Matthews: So as we look at the map going into tonight what should we be looking for?
Mitchell: Ohio is a bell weather state and if Romney can do well there then he should be looking for a victory tonight.
O'Donnell:The President is the underdog in this campaign and no one should dispute that fact. The President is running against a powerful candidate, he may not be the most appealing to every conservatives, but he is bringing in the independents.
Maddow: We need to interject, because MSNBC is calling South Carolina for Gov. Romney.
59.4%-40.0%
Matthews: Well, the old GOP strong holds are falling into line, but I want to see what goes on in the important states.
Maddow: MSNBC is also calling Indiana for Mr. Romney.
55.4%-44.2%
Matthews Well it is Romney with an early lead, but I don't know if this say anything.
Mitchell Indiana is the most important thus far. It was expected to go for Romney, but he is carrying the state by a somewhat decisive margin, so we will see how the rest of the night goes.
Romney 28
Obama 3
7:50
Maddow We are now turning to Tim Pawlenty, Governor thank you for joining us tonight.
Pawlenty Thanks Rachel, glad to be here on this night.
Maddow: Well Governor Romney is doing well tonight. He has already taken West Virginia and Georgia and looks poised to take Ohio based on the data we received, what are your thoughts as the night progresses?
Pawlenty: I think Mitt Romney will be the next President of the United States and on the simple but firm premise that Barack Obama has failed. He failed to lead this country, our economy is in the toilet, I mean you saw the latest unemployment figures for this month. It is a disgrace to this country and that is what this country is voting him out.
Maddow: Governor Pawlenty it is eight o'clock and we have some projections to make, but if you would stand by we'd love to get your response... MSNBC is now projecting in the presidential race the following states for Mr. Obama: Maine, Illinois, Maryland, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maine, New Jersey and the District of Columbia.
For Governor Romney we project: Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee, Oklahoma and New Hampshire.
Romney 96
Obama 68
Matthews: Well there you have it. Romney still leading and has taken the old bell weather of New Hampshire, but I'm more surprised with Connecticut. New Hampshire has more moderate, business centric conservatives, but Connecticut is too close to call, your thoughts, Lawrence?
O'Donnell: I don't think Romney will end up taking the state, but this does show how close this election is and that Pres. Obama is in trouble if he can't keep a solidly democratic state.
Maddow: Sorry to intercut gentlemen, but MSNBC is now calling the state of Florida for Governor Mitt Romney.
52.4%-45.7%
Romney 125
Obama 68
Mitchell: Wow, that one's going to be tough to overcome.
Matthews: At this point he's got to keep Pennsylvania and North Carolina from slipping into the Romney column. Where does the polls stand with them, let's turn now to Chuck Todd.
Todd: Chris, looking at it right now. Romney is up in Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina. Three very important states. Virginia is leading Obama but it is narrow. Take a look at the map and it is not pretty for the president.
OHIO:
51.9%-45.7%
NORTH CAROLINA:
50.9%-46.8%
PENNSYLVANIA:
50.6%-47.7%
VIRGINIA:
49.3%-49.7%
Matthews: Chuck, going to have to cut you off as MSNBC is now calling Ohio for President Obama, excuse me Governor Mitt Romney.
Romney 143
Obama 68
O'Donnell: At this point Romney's lead seems almost insurmountable. He's up by almost one hundred delegates and has snatched away three of the prized states: New Hampshire, Ohio and Florida.
Maddow: Returning back to Governor Pawlenty, your thoughts on this projection?
Pawlenty: Two words: President-elect.
Maddow: Well said Governor, thank you for joining us.
9:00 Map Projection:
Romney227
Obama 118
