Exit polling: High fives among dems, indeps at sight of my Scott Brown sign

We exchanged the secret signal —  big grins, high fives and friendly banter prompted by the sight of our Scott Brown sign — with lots of fellow citizens as we walked to and from our polling place at the Williams School in Chelsea this morning. These two affable gentlemen were on their way to a job and said they would vote for Brown later on. Both were independents, the largest voting bloc in Taxachusetts, polling strongly towards our man Scott, and were delighted to pose holding the sign.

"Light snow in Chelsea but avalanche of happy faces, high fives among dems, indeps at sight of my Scott Brown sign," we twittered in 140 characters or less following informal "exit polling" this morning. The snow was dusting the sidewalks as we hurried back home after voting here in Chelsea-by-the-Sea just north of Boston, our Scott Brown sign held high. It was species recognition with all but a handful of people we passed. Those few looked grim, shaking their heads in resignation when we asked would they be voting for Brown. What an up it was to see that free-at-last aura that came over most of our fellow pedestrians as they eagerly shared their enthusiasm over having a real choice in the special election to fill The People's Seat.

More "exit polling" of the social-media kind from a few of our commenters. Here's out-of-stater Gayle Miller of And you thought YOU were cranky?:

I wore my "It's the people's seat, stupid!" tee shirt yesterday roaming around Virginia having lunch with Sis and all for the Holiday and everywhere I went people were saluting the shirt and all knew what it meant! That says something. We in Virginia apparently are rooting for Scott Brown is my best take on the matter! Our new governor took office this past Saturday!

"Sissy, no matter how it turns out, Brown or Coakley, the message has been delivered," comments Granite Stater Tom Bowler of Libertarian Leanings:

The question remains, will the good old boys pay attention or ignore it?

And from our venerable father and most reliable commenter, Goomp:

Idealists should understand that working hard and honestly to produce better material goods at lower prices produces profits and makes a kinder, better society than hand wringing and imposing incurably inefficient government controls. Vote for change. Vote for Scott Brown.

The warm and wonderful women known as inspectors who "man" the polls — There were a few men, but mostly women — told us voting was heavier than for the primaries, and the animated banter among voters was all about Democrats and Independents fed up with what Mark Steyn calls "Hopeychange." As a young person who had voted for the first time in 2008 told a Boston Globe reporter [via Instapundit], " All my friends voted for Obama … All my friends are saying Obama promised a lot but he’s doing nothing."

Then there was the woman we chatted with outside the polling place who told us she and her husband, son and 90-year-old mother — who had voted absentee — were lifelong Democrats who had had it up to here with unresponsive, overreaching government and were relieved to have "a good man" like Scott Brown to help steer the ship of state back on course.

Finally, the arch stylings of a commenter calling himself Sir Archy, who reminds us that if history is a guide, the Democrats aren't going to give up without a dirty fight:

I went to Mr. Curley earlier Today with my Vote.  He laugh'd in my Face, saying the Matter had been decided.  "What?" says I, "My Ballot has not been cast! I should be pleas'd to inform you how I would vote."  "You are not only a duly enroll'd Voter," says he, "in a Voting Machine in East Boston, but your Vote for Mrs. Coakley has aleady been registered.  Did you honestly think the Opinions of either the Living or the Dead carry much Weight with the Democratick Party?"

The answer, of course, goes back to that "avalanche of happy faces" in our opening paragraph. As Tea Party pal Stoutcat of Grand Rants writes — in a variation of Hugh Hewitt's famous line — "If It's a Landslide, They Can't Steal It":

Please. Get out and vote today. The weather’s not at its best, but don’t let that stop you.

Scott Brown ran an honest, clean, and professional campaign. He’s a good man, and will be a good Senator for us in Washington. He’s well ahead in the polls and he should win this election. Don’t let it be just another election stolen by Democrats. Get out and vote. Take your friends with you.

