Down at the packed, sweltering People for Patty Murray campaign headquarters in Eastlake, about 150 people (and only three insufficient electric fans) are sweating out the last fifteen minutes before the drop.

Murray, an aide said, is going to be watching the returns "with her family." But she's talking right now—after having been introduced by a veteran—about veterans. And small businesses. And getting the economy moving again. And veterans. And small businesses. And getting the economy moving again.

There is no food in sight. Just a lot of empty bottles of water.

"Tonight is just the end of a first step," Murray is saying. “We’ve got more work to do but let’s do it right." And then, insinuating that a vote for Republicans is a vote for failed Bush policies: "Let’s not go back to where we were.”

"I wanna keep my tennis shoes on," she says. "And keep fighting for you and being your voice."

Cue her song: "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."