperson is offering some advice for the movement’s future.

Mark DeMoss, who heads an Atlanta-based PR firm for religious organizations, writes in a guest post on Beliefnet, “I have an idea for a new project for evangelicals: we could lead the charge to get rid of negative political advertising, irritating “push” calling, and generally mean-spirited, petty campaign behavior…”

In addition to demanding civility from candidates, DeMoss urges evangelicals to stop demonizing their opponents while claiming perfection in their own candidates — which, he claims, causes them to “lose credibility and legitimacy.”

DeMoss calls on evangelicals to be more generous with campaign contributions and to support qualified candidates who share their values, as opposed to simply voting for politicians who belong to their particular religious denomination. In his Beliefnet post, he writes:

Along the campaign trail I met so many people, including pastors and religious leaders, who could tell me only that their choice for president was a “good Christian” or “one of us.” This, in my view, is a dangerously inadequate approach to choosing our highest leaders. We don’t choose people for any other positions using this test; why would we apply it to one of the most important positions on the planet?

DeMoss, who identifies himself as an “evangelical Southern Baptist,” worked for Mitt Romney (a Mormon) in the GOP primary campaign, and voted for John McCain in the general election.

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By Noelle Watters

I stayed up until midnight to see his speech. Whether or not you voted for Barack Obama, hearing what our new President-elect had to say seemed like something to wait up for!  So I watched and listened as Brit and company discussed, and just as I started to doze, it happened! On the stage amid a roar from the crowd came our next president, his two adorable daughters and, who was that? Could it be? The normally impeccably dressed Michelle Obama wearing THAT!

Oh God, I was horrified.  This is the most important night of your life thus far, Michelle, and you’re wearing THAT?

Now don’t get me wrong.  Up until this point, I was a huge fan of the future First Lady’s style.  As soon as she came on the scene she was compared to THE style icon when it comes to First Ladies: Jackie O’.  Like her, Michelle knows the importance of clean lines and the ease of dressing.  She dresses without trying to imitate others or looking like a Jackie O’ wannabe. Instead she adds a touch of her own style resulting in a modern, classic look.

Oh, how she impressed me with her slim short sleeve shift dresses in jewel tones or floral prints. Instead of sticking to a traditional strand of pearls, she would take chances opting for an over-sized, exaggerated style or a long strand with floral details. On another occasion, she chose a dress with just a bit of beads at the neckline to add a touch of glamour without going over the top. And of course, what made Michelle an independent (style speaking, of course) was her commitment to a simple flat shoe. Elegant, comfortable, and ensuring she didn’t look taller than our future president, Michelle made a flat look formal instead of casual. I was convinced the First Lady-elect would be a style super star.

And then last night happened.  She stepped onto the stage in that horrid Narciso Rodriguez Fall ‘09 red shift.  I was shocked. This is the guy best known for designing the glorious, elegant and simple wedding dress worn by Carolyn Bessette who married JFK, Jr.!  And as Barack spoke on this monumental evening, inspiring millions with his words, “Yes we can, ” all I kept thinking was, “No she didn’t!”

The dress was definitely a trendy choice, the cummerbund reminiscent of the bondage theme seen all over the runways.  The skirt too, originally sheer (thankfully Michelle had the designer make the change) was another huge fall ’09 trend.  Unfortunately, it just didn’t work. The splatter painted bodice and hem were distracting and the black side panels and cummerbund detail did absolutely nothing for Michelle’s shape!  Just about the only thing I liked were her kitten shoes and basic black cardigan.

I would be thrilled to have a fashion forward First Lady, and in Michelle’s defense, I hope she continues to take chances when it comes to her wardrobe.   What a refreshing change that would be to the same old bright ladies-who-lunch suits we’ve all become accustomed to.  But as Sarah Palin would say, if asked whether this was a fashion disaster, “You betcha!”

Oh, and one more thing.  Michelle, if you’re reading this, your daughters are beautiful and looked lovely last night, as they always do.   But matching their mom? It wasn’t an American Girls Convention.  We look forward to some change!!

For more on style, check out Fox News’ lifestyle section, iMag.

