CHICAGO, Ill. — The crowd is as varied as the coalition Barack Obama has put together.

Young, old, black, white, Latino, Asian, men women. Every person is feeding off another’s energy.

The big announcement may be very close.

CHICAGO, Ill. — At the moment CNN called Pennsylvania for Obama, the crowd had its
biggest roar yet.

Everyone knew the importance of Pennsylvania for John McCain to make a
comeback victory. He invested a lot of time in the state — time that
will clearly be questioned by pundits as a waste of precious
resources.

CHICAGO, Ill. — The crowd is roaring here in Grant Park. Thousands are cheering at any mention on CNN of good news for Obama. Everyone is waiting on the 8 p.m. states — including Pennsylvania — to be called.

CHICAGO, IL —

Today, Chicagoans hope to send one of their own to the White House.
I’ve been here since yesterday, walking around Hyde Park (where Obama lives), walking up to Obama National Headquarters, and eating sausage with sauerkraut at Berghoff’s (Abe Froman reference, anyone?).

On my way out to the University of Chicago yesterday, nearly everyone on the bus from downtown was talking about politics. Intensely. “McCain should never have picked Palin,” said one man, who thinks Palin will cost McCain the election. The commuters near him agreed, and the conversation continued for the entire 35 minute ride.

But it didn’t stop there. I have seriously not stopped hearing people talk about the election (as would be expected on a very big Election Day). People seem anxious, paranoid, uncertain.

“All I can do it hope and pray. Hope and pray,” said one man.
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Write in your stories of Election Day. And go vote.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain’s wife and potential first lady, Cindy McCain, is at the National Constitution Center today for a small rally of a couple hundred.

While Philadelphia overwhelmingly votes Democratic, the Republican is hoping to dull Obama support within the city to have enough votes with rural Pennsylvania to carry the state. According to Peter Feldman, a McCain spokesman, the state is “critical” for the campaign to win the White House.

However, nearly every recent poll conducted in the state has shown McCain consistently running nearly 10 points behind his Democratic rival.

McCain and Obama shake hands as the final presidential debate comes to a close (AP)

So, what did everyone think about tonight’s debate?

Did McCain score the comeback necessary to revive his campaign?
Did Obama have any fundamental missteps?

Who’s got the momentum coming out of the debate? And why?

McCain touts his status as a reformer and a careful steward of tax dollars. He poses the vote as a question of who voters can trust with tax dollars, and as a humble servant of the nation.

Obama ends with economic disaster, and says the biggest risk is to adopt same policies that brought on disaster. He says we must invest in American people again. Also stresses service and sacrifice as necessity to address crises.

Good night and good luck, folks.

Obama links to national security issue, and says that there must be more investment and more oversight. He points to early childhood education and rewards systems for teachers. He also pushes college loans, with his community service program which would provide $4000 for 100 hours of service.

McCain sees it as a choice and competition issue, and as a civil rights issue. He wants to reward teachers who do well, and find bad teachers a “new line of work”. He also stresses that the schools with most funding are often some of worst performing. And wants to adjust student loan eligibility.

Obama claims that money left behind for no child left behind under Bush. He says he doubled number of charter schools in Illinois, a claim no doubt waiting to be disproved.

“America’s youth isn’t an interest group, its our future,” Obama says on mccains plan not to do more for college students.

McCain stresses spending issues, especially in DC public schools where most funding exists. He says there must be reform and that he won’t throw money at problem, and wants vouchers.

Obama agrees that DC is messed up, but that vouchers not way to go.

McCain says there should be no litmia test, stressing that he voted for 2 liberal judges.
Obama stresses the he believes Roe v. Wade was rightly decided and that links to constitutional rights. Obama also pushes overall on women’s issues, including fair pay.

“Court has to stand up if no one else will,” he says.

McCain presses on obamas vote for abortion issues, including some controversial votes for partial birth abortions. Claims they’re clear cut issues, which Obama voted present on.

Obama hits back by saying that the allegations are untrue, and that he voted so because exeption did not exist for health of mother. Looks for common ground, and wants to provide youth with education and protection to reduce abortions.

McCain promotes adoption and says “health” excuses are ridiculous and over stretched.