AFP Photo-Phoenix, AZ

PHOENIX—Holding her 6-month-old baby, Trig and wearing a blue “Alaska Grown” sweatshirt, Sarah Palin walked over to a few members of her press corps to answer some final questions before heading back to Wasilla, Alaska.

Palin reflected on her brief candidacy that attracted more attention at times than the presidential candidates and drew crowds double and triple the size of John McCain. She described the campaign as “entirely positive.”

Palin demurred when asked if she will be up next in 2012 saying it was too far off to start thinking about it and that she is just “anxious” to get back to the job of Alaska’s governor.

“Oh you know it seems like so far–2012 we will be enrolling him in Kindergarten,” referring to her son whom she was holding under one arm.

Palin then pointed to seven-year-old daughter Piper who had just come back from a swim and was standing next to her mom.

“She’ll be headed to what? About 5th grade, 6th grade by then. Those are my thoughts at this point is 2012 seeming a far way off today.”

The finger pointing started even before the GOP ticket abandoned their White House hopes last night between McCain and Palin staffers–some who blame John McCain’s loss on his running mate. But, Palin said she won’t get involved in the “pettiness” or the “negativity” and instead blamed it on “the nature of the beast” referring to politics.

“I don’t know what they’re saying or who they are but certainly if anything is based on any kind of anonymous source, I certainly won’t even comment on it.” Palin said, “But I have absolutely no intention of engaging in any of the negativity because this has been all positive for me for what I believe in, the values that I represent and the progress that I wanna see America be able to make. Just absolutely no time for the pettiness. “

Palin explained, “It’s kinda just the way I’m wired. I don’t have time for that.”

Instead of commenting on the in-fighting she had high praise for both the President-Elect, Barack Obama calling his win “an historic moment” and McCain labeling him a “uniter.”

“And though this chapter has closed now in the campaign, John McCain still has so much to offer this country and he as a leader now in the Senate, he as a uniter, I think that you’re going to see him in a leadership role, being able to work with the president elect in this transition period that’s going to be a very crucial time to show that ability to unite America,” Palin said.

Although Palin went after Obama on the campaign trail every day for two months, the former GOP Vice-Presidential candidate was effusive in her praise for the now President-Elect.

“This is an historic moment. Barack Obama has been elected president. Let us, let us—let him be able to kind of savor this moment, one, and not let the pettiness of maybe internal workings of the campaign erode any of the recognition of this historic moment that we’re in.” Palin said, “And God bless Barack Obama and his beautiful family and the new administration coming in.”

She added, “America is going to reach her destiny” and then reflected on the first African-American being ascending to the American presidency.

“It says all good things about our country, and the progress that we have made and the barriers that have come down.” Palin said, “I couldn’t be more proud of where we are today, you know, this minority status now being kind of propelled to the forefront, that’s healthy.”

She said it was an “honor” to represent working women while on the stump and she intends on continuing to work on their behalf.

“And whatever happens for me in the future, especially in terms of being able to help progress the women’s movement also, I’m not gonna let women down. I’m gonna keep working hard.”

AP Photo-Wasilla, AK

WASILLA, ALASKA –-Sarah Palin cast her vote for herself after an all-night trek, which ended in her hometown. She strolled into her old stomping ground, the Wasilla City Hall council chambers where she served both on the city council and as mayor.

She walked in with husband Todd wearing jeans and a baggy brown sweatshirt with the words Gov. Sarah Palin embroidered across the right side. She hugged and kissed poll workers before spending just 97 seconds in the voting booth. She walked out and said, “Thank you!”

Donning an “I Voted Today!” sticker Palin calmly walked out in the frosty Alaska temperatures and expressed confidence that her ticket will be victorious today.

“Now tomorrow, I hope, I pray, I believe that I’ll be able to wake up as Vice President elect, and be able to get to work in a transition mode with the President-Elect, John McCain.” Palin said, “So anxious to get to work for the American people.”

Clearly happy to be home and around loved ones, she did betray just a hint of emotion at the ride that began in the building behind her when she was elected to the city council in 1992 and has lead her to be the Republican Vice-Presidential nominee. She called America “the land of possibilities and opportunities.”

“So we have a very optimistic, very confident view of what’s going to happen today, and again, so glad to get to be home in Wasilla, to cast this vote because forever I’m gonna be Sarah from Alaska and it’s an honor to get to be here with my friends and family,” Palin said.