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On the way over to the election night party at the US Embassy in London I bragged to my cabbie that I hadn’t seen this much excitement about a race since the Kennedy-Nixon race in 1960 (ok I was 5 years old and supported Nixon but I remember).

At the bash itself it was pretty bipartisan but my trusted cameraman Mal noted a tell tale sign.   Everybody was lining up to take pictures with the Obama life-size cardboard cut out.  There were few takes for the McCain version.

By the end of the evening (early morning for us), all balance went out the window and a cheering throng of Barack supporters were delerious.

Not so the man himself.  As I watched his victory speech with dawn breaking over London I couldn’t help but notice what others did.  A new air of seriousness.   Solemnity.   As if it now truly hit him what a weight of responsibility he had inherited.

Expectations are high of course.  Way too high.   Around the world.  This is the fifth US Presidential election I ve covered from abroad and I’ve never seen anything like it.

From the dusty streets of Nairobi and Djibouti.   To the packed scenes in Bangkok.  To the olde world atmosphere in Berlin and Paris.  People were watching and involved.

Even in my London neighborhood my newspaper vendor and druggist would ask me regularly how the campaign was going.

Now they and…and .we…have a result.

And now…as most pundits quickly also noted….the hard part begins.

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WEDNESDAY MORNING

On the drive in this morning through the city at such an early hour, it was great to see the peacefulness, great in knowing that no matter who you supported, America has again shown the world our system, while not perfect, has made its choice. As for decisions here in the west, two very controversial propositions are still undecided. California Prop. 4 which would require parental notification before a minor receives an abortion…is losing. Prop. 8 which would outlaw gay marriage, right now has a narrow lead. We will be watching these two and several others around the country and post the results here. Let us know which ones you want to chat about. Post your comments here!

LATE TUESDAY NIGHT UPDATE

The latest numbers are in on the California propositions and as expected, California’s electoral votes easily went to now President elect Barack Obama. Prop 2 winning so far, Prop 4 Losing so far, Prop 8 winning and Prop 11 winning. For details, see the post below.

Tuesday Evening in Caifornia

It seems during national elections these days that the Golden State gets left out on the left coast. Because California has been strongly in the column of Obama and in recent elections the Democrats, the electoral votes here become an afterthought. What people need to remember is that much of what goes on here generally spreads to the other 49. Our process of propositions end up influencing many other states and even the feds. This election year is no different. Proposition 2 would mandate a different treatment of farm animals. Prop. 4 would tell doctors to notify parents or a guardian when an underage girl plans to get an abortion. Prop 8 would outlaw gay marriage and Prop 11 would set a new way to draw district lines. Turnout here so far is high, at least in the Los Angeles area where it is said to be up 7% from 2004. We’ll see if that holds.

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How do YOU feel about our next president of the United States?

Send us your comments!

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A year ago, North Carolina Senator Elizabeth Dole appeared to hold a safe Republican seat in a solid “red” state. But as her victorious Democratic challenger Kay Hagan put it tonight, “What a difference a year makes.”

Political strategists will, no doubt, spend the upcoming months analyzing this race and come up with a slew of factors that led to Dole’s defeat. But voters already have their ideas.

I received this email on Facebook from Steve, a FOX News viewer in Charlotte, NC:

Her advisers blew it with the Anti-God ad. Lots of people have moved here from the North and are good Christians but, they are Democrats. I am a staunch Republican but, I took offense to it. Especially since I was aware of Kay Hagan’s faith.

Steve is referring to an ad the Dole campaign launched last week, attempting to link Hagan to an atheist group.

The issue stems from a September fundraiser Hagan attended in Boston. Among some 40 individuals hosting the event was an adviser to Godless Americans, a political action committee that lobbies for separation of church and state.

Dole’s ad was an apparent appeal to the GOP’s conservative base. But the move may have appeared awkward coming from a senator who was generally considered a moderate Republican. And attacking her opponent on religion was a long shot, given that Hagan is a Presbyterian church elder and longtime Sunday school teacher.

