NO EASY NIGHT. I'm holed up in Cambridge, of all places, at the Sheraton Commander. Later this evening I'll be taking part in a panel discussion at Harvard's Nieman Foundation. Just wanted to check in before moving along.

Earlier this afternoon I met David Corn of the Nation for coffee near Copley Square, where workers were getting ready for tonight's outdoor party and rally. Like everyone who's hoping Kerry wins tonight, Corn was optimistic about the early exit-poll numbers. Still, there's a long way to go.

Zogby is projecting Kerry the winner, 311 to 213. Take away Florida, and Kerry's still got 284 - just enough to win. Slate's numbers - posted 20 minutes ago - put Kerry slightly ahead in Florida and Ohio, and substantially ahead in Pennsylvania. Kerry is kicking Bush's ass in Minnesota, which at one time had been thought to be in play.

For a brief moment this afternoon, there were indications that Kerry might win easily. That now seems to be evaporating. At the moment, I'd rather be Bob Shrum than Karl Rove. (I'd rather be Bob Shrum than Karl Rove even if I were down by 90 points, but that's another matter.) Still, right now it looks like this is going to be tight. And a long night stretches ahead.