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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Voter Turnout Heavy For Clinton, Obama Showdown in P A

It's been a hard fought battle, and today will determine the outcome of the hotly contested Pennsylvania battleground as voters turn out to the polls in heavy numbers in the Keystone State. Early reports indicate high numbers waiting in long lines before the polls opened at 7 am this morning.

Let’s just say it’s very busy,” said Joseph Passarella, the director of voter services for Montgomery County, sounding a little harried. “Our phones have been ringing since 6:15 this morning and have been ringing nonstop. We’ve never had a primary election this busy.”

Among the phone calls were people who wanted to vote in the primary but had not switched their registration to Democratic in time, Mr. Passarella said. Those people were told that they were not allowed to vote in the Democratic primary.

One has to speculate if some of these calls were the result of last minute sign-0n's of Rush Limbaugh's Operation Chaos.

Mrs. Clinton was planning to hold a victory celebration in downtown Philadelphia, while Mr. Obama was scheduled to fly to the next battleground as the polls close in Pennsylvania at 8 p.m. Eastern time. He is due to appear at a rally in Evansville, Ind., with the rock singer John Mellencamp; Indiana and North Carolina hold Democratic primaries on May 6.

“I have come to the conclusion that this race will continue until the last primary or caucus vote is cast,” Mr. Obama said on Tuesday. “And that’s not that far away.”

Election officials had already predicted a record turnout for today's election, and the numbers have been higher than they had predicted at most precincts.

Check back with Wake Up America tonight as we begin following the results throughout the night as returns are announced and updated.

7:50 pm CST CBS and FOXNews project Hillary Clinton winner of Pennsylvania Primary

Pennsylvania Democratic Primary:

Clinton 55%
Obama 45%

98% Precincts reporting in.


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