Writer Dianna

Call me a nerd, but I’ve always really loved Election Day.

There’s something about people from all different walks of life coming together to vote – regardless of who their candidate is. The trouble is, in past elections, I was usually only sharing the experience with about 5 other people that bothered to go to my polling place.

The line to vote in Miami stretches around the proverbial block. Props to the lady who brought something to sit on.

So, maybe that’s why it didn’t bother me that it took 3 hours to cast a ballot yesterday. At least people care enough to show up!

I decided to try early voting because the lines are already hours long in Georgia and I assume they will only get worse on Tuesday. Despite the 3 hour wait, I found the whole experience pretty enjoyable. Here are the main reasons why I think it wasn’t so bad:

1) No annoying people next to me in line.
I actually chatted with about 5 other people the whole time and felt like I made some new friends by the time we left. I was afraid the conversation might go to politics – which can turn an otherwise civilized discussion with strangers into a nightmare – but it never came up.

2) Expectations
I had already seen local news reports about how long it might take, so I prepared myself for a few hours on my feet before I went to the polls. I also happened to attend a luncheon right beforehand where the guest speaker was Naomi Tutu, the daughter of Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She told a story about waiting in line for days when they first got the right to vote in South Africa, so a few hours kind of paled in comparison.

Anyway, I know I may be the lucky one.

I’ve heard a few horror stories about early voting too.

Let us know what your experience was like! Tell us about it in the comments field below.

Posted by: Writer Dianna
Filed under: Election Connection

Writer Aimee

OK, I’m fessin’ up. Tomorrow is Halloween … I have a costume party to go to this Saturday … and – I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE what to dress as!!

Is this the Halloween spirit committee? They come after you if you don't dress up for Halloween. Uh oh, Writer Aimee might be in trouble!

I’ve tried just walking through the store hoping an idea would pop out … I’ve tried searching the web for some brilliant ideas … but, nothing pops out at me.

So, I’m curious (and yes, beware, I may “borrow” your ideas) – what are you dressing as for Halloween this year? Or, what’s the best costume you’ve ever worn?

One year … I dressed as a nerd. Some would say that didn’t take a lot of dressing up at all. I had this ridiculous hat with a spinny thing on it. You know you’ve seen them! One year, my sister dressed as a bunch of grapes. A VERY PUFFY BUNCH OF GRAPES. That wasn’t so fun for her when we had to march around the school parking lot for our annual Halloween parade.

I tend to prefer topical costumes … Presidential candidates, or something that represents a hot news story from the year, etc. What do you think? Got any creative ideas?

Posted by: halloween, Writer Aimee
Filed under: Extras

Writer Lauren

We’re in the home stretch of the presidential election – and about 7 % of you are undecided (that’s according to CNN’s new average of polls.)

We want to hear from you!

Why are you undecided, so late in the game? What do you need to hear from the candidates, to make your final decision? And, if you’ve already made up your mind, what is the one issue that sealed the deal for you?

Join our conversation now: We might read your blog comment on TV this morning!!

Posted by: Writer Lauren
Filed under: Election Connection

Political Correspondent Richard Lui

Very shortly, if you haven't done so already, many of you will be casting your vote for not only President and VP, but also indirectly a group of top advisers that will drive the President’s decision making. Issues of national security and the economy will be defined and recommended by his cabinet and strategists that inhabit the white house.

Chief of Staff, Secretary of State, and Treasury Secretary are just some of the positions he must fill come January. We look into the process and decisions the president undertakes to fill his staff; as well as some names that have been discussed that McCain or Obama might select. Former eBay president Meg Whitman, Warren Buffet and others are discussed in these reports

These choices might affect who you vote for. You might like some of them, dislike others. Take a look and let us know how if at all, a President McCain’s or President Obama’s potential choices change the way you think.

Posted by: Political Correspondent Richard Lui
Filed under: Uncategorized

Business Correspondent Jennifer Westhoven

What is YOUR boss doing to deal with the economic downturn?

Ah the company holiday party. The revelry, the regrets, the free drinks. But in these tough economic times will it become a thing of the past?

