In case you’re wondering what all this pre-REAL RESULTS chatter is based on, Rich Lowry from the National Review Online gives us a peek at the Romney intel from the field.
Here’s what Lowry says Team Romney is basing its Virginia optimism on:
In Staunton’s Ward 4 in 2008, 1,450 people voted. As of 1:30 p.m. today , 1,223 people had voted. McCain won this precinct in 2008, 54.8 percent to 44.3 percent.
By noon, 972 votes had been cast in Elmont’s precinct 704 in Hanover County. In 2008, there were 1,422 total votes cast in the precinct, which McCain won in 2008, 68-30.
In Democratic stronghold Charlottesville at 1 p.m., turnout was 36 percent of registered voters. Obama got 80 percent of the vote there in 2008.
In Democratic stronghold Martinsville, turnout by noon was 34 percent. Obama got 65 percent of the vote there in 2008.
Yancey Precinct in Augusta County had 1,474 voters as of 1 p.m. — that’s 48 percent of the precinct’s registered voters. McCain won Yancey Precinct, 68-30.
Bluefield media market and Withville, we’re seeing two-hour wait lines — this is coal country in VA. These are Romney voters.
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell says that because so many folks were still waiting to vote when the polls closed, the count is going to take a while in VA.