But Walz picked up 207,749 votes, according to the unofficial final tally, compared to Penny’s 206,369 in 1992.

E-mails without end
The political e-mails to The Free Press have returned to a manageable level of a dozen or so a day.

After totaling 614 campaign-related e-mails in August and 1,335 in September, the inbox was weighed down by 1,623 in October. Another 166 arrived between Nov. 1 and the official end of the 2008 campaign e-mail season — the 2:24 a.m. Nov. 5 e-mail from Ralph Nader congratulating Obama on his victory.

An inter-switched acrimony ATM
The total number of e-mails appears to be about triple the number from the 2006 campaign — but some other political reporter may be wading through the e-mail cess pool next time around. That’s because late on election night, The Free Press political reporter finally found something worthwhile in the inbox — an e-mail from Bult Carl, Obama group award coordinator.

“Dear lucky winner,

“Obama group member and investors all over the world and Barack Hussein Obama has given you a free offer and award which is about $750,000.00 (SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS), which will be given to you immediately.”

Yes! After getting various personal information together and forwarding it to Mr. Carl, a very special ATM card will be coming this way.

“The acrimony ATM Card means Automated Teller Machine Card. This card is universally accepted all over the word. ... The ability of the card to dispense cash from any ATM Machine, is its unique attribute of being inter-switched.”

Ka-ching! An inter-switched ATM Card with a $750,000 balance. Now, there’s some change we can believe in.