Based on the number of votes counted, commentators reported turnout of more than 70% of the voters in some areas.
Still, some Russian Orthodox leaders and commentators report growing alienation among student-age youths from the church and resentment that the religion is being forced on them.
Several commentators reported humorously on the expressions of Malia, 16, and Sasha, 13, but Ms Lauten attacked them and their parents.
Radio and television commentators reported today that the incoming prime minister would keep at least five cabinet posts -- out of as many as 30 -- for his own Likud Party.
The same commentators report that the possibility of any easing in the government's anti-terror legislation is increasingly remote "regardless of the pressure from the Liberal Democrats".
Ben Caspit, one of Israel's leading newspaper commentators, reported "some sources" as claiming that Mr Olmert was seeking to prolong the war in order to postpone the elections.
David Carr, the New York Times media commentator, reports that US stockbroking analysts are referring to the division of the News Corp businesses as "GoodCo" (the entertainments part) and "BadCo" (the publishing side).
Mary Matalin, Mr. Cheney's senior counselor and a former political commentator, reported income of more than $1.5 million last year from speaking fees and television appearances.
"The crowd tonight would applaud and go crazy," said Jon Keller, a WBZ radio commentator reporting from the convention floor, "if he held up a piece of French toast".
Ashley was a frequent television and Internet chess commentator, reporting on the Garry Kasparov v. Nigel Short world championship match (1993), Kasparov v. IBM Deep Blue matches (1996 and 1997), and Kasparov v. X3D Fritz (2003), among other chess events.
