"Let me be clear."

Yeah, I know. I’ve seen many of the reports on all the shenanigans, the pranks, the dirty tricks, the illegal challenges, the charges, the worries, and both reported and imagined hysterics. Today will give rise to numerous incidents, stories, tall tales, rumors, challenges, appeals, further litigation, press conferences, and eventual urban legends. Regardless of the legal flurry of activity, all the evidence points to a staggering participation by the American electorate.

Let me be clear: Kerry will win outside the margin of litigation. That may be a range as high as 6-10%.

Sure, it may be a cliffhanger in some areas, but let’s look at some evidence and recent events:

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1. People all over the country—not just in the so-called battleground states—are standing in line 2-4 hours to VOTE.

2. When is the last time an incumbent inspired such voter participation? [Hint: never.]

3. Increased voter participation benefits Democrats, but also usually the challenger—rather than the incumbent (in this case also a Democrat).

4. This is the largest electoral turnout in our history.

5. Results on the aftershocks of the OBL tape are in. Kerry benefited from this unexpected intrusion into our national debate for an obvious reason: the Sept. 11 nemesis is still alive and well. The War in Afghanistan and on Iraq did not remove him as a threat, despite claims by the current Administration that he has been neutralized.

6. Those primarily motivated by a fear of terrorism may have had a disturbing thought: What if the gang who couldn’t shoot straight (George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condi Rice, and John Ashcroft) had been in charge during the Cuban Missile Crisis, when there was a genuine, imminent threat?

7. Early voting numbers are not only unprecedented and underestimated but have also been heavily Democratic.

8. Red states that were considered “out of play” earlier are suddenly back on the game board: Arkansas, North Carolina, Missouri, Nevada, Virginia, among others.

9. Case in point: 905,024 early voters cast ballots in North Carolina; total votes (including absentee) tallied 1,001,294 as of November 1. Bottom line breakdown: Democrats in these early vote trends tracked in at 50.5%, while Republicans at 35.8%. Trends and patterns continue to emerge and will be updated throughout the day.

10. Many voters have waited 4 years for this vote and aren’t about to miss it.

Let me be clear: Kerry will be the decisive victor tonight.