They did it based on exit polls, literally announcing it as soon as the hour hit.  Over on Channel 4 Mr. Potatohead, oops, Tim Russert, is trotting out some huge numbers for Obama.

Russert also predicts a win for Huckabee in Virginia (huh?).  Sounds like all the McCainians stayed home out of the icy rain or crossed over to vote in the Democratic primary.  Must have mostly gone for Obama.  

When Obama is sworn in, people will look back on this night, and remember that this was the night Obama took the lead and never looked back.

I'm planning on displaying mine proudly all year long.  Right next to my "Webb for Senate" and "I miss Bill" bumper stickers.

oh Pat!  the man is too much...  

I guess we'll get to see how Obama does with the scrutiny that the front-runner gets.

In the meantime, congrats to the all the folks here who worked hard for Barack Obama's victory.

Hillary Clinton has now lost 8 contests in a row - each by a LANDSLIDE. She's finished. Hillary Clinton will not win another state in the 2008 primaries. We have a nominee now and it is Barack Obama.

Go forth into the blogosphere and spread the Good News.

In a way though it is good.  We mustn't get complacent and assume we have it locked up.  Until we have the delegates, and she concedes, we have to work like we are 30 points down.

Obama clearly has the momentum, but I am just not sure how this translates into his being the presumptive nominee.

I think frontrunner would be the more accurate designation.

Texas has early voting like California, so I don't know how many people have already voted.  But I would say that the state is up for grabs.  And it is doubtful that even if Senator Clinton wins, she will win by a landslide.

I think Senator Obama's draw and ability to bring new people out is a tremendous asset.  I hope that plays out down the ballot and I am sure Super Delegates are thinking about the same thing.  This could tip the balance in many close elections increasing our majorities in both houses and in states across the country.

The sooner she ends her campaign, the sooner we can start working towards getting a Democrat in the White House.

I mean, you never know, but I'd be shocked if she quit before March 4.

Among other things, Clintn and Obama are pretty much even in terms of total delegates (including SDs), at this point. At worst, she will be about 100 delegates behind in terms of pledged delegates going into three states that are strong for her and where she can make that up.

Even after tonight, the total votes cast for her and Obama are still roughly even, particularly if you exclude caucuses (the results of which are easily skewed by a variety of factors).

I mean, I understand Obama has the momentum, but it is just the start of the fourth quarter. Why on Earth would Clinton have a decision to make at this point, much less conclude it is time for her to step down?

I'm happy for Obama and his supporters tonight, and Clinton's position is considerably weaker now than it was yesterday, but this thing is far from over.

Wesley Clark tried this in 2004 as well and it just does not work. No matter how well you poll at first in whatever Magical Pony state you are depending on to catapult you into first place, by the time you actually get there you're going to look like such a loser (because you will have, you know, been losing) that the lead will evaporate.

The Magical Pony strategy does not work. There are no magical ponies.

Though I think it is unfair to compare Clinton and Giuliani. Clinton has real support. Giuliani never did. He had name recognition - nothing else.

She won the primaries in the two biggest states to vote so far.

How on Earth is her dropping out "the right thing?"

And I am sincerely happy for Obama and his supporters. It's a big night for him.

I just want to see us win in the Fall and in 2009 here in Va.

I want to win the war against extremists in our own government.  It does us no good to prolong the inevitable.  If you want to win, it makes sense to send your best soldier.

Clinton will lose in the general election against McCain.  Let's not choose to lose six months prior to the general election.

So, I guess she can win all of those.

Ohio:  Clinton 56% Obama 39%

http://www.surveyusa.com/clien...

http://www.pollster.com/08-TX-...

It is important then to reduce the margin so that the delegate allocation is even then.

It is important then to reduce the margin so that the delegate allocation is even then.

I guess we'll get to see how Obama does with the scrutiny that the front-runner gets.

I believe he will be treated more as the leading candidate.  If his wins continue, the knives will get sharper.  Then the real test begins.  Will he be able to hold his own or will "buyer's remorse" set in.  Only time will tell.

I for one would prefer it to stay neck and neck.  It is much more interesting....and it does keep the attacks muted.

If Obama is to be the nominee, I believe it would be good for all sides to keep things positive and then to have him surge ahead just before Puerto Rica's primary (June 1st).

Think of the fun!

(If he secures a win too soon, we will have a long boring spring ahead of us.)

Hillary goes negative, and she may pay for it (a la Bill in SC).

Clinton going negative doesn't work. DanG is quite correct.

I want to congratulate my friend Barack Obama on his win today in Virginia's Democratic primary.  Both Senator Obama and Senator Clinton deserve credit for their hard work and their spirited campaigning across Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.  We've fielded a tremendous group of Democratic candidates this year, and we should be proud of their incredible work.

Today, Virginia voters from across the Commonwealth came together around a message of hope and optimism. Today, voters showed confidence in Barack's ability to unite this country and transcend divisive Washington "politics-as-usual."

Barack Obama impressed me when I campaigned with him in 2005 and during Jim Webb's run in 2006. But, after having the unique opportunity to campaign for him across Virginia, I believe more than ever that Barack is the best candidate to unite our country and transform our politics in the cause of progress.

Virginians are results-oriented people.  Their support and enthusiasm on the campaign trail and at the polls today is proof positive that folks are looking for meaningful change and looking to a leader focused on a more hopeful future.

Congratulations to Senator Obama on his decisive victory.

So far, no comment from Gov. Kaine on the apparent resignation of his former campaign manager. :)

Ever been there .... it's 80% Hispanic with a sister city Juarez a stones throw (literally) over the Rio Grand (not so grand river) in Mexico.

So in VA Beach Barrack draws 18 thousand .... in El Paso Hillary draws the same. And having listen to her stump speech her draw is not based upon up-lifting rhetoric. Hence the match ain't over ... no checkmate at this point.

Watch the remaining precincts prove me wrong.

...what the eff'ing heck happened in CD11?  98% in and only like 15,000 votes?  3% active voter participation?  For Pete's sake.  With more than 70% in in the CD10, less than 7% participation?  This is actually kind of a sad day for NOVA.  Maybe they had better weather downstate?

CD 01-(4)-Obama-64    Clinton-34
CD 02-(4)-Obama-61    Clinton-37
CD 03-(6)-Obama-78    Clinton-20
CD 04-(5)-Obama-75    Clinton-24
CD 05-(4)-Obama-64    Clinton-35
CD 06-(4)-Obama-53    Clinton-45
CD 07-(5)-Obama-68    Clinton-28
CD 08-(7)-Obama-64    Clinton-35
CD 09-(4)-Obama-32    Clinton-65
CD 10-(5)-Obama-56    Clinton-42
CD 11-(6)-Obama-56    Clinton-42

Or am I missing something here?

I am so proud to be a Dem tonight!!!

"Politics is not about power. Politics is not about money. Politics is not about winning for the sake of winning. Politics is about the improvement of people's lives. It's about advancing the cause of peace and justice in our country and the world. Politics is about doing well for the people."- the late Senator Paul Wellstone (D-MI)

Maybe if she ignores it, it will go away

Somebody has screwed up here - and this is going all the way to the news channels.

She didn't play fair, so why should I?  

"Today, the nation witnessed Virginians turning out in unprecedented numbers for Democrats, an exciting preview for the energy that's to come in November," said Tom Perriello, Democratic candidate for Virginia's Fifth District. "It's clear that Virginians are hungry for a new generation of leadership and ready for a real change in our political system. Today's results bode very well for Democrats up and down the ticket in November."