RNC, first round over

From NBC's Mark Murray
The initial round of voting is now over, and it took about 15 minutes. Each of the 168 RNC members -- three from every state and territory -- dropped his/her ballot into a box. They proceeded in alphabetical order by state, much like at a high school graduation ceremony, as the committeewoman conducting the vote remarked.

An accounting firm will now begin tallying the votes.

"I can't believe how exciting this is. I am hanging on the edge of my seat," said one observer in the room.