November 05, 2008	Wednesday	Ziqa'ad 6, 1429

WASHINGTON, Nov 4: Democrat Barack Obama is poised to become the first black president of the United States in a historic election that is likely to rewrite the American history.

But his rival, Republican John McCain, refused to acknowledge Mr Obama’s formidable lead, insisting that he still has the chance to win despite the odds.

Last-minute opinion surveys and early exit polls confirmed Mr Obama’s lead nationwide, but offered slivers of hope for his rival too in some key states.

As polls opened on Tuesday morning, Americans made long lines outside polling stations, showing an overwhelming interest in this election which is also likely to recast America’s image worldwide.

With lines forming early at many voting sites, election officials cautioned the day could be marked by long delays and the vote-counting could take even longer.

The New York Times predicted that there would be a record turnout of some 130 million voters, which would be the highest percentage turnout in a century, and would shatter the previous record of 123.5 million people who cast ballots four years ago. American people were “collectively writing the ending to a political saga … during a tumultuous, uncertain period of American history in which record numbers of people expressed concerns that the country was heading down the wrong track,” the newspaper said.

Senator Obama and his wife Michelle entered their Chicago polling place at about 8:35 Eastern time joined by their two daughters. Sen. Joseph Biden, the Democratic candidate for vice-president, voted a few minutes later in Delaware, accompanied by his wife and 91-year-old mother.

Senator McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, the Republican vice-presidential nominee, voted at about 11 am Eastern time when the polls had opened in their home states.

Both candidates broke the tradition of not campaigning on the election day and visited several states.

After voting, Mr Obama flew to Indianapolis, telling his supporters he can win this traditionally Republican state as well.

“I think we can win,” he said. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t be in Indiana.”

Mr Obama is poised to capture six of the eight swing states that usually decide the US presidential race.

Senator McCain flew to Colorado and New Mexico after voting and told his supporters, “We will fight.” The election campaign, he said, was “one of the most incredible experiences that anybody can have.”

“It was exciting,” said his running mate Sarah Palin after casting her vote.

Staffers for both campaigns said they were expecting good results and would not shy away from heading to court on election day to challenge a problem at the polls.

But they also said they would be restrained in picking court battles.

“Ideally, everyone will be able to vote once and vote fairly,” McCain spokesman Ben Porritt said.

“We’re feeling good that [today] Americans who want to vote will be able to do so without a hassle,” said Jenny Backus, a strategist with Mr Obama’s legal team.

The US Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division sent 800 observers and staff members to 59 jurisdictions in 23 states to monitor the election.

An estimated 31 million Americans took advantage of early-voting option in 34 states.

The traditional first-in-the-nation town of Dixville Notch, New Hampshire., which opens its polls after midnight on Election Day, gave Mr Obama his first announced 15 votes -- to Mr McCain’s six. In a piece of New Hampshire history that could presage a national win for Mr Obama, the Illinois senator became the first Democrat to win in Dixville Notch since Hubert Humphrey in 1968.

Earlier on Tuesday, five national polls showed Obama gaining 50 per cent or more of the popular vote -- something not accomplished by a Democratic presidential candidate since Jimmy Carter in 1976.

Mr Obama’s margin over Mr McCain ranged from two points to nine points in the final polls.

Over the three final days of the campaign, 15 polls all had Mr Obama with 50 per cent of the vote or more, with an average lead over Mr McCain of 7.5 points.

But in the final days and hours of the longest and most expensive presidential campaign ever, surveys in some key states tightened in Mr McCain’s favour, leading his campaign to insist victory was still possible.

Voting problems surface

NEW YORK: Voting problems surfaced in several areas on Tuesday morning when people turned out in droves as presidential balloting commenced in the eastern United States, as long lines and malfunctioning machines greeted voters.

Americans have kept a close eye on election problems recently. In 2000, the results of the election were held up until the US Supreme Court ultimately decided to halt a recount over contested votes in Florida, leaving George W. Bush the winner. In Ohio, there was turmoil in 2004 over malfunctioning machines and long lines.

On Tuesday, voters had to use paper ballots because of problems with electronic voting machines in some New Jersey precincts. And in New York, Board of Elections spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez-Rivera said many people began lining up as early as 4am at some polling places to avoid long lines, leading to erroneous reports that some sites were not opening on time.

Poll worker John Ritch in Chappaqua, New York, said: “By 7.30 this morning, we had as many as we had at noon in 2004.”

Gov Ed Rendell urged voters in Pennsylvania to “hang in there” as state and country officials braced for a huge turnout. More than 160 people were lined up to vote by the time polls opened at First Presbyterian Church in Allentown.

“I could stay an hour and a half at the front end or three hours at the back end,” joked Ronald Marshall, a black Democrat.

Hundreds converged on polling precincts in Missouri, a crucial battleground state. Norma Storms, a 78-year-old resident of Raytown, said her driveway was filled with cars left by voters who couldn’t get into nearby parking lots.—AP