5:30 p.m.: As I start my election night commentary, I find myself sandwiched between two Republicans in the Daily newsroom. They must have been drawn to my “Barack the Vote” shirt. The newsroom is abuzz with political discussion as we sit, tuned into CNN’s election coverage, offering our own responses to the ridiculous analyses being offered. Thank you, CNN, for informing us that the economy is a problem. At 5:30, polls have closed in parts of Indiana and Kentucky, which means that CNN is running early percentages along the bottom of the screen. This replaces my personal favorite feature of the early part of the broadcast — the “Fact” ticker. This ticker informed us, in a Dwight K. Schrute-esque way, of vital bits of information like this: “Fact: If John McCain is elected, he will be the first president from Arizona.” Election facts are much more entertaining when I imagine them being said by a character from “The Office.”

Armed with two cans of Rockstar Guava energy drink and a bag of pretzels, I will be updating my election commentary as results come in. Right now, it looks like McCain has a strong lead in Kentucky, and is trailing slightly in Indiana. I’m trying not to be influenced by incomplete data, but the fact that McCain is quickly closing the gap in Indiana might be causing me to lick the salt out of the bottom of my pretzel bag. Let’s hope Obama starts to take a more conclusive lead as the night goes on — otherwise I’m going to need a LOT more food to contribute to my stress-eating habit.

7 p.m.: The second round of polls has closed, and things are looking up. I endured a bit of harassment as McCain took an early — but shaky — lead. Thank goodness CNN’s election map is starting to turn blue. Has anyone else ever noticed that most of the blue states in the country border water? I don’t know what that means, but it’s an interesting observation. The most amusing development in the current crop of projections was CNN calling South Carolina for McCain with a grand total of zero votes at the time of the projection. Yes, they were right, but it was still fairly ridiculous. I am happy to report at this point of the evening that not only is McCain trailing Obama’s 77 electoral votes with 33, he is also underperforming among key demographics – notably evangelical voters. This is shaping up to be an interesting night.

7:30 p.m.: DId I smirk when CNN called New Hampshire for Obama? Maybe a little bit. Looks like town hall meetings couldn’t save the Maverick, no matter how “sentimental” he felt about them. I’m trying not to get prematurely excited about the way things are going, but it’s hard to ignore the fact that Obama now has 102 electoral votes to McCain’s 32.

I haven’t mentioned this yet, but as I’m sure you could guess by my freshman status, this is the first election in which I’ve had the privilege of voting. That in itself is exciting, but the fact that Obama is doing so well is enough to blow my mind! I, like every other Obama supporter in the newsroom, am beaming from ear to ear right now.

On a side note, did anyone else see CNN’s creepy hologram reporter? Wolf Blitzer beamed Jessica Yellin in from Chicago so that an eery, glowing version of a reporter could deliver news without the distraction of a crowd behind her. In contrast to the awesome “virtual capitol,” this was just disturbing. CNN, you have officially gained creeper status.

8:30 p.m.: I realize that this election is far from over, but the combination of sugar and a good showing for Obama is causing me to bounce around the newsroom like a little kid waiting to open her Christmas presents. In contrast, there are three Republicans moping next to me. Unfortunately, as one of these McCain supporters pointed out, the current projection map looks very similar to the one from 2004 in terms of blue states. A lot of states that could very well go red are too close to call right now. However, Ohio’s current numbers are giving me a great deal of hope. No Republican has won the presidency without winning Ohio — and CNN just called Ohio for Obama with 56 percent of the vote! The next round of poll closings will include results from our great state of Iowa. I’m happy to report that my home state of Wisconsin has been called for Obama, probably thanks to what my editor — who happens to be moping right now — refers to as the “Soviet Socialist Republic of Madison.” I leave you with another electoral vote update — Barack Obama, 194; John McCain, 69. I’ll try to stop smiling so much for the sake of the McCain supporters next to me.

9:30 p.m.: This is going to sound incredibly corny, but as the numbers continue to come in favoring Obama, I find myself filled with a sense of hope.

Hope for the future?

Yeah, that sounds about right.

Iowa’s seven electoral votes have gone to Obama — he received an overwhelming 72 percent of the popular vote! Across the country, the numbers are a little closer — 51 percent for Obama; 48 percent for McCain. Still, when you look at the electoral vote distribution, Obama is taking a fairly clear lead with 207 votes to McCain’s 135. It’s still too early to call this election, but I’m feeling confident in America’s ability to choose the candidate that will bring about the change this nation needs.

10:30 p.m.: BARACK OBAMA IS THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

This is a truly historic moment in history — we are looking at our nation’s first black president. Giving Obama at least 333 electoral votes, the country has shown that it is ready for a real shift in ideology, and Barack Obama is the man to bring about that change.

McCain supporters have made fun of Obama’s taglines for most of the campaign — they’ve argued that “hope” and “change” are silly words that have been thrown around with no meaning. Now Obama will finally have the opportunity to show the country what he has been talking about — what his supporters have believed in — a positive, fresh way of looking at things. An attitude that can bring prosperity and peace back to our country — that can improve the way the rest of the world views our nation.

I can’t remember the last time I felt this hopeful, this confident, about our country in my 18 years on this earth. It’s possible that I’ve never felt this way — that I’ve never had this much hope for the future of our nation.

January 20, 2009, will mark a new chapter in our nation’s history.

Barack Obama has promised America a change it can believe in. This election has shown us that America believes.

Keep checking back for more updates.

— Jessica Opoien is a freshman in English and pre-journalism and mass communication from Marinette, Wisconsin.