The unruffled Alaska governor happily continued to take questions from the assembled press even as her staff tried to cut her off several times.

She acknowledged that no matter which ticket is victorious this evening that history will be made and either the first African –American will be elected the President of the United States or a woman will ascend to the Vice-Presidency.

“And I do recognize this is an historical event, no matter which ticket of course prevails, there too, it’s so well for the progress this country is making, and barriers of course being removed and glass ceilings being shattered, again, as the representation on both tickets will show,” Palin said.

(more…)

CHICAGO, Ill — A press plane packed with Bidens means there are a lot of talkers - and one of the clan’s youngest charmed the traveling press corps on a flight from Richmond to Chicago.

10 year old Finnegan Biden, who grandpa Joe often mentions on the stump, revealed that she wants to be president when she grows up.

The man who’s actually running for a White House job rescued young Finnie from the pack of jackals - though he said he subscribed to anything she said. Finnegan, said Senator Biden, was the family member pushing hardest for him to take the VP job.

“It was the beginning of speculation and quite frankly I did not think it was real. And I turned to Finnegan and I said what do you think I should do?” Bien said. “She said I think you should do it. And I said why, and she said – I think I remember you saying Barack Obama needs you.”

“First, it’d be really cool,” young Finnegan told the press on the plane. “And he, he and Barack Obama will make a difference.”

Biden joked that one of the deciding factors in accepting Obama’s offer was the fact that the Vice Presidential residence is only a mile and a half from Finnegan’s house - owned by Biden’s son Hunter. “And her little sister Masie is up there. She said yeah, pop, it’s got a swimming pool. They’re all reasons,” Biden said.

Appearing relaxed, Biden said he’s superstitious and doesn’t want to talk about what will happen if they win — but several times spoke of a future in Washington before adding a caveat.

“I’m getting a dog. I’ve always had dogs. I’ve always– assuming we win, and I’m not assuming anything,” he said. “We’re not there yet. The deal’s not closed yet.”

And asked whether his mother, who lives on his property in Wilmington, would move in with him in DCBIden said “I really am superstitious and we really have not talked about it.”

Biden is doing interviews with local TV stations from a Chicago hotel, then plans to watch returns with his family and the Obamas before going to Grant Park for what will either be a massive victory rally or a massive wake. But the Delaware Senator wasn’t sure which it would be - or when he would know.

“The polls are going to close and by 9 o’ clock eastern time.Yyou will have Virginia, well into you know, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio, by that time,” he said. “You’re going to know whether you’re going to be up a long, you know a long night or if it’s going to be a short night.”

As his youngest granddaughter Natalie, age 4, came and hugged his leg, Biden turned the stage over to the younger generation. “Well, I’m gonna leave you guys at this press conference,” he said, returning to his cabin.

AP Photo-Richmond, VA

RICHMOND, VA — In his final solo appearance of this campaign, Democratic VP Nominee Joe Biden shook hands outside Montrose Elementary School - a polling place just minutes from the airport.

Joined by Gov Tim Kaine, Biden worked a racially mixed rope line about 100 feet from the building - and told one poll watcher who came out to invite him inside that he’d been told that was as close as he could get. “If i came in, I’d be tempted to vote twice,” he said.

Lots of hugs and close talking along the rope line, as is his wont. He gave his Secret Service flag pin to one 6 year old boy who had taken a shine to it as they talked, pinning it on the youngster and spinning him around for the cameras to see. “That’s a secret service flag pin,” he said. “wear it with pride.”

The Delaware Senator also greeted two folks with Firefighters for Obama shirts on and thanked them for all their hard work, and signed more than one voter registration card.

Biden told reporters he’s feeling good. “I always feel at the end of the race that it ain’t over til it’s over. so we’re waiting ’til the polls close. right guys? ” he said.

As he walked off the line, one woman in an Obama t-shirt yelled “are you leaving?” over and over, dancing a bit and shouting “i’m so excited.”

In the parking lot, Sen. Biden visited with 19-year old first time voter Wayne Philips of Richmond, who suffers from Sickle Cell Anemia and was too ill to make it into the polls - so election officials brought the voting machine out to Philips in the parking lot.

Biden and family are now off to Chicago for a round of satellite interviews designed to help get out the vote - and to watch returns with Obama.

