Jamie Klatell's blog

America has chosen its next president. The House and Senate are set (mostly). So now it's time for the Politicker team to get some rest.

Check back here on Monday for all the latest and greatest political news. For now, enjoy our coverage of Election 2008 from the earliest announcements, through the conventions, to the big day.

Barack Obama is the projected winner of Oregon's 7 electoral votes, according to the television networks.

With no precincts reporting, the Democrat was far enough ahead of John McCain in the exit polls for the networks to call the race right as the voting period ended.

Shortly after his victory over Steve Novick in the U.S. Senate race's Democratic primary, Jeff Merkley got some words of encouragement from Sen. Charles Schumer, the chair of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

After acknowledging that voters chose from "an impressive field of candidates," Schumer's statement looks toward the general election campaign against incumbent Sen. Gordon Smith:

"Gordon Smith made clear that he was afraid to run against Jeff Merkley when he launched negative attack ads against him before the primary was even finished. But voters rejected Smith's false attacks today and chose a nominee who has the courage and integrity to take on the special interests and bring change to Washington. Jeff Merkley can win in November, and I hope the party will now unite behind his candidacy."

Sen. Barack Obama will win Oregon's Democratic primary, the Associated Press and television networks project, just hours after Sen. Hillary Clinton claimed a landslide victory in the Kentucky primary.

Obama leads Clinton 57 percent to 42 percent with 78 percent of the estimated ballots counted, according to the Oregonian.

Although the candidates split Tuesday's two primaries, Obama continues to carry the momentum in his charge toward the nomination.

Obama, however, did not declare an outright victory in the long-running nomination battle.

Before the deadline for Oregon's ballot submissions even passed, Obama did tell a crowd in Des Moines, Iowa, "With the help of those who stood up from Portland to Louisville, we have returned to Iowa with a majority of delegates elected by the American people.”

He continued, "You have put us within reach of the Democratic nomination for president of the United States."