Okay, I'm not a journalist and have no reputation to protect. ;-)

Based off of the early exit polls shown on Slate, added to the latest polls in the states are clearly in favor of one candidate or another (at least 10% points ahead), here are the numbers as they are currently running:

Electoral Votes:

Bush 196

Kerry 225

Now, these are early figures from the exit polls, and the numbers above are accurate if the percentage holds true throughout the night and many states have yet to chime in with exit poll results, so take this with a grain of salt. Currently, Kerry is leading in the exit polls in Ohio, Florida and Pennsylvania.

But when the polls start to close in some states, listen for the news anchors to start hinting at the outcomes, ala "If this state goes to Kerry, it could spell bad news for the Bush camp," or "The Kerry camp is abuzz with the early exit poll results . . ."

Ain't this a trip?

Joseph Haines, signing off from The Edge of The Abyss.