AP Photo-Wilmington, DE

WILMINGTON, DE - Joe Biden’s vote is officially in the books.

Cheers from the crowd outside the polling place announced the Delaware Senator’s arrival just before 9am. BIden walked into this school, just two blocks from his home, with his wife Jill, daughter Ashley, and 91-year old mother Jean Finnegan Biden in tow. The VP nominee flashed his trademark smile, and gave the assembled press a wave.

Emerging from the booth, Biden gave a thumbs up for the cameras before kissing his wife, out first. “Feeling good. Feeling good,” he said — but as per the law, wouldn’t say who got his vote.

“Don’t tell em who you voted for,” Biden told his mother after she cast her ballot. Turning to a polling worker, he said “Mom says this is the most important election of her lifetime, and not because you’re running Joe.”

The family walked out to cheers and applause - and a few jeers from fans of Biden’s Senate opponent, Republican Christine O’Donnell. Biden is still running for his senate seat, in addition to taking a spot on the Democratic presidential ticket - so he was able to vote for himself twice.

The VP is headed to Chicago with 35 family members on board his usually empty press plane — with a short stop in Richmond, VA on the way.

AP Photo

ELKO, NEVADA–Palin’s last campaign stop of her candidacy attracted a few thousand supporters to a late night rally in a high school gym here.

Flanked by her parents and in-laws, she thanked this small Nevada town–that is a frequent stop for the candidates–for spending the last moments of the campaign with her.

“It’s so good to be here in Elko.” Palin said, “So good to be here. This is our last stop on the campaign trail. It is our pleasure, our honor to get to share this historic moment with all of you–the last stop on this campaign trail.”

She took the opportunity of being in a basketball gym to compare her high school days when she was “Sarah Barracuda” to predict a come from behind win.

“Healthy good competition and victory is what we fight for. That’s what we are fightin’ for tomorrow!” Palin said, “And Todd and I both we have been in positions on basketball teams as being in the underdog, but kind of providential here maybe my senior year of high school I was a co-captain of our basketball team. We were the underdogs and we went on to win the state championships!”

Palin flies overnight from Elko to Anchorage, Alaska so she can vote in her hometown of Wasilla in the morning. She then turns right back around to fly to Phoenix to be with her running mate as the polls close and the finals results are tallied.
She told the cheering crowd that their enthusiasm will carry her through the night and into Election Day.

“Truly Elko thank you so much for comin’ out tonight.” Palin said, “Late night and just appreciatin’ so much that you would make this effort and this enthusiasm is overwhelming and this is what’s going to carry us through–through this night into tomorrow fighting for victory for all of you Elko and for all of America as we send John McCain to the White House!”

AP Photo- Reno, NV

Reno, NV–Palin held her second to last rally of the campaign and she was joined on stage by her husband, Todd; parents, Chuck and Sally Heath; her brother Chuck Heath Jr. and her in-laws Jim and Faye Palin.

Palin’s father spoke very briefly before Palin and expressed his pride and projected confidence as it turns Election Day on the East Coast.

“I’m just so proud to be Sarah’s father.” Heath said smiling, “Years ago I taught Sarah how to field dress a moose. But tomorrow I want you to see her field dress a donkey.”

As she introduced her family to the crowd in a livestock events center here she praised them as she was advocating support for families with special needs. She said they taught her that family is of the utmost importance and she will bring that “spirit” to Washington.

“John and I have the vision of an America where every innocent life counts and every child is cherished and I say this standing in front of some of the greatest family lovin’ people whom you will ever meet Nevada: my parents, my in laws, my brother.” Palin said, “Up here in this line up we have school teachers, we have the greatest grandparents in the world. They have taught me what this is all about–about family. Now see this is the spirit we want to bring to Washington. As Vice-President I’m gonna make sure that these children and our families-all of our families in America will understand yep family comes first. You will have a friend and an advocate in the White House.”

Her next and last event is a rally in Elko, Nevada before she heads North to Alaska to vote in her hometown of Wasilla, Alaska.

AP-Philadelphia, PA

PHILADELPHIA, PA — On the eve of what he and his running mate hope will be a big victory, Joe Biden took the stage with a man who just earned the biggest win of his professional life - World Series champion short stop Jimmy Rollins of the Philadelphia Phillies.

