54% of Buncombe County precincts have reported to the Board of Elections. In the Democrat races, Obama is still leading, but by a 54-44 ratio. Bev Perdue is leading the governor’s race with 56% of the vote. Jones is still smoking the competition.

 In the Republican race, Paul and Huckabee are now tied with 15% of the vote each. Mumpower and Pittenger are holding on to their leads. Fred Smith is squeaking by the competition with 40% of the vote in the governor’s race. Joe Dunn is also maintaining his narrow margin as top vote-getter in the commissioners’ race with 25% of the vote. 

Statewide, Obama has 60% of the vote compared to Hillary’s 39%. Mike Huckabee has 12%, and Ron Paul has 8% of the vote. Elizabeth Dole has been a runaway candidate from the outset. Mumpower has 51% of the vote, and Spence Campbell 40% in the 11th District Congressional race. Richard Morgan has twice as many votes as either of the other contestants for Superintendent of Public Instruction.

 My phone is not ringing, so I am going to take it to the streets for some color commentary now. Back in a bit.