Meanwhile, comments are coming in fast and furious from all around at Prof. William Jacobson's "Brown vs Coakley LIVE all day." It sets the heart beating faster to watch the comments scroll by and hear them coming in over the transom. Head on over to read what people on the ground are saying and add your own two cents' worth. Here are three recent ones from Norsu, one of the earliest and most dedicated promoters of the Brown candidacy on Twitter, who manages to condense enormous amounts of telling information into the fewer-than-140-characters format:

I hit 4 polls Metro West - running 70-80% Brown, Some Coakley sign holders lifeless not into it. Browners socializing

metro west all going Scott Brown here - but its inner cities where Coakley may carry some. I think Brown 10 points up

Talk radio, Boston voters may be turning Browns way, thats game over

Turning Brown's way? If he does, James Michael Curley will be turning over in his grave.

Update: Instalanche! "SISSY WILLIS: Exit polling: High fives among dems, indeps at sight of my Scott Brown sign. Well, it’s not scientific …"

Comments

[goomp]

May Thursday's sun shine bright on our Old Massachusetts home as we find the people's Senate seat once again belongs to the people.

[Kelly]

I held a Scott Brown sign from 7 to 9 AM this morning outside the polling place today. Yes, there was species recognition by the voters, usually a sly grin accompanied by a twinkle in their eyes. When relieved of sign duty at 9 AM, I went into the school, picked up my ballot, and took my own sweet time carefully, slowly, deliberately filling in the oval dot next to Scott R. Brown's name. I held up the ballott, said to self: "Finally, a ballot where my vote could mean something!" I savored that moment! First time I felt that way in a Massachusetts poll booth EVAH.

[gatorgriz]

Sissy: I'm following this race closely from my home in the Big Sky Country. GO SCOTT BROWN!!!

Please keep us in the Northern Rockies posted because we're watching!

[teresa]

I'm hoping for a convincing win. But the reality is, whether Scott is declared the winner or not, he has won by making the "sure thing" a real race to the finish.

One of my friends from FL called me a short while ago and asked how it felt to be in the middle of such historic doings. I said it was pretty good and I'm enjoying it when I can take a break from working... LOL.

[Andrew]

For all of your hard work, I hope Scott Brown pulls it out.

Go Scott Brown!!!

From an Okie that gave.

[Barry Youngerman]

I'm with you too on New York's Upper West Side. We still don't have the courage to hold up a sign in public for a Republican. If they can find us a candidate like Brown for this fall I promise you I will!

Barry Youngerman

[willis]

I'm from Atlanta, GA and gave to Scott Brown, as did a number of my friends. We are anxiously standing by, fingers crossed, silent prayers...please!

[Howie1]

I'm not resting until the final word is in...look what happened in MN!

GO SCOTT

[Amy]

BROWN!!!

[Jake Was Here]

THIS JUST IN: COAKLEY CONCEDES

[Connecticut Yankee]

I do hope sweet Tiny had an extra-special treat for dinner tonight. I know my kitties did!

[gatorgriz]

SISSY! WOW!!! JUST WOW!!!

[KingShamus]

Sissy: Congratulations to you. I know you worked hard to help Senator Brown win.

[MissTammy]

Sissy, how does it feel to know you had a big hand in this, girl???

Congratulations, and thank you so much!

[Carolyn]

Congratulations and thanks for all the intelligent work. Here's hoping we can do something about Boxer in California soon.

[brooklyn]

Congratulations to the USA AND MASS !

Wonderful.

Simply Outstanding.

Way to go mighty SISU.

You rock...

So does Mr. Brown.

Thanks to Mr. Romney as well.

We await 2010.

[Lori Dougherty]

I, for one, hope the good old boys pay attention. Good job, Sis. You won fair and square.

[bandit]

Congrats and thanks on your help - if you remember I told you and your commenters from the beginning that Scott was a stand up guy and was going to win. The only thing bumming me out is now I feel really old. I remember his daughter when she was barely old enough to walk.

[damnwalker]

Hi Sissy! Havent commented on your site in years, but wanted to give you "a callout" for your effort in Brown's successful run. I remember us having a discussion several years back about what had happened to the great people of Massachusetts whose refusal to be cowed and fortitude established the nation and led the revolution. Maybe they've rediscovered their heritage! Lets hope so!