“Ready to celebrate one more time?” Rollins asked the crowd of 2,000 gathered for this late night rally in South Philly — which kicked off at 11:15 pm. “We took the curse off by winning a championship. Now it’s time to take the curse off America.”

Jill Biden, a huge Phillies fan who attended the series clinching game 5 at nearby Citizen’s Bank Park, took the microphone in a red Phillies jacket, whooping and waving a Phillies towel like she was in the audience. “One of the best nights of this campaign was watching the Phillies win the series. But with your help we can win another big victory tomorrow night!” she said, punctuating her remarks with a loud “Wooohoo!!”

“I feel good tonight, because you know. You know, things end well when you’ve got Jimmy Rollins leading off the batting order here tonight,” Biden said as he took the podium. But as he often does when talking baseball, the Delaware senator and self-proclaimed Phillies fan committed an error.

“If Barack Obama’s the Jimmy Rollins of the ticket, I feel like Jamie Moyer,” Biden said — referring to the 45 -year old game 3 starting pitcher. Biden, however, called him “The reliever.”

“A little bit older, you know what I mean? You know, but we make a hell of a team, I tell you.”

Aside from all the baseball analogies, Biden had a simple message for Pennsylvania, a state on which John McCain has placed much of his hope for an electoral upset.

“Pennsylvania is going to decide the next President of the United States of America. It’s gonna be Barack Obama,” Biden said to cheers.

Ridiculing McCain and Sarah Palin for calling themselves mavericks, Biden said “the sidekicks are gonna find out about Pennsylvania tomorrow. They’re gonna find out.”

AP Photo-Roswell, NM

ROSWELL, NM — As John McCain continued his 3,500 mile, seven city whirlwind journey across the nation in the final day of campaigning, he touted about an out of this world endorsement that he joked could bring him New Mexico’s five electoral votes.

“By the way I have been here to Roswell before and I know about the alien landing,” McCain told about 1,000 supporters gathered at an airport hangar here during his fifth rally of the day. “And I am pleased to announce that I have received the alien endorsement….and I am proud!”

UPDATE—Apparently McCain was actually endorsed by “the alien” per the Weekly World News. The alien has allegedly accurately predicted every election in the last 28 years. So McCain’s got that going for him, which is nice.

AP Photo

Colorado Springs, CO–Country singer, Hank Williams Jr. is often by Sarah Palin’s side throughout her two months on the campaign trail. He opens up with the National Anthem, but at a rally in an airport hangar here, Williams Jr. veered off script and directly questioned Barack Obama’s patriotism before he sang the National Anthem.

“You know, I’m usually at Monday Night Football tonight, but Colorado, this is a lot more important tonight. Join me now in our National—you know, that song that, uh, Mr. Obama’s not real crazy about, we’re singing it right now.”

Williams then sang, “McCain-Palin Tradition” which blasts the “liberal media” and calls the GOP Vice-Presidential candidate a “good lookin’ dish”—it is his standard song after the National Anthem.

Palin took the stage after his performance and thanked Williams Jr. calling him “a great inspiration” because he uses “the first amendment” which seems to defend Williams comment.

“We want to take a minute here to thank Hank Williams Jr. Over the past couple of months he has traveled with us. He and his most beautiful family stops all along the way this campaign trail. Now this is the last rally that we get to do together and he’s been just a great inspiration. Never one to hide his opinion or be afraid to share it.” Palin said, “Hey he exercises those First Amendment rights. We love him! Yes. So we want to thank Hank and we are going to see him tomorrow night on the other side of victory, my friend.”

When asked if Palin agreed with Williams Jr.’s comment and that is why she praised him Palin spokesperson Tracey Schmitt said, “She has said before that she knows Barack Obama loves his country.”

On October 17th, Palin was asked if she believes that Obama loves America as much as she does and she responded affirmatively.

“I know Obama loves America. I’m sure that is why he’s running for president. It’s because he wants to do what he believes is in the best interest of this great nation. I believe that our ticket can do a better job for America as we reduce taxes and rein in government and allow our private sector and our families to prosper, to grow, and to keep more of what they earn and produce so that they can reinvest according to our own priorities. Palin said, “But I don’t question at all Barack Obama’s love for this great country.”

Schmitt attempted to clarify Palin’s comments further,” She was making clear that he was expressing his opinion–just as she has explicitly expressed hers when saying frequently that Barack Obama loves his country.”