Cutting jobs, 401k matches, holiday parties, most likely.

Across the country, bosses are taking a hard look at their costs. Many expect sales to fall, and have to adjust. The bottom line is: that’s bad for workers.

The Number One cost for many companies is labor - and that means job cuts. According to a survey by Watson Wyatt, one in four companies say they are planning to either cut jobs or put in a hiring freeze in the next 12 months.

Two percent of companies said they had already cut 401k matches (GM was the latest in the headlines to do that) and another four percent said they are considering it – Money that can be crucial for your nest egg!

About 20% also said they could cut the holiday party. 'Bah humbug' indeed.

Have you experienced any cost-cutting at your workplace? Tell us about it in the comments below.

Posted by: Business Correspondent Jennifer Westhoven
Filed under: Your Money

Writer Keith

Halloween is just across the corner, and being the Salem, MA representative on the Morning Express Congress I am so glad to be living in Atlanta this time of year.

Halloween to you may mean costumes, candy, and egg fights. To me it meant avoiding massive traffic jams downtown, trying not to get punched out by some meathead looking for witches, and hiding from tourists up by the water tower at Gallows Hill with some beers and a campfire.

Thank you for putting cash into our economy. This still doesn’t mean we like you. A visitor walks through smoke from a fog machine in Salem, Massachusetts.

By the way, for those of you looking for ghosts and goblins this year in the Witch City, please keep in mind the hysteria was mostly a land-grab that was probably fueled by a mold that caused hallucinations. BOO!

Speaking of beer, I nearly drove off of the road this week when I saw a billboard outside of a package store saying Yuengling Lager would be available in Georgia this weekend. Talk about your "October Surprise"!

I am really pulling for the Tampa Bay Rays in the World Series. I mean most of the fans cheering for the team at their home field have had to watch that franchise for three whole months. Bitter, party of one!

My wife and I are heading back to my parents place this Thanksgiving. We have basically come to the conclusion that this is our last vacation as sane, regular people until Dustin Lester Jacoby comes into the world. Nutcracker and Celtics game here we come. Who knows, I may even blog about the FVBK (final vacation before kids).

Going back to Halloween, when you were a kid you knew which house gave out whole candy bars and when you were an adult you knew which house had the guy passing out hot apple cider spiked with spiced rum.

I asked my dog Barrett who he likes this election season. He likes whichever candidate supports drilling for more dog treats that look and taste like t-bone steaks.

What if the hokey-pokey really is what it is all about?

Anytime I wax nostalgic about the Red Sox season, I just pop in a DVD of "The Steve Harvey Show" and suddenly feel at ease.

I can't believe Alec Baldwin showed up on "SNL" with Governor Sarah Palin. I thought he had moved to Canada four years ago.

Any random thoughts about the weekend you'd like to share? Leave them in the comments field below.

Posted by: Writer Keith
Filed under: Extras

Senior Writer Jeff

We do our best to tell you the news you need each morning.

But let’s be honest: part of what makes “Morning Express” so much fun ... is that we find stories about some of the strangest people you'd ever hope to meet.

This cop tasered a teen for fun. Yes, looks like lots of fun.

My personal favorite is still the guy who tried to rob a store using a palm frond as his weapon.
But this morning, we have 3 fine candidates. Let’s examine their actions and (lack of) judgment.

1) Mac the Knife
Police say he stabbed himself to impress a woman! During my years of dating, that one never occurred to me. Maybe my wife would like it. Honey?

2) Tase me, Bro!
An off-duty rookie policeman was having fun at a party where there was underage drinking … when a 15-year-old boy had a great idea: tase me, bro! The cop obliged. The crowd cheered as the kid went down. The officer has been fired.

3) Queen Mary Jane
A teen beauty queen and her friends decided to dine and ditch. It was funny until she remembered she'd left her purse at the restaurant. By the time she had gone back, the cops were there waiting for her. This train wreck gets even better: the cops found marijuana in her purse!

So, who should be kicked out of the gene pool first? Now, I’d say we can’t kick out the beauty queen. But, ignore her obvious gifts for a moment, and focus on sheer stupidity. To whom would you give the boot?

