News-Record.com

The News & Record’s Voterspeak panel is making predictions, and we hope you'll make some too. Read their guesses for Election Day results, make your own calls in the comments section, and see how your picks stack up against the actual winners on Tuesday.

QUESTION: “This one comes in three parts. First, one office anywhere on the ballot and make your prediction on who will win and why. Second, choose race from these three - president, governor or U.S. senator - and say who will win and why. Third, make a call on a ballot initiative such as one of the Greensboro bonds or the quarter-cent sales tax and say why you think it will pass or fail.”

And Voterspeak says:

Jeff Bartolet, 38, Republican: "Roy Cooper will win attorney general because he properly diffused the highly public Duke lacrosse case and handled his office respectably well.
"Pat McCrory will win the governor’s race for his strong leadership and high profile as mayor of Charlotte.
"The Parks and Recreation bond will not pass because it didn’t pass when the economy was seemingly in better shape. It’s definitely not a necessity during lean times."

Phyllis Davis, 64, Republican: "I predict that McCain will win by a very slight margin with a recount. The American “backbone” will come through at the last moment to prove the media wrong on poll counts and issues. We aren’t ready to destroy the America our forefathers intended it to be.
"I think Dole will win in the senate race. Kay Hagan’s record in North Carolina of not being able to help balance the state budget, her meeting with the “Godless” group without explanation and her incredible wealth will make North Carolina voters uneasy.
"Steve Troxler will again be elected the Secretary of Agriculture. He is a “hands on” farmer and has served this state well in this position."

Kendall Garvin, 29, unaffiliated: "For governor I think Pat McCrory will win the election with a small margin even with the predictions of a strong turnout of democratic voters. I think Perdue is vulnerable because North Carolinians do want a change from the same politicians who have been in office for a while, but can’t really tell what they have done while in office. Furthermore, Perdue’s lack of participation in the first debate probably affected some voters' thoughts about Perdue.
"For Senate I think Kay Hagan will win the election. I think North Carolinians realize that Dole doesn’t have much of a connection to North Carolina anymore. If there was some chance of her winning I think she ruined it with her attack ad on Hagan claiming Hagan did not believe in God. After the negative publicity from HER ad she still considers it a legitimate ad. This showed the nation a piece of her character and most people regardless of political affiliation thought the ad went to far.
"The parks and recreation facility bond probably is not going to pass. With the economy like it is at this time most people will probably look at having a swimming pool and an extra park as an unnecessary expense."

Trevor Hamm, 25, Democrat: "I think Kay Hagan will defeat Elizabeth Dole in the Senate race. The "Godless" ad probably tipped the scales for Hagan if they hadn't tipped already. I think that Obama will win the presidential election by a significant margin because he represents the most significant shift from the policies of the Bush administration.
"There will be a large number of Obama votes that come from people who haven't fully been factored into the polls because they are not traditionally considered to be likely voters. I don't think that any of the bonds will pass simply because economic times are so hard."

Mike Kelly, 60, Republican: "I am going to throw caution to the wind and predict that ol’ ship of state, Howard Coble, will be the 6th District congressman. Why? Because he’s Howard and one doesn’t vote against an institution. More to the point, Ms. Bratton has not done jack to convince us to do otherwise.
"For senator, the magic eight ball says Elizabeth (Don’t Call Me Liddie) Dole has put herself squarely behind it with this last screed calling into question Ms. Hagan’s religious faith. A pundit wrote that when a candidate uses religion in a campaign they usually don’t have a prayer. Score a close one for Kay Hagan.
"The War Memorial initiative will fail. The taxpayers of Greensboro know this facility benefits a small percentage of the community. And while having the auditorium and its wonderful programs is a cultural star in our crown, now is not the time to drop fifty mil into the orchestra pit. When this city is again flush with discretionary monies, then we can refurbish the War Memorial."

Marlene Costa Nielsen, 67, Democrat: "I predict that Kay Hagan will defeat Elizabeth Dole, whose performance as U.S. Senator has been lackluster at best. For governor, Pat McCrory has run an effective campaign against Beverly Perdue, who hasn't capitalized on her many years in government. Although the sales tax increase initiative didn't pass before, it has a better chance this time due to uncertainty in the economy."

Kate Peeples, 27, unaffiliated: "I think Roy Cooper will easily win the Attorney General race. I think the governor's race is still very much a toss-up, so I'll say I hope Perdue wins. I will be very, very surprised if all of the bonds pass, but I think the Parks & Rec bond in particular doesn't stand a chance. "

Mike Sigmon, 61, Republican: "Predictions are tough in this environment. These are worth exactly what you’re paying for them.
"Dole retains her seat. I don’t believe Hagan has the necessary name recognition outside of the Triad to unseat an incumbent.
"Quarter-cent tax increase fails due to distrust of County Commissioners."

Ruth Mary Weston, 54, Democrat: "Howard Coble will win by a large, but smaller then usual, margin over Teresa Sue Bratton. He’s a good guy even if you disagree with some of his positions, and we usually keep good guys even when the challenger is a good gal.
"Obama’s the next president by a nose in the popular vote. Exit polling will show a big lead that narrows as the night goes on. Could be the next case of a Supreme Court or House of Representatives appointment.
"I’m betting the 'nothing-passes' exacta on the bonds. People will pick up pennies in the parking lot now, and they used to let the dimes roll away. We’re not in the mood."