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By Alicia Acuna

Denver, Co – 8:34 pm: Tonight U.S. Representative Mark Udall stepped up to the mic to make his victory speech in his run for the U.S. Senate.  In his remarks, Udall, thanked his opponent Republican Bob Schaeffer, then turned to the people of Colorado saying “I am humbled and honored that you have asked me to be your next United States Senator.”  Udall replaces two term retiring Republican Senator Wayne Allard.

More than 17 million dollars was spent on the combined campaigns. The Udall win marks the first time since the 1970’s that Colorado has two Democrats representing the state in the U.S. Senate. In 2004, Democrat Ken Salazar also replaced a republican.

Mark Udall will  join his cousin to the South, Tom Udall, a Democrat who also made a successful run tonight for the U.S. Senate in his state of New Mexico.

The Udalls are awaiting results from Oregon’s U.S. Senate race tonight, where their cousin Republican Gordon Smith is fighting to hold onto his seat.

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By Megyn Kelly

Update: Finally getting something to eat — God bless Megan — she brought me a turkey sandwich.

Last hit was not the smoothest — the launch pad failed to launch.  And here I’ve been waiting to use that term all night and then forgot when it actually happened.

Shot something for Entertainment TOnight — Check out their program tomorrow for the results!

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By Alicia Acuna

Denver, Co – 8:10 pm: Excitement is building here at the gathering place for Colorado Democrats as the polls closed here just a little over an hour ago. The crowd already celebrating what they know about the race so far.
There are have been few problems reported. Will be sending pics soon!

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Here in the state capital, as soon as FOX called Ohio for Obama,  EVERYONE from the secretary of state’s office ran behind the curtain to where we believe her office is.  There has been a lot of tension here tonight. This was ground zero in the 2004 election and everyone was focused on the provisional ballots as the most likely source of litigation.

Whether it is wishful thinking, or all the networks will turn out to be wrong, the primary media contact for the state GOP in Ohio is not ready to concede.  When I reached John McClelland you could hear it was extremely busy in the room where he was, people calling over each other, and a few choice works appeared to be flying.

McClelland who has been very forward leaning with information about the race said point blank they are not ready to concede because they were over performing in many of  their counties. And he claimed that the counties yet to be counted were predominantly Republican.   His bottom line is that the number of votes being considered, so far, was just to small to make it real.

About a half hour from now we are expecting another news conference from the secretary of state where we will get the first real numbers…..

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Today the celebs continue to speak out.  P. Diddy voted in New York and  told the Associated Press he believed he was potentially making history by voting for the first black president, and also felt the weight of the past in the voting booth.  “I’m not trying to be dramatic, but I just felt like, Martin Luther King, and I felt the whole civil rights movement, I felt all that energy, and I felt my kids. It was all there at one time. It was a joyous moment.”

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The die hards remain, the celebs and want to be celebs down to the E list have left. Perhaps only the true believers will be able to claim that they witnessed history and yet everyone who has left will tell tales of how they were here and watched it. I doubt that half the people here know the difference between the donkey and the elephant and who is blue and who is red.

Speaking of colors correspondent Greg Palkot and I almost had a heart attack when the embassy map showed the state of New York as red before they changed it to blue, apparently the computers colors everything red first , and then you have to change it.

In the next hour I hope to witness history, perhaps that is why working in the media is magic at times, then again anything is better than two weeks ago in Afghanistan.

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By Megyn Kelly

Update: I’ve gone rogue.

Interviewing people who are not miked.

Running to spots in the studio that they are not expecting.

On the bright side, I got Judge Napolitano on air, as well as our Executive VP John Moody — he’s my boss, so I cleared that one with him beforehand.

My intern Megan (yes, 2 Megyn/ Megan’s) is helping me keep it all together — my makeup artist 7 (yes, that’s  her name 7) says it’s time to go home!

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By Megyn Kelly

I keep shuttling between studios and it’s like 2 different worlds – one normal, one like the arctic!

ET is here shooting something – they’re seeing how the sausage is made.

Brit just recognized Marty Ryan (exec. producer) on the air – Marty’s brilliant and the nicest person you’ll ever meet.

