Waiting for a win in Lawrence

NEW CASTLE, Pa. — At Parkstown Lounge in Union Township, Lawrence County, Dick Craig and about 35 other Barack Obama supporters were waiting for that magic number — 270.

Obama had collected 207 electoral votes by about 10:30 p.m., and Craig and his friends were holed up in a back room at the lounge with the TV.

Craig had been at the county government center, where he said he’d heard that problems in a precinct in Ellwood City had caused a backup in election results getting out. He said that some results were starting to get out. No one answered the phone at the government center.

“It’s not official yet, but it looks real good,” said Craig of the presidential race. “We’re very happy, and we’re waiting for 270.”