Write your comments below, tell us why, and feel free to offer up some other nominations!

Posted by: Senior Writer Jeff
Filed under: Extras

Are you or someone in your family having money troubles?
Maybe you have no debt, but still can't get ahead.
"Morning Express" and our financial expert Clark Howard want to help you!
We're looking for individuals or people who want to be profiled for a special on Headline News.
Send us a video and an email, and let us know why we should chose you for this special.

Posted by: Your Money
Filed under: Your Money

Anchor Robin Meade

Can we ever do enough for our troops?

I'll be in New York on assignment Thursday and Friday - at a concert to honor our young vets.
It's a joint venture between CNN networks and MTV. I'll be talking with the troops about the issues they face. Meanwhile, performers like Kid Rock and Will Ferrell will be doing their thang on stage!

You'll see the bulk of my work on MTV Friday night at 8pm eastern. Then, I'll make an appearance to talk about it on Anderson Cooper’s 360 Special “Back From The Battle” CNN Saturday and Sunday night 8 eastern.

Posted by: Anchor Robin Meade
Filed under: Extras

Supervising Producer Dave

If you’re a fan of Robin’s podcast – and I know you are - then you’ll remember an episode from a few weeks ago where Rafer and Bob were hanging out at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta. They got to meet and joke around with some of the world’s best golfers, who were getting ready for the PGA’s Tour Championship.

Dave goes elite, for a day.

Well, I recently did Rafer and Bob one better. I played the course.

Although East Lake is an ultra-exclusive, private club, the experience got me thinking about how golf - despite its elitist image - separates itself from other, more populist sports by allowing the average Joe (or Dave, in this case) to play some of its most magnificent venues. Any golfer with the patience to wait for a tee time, and the money to pay for it, can play legendary courses like Pebble Beach, Pinehurst #2, TPC Sawgrass, Torrey Pines, Bandon Dunes, Whistling Straits, and Bethpage Black - not to mention most of the great British Open courses.

On the other hand, I guarantee that you and your buddies can’t play a pickup softball game at Fenway Park. You can’t play three-on-three basketball at Madison Square Garden, or flag football at Lambeau Field, or a friendly tennis match on Centre Court at Wimbledon.

(In case you’re wondering how I got to play East Lake, a buddy of mine won a silent auction for a foursome and was nice enough to invite me. I got the word via text message at 6am on a Saturday, and I couldn’t type “Count me in!” fast enough.)

Although I play most of my golf on municipal courses, I’m no stranger to some of the game’s hallowed grounds. I’d played Pinehurst #2 and TPC Sawgrass (yes, I put my tee shot in the water on #17.) But East Lake was going to be different. For one thing, I rode in a cart at Pinehurst and Sawgrass, and played with strangers. At East Lake, I’d be playing with friends and walking the course like the pros do, with a caddie who knows the layout’s every angle and break like the back of his hand.

Plus, East Lake is just a few miles from my house. I drive past the course every day on my way to work. And, I often play at a neighboring par-3 course, from which you can look across the street and see East Lake’s rolling fairways, treacherous hazards and frighteningly fast greens.

I’d walked East Lake as a spectator during the Tour Championship, but I never thought I’d get to play there. And yet, on a cool, clear mid-October morning, there I was, standing on the first tee.

Seven shots later, my ball was in the hole. And, that’s pretty much how it went the rest of the day.

East Lake is tough, but fair. The standard rules apply: keep the ball in play and out of trouble around the green, and you can shoot a decent score. But if you start spraying your tee shots and putting yourself on the wrong side of the hole, you’re in for a long day. Championship courses like East Lake really penalize bad shots, as I found out again and again.

But in the end, I had fun. My caddie was great, I only lost one ball, and I finished with consecutive bogeys on the difficult 17th and 18th holes. As for my overall score, let’s just say it was a big number. So big, in fact, I had to get some of my scientist friends to work on it. Click here to check out the result.

Posted by: Supervising Producer Dave
Filed under: Extras • Sports