Can u believe Carl Cameron and Major Garrett are finally coming home to their families???  They are the best of the best.

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By Caroline Shively

Update: It’s insanely close right now in Virginia.  67 percent of precincts reporting.  Obama and McCain are tied at 49 percent each.  We’re here with the D’s at their watch party in McLean and they are screaming every time a state is called for Obama but Virginia is still too close to call.

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Update: The air is stale , more of the guests have had more than would permit them to drive a vehicle home and yet still you cannot hear a coverage above the social chit chat. The best thing about the top of the hour is that the next round of results are due out and like a firework parade the whoas and ahhs will echo around the room.

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Sarah Palin looked more at home today than I have ever seen her on the campaign trail. She WAS home. I saw her vote in Wasilla.  It had to be an incredible experience for her.  She was in the Wasilla City Hall council chambers, the very place where she started in politics.

To see her name on the ballot — the first Republican woman on a presidential ticket — It had to be a moving moment …  Afterward she spoke to reporters and talked about the glass ceiling that was breaking.

She looked happy and relaxed.  She was wearing blue jeans and a casual brown jacket with her name stitched on the front.  First Dude Todd Palin was by her side.

She hugged people at the polling place, kissed one woman on the cheek and in her classic, folksy way saw an acquaintance and yelled, “tell your hubby I said hi.”

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The band is playing and Kay Hagan’s supporters cheer each time the TV monitors deliver favorable news of Democratic gains throughout the nation. But the loudest cheers came when Hagan became the projected winner in her run against Republican incumbent Senator Elizabeth Dole.

The crowd now awaits Hagan’s victory speech here in a packed atrium of the Greensboro Coliseum Complex.

Related Post: The U.S. Senate Race: Holy War in North Carolina.

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By Caroline Shively

Update: Virginia is still too close to call.  McCain is leading in the early returns.  We’ve been pushing both sides to tell us how confident they feel.  R’s and D’s are both being cautious.  One democratic official tells me, “This could be one long night in Virginia.”

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By Alicia Acuna

Denver, Co – 5:45 pm Mountain time: Our crew just checked in with the media credentials desk here at the Sheraton Downtown where the state Democratic Party is gathering to watch the results roll in.  It’s relatively quiet at this moment, which is no big surprise when you consider the polls here close at 7pm local.
Reports from voting locations all indicate short to no lines and few problems, if any.  This in large part being credited as a result of the record participation statewide in mail-in and early voting.  According to the Secretary of State’s office here, more than 50-percent of registered voters ballots have been received. Nearly 14 percent of active voters voted early. Add that to today’s folks who walked into booths to make their choices and the Secretary of States office says there’s a good chance that only 10-percent of Colorado’s registered voters didn’t participate.  A huge relief here, when you consider there were concerns about long lines, in part, because this year’s ballot was the longest the state has seen since 1912.

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The hard thing about time differences is that over here it is already tomorrow and yet the time on the East Coast is 8pm. And watching various monitors around the embassy you are beseiged by  the flashing of figures across screens, we cannot contribute much as there is no reaction to results because they are still to be counted. The mood of the party makes me wish that I had spent more time reading celebrity magazines like Hello as the guest list here grows and given that the locals have not figured out how to turn on the air conditioners correctly. Most of the guests sip white wine and try to network amongst themselves. The map on the wall has only two states colored and the cut outs have finally become somewhat irrelevant as almost everyone has had their photo taken with them. It appears that we will still be here at 3am at least providing those chads are a thing of the past.

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By Megyn Kelly

No call in indiana or virginia yet – very interesting.  Maybe soon.  Indiana.

The launch pad (huge screen I am using) is enormous – standing next to it I feel in awe.

Meantime I am running back and forth between FNC and FOX Business Network and you should see the apparatus they have clipped on the back of my skirt! It contains 2 mikes, 2 ifb packs and I feel 20 lbs heavier.  P.s. Shep likes the studio freezing cold and my knees are knocking together I am so cold.  No more than 55 degrees in here – if you see my breath on my live shot don’